CITY OF MACEDONIA
Exterior Point-of-Sale Inspection
- Looks at
- Exterior property and maintenance conditions
- Handled by
- Macedonia Building Department
- Current residential fee
- $75
- Result
- Certificate of Exterior Inspection
MACEDONIA HOMEOWNER GUIDE
Macedonia Point-of-Sale Inspection: Selling With Violations
Macedonia requires a city point-of-sale inspection before property title transfers, but the city is looking at the exterior of the property, not the inside of the house.
If the inspection finds violations, that doesn't automatically mean you have to finish every repair yourself before closing. A buyer may be able to take responsibility for some or all of the remaining work when the city's affidavit, escrow, and transfer requirements are handled correctly.
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Macedonia point-of-sale quick facts
- Residential fee
- $75
- Inspection scope
- Exterior only
- Certificate validity
- One year
- Buyer assumption
- Available through the city's affidavit and transfer process
THE COMPLETE CITY REQUIREMENTS
Macedonia Point-of-Sale Requirements at a Glance
Here is the current Macedonia process in one place.
CITY PROCESS SUMMARY
Fees, scope, timing, assumption, escrow, and official contacts
Page updated September 2026
- Point-of-sale required?
- Yes. Before title transfers, the owner must obtain Macedonia's Certificate of Exterior Inspection and provide the certificate or an exact copy to the prospective buyer.
- Inspection fee
- The current fee is $75 for residential property and $150 for commercial property. This homeowner guide focuses on residential sales.
- Inspection scope
- Exterior only. Macedonia's Chapter 1327 point-of-sale inspection does not include the inside of the house.
- Who applies?
- The owner or an agent acting for the owner submits the Exterior Inspection Application and fee.
- Inspection timing
- The city generally performs the exterior inspection within 10 working days after receiving the application and fee, except for circumstances outside its control. Current homeowner information says the inspection takes about 30 minutes.
- Certificate issuance
- Chapter 1327 directs the Building and Zoning Inspector to issue the certificate within five working days after gaining access to the property.
- Certificate validity
- The Certificate of Exterior Inspection is valid for one year from issuance. On a resale during that period, it remains valid for a subsequent bona fide purchaser for the remainder of the original period.
- If violations are found
- Unless the Building and Zoning Inspector approves an extension, listed exterior violations generally must be corrected within 90 days after the certificate is issued.
- Buyer assumption
- Available by agreement. The buyer can assume some or all remaining violations through Macedonia's notarized Affidavit for Inspection Certificate and transfer process. When a buyer assumes violations, the affidavit is notarized, delivered to the escrow agent at closing, and copied to the Building Department before closing.
- Buyer repair timeline
- The 90-day correction period begins when the certificate is issued. If title transfers first, the buyer takes over the unresolved obligation within the time allotted in the prior owner's notice, subject to an approved extension; closing does not automatically start a new 90-day period.
- Repair escrow
- Required when ownership transfers with unresolved violations. Seller and buyer document their respective repair responsibilities and the amount they consider sufficient to complete those repairs. Chapter 1327 does not state one fixed escrow percentage.
- Schedule or questions
- Macedonia Building Department: (330) 468-8300, press 1 for Building. 9691 Valley View Road, Macedonia, OH 44056.
- Official resources
- Macedonia Building Department
Municipal requirements reviewed September 2026. City fees, forms, deadlines, and procedures can change. Confirm the requirements for your property directly with the Macedonia Building Department and your title company before relying on them for closing.
EXTERIOR ONLY
What Does Macedonia Actually Inspect?
This is one of the simpler parts of Macedonia's process. The city's point-of-sale inspection focuses on the exterior of the property, not a complete interior home inspection.
The actual violations depend on the property. Deferred exterior maintenance, deteriorated surfaces, older property features, or yard issues could produce a longer list.
A dated kitchen, old flooring, clutter, an unfinished interior project, or cosmetic work inside the house is not automatically part of this exterior POS inspection. Those conditions can still affect what a buyer will pay, but they are separate from Chapter 1327.
START WITH THE BIG QUESTION
Does a Macedonia Violation List Stop You From Selling?
Not automatically. You can complete the exterior violations yourself before transferring the property.
If the buyer agrees and the city's requirements are followed, the buyer can take responsibility for some or all remaining work. That responsibility must be documented through the affidavit, escrow arrangement, repair allocation, and transfer paperwork.
FROM APPLICATION TO TRANSFER
The Macedonia POS Process in Plain English
- STEP 01
Submit the Exterior Inspection Application
The owner or owner's agent applies for the city inspection. The current residential fee is $75.
- STEP 02
The City Inspects the Exterior
Macedonia generally has up to 10 working days after receiving the application and fee to conduct the exterior inspection.
- STEP 03
Review the City's Findings
If the city finds violations, those items become the working exterior repair list.
- STEP 04
Decide Who Will Handle the Repairs
The seller can complete the violations, or the buyer can agree to assume some or all remaining items.
- STEP 05
Complete the Buyer Affidavit if Repairs Will Transfer
The buyer identifies the violations they will assume on Macedonia's notarized affidavit, and a copy goes to the Building Department before closing.
- STEP 06
Set Up Escrow and Complete the Transfer
When violations remain, seller and buyer document their repair responsibilities and the amount they consider sufficient with the escrow agent.
TIMING MATTERS
The 90-Day Repair Clock Does Not Automatically Restart at Closing
When the city identifies exterior violations, the ordinance generally gives the owner 90 days from issuance of the certificate to correct them, unless additional time is approved.
If the property transfers first, the buyer takes responsibility for the unresolved items within the time already allowed under the city's notice. The ordinance does not automatically give the buyer a fresh 90 days from closing.
A buyer should know when the certificate was issued, which violations remain, how much time is left, and whether an extension has been approved or should be requested.
IF VIOLATIONS REMAIN
How Macedonia's Buyer-Assumption Process Works
A direct sale can change who handles the repairs. It does not erase Macedonia's requirements.
- 01
DECIDE WHICH VIOLATIONS THE BUYER WILL TAKE
The seller and buyer agree on which remaining violations become the buyer's responsibility. The seller remains responsible for any items not transferred.
- 02
COMPLETE THE NOTARIZED AFFIDAVIT
Macedonia's Affidavit for Inspection Certificate identifies the violations the buyer is assuming and formally accepts responsibility for them.
- 03
GIVE THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT A COPY
The city's current guidance says a copy of the affidavit should be submitted to the Building Department before closing.
- 04
COORDINATE THE AFFIDAVIT AND ESCROW AT CLOSING
The affidavit goes to the escrow agent, and seller and buyer document their repair responsibilities and the amount held for those items.
HOW REPAIR ESCROW WORKS
Macedonia Requires Escrow, but Not a Fixed Percentage
Some nearby cities publish a formula such as 100%, 125%, or 150% of a repair estimate. Macedonia's current Chapter 1327 does not state one universal percentage.
When title transfers with violations open, seller and buyer provide the escrow agent a written statement identifying each party's repair responsibilities and the amount they consider sufficient to complete their assigned violations.
Do not borrow another city's formula. Coordinate the actual arrangement with the buyer, title or escrow company, and Macedonia Building Department.
ONE PROPERTY, TWO POSSIBLE PROCESSES
A Macedonia House With Septic or Private Water May Have Another POS Requirement
Macedonia's city exterior inspection and Summit County's private-system program are separate requirements from separate agencies.
SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
Private-System Point-of-Sale Evaluation
- Applies when
- The residential property has an applicable sewage treatment system and/or private water system
- Looks at
- The condition and functionality of those private systems
- Handled by
- Summit County Public Health and registered contractors
- Result
- County review and Certificate of Transfer
A SEPARATE COUNTY REVIEW
Does a Septic or Private-Water Problem Automatically Stop the Sale?
Not necessarily. A registered contractor evaluates the applicable sewage treatment system, private water system, or both. Summit County Public Health reviews the results and can issue the Certificate of Transfer.
The county says the inspection results do not prevent a transfer, although significant problems can require follow-up with the current owner. Approved exemptions may also apply in limited situations.
Different agency. Different inspection. Different paperwork.
CHOOSE THE WORK YOU WANT TO TAKE ON
Three Ways to Move Forward With Macedonia POS Violations
PATH 01 · REPAIR AND LIST
Complete the Violations Before Selling
You complete the exterior repair items, coordinate any needed reinspection, and prepare the property for the traditional market.
MAY FIT WHEN
The list is manageable, you have time and money for the work, and broad retail-market exposure matters most.
PATH 02 · LIST WITH OPEN VIOLATIONS
Find a Buyer Willing to Assume the Remaining Work
A traditional buyer can potentially assume some or all remaining violations through Macedonia's affidavit and escrow process.
MAY FIT WHEN
You want broad market exposure and have time to coordinate the city paperwork, remaining correction time, financing, and closing requirements.
PATH 03 · SELL DIRECTLY
Let a Direct Buyer Account for the Repair List
We can evaluate the house as it sits and make a written offer that accounts for the repairs. When assumption fits, we still follow the affidavit, escrow, title, and city requirements.
MAY FIT WHEN
You would rather compare an option where you do not personally manage repairs, contractors, listing preparation, showings, and cleanout.
LOOK BEYOND THE HEADLINE PRICE
Listing With Macedonia POS Violations Versus Selling Directly
List the Property
Sell Directly to Us
City inspection
LISTMacedonia's exterior POS process still applies.
DIRECTThe same city requirements apply. We can participate in the assumption process when it fits the transaction.
Exterior repairs
LISTYou may complete the violations or find a buyer willing to assume applicable remaining work.
DIRECTWe can evaluate the property with exterior repairs still open and account for them in our offer.
Interior condition
LISTCleanup, cosmetic work, photography, showings, and buyer expectations can still affect the sale.
DIRECTYou do not need to renovate the inside just to ask us for an offer.
Buyer process
LISTFinancing, appraisal, inspections, contingencies, city paperwork, and repair negotiations can add steps.
DIRECTChris or Nick walks the property and we make one written offer based on what we see.
Price and tradeoff
LISTA well-prepared property exposed to retail buyers may produce a higher gross price.
DIRECTOur offer reflects repairs, cleanup, holding costs, resale work, and other items we expect to take on.
If the house is in good condition and you have time to prepare it for market, listing may make sense. If the exterior repair list is another project you would rather hand off, comparing a direct offer may make sense too. Neither option is automatically better for every homeowner.
A LOCAL, DIRECT OPTION
What Happens When You Ask Us to Look at Your Macedonia House
- STEP 01
Start With What You Know
Give us the property address and tell us where you are in the city process. If the property has septic or private water, let us know that too.
- STEP 02
Walk the Property With Us
Chris or Nick will review the exterior issues, interior condition, cleanup, occupancy, and available city or county paperwork.
- STEP 03
Review a Written Offer
We will give you a serious written offer based on the actual property and explain what work we expect to take on. There is no obligation to accept.
- STEP 04
Work Through the City and Title Requirements
If violations are assumed, we work through the applicable Macedonia affidavit, escrow, city, and title requirements. Any Summit County private-system process still applies separately.
Close in as little as 14 days, or on your schedule.
The actual closing date still depends on title, Macedonia's POS requirements, any applicable Summit County private-system process, and other property-specific items. You work directly with Chris and Nick from the first conversation through closing.
MACEDONIA POINT-OF-SALE FAQ
Questions Macedonia Homeowners Ask Us
Yes. Macedonia requires a Certificate of Exterior Inspection before title transfers for covered property under Chapter 1327.
The current city application lists a $75 residential fee. The commercial inspection fee is $150.
No. Macedonia's Chapter 1327 point-of-sale inspection focuses on the exterior of the property.
The city's current homeowner information says you do not need to be home just for the POS inspection because it is exterior-only.
The ordinance generally gives the city up to 10 working days after receiving the application and fee to perform the exterior inspection, barring circumstances outside its control. The city's homeowner information says the actual inspection takes about 30 minutes.
One year from issuance. A certificate can remain valid for the rest of that one-year period if the property is transferred again to a subsequent bona fide purchaser.
The ordinance generally requires the property owner to correct the listed violations within 90 days after the certificate is issued, unless the Building and Zoning Inspector approves an extension.
Yes. The buyer can agree to assume some or all remaining violations through Macedonia's transfer process. The city uses a notarized Affidavit for Inspection Certificate.
Do not assume so. The repair timeline is tied to the city's original violation notice. If title transfers before the repairs are finished, the buyer takes over the remaining obligation and time allowed under that notice, subject to an approved extension.
Yes, when ownership transfers with unresolved violations. The ordinance requires the seller and buyer to give the escrow agent a written statement identifying their respective repair responsibilities and an amount considered sufficient to complete those violations.
Macedonia's current Chapter 1327 does not publish one standard repair-escrow percentage. Do not apply another city's 100%, 125%, or 150% requirement to Macedonia.
Potentially. If the property has an applicable sewage treatment system or private water system, Summit County Public Health has a separate point-of-sale evaluation process unless an approved exemption applies. That is separate from Macedonia's exterior inspection.
You can sell without renovating the house for the retail market, and a buyer may be able to assume remaining exterior violations through Macedonia's process. But as-is does not eliminate applicable city, title, escrow, or county requirements.
No. You can contact us before the inspection, after you receive the report, or while deciding how to handle the repair list. If you already have city paperwork, send it over so we can work from the actual violations.
No. Paying cash or selling directly does not eliminate Macedonia's municipal requirements. A direct buyer may be able to assume violations, but the city's transfer process still applies.
YOU DON'T NEED TO FIX THE EXTERIOR BEFORE TALKING WITH US
See What a Direct Sale Could Look Like for Your Macedonia House
Maybe the city has not inspected the property yet. Maybe you already have the report. Maybe transferring the remaining violations to the buyer makes sense. Or maybe the house has septic or private water and there is a separate Summit County process to handle.
You do not need to have all of that figured out before talking with us. Tell us about the property and what you already know. We will walk the house, review the situation, and give you a written offer so you have another option to compare.
No obligation to accept. We do not sell your information.