RESOURCES - Central Ohio

Ohio Broker Direct, LLC does not participate in joint venture business arrangements/partnerships, receive endorsement fees or commissions, nor does Ohio Broker Direct Warrant or guaranty their product...

however Ohio Broker Direct, LLC hereby affirms that each Company listed below has provided exceptional service to our clients and customers. The following information is provided simply as a convenience to our clients and customers.

• Visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/econ/econ.cfm to obtain help - for those facing the loss of their home.

• Visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea11.shtm to learn about scams.

• Visit http://savethedream.ohio.gov/ to learn about Ohio assistance programs.

Title Insurance 

Cap City Title Agency: Jim Sanderson, 614.224.1705. Jim has 28 years of Title Insurance experience, working in every county in the state. Jim likes having a small office, with an experienced staff. That way he knows his clients can always expect professional, fast and efficient service  Cap City can handle all your needs, whether a refinance or a sale, investment property or your own home. They have years of experience in investment property and have handled hundreds of tax-free exchanges, short sales and foreclosures. Their clients look to them for help with the 'hard stuff.'

Northwest Title: Anne Helge, 614.451-6313. Northwest Title has been owned and operated by the Stevenson family for over 40 years in Central Ohio.  Northwest Title has been rated the Number 3 title company by Business First Magazine for several years running.  Many of their friendly and professional staff have more than 20 years experience in the business.  Northwest Title has 6 convenient locations in the Columbus area or will come to you.  

Pillar Title: Jay Blazek, Attorney at Law, 614.268.0357. Located at 3857 North High Street Suite 300, Worthington, Ohio 43085. Jay personally oversees all of his closing transactions. A full service residential and commercial Title Insurance, Abstracting, Law and Escrow  company Servicing the State of Ohio. Their team of service professionals have years of experience in preparing your entire closing package accurately and efficiently, ensuring you a problem free settlement no matter how complex the transaction.

Talon Title: Bonnie Lustnauer, 273-0421 ext. 1121. From single property transactions to multi-state deals, residential or commercial, Talon professionals work closely with you and deliver solid service with every transaction. A locally owned company with 5 attorneys on staff to assist with your real estate needs. Joe Barone , Jack Wiese , Jeff Auker , Jim Magnuson & Jim Steller have been leaders in the title industry for over 30 years. Talon Title Agency has 4 Columbus locations for your convenience.

• Visit http://www.alta.org/consumer/questions.cfm to learn about the types of title insurance products available.

Professional Property Inspectors: I have worked with many home inspectors over the years and it concerns me greatly that the majority of consumers are not aware that Home Inspectors are NOT regulated or required to be licensed in the State of Ohio. 

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), founded in 1976, is North America’s oldest and largest professional society of home inspectors. ASHI’s goals have always been to build customer awareness of the importance of a quality home inspection and enhance the professionalism of home inspectors.  A list of ASHI home inspectors are posted on their website at http://www.ashi.org/homeins pectors/Ohio/. 

I reiterate - home inspectors are NOT regulated or required to be licensed in the State of Ohio.  Therefore it is imperative that consumers research their home inspectors accordingly.  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Joan Elflein is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a national organization of real estate professionals created in 1908 to provide resources to those servicing the real estate industry and to ensure integrity and compliance with the ethical procurement and facilitation of real estate transactions as detailed in the NAR Code of Ethics (45K PDF file) As a licensed Real Estate Brokerage in the state of Ohio, Ohio Broker Direct, LLC facilitates all business transactions in compliance with the Ohio Canons of Ethics (35K PDF file)

Consumer Information & Consumer Protection:

• Consumer links (State of Ohio) http://www.com.state. oh.us/dfi/usefullinks.htm

• Fair Housing - HUD in Ohio http://www.hud.gov/local /index.cfm?state=oh

• Lead Paint Pamphlet -  http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/outreach/pyf_eng.pdf 

• Fee-for-Service - Ohio Waiver of Duties Waiver of Duties Statement (PDF)

• Consumer protection - Ohio Attorney General http://www.ag.state.oh.us/

• File a complaint - Ohio Division of Real Estate http://www.com.state.oh.us/real/compmain.htm

• Questions/ file a complaint - Division of Finance  https://com.state.oh.us/d fi/dfifaqnew.aspx

• To Search Listings I recommend visiting http://www.remax.com  as their site is easy and friendly to use.  

Joan Elflein

Broker / Owner

614.989.7215 direct

888.447.2875 fax

Joan@OhioBrokerDirect.com