Housing in Delaware, Ohio

Historic downtown / OWU area

Brick streets near the courthouse square, Sandusky and Winter, and Ohio Wesleyan. Older homes, porch culture, walk to shops and First Fridays. Parking and lot size vary; some rentals cater to campus schedules. Great if you want a walkable first month.

Newer subdivisions

Growing neighborhoods on the edges of the city and into neighboring townships — newer floor plans, HOA rules in some places, and more driveway/garage space. Confirm whether the parcel is inside the City of Delaware (taxes and trash differ).

U.S. 23 corridor

South toward Lewis Center / Polaris for many Columbus-region jobs. Handy access, more traffic noise in spots. Del’s tip: drive your actual 7:30 a.m. route before you bid or lease.

If you rent first

• Ask what utilities and trash are included; city vs township matters.
• Check lease length against school calendars if you have kids.
• Verify commute for two weeks of real traffic before renewing.
• Tour at night and on a First Friday if downtown noise matters to you.

If you buy

• Get the full-year property tax amount — not just a monthly escrow guess.
• Confirm school district by address, not by ZIP 43015 alone.
• Ask about flood/drainage near the Olentangy and older basements.
• Budget closing costs and Ohio-specific transfer/recording fees with your agent.

Down Payment Assistance

3% of the price (conventional loans) or 3.5% (FHA, VA, USDA), usable for down payment and closing costs. A forgivable second mortgage: forgiven after seven years; repay it if you sell sooner.

Grants for Grads

Lower interest rate plus 3% / 3.5% assistance for first-time buyers who earned an associate’s degree or higher within the last 18 months. Forgiven over five years as long as you stay in Ohio. Details

Ohio Heroes

Lower interest rate for veterans, active military and reserves (incl. surviving spouses), police, firefighters, EMTs, physicians, nurses and STNAs, and pre-K–12 teachers, administrators and counselors.

Mortgage Tax Credit

For first-time buyers under the program’s income limits: a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 a year on mortgage interest. Can be combined with an OHFA loan (“MTC Plus”).

FHA and USDA loans

FHA loans allow small down payments and are offered by most lenders. USDA Rural Development loans are limited to eligible rural areas — check the exact address in USDA’s official eligibility map; built-up parts of the city are generally not eligible, while some rural parts of the county may be.

Homebuyer education

OHFA loans require it. Start at OHFA’s homebuyer education portal (a HUD-approved counselor calls you within about 48 business hours), or take OSU Extension’s HUD-approved classes. Find more agencies with HUD’s counselor search.

Security deposits

After you move out and return possession, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions — give your forwarding address in writing (ORC 5321.16).

Repairs and landlord duties

Landlords must follow building, housing, health and safety codes, keep the place fit and habitable, and keep supplied appliances and systems working (ORC 5321.04).

Notice before entry

Except in an emergency or when it’s impracticable, the landlord must give at least 24 hours’ notice and enter at reasonable times (ORC 5321.04).

Rent escrow

If repairs aren’t made within a reasonable time (no more than 30 days) after written notice, a tenant who is current on rent can deposit rent with the court clerk instead of the landlord. Talk to legal aid first (ORC 5321.07).

Evictions

For most evictions, a landlord must first serve a written three-day notice to leave, then file in court. Only a court can order you out — landlords can’t lock you out or shut off utilities to force a move (ORC 5321.15). Get help quickly (ORC 1923.04).

Fair housing

Housing discrimination is illegal under federal and Ohio law. File with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission within one year, or with HUD.