As 2025 draws to a close, Ohio real estate practitioners and property owners face a transformed legal landscape. From historic property tax reforms to new licensing requirements and investor regulations, the Ohio General Assembly enacted sweeping changes that will...
Content By James J. Scherer
Ohio’s Proposed “Property Protection Act”: An Overview of House Bill 1
The Ohio General Assembly is currently considering legislation that would significantly expand restrictions on land ownership by individuals, businesses, and governments associated with certain designated foreign adversaries. Ohio House Bill 1, also known as the “Ohio...
Ohio Property Tax Reform: Legislative Override Eliminates Key Levy Types for School Districts & Municipalities
Ohio lawmakers completed a significant override of Governor Mike DeWine's budget vetoes in October 2025, fundamentally altering how local governments and school districts can structure future property tax levies. This action by the General Assembly, combined with...
Navigating Interest Income in 1031 Exchanges: Strategic Considerations for Tax Deferral
As investors increasingly leverage Section 1031 exchanges to defer capital gains taxes, nuanced scenarios involving interest income on exchange proceeds require careful analysis. A critical but often overlooked aspect arises when interest earned on funds held by a...
Combining Membership Interest Purchase Agreements & 1031 Exchanges to Maximize Tax Efficiency in Real Estate Deals
The intersection of real estate transactions and tax strategy has long been a focal point for investors seeking to optimize returns while minimizing liabilities. Two powerful tools in this arena – the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (MIPA) and Section 1031...
Energy Efficiency Incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act: The Basics for Developers
Since its passage barely over two years ago, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) has made significant steps forward in promoting energy efficiency within the construction industry. Incentives under the IRA include tax credits for the installation of clean energy...
Cleveland Launches “Residents First” Program: What Residential Landlords Should Expect
In KJK’s prior alert, “Residents First” Proposal Introduced to Cleveland City Council, we discussed the City of Cleveland’s (the “City”) proposed legislation affecting Cleveland’s residential landlords. Since then, legislation passed in 2024, and the City will be...
Ohio’s Recent Code Changes Promote Building Safety and Performance
Ohio recently joined the majority of states – and many nations – in adopting the International Plumbing, Building, and Mechanical Codes (IPC®, IBC®, and IMC®) in March 2024. These codes are part of the International Codes (I-Codes®) published by the International Code...
Cuyahoga County Launches Sexennial Property Reappraisal
Starting this month, Cuyahoga County (the County) begins the daunting task of reappraising every property in the County for the sexennial reappraisal due to be completed in 2024. As required by state law, every county in Ohio is required to periodically update or...
“Residents First” Proposal Introduced to Cleveland City Council
This month, a proposal dubbed the “Residents First Legislative Package” (the “Proposal”) was introduced to Cleveland City Council. The Proposal is aimed at combatting vacant and dilapidated buildings in the City of Cleveland as well as enforcing stricter upkeep of...