By 1808Delaware
In an announcement that could affect homeowners across Delaware County, Recorder Melissa Jordan is urging residents to take a closer look at their property records. A limited-time opportunity from the Ohio Attorney General allows certain Ohio homeowners to cancel long-term real estate agreements with MV Realty of Ohio, LLC.
For those who qualify, the deadline is April 29.
This is not a routine notice. It is a rare window to unwind contracts that, in some cases, tied properties to exclusive listing agreements lasting up to 40 years.
How These Agreements Worked
Between roughly 2019 and 2023, MV Realty entered into what were called Homeowner Benefit Agreements. In exchange for upfront funds, homeowners granted the company an exclusive right to list their home for decades. Memoranda of those agreements were then recorded with county recorder offices. That means the agreements became part of the public land record.
The concern, raised by the Ohio Recorders’ Association and ultimately brought to the attention of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, was that some homeowners may not have fully understood the long-term financial implications. In response, Ohio enacted R.C. 5301.94 in October 2023. The statute identifies certain exclusive residential listing practices as unfair or deceptive under the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. Agreements signed before the law took effect were not automatically voided. However, a resolution between MV Realty and the Attorney General created a one-time cancellation opportunity.
What Homeowners Can Do Now
Eligible homeowners can cancel their agreements by:
- Notifying MV Realty of their intent to cancel by April 29, 2026
- Paying a one-time $75 fee
- Avoiding repayment of the upfront funds received when the contract was signed
Once cancellation is processed, MV Realty is required to record a termination document with the county recorder, releasing the previously recorded memorandum from the public record. Recorder Melissa Jordan emphasized that her office does not evaluate or enforce private contracts. However, the office is notifying affected property owners and encouraging residents to review their records.
Residents who believe they may have signed a Homeowner Benefit Agreement can:
- Visit the Ohio Attorney General’s website: Ohio Attorney General’s Office
- Email consumer inquiries: MVRInquiries@OhioAGO.gov
- Search property records through the Delaware County Recorder’s Office online document portal
Why This Matters
For some homeowners, a recorded memorandum tied to a 40-year listing agreement could complicate refinancing, selling, or transferring property. Even if a homeowner had no immediate plans to sell, the existence of a long-term exclusive agreement on record can raise questions during title searches.
This cancellation window offers clarity. It offers certainty. And it offers finality. But it does not last indefinitely. If you believe you may have signed one of these agreements, the prudent move is simple: check your records and confirm your status well before April 29.
