The Title Examiners: The Detective Work Behind Every Deal Long before you ever see a title commitment letter, our title examiners are digging through decades, sometimes generations, of public records — deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, and probate filings — to piece together the complete ownership history of a property and confirm it can be …
Mineral Rights Aren't Always Part of the Deal In Ohio, especially in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state, it's common for mineral rights (oil, gas, and coal) to have been severed from the surface estate decades ago and sold or transferred separately from the land itself. That means you can buy 40 acres …
Moisture and Drainage Issues Top the List In a region with Ohio's clay-heavy soils and pronounced seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, poor grading and drainage around the foundation are consistently among the most frequently cited issues in home inspection reports across Southwest Ohio. Inspectors regularly find soil sloping toward the house instead of away from it, downspouts …
Read more The Most Common Defects Found in Ohio Home Inspections
Not All Homes Are Titled the Same Way Manufactured and mobile homes occupy an unusual space in Ohio property law. Unlike a traditional stick-built house, which is automatically treated as real property attached to the land, a manufactured home often starts life titled more like a vehicle, through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles rather …
A New Endorsement Just Approved in Ohio Effective August 1, 2026, the Ohio Title Insurance Rating Bureau approved a new form and rate for use across the state: ALTA Form 3.3, the completed improvement, nonconforming use zoning endorsement. If that sounds like technical insurance jargon, that's because it is, but it addresses a real and …
Read more What Is a Zoning Endorsement in Title Insurance? Ohio’s Newest ALTA Form Explained
When a Marriage Ends, the House Doesn't Automatically Follow Divorce settlements often resolve who gets to keep the marital home, but that decision on paper is only half the process. Title to real property in Ohio doesn't automatically change just because a divorce decree says one spouse is awarded the house. Without the right follow-up …
Read more Divorce and the Marital Home: Title and Ownership Considerations in Ohio
A Property Tax Break Many Eligible Ohioans Overlook With Ohio property values, and property tax bills, having climbed significantly in recent years, one of the most valuable and consistently underused benefits available to homeowners is the state's homestead exemption. This long-standing program can meaningfully reduce the taxable value of a home for qualifying seniors, permanently …
Read more Ohio’s Homestead Exemption: How Seniors and Disabled Veterans Can Reduce Property Taxes
The Renovations With the Best Track Record Not all upgrades return their cost at resale, but a few consistently perform well. A minor kitchen remodel — refacing or replacing cabinet fronts, updating countertops and hardware, and swapping outdated fixtures — tends to recoup a strong share of its cost because kitchens are the room buyers …
Spring: Waking the House Back Up Spring is your chance to check what winter left behind. Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles, clean gutters and downspouts of debris, and check the grading around your foundation to make sure water drains away from the house rather than toward it. Test your sump pump before …
Read more The Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist Every Owner Needs
Conventional Loans Conventional loans aren't backed by a government agency — they're funded by private lenders and typically sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. They offer the most flexibility: down payments as low as 3% for qualified first-time buyers, no upfront mortgage insurance premium, and private mortgage insurance (PMI) that automatically cancels once you …
Read more Loan Programs Explained: Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA