Recently, the Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS (ACAR) penned an op-ed sharing its perspective on point of sale inspections. This content was submitted to The Heights Observer, a news source covering Cleveland Heights and University Heights, both of which have a point of sale inspection regulation. This publication has previously shared opinion pieces on point of sale inspections. Of note, the last three issues have included commentary on point of sale inspections.
Unfortunately, we were advised that they would not be running our submission, with the editor stating, “The Heights Observer in a community-journalism project exclusively focused on news by Cleveland Heights and University Heights residents, and about those two cities. The general opinion you submitted to the Heights Observer, therefore, does not meet our criteria for publication. If you’d like to submit an opinion/response to opinions that the Heights Observer has published that are specific to CH and/or UH, that opinion/response would need to have the same Heights focus. We are not a regional publication.”
ACAR believes it is important for our members to read the submitted information (below). For more information on the study, text ACAR to 30644. To share a testimonial with ACAR, click here.
The dream of homeownership should be attainable for everyone, yet policies like point of sale (POS) inspections create unnecessary obstacles that disproportionately impact those who can least afford them. It is time for policymakers to reconsider the long-term consequences of these ordinances.
While POS inspections are often framed as a measure to maintain housing quality, research conducted by the Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® (ACAR) in partnership with the Economics Center for Education & Research at the University of Cincinnati reveals that they have significant negative consequences.
The study found that municipalities with POS inspections experience significantly higher vacancy rates (24.9% compared to 7.1% in non-POS areas), slower housing sales and lower home values—on average, homes in POS municipalities sell for 13% less. The lower sale prices reduce homeowners’ equity and limit their ability to build wealth through property ownership. Additionally, these communities tend to have higher unemployment rates and lower educational attainment, exacerbating local economic challenges.
It is important to clarify that opposition to POS inspections is not about commissions. REALTORS® remain committed to guiding and advising their clients through any real estate transaction, regardless of how difficult a municipality makes the process. Instead, this is about protecting property rights, preserving privacy, and ensuring that local housing markets remain accessible to all buyers. When local municipalities impose excessive requirements, the government inadvertently steers prospective homeowners toward communities without these burdensome regulations.
The history of housing discrimination in the real estate industry is undeniable. Decades of exclusionary policies have systematically denied many persons the opportunity to achieve homeownership and build generational wealth. However, the real estate community, led by organizations such as REALTOR® associations, has worked diligently to support fair housing initiatives and reverse these harmful policies. Policy reforms have been instrumental in promoting equal access to housing for all.
By prioritizing policies that encourage homeownership, protect property rights and support economic growth, we can foster more equitable and thriving communities across Ohio.
Drew Gaebelein, 2025 President
Mike Valerino, CEO
Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS
