Can I sell a house without a realtor in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio does not require an agent to sell your own house. A title company or real estate attorney prepares the closing documents, checks the title, pays off the mortgage and liens, and makes sure the deed is recorded. Many sellers never have an agent involved at all.
What an agent normally adds is marketing, pricing advice, showing the house and negotiating with buyers. Without one, you either do those things yourself or sell to a buyer who does not need them.
FSBO, flat-fee MLS or a direct sale: which is right?
Selling it yourself saves the listing commission but puts the marketing, showings and negotiation on you. A flat-fee MLS listing gets the house in front of agents and buyers for a set fee, though you may still pay the buyer's agent. A direct sale skips the market entirely: one buyer, one offer, no showings.
- FSBO: most control, most work, and buyers still need financing.
- Flat-fee MLS: broad exposure for a set price; you handle showings and offers.
- Direct sale: least work and fastest, usually at a price that reflects condition.
Who handles the paperwork?
A title company. Once there is a signed purchase agreement, the title company searches the title, orders payoff figures, prepares the deed and closing statement, collects signatures, pays everyone, and records the deed with the Hamilton County Recorder. You can choose a title company yourself.
Most sellers also complete Ohio's residential property disclosure form (ORC 5302.30). If you have questions about a contract, a real estate attorney can review it for a modest fee.
What do I save, and what do I give up?
You save the listing commission, which in a traditional sale is often a meaningful share of the price. What you give up depends on the route: with FSBO, your time and the agent's reach; with a direct sale, usually some of the top-dollar price in exchange for speed, certainty and no repairs.
The honest comparison is what you take home and when. Get a written offer from me, talk to an agent about what they think the house would list for, and put the two side by side with the costs of each.
How does selling directly to Greg work?
Call or text, show me the house once, and get a written offer within 24 hours. If you accept, a local title company handles the closing in as little as 10 business days, or on your date. No commissions, no fees, and I pay my own closing costs.
See cash home buyers in Cincinnati for the questions to ask any buyer, including me.
"He was very honest and told me what the market was selling for and what he could offer me. He paid a bit more than he wanted because we knew each other, and he also let the tenant leave anything they didn't want, which was almost a house full. Excellent for me, I didn't have to lift a finger. Would recommend Greg and his business at any time."
Greg Carpenter is a licensed real estate agent in Ohio. When Deforest Solutions makes you an offer, Greg is buying the house for himself, not as your agent.