Cuyahoga County · Ohio

Mortgages in Cleveland.

Nick Grisanti
Nick Grisanti
Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS #2719729FL #LO138662 · OH #MLO-OH.2719729 · TN #2719729 · TX SML licensedC2 Financial Corporation · NMLS #135622

Purchase, refinance and rental property loans in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, from 100+ wholesale lenders through C2 Financial Corporation.

  • $541,2872026 FHA limit, Cuyahoga County
  • 100+Wholesale lenders
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What can we help you with?
LicensedStatewide in Ohio C2 Financial CorporationLicensed mortgage broker 100+ lendersWholesale network
2026

Cleveland by the numbers

Cleveland has some of the lowest home prices of any big US city, which is why out-of-state investors buy here. The city also has some of the strictest rental registration and lead-safe rules in Ohio.

FHA · 1 unit · Cuyahoga County $541,287 The national floor, which covers most purchase prices here.
Conforming · 1 unit $832,750 Loans above this are jumbo loans.
Median sale price $141,915 City of Cleveland median sale price, May 2026 (Redfin).
City income tax 2.5% Cleveland's municipal income tax rate. Lenders count it in take-home pay.
Conveyance fee $4 Per $1,000 of the sale price in Cuyahoga County, including the state's $1. Usually paid by the seller.

Check your county's FHA limit with HUD's lookup. Two- to four-unit properties have higher limits. Nick confirms the current figures for your county before every rate lock.

Local rules and costs

What buyers in Cleveland should know

Rentals Register every rental, every year Every non-owner-occupied unit must be registered with the city ($70 per unit) before a tenant moves in and renewed by March 31 each year. Owners outside Northeast Ohio must name a local agent. City registration → Rentals Lead Safe Certificate for older homes Rentals built before 1978 need a Lead Safe Certificate to register. Budget for the inspection and any fixes before you count on rent. Lead Safe program → First-time buyers County down payment help Cuyahoga County runs down payment assistance for income-qualified first-time buyers through CHN Housing Partners, on top of OHFA's statewide programs. County programs → First-time buyers Ohio Housing Finance Agency OHFA's Your Choice! down payment assistance gives 3% (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA, VA, USDA) as a 0% second mortgage, plus a lower rate for Ohio Heroes and help for recent graduates. Income limits apply. OHFA programs → Taxes Rental tax credit is phasing out Under 2025 reform, the 10% credit on rental and investment property drops to 7.5% for tax year 2026 and to zero by 2029, while the owner-occupied credit grows. Budget a rising tax bill on rentals. Ohio tax reform → Investors Rental property in Cleveland A DSCR loan qualifies on the property's rent rather than your personal income, which suits investors who own several properties or live outside Cleveland. How DSCR works →
About Cleveland

Living and buying in Cleveland

Cleveland's economy leans on healthcare and corporate headquarters: Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are major employers, and Sherwin-Williams is headquartered downtown.

Much of the city's housing is older, from century homes and doubles in Ohio City and Tremont to bungalows in Old Brooklyn. Many investors also look at inner-ring suburbs such as Lakewood and Parma.

Neighborhoods

Where buyers look

Schools: Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Check the district for any specific address before you buy.

Loans in Cleveland

Loan programs

Most common Conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans for primary homes, second homes and investment property. Conventional loans → Flexible credit FHA Low down payment for a Cleveland home you'll live in, with local down payment help. FHA in Cleveland → Veterans VA For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses. VA loans → Higher prices Jumbo Loan amounts above the conforming limit. Jumbo loans → Investors DSCR Buy or refinance a Cleveland rental on the property's rental income. DSCR in Cleveland → Self-employed Bank statement For self-employed borrowers whose tax returns understate their income. Bank statement loans → Home equity HELOC and cash-out Borrow against your home's equity with a line of credit or a cash-out refinance. Compare options →

Not every lender offers every program in every state, and all loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Nick compares 100+ wholesale lenders through C2 Financial Corporation to find the programs that fit your scenario.

Questions

Cleveland mortgage FAQ

What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Cleveland?
$541,287 for a one-unit home in Cuyahoga County, the national FHA floor.
What do I need to rent out a Cleveland property?
City rental registration before a tenant moves in, a Lead Safe Certificate if the home was built before 1978, and a local agent if you live outside Northeast Ohio. Ohio also requires county registration.
Can I buy a Cleveland rental with a DSCR loan?
Yes. DSCR loans qualify on the property's rent. Very low-priced homes can fall under some lenders' minimum loan amounts, so we match the lender to the deal.
Is Nick Grisanti licensed to lend in Cleveland?
Yes. Nick is licensed as a Mortgage Loan Originator in Ohio (OH #MLO-OH.2719729), and loans are originated through C2 Financial Corporation, NMLS #135622.
Ohio

More Ohio cities

Checked Oct 2026

Sources