Columbus Condo Title & Escrow Services

Buying or selling a condo in Columbus or Central Ohio? The My Columbus Condo team works with Ohio Real Title for title and escrow. Ohio Real Title handles residential and commercial closings across Ohio, and its team takes care of everything a condo closing needs, from the title search and the association’s statement of account to condo fee prorations and recording. Your Central Ohio contact is Ron Benjamin, Senior Sales Representative, at 614-602-9813.

Send a Purchase Agreement Call Ron Benjamin: 614-602-9813

Your Ohio Real Title Contact

Send purchase agreements to: orders@ohiorealtitle.com, along with any earnest money and other transaction details.

Ohio Real Title serves buyers and sellers across Ohio, and its network of closing agents can meet at a time and place that works for you. Learn more at ohiorealtitle.com.

What a Title Company Does

A title company makes sure the condo you are buying can be transferred to you free of surprises, and that every dollar moves safely at closing. Ohio Real Title handles:

• Title search and examination: reviewing public records for liens, judgments, easements and ownership issues, including unpaid association liens, and resolving them before closing.
• Title insurance: an owner’s policy protects you, and a lender’s policy protects your mortgage lender, against covered title problems found later.
• Escrow: acting as a neutral third party that holds earnest money and closing funds and releases them only when everyone has signed off.
• Closing and settlement: preparing the settlement statement, deed and affidavits and running the signing.
• Recording and disbursement: recording the deed with the county recorder and paying off the seller’s mortgage, the association, agents and other parties.

Ohio Real Title also handles refinance closings, commercial title and escrow, and lien, judicial and property information reports.

What’s Different About a Condo Closing

A condo closing has a few extra pieces that a house closing doesn’t. Our team and Ohio Real Title track each one so nothing surprises you at the table:

• Association statement of account. The title company requests a statement from the condo association or its management company showing dues paid, any balance owed and any fees due at transfer, so the seller’s account is settled at closing.
• Condo fee proration. The current month’s condo fee is split between buyer and seller on the settlement statement.
• Special assessments. Approved assessments show on the association statement. Who pays them is set in your purchase agreement, and they are collected or credited at closing.
• Transfer or capital contribution fees. Some Central Ohio associations charge a one-time fee when a unit sells. Ask early so it is in your numbers; our Columbus Condo HOA Directory shows typical transfer fees where we have them.
• Lender condo paperwork. Your lender needs the association’s questionnaire and master insurance certificate. Our Condo Financing Specialist, Matt Sheffey, and the title team coordinate so the condo approval and title work finish together.
• Property taxes and tax abatements. Ohio property taxes are paid a half-year behind, so taxes are prorated at closing. For a condo with a Columbus tax abatement, the proration uses the abated amount; see our Columbus tax abatement condo guide.
• Parking spaces and storage units. In some Downtown and Short North buildings, parking or storage is a separate deeded unit. The title work makes sure everything you are buying is on the deed.

How a Condo Closing Works

1. Purchase agreement signed. Your agent sends the signed contract to orders@ohiorealtitle.com to open title.
2. Earnest money deposited. Deposit your earnest money with the title company as your contract requires; Ohio Real Title offers secure online earnest deposits.
3. Association documents and statement requested. Our team gathers the declaration, bylaws, rules, budget and any assessment notices for your review, and the title team requests the association’s statement of account.
4. Title search and commitment. Ohio Real Title searches the title and issues a commitment showing anything that must be cleared before closing.
5. Condo project approval and clear to close. Your lender reviews the building and your loan; the title team coordinates with the lender, agents and association so documents and figures are ready.
6. Final figures and funds. You receive your settlement statement with condo fee and tax prorations and the amount due at closing.
7. Closing day. Sign at a time and place arranged with Ohio Real Title.
8. Recording, keys and fobs. The deed is recorded with the county recorder (the Franklin County Recorder for most Columbus condos), the association is paid and notified of the new owner, and you receive your keys, fobs and garage remotes.

Protect Yourself From Wire Fraud

Criminals target real estate closings with fake emails that change wiring instructions. Before you send any money, call the title company at a number you already know, such as Ohio Real Title’s main line, 216-373-9900, to confirm the instructions. Never rely on wiring instructions sent only by email, and call your agent right away if anything looks different.

Tools for Condo Buyers and Sellers

• Instant title and closing cost quote
• Title Toolbox: seller net sheets and buyer estimates
• Secure online earnest money deposit
• Condo mortgage and affordability calculators
• Free 2027 Columbus Condo Community Guide
• Columbus Condo HOA & management company directory

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a title company do when buying a condo in Columbus?

The title company confirms the seller can transfer clear ownership, issues title insurance, holds earnest money and closing funds in escrow, gets the association’s statement of account, prorates condo fees and taxes, runs the closing and records the deed. Our team works with Ohio Real Title; your Central Ohio contact is Ron Benjamin, 614-602-9813.

Who pays condo fees and special assessments at closing?

The current month’s condo fee is prorated between buyer and seller. Unpaid dues are paid from the seller’s proceeds, and approved special assessments are handled as your purchase agreement says. Each item is listed on the settlement statement from the association’s statement of account.

Do I need owner’s title insurance on a condo?

Your lender will require a lender’s policy, but that protects only the lender. An owner’s policy protects your ownership of the unit for as long as you own it. Who pays for each policy is set in your purchase agreement, so ask your agent and Ohio Real Title for a quote.

Who pays the conveyance fee in Franklin County?

In Franklin County the seller customarily pays the conveyance fee when the deed is recorded. Buyers typically pay for the lender’s title policy, recording fees and lender costs. Your purchase agreement controls, and Ohio Real Title’s quote and net sheet tools show the figures.

Can I choose a different title company?

Yes. You are always free to choose your own title company. We recommend Ohio Real Title because its team knows condo closings, communicates quickly and works closely with ours and with our condo lender to keep closings on schedule.

Ready to Buy or Sell a Condo?

Call the My Columbus Condo team at (614) 675-2202 or contact us. For title and escrow questions, call Ron Benjamin at Ohio Real Title, 614-602-9813. For condo financing, call Matt Sheffey, our Condo Financing Specialist, at (440) 668-2942.

Title and escrow services are provided by Ohio Real Title, LLC, not by My Columbus Condo. My Columbus Condo / Capitol Ohio Sales Team, Keller Williams Greater Columbus may refer clients to Ohio Real Title; you are not required to use any particular title company. Services, tools and contacts are from Ohio Real Title (November 2026) and may change.