In Ohio, the conveyance fee is typically paid by:
Audio Lesson
Duration: 2:33
Question & Answer
Review the question and all answer choices
The buyer
Buyers typically pay for items like loan origination fees, title insurance, and recording fees, but not conveyance fees in Ohio. Confusing buyer and seller expenses is a common error.
The seller
Split equally
While some costs may be split between buyer and seller, conveyance fees in Ohio are not typically divided equally but are instead a seller responsibility by custom.
The title company
Title companies facilitate the transaction but do not typically pay conveyance fees out of their own pockets; they collect from the appropriate party.
Why is this correct?
In Ohio, conveyance fees are considered a cost of selling property and are traditionally paid by the seller as part of the closing expenses. This aligns with customary practice where sellers bear the cost of transferring ownership.
Deep Analysis
AI-powered in-depth explanation of this concept
Understanding who pays conveyance fees is crucial in real estate transactions because it directly impacts closing costs and negotiation strategies. This question tests knowledge of Ohio-specific customs in real estate transactions. The conveyance fee is essentially a tax on transferring property ownership, and while Ohio law doesn't strictly mandate who pays it, customary practice strongly favors the seller. The reasoning process involves recognizing that conveyance fees are similar to transfer taxes in other states, which are typically seller expenses. This question is straightforward but could be challenging if students confuse conveyance fees with other closing costs like recording fees or title insurance, which may have different payment conventions. This connects to broader real estate knowledge about closing procedures, cost allocation, and state-specific transaction customs.
Knowledge Background
Essential context and foundational knowledge
Conveyance fees are taxes imposed by local governments in Ohio when property ownership is transferred. These fees fund local services and infrastructure. Unlike some states that have statutory requirements for who pays transfer taxes, Ohio's approach is based on custom rather than law. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the property's sale price, with rates varying by county. This practice has evolved over time as part of real estate transaction norms, reflecting the principle that sellers bear the cost of transferring ownership.
Think of conveyance fees like a 'departure tax' when selling property - just as you might pay a fee when leaving a country, sellers pay a fee when 'departing' with their property ownership.
When encountering transfer tax questions, remember that sellers are 'departing' with ownership and typically bear this cost.
Remember that in Ohio, conveyance fees are seller expenses by custom. If a question mentions 'conveyance fee' in Ohio, the seller is typically the answer unless the question specifies otherwise.
Real World Application
How this concept applies in actual real estate practice
As a listing agent in Columbus, OH, you're preparing a closing statement for a client selling their home. The county conveyance fee comes to $1,200. You explain to your seller client that while this is negotiable, it's customary for them to pay this fee as part of their selling expenses. The buyer's agent attempts to negotiate, but you successfully maintain that the seller will pay the conveyance fee, as is standard practice in your market area.
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