Several cities in Northeast Ohio require a Point of Sale (POS) inspection before they are able to transfer their home to a buyer. Some are exterior only however it's usually a surprise to homeowners to find that there are cities that do both interior and exterior and even sewer system inspections. To add to that, there's usually a charge to the homeowner as well as a requirement to hold 1x-2x the estimated amount of repair in escrow while the repairs are scheduled to be completed.
Different than a General Home Inspection, this inspection is completed by a city building department representative and is not a contingency requirement built into the buyer's inspection requirements. Typical language in your purchase agreement will be something like "INSPECTIONS REQUIRED BY ANY STATE, COUNTY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR FHA/VA DO NOT REPLACE THE NEED FOR BUYER INSPECTIONS".
The following is a list of cities in Cleveland, Ohio that require a point of sale inspection before title transfer.
AKRON, OHIO
Building Dept: 330-375-2010
Exterior/Interior POS for COMMERCIAL occupancy
Inspection Fee: $20
AVON, OHIO
440-937-7800
No POS required.
BEDFORD, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-735-6530 www.bedfordoh.gov
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $50 for SFR plus $25 each additional rental unit
Reinspection Fee: Yes, same as original inspection fees
Escrow Requirement: Not less than $100 and equal to 150% of the estimated cost of repairs for outstanding violations. Estimate must be provided by a company registered with the City of Bedford.
BEDFORD HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-786-3200 www.bedfordheights.gov
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $125
Reinspection Fee: N/A
Escrow Requirement: None at this time
BEREA, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-526-5812 www.bereaohio.gov
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $125
Reinspection Fee: N/A
Escrow Requirement: None at this time
BRATENAHL, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-526-5812 www.bratenahl.org
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $25
Reinspection Fee: $35 and $50 each time thereafter
Escrow Requirement: N/A
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-749-4300 www.brooklynhts.org
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $50
Reinspection Fee: $25
Escrow Requirement: N/A
BROOK PARK, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-433-7412 www.cityofbrookpark.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: N/C if in June, July, August
Reinspection Fee: N/C
Escrow Requirement: None but requires buyer to sign a waiver and agree to do repairs within 90 days of closing.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-291-4900 www.clevelandheights.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $150 first unit, $50 each additional
Reinspection Fee: $20
Escrow Requirement: Not less than $1000 and equal to 125% of the estimated cost of repairs.
Ongoing POS: The exteriors of all owner-occupied single-family homes are inspected on a 5 year rotation street by street.
EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-681-2415 www.eastcleveland.info
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $50
Reinspection Fee: N/A
Escrow Requirement: Not needed but buyer must have an affidavit signed in front of a notary
EUCLID, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-289-2703 www.cityofeuclid.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: SFR $225, Two-family $260, Three-family $295, Multi-Family $225 per building + $35 per suite. One suite per building not charged.
Reinspection Fee: $112.50
Escrow Requirement: Buyer may assume violations with a signed Affidavit and $150.
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-475-3171 www.garfieldhts.org
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $125 + $40 each additional unit
Reinspection Fee: $25
Escrow Requirement: 150% estimated repairs
GATES MILLS, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-423-4405 www.gatesmillsvillage.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: N/C
Reinspection Fee: N/C
Ongoing POS: Every septic tank shall be inspected at least once every three years by a licensed company engaged in the business of cleaning and servicing septic systems. It shall be the duty of the owner of the property whereon such septic tanks are located to keep such septic tanks in proper working order at all times and to notify the Building Inspector, at least once every three years, by a certificate from the inspecting company.
HIGHLAND HILLS, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-283-3003 www.highlandhts.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $25
Reinspection Fee: N/C
Escrow: Affidavit noting violations if any, that will be assumed by the buyer. Contact the city for detailed requirements, as they are comprehensive.
HUNTING VALLEY, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-247-2807 www.huntingvalley.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $N/C
Reinspection Fee: N/C
LAKEWOOD, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-247-2807 www.huntingvalley.com
Exterior POS: YES, however, has been put on hold until further notice.
Interior POS: NO
Inspection Fee: $N/C
Reinspection Fee: N/C
MAPLE HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-663-4094 www.mapleheights.cuyahogacounty.us/
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $50
Reinspection Fee: N/C
Escrow: Buyer may sign an affidavit assuming violations and escrow 150% of estimated cost of repairs.
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-442-2626 www.mayfieldheights.org
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $50
Reinspection Fee: N/C
Escrow: Buyer may sign an affidavit assuming violations and escrow 150% of the estimated cost of repairs.
NEWBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-442-2626 www.mayfieldheights.org
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $40 SFR, $50 Two-family
Reinspection Fee: $15
Escrow: Buyer may sign an affidavit assuming violations and escrow 150% of estimated cost of repairs.
ORANGE VILLAGE, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-498-4400 www.orangevillage.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $50
Reinspection Fee: N/C
Escrow: To be verified.
OAKWOOD, OHIO
Building Dept: 440-232-9980 www.oakwoodvillageoh.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $20 SFR, Multi-Family $20 + $5 per unit
Reinspection Fee: N/C
Escrow: To be verified.
SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-491-1400 www.shakeronline.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $100 for the first dwelling + $25 each additional unit
Reinspection Fee: N/C first re-inspect, $25 each additional
Escrow: 150% estimated cost of repair. Contact city to understand how escrow hold and disbursements work. It is teired and comprehensive.
WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OHIO
Building Dept: 216-587-1230 www.cityofwarrensville.com
Exterior POS: YES
Interior POS: YES
Inspection Fee: $50 SFR, $30 per multi-family unit
Reinspection Fee: N/C within 1 year
Escrow: Buyer may assume violations and complete within 60 days of issuance of certificate.
Information deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.
Please verify with your municipality with any questions or concerns.
IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and that it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed to be accurate. Listing information updated daily.
