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 Matthew T. Viola
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...
When Vacancies Create Opportunity: What Landlords and Small Businesses Should Know in Today’s Retail Market
Across the country, a shift is underway in the commercial real estate landscape. Once-unshakable national retail chains are shuttering stores, leaving behind empty spaces in malls and shopping centers. For years, these prime locations were out of reach for smaller...
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...
Ohio Senate Bill 56 Proposes Changes to Recreational Marijuana Rules
Just as your home (vs your entire property) in Ohio is your "castle" in terms of being able to stand your ground and defend yourself/family against an intruder, the Ohio Senate in SB 56 has recently voted to amend Ohio’s recreational marijuana statute (Ohio Revised...
Ohio Court Case Highlights the Importance of Clarity in Real Estate Agreements
A recent Ohio Court of Appeals decision highlights the importance of clear, precise and complete language in residential as well as commercial leases (and other real estate documents). The General Rule: Judicial Deference to Language Within the “Four Corners” of...
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...
“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...
EPA Rolls Back Wetlands Protections to Comply with Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA Decision
As KJK has previously covered, earlier this year, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) delivered a landmark ruling on the reach of the protections afforded by the Clean Water Act (CWA) in Sacket v. EPA. In that case, while all agree the CWA provides some...