Reserve Study Companies in Ohio for HOAs and Condos
Connect your Ohio HOA or condominium association with vetted reserve study professionals. Compare multiple proposals side by side, stay compliant with Ohio reserve funding laws, and keep lenders satisfied without wasting weeks chasing quotes.
Reserve study companies for Ohio HOAs and condos
Ohio boards are under pressure from owners, state law, and lenders to prove they are planning ahead. Our marketplace connects you with qualified reserve study companies that understand Ohio building costs, weather, and statutes, so you can see a clear 20 to 30 year funding path instead of guessing.
- Through PropFusion, you can connect with reserve study companies that already work with:
- Ohio HOAs
- Condo associations
- Master planned communities
- Townhome communities
- High rise and midrise buildings
Ohio reserve study requirements in plain language
Ohio law does not explicitly require associations to purchase a reserve study, but condominium and HOA statutes do require boards to maintain reserves sufficient to avoid special assessments, and Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac now expect a professional reserve study that is kept up to date for most financed communities.
Are reserve studies legally required in Ohio?
No. Ohio statutes focus on maintaining “adequate reserves,” not on mandating a formal reserve study, but most association law firms and lenders strongly recommend using a professional provider so boards can document that they are meeting their duties.
How often should Ohio associations update a reserve study?
Many Ohio communities refresh their reserve study every 3 to 5 years, but if you want to keep Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac happy, you should plan on a professional study that is no more than 36 months old when owners are refinancing or buyers are closing.
Who can perform a reserve study in Ohio?
The statutes do not specify credentials, but national standards and lenders prefer firms with Reserve Specialist (RS), Professional Reserve Analyst (PRA), or similar designations, plus strong local cost data. Our marketplace focuses on providers that meet those criteria.
Is reserve funding required in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio condo and HOA laws require boards to collect and hold reserve funds sufficient to replace capital assets without relying on special assessments, which is why most boards use a reserve study as the planning tool to show how they will meet that standard.
Types of reserve studies Ohio companies provide
Level 1 – Full reserve study
A complete physical and financial analysis: on-site inspection, component inventory, remaining useful life, and a 20–30 year funding plan.
Level 2 – Update with site visit
A refresh of your existing reserve study with a new inspection, updated costs, and revised funding recommendations.
Level 3 – Update without site visit
A financial update that uses your prior study and updated financial data to adjust funding paths between full site inspections.
Lender and compliance focused reserve studies
A tailored reserve study or update prepared to satisfy Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ohio law firm expectations, with clear documentation boards can provide to loan originators, auditors, and buyers’ lenders.
Ohio coverage from Cincinnati to Cleveland
Whether your community sits along Lake Erie, outside Columbus, or in a small town, you can reach reserve study companies that already understand your local costs and climate.
- Typical areas covered include:
- Columbus, Dublin, Hilliard, Westerville, and Central Ohio suburbs
- Cleveland, Lakewood, Parma, and surrounding Cuyahoga County suburbs
- Cincinnati, West Chester, Mason, and southwest Ohio communities
- Dayton, Beavercreek, Kettering, and the Miami Valley
- Toledo, Sylvania, and northwest Ohio
- Akron, Canton, and surrounding Summit and Stark County suburbs
- Youngstown, Warren, and Mahoning Valley communities
- Smaller cities and rural associations across the Buckeye State
When Ohio associations typically hire a reserve study company
Most boards do not wait for a crisis. These are the common moments when Ohio communities turn to a professional reserve study.
First time professional reserve study
A new or newly active board wants a baseline 20 to 30 year plan instead of inheriting spreadsheets that no one trusts.
Preparing for major projects
Roofs, streets, siding, elevators, and clubhouses are nearing the end of their useful life and the board needs to know what is coming in the next 5 to 10 years.
Catching up after years of underfunding
Assessments were kept flat for too long. A reserve study helps quantify the shortfall, model catch up plans, and avoid serial special assessments.
Supporting loan approvals and refinance activity
Owners are hitting lending roadblocks because their lender is asking for a current reserve study and reserve contribution history for the community.
Board or manager transitions
A management change or new volunteer board wants an outside expert to validate numbers and reset owner expectations around dues and long term funding.
Aligning with Ohio law and best practices
Counsel or your management company has warned the board that “adequate reserves” must be documented, not guessed, especially in larger Ohio condominium associations.
What a Ohio reserve study company delivers
While formats differ by firm, most Ohio reserve study companies provide:
On-site inspection of major components
Visual review of roofs, waterproofing, structure, exterior finishes, pavement, mechanical systems, amenities, and other shared components.
Component inventory & useful life estimates
A detailed list of common-area components, quantities, remaining useful life, and estimated replacement/repair costs.
30-year funding plan
Year-by-year projections showing recommended reserve contributions, projected expenses, and forecast reserve balances, so you can see the impact of different dues levels over time.
Scenario comparisons
Many providers model alternate funding strategies, such as steady annual increases, step ups, or catch up plans, so your board can choose a path that fits owner expectations and local inflation.
Board-ready PDF report
A report that can be attached to budgets, resale certificates, and owner communications, and that will stand up to questions from lenders, auditors, and regulators.
Online reserve planning workspace
Alongside the PDF report, your reserve study is loaded into an online dashboard where your board can test what-if funding scenarios, see upcoming investment opportunities, and manage capital projects over time.
Compare multiple reserve study companies in Ohio with one request
Share your community details
Tell us about your association’s location, property type, number of units, and any upcoming projects or concerns.
We match you with vetted firms
We route your request to reserve study companies that actively work in your state and fit your size and building type.
Compare proposals side by side
You receive multiple proposals outlining scope, pricing, and timelines so you can compare options without chasing firms yourself.
Hire your preferred provider
You choose the company you want to work with. They perform the study and deliver the report. You keep full ownership of the results and can use them with any budgeting tools or processes you prefer.
What Ohio boards say
“Our 220 home HOA outside Cincinnati had never done a professional reserve study. The provider we chose through PropFusion walked the property with us, explained every line item, and helped us build a funding plan owners could actually support.”
“Getting three reserve study proposals in one place saved our volunteer board weeks of emails and phone calls.”
Ohio HOAs and condos have requested proposals through our marketplace.
vetted reserve study professionals covering communities across Ohio.
“We had lenders asking for a current reserve study we did not have. Within a week we had proposals from multiple firms that knew Ohio law and Fannie Mae requirements.”
“As a portfolio manager in Akron I do not have time to chase bids one by one. Being able to submit one request and compare qualified reserve study firms on price, scope, and timing has changed how we handle capital planning for every community we manage.”
Frequently asked questions
How much does a reserve study cost in Ohio?
For a typical Ohio HOA or condo, a first time full study usually runs from a few thousand dollars into the mid four figures depending on size, complexity, and travel. Larger high rise or master planned communities with complex infrastructure can be significantly more. Getting multiple proposals through a marketplace makes it easier to benchmark pricing.
How long does it take to complete a reserve study?
Most Ohio reserve study companies can complete a study within 4 to 8 weeks from signed contract, depending on the season, size of the property, and how quickly you provide governing documents, budgets, and prior reports. If you have tight lender deadlines, make that clear in your proposal request.
What is the difference between a reserve study and a SIRS in Ohio?
A traditional reserve study looks at all major common elements and funding over 20 to 30 years. A SIRS style schedule focuses specifically on structural components and is currently mandated only in certain states, but lenders increasingly expect boards to understand and plan for structural risks even where SIRS is not written into the statute.
Can our Ohio board prepare its own reserve study?
Boards are not forbidden from doing their own analysis, but Ohio law firms, national standards, and Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac all strongly favor professionally prepared studies with documented methodology, local cost data, and a clear funding plan. A DIY spreadsheet rarely satisfies those expectations.
Do all Ohio reserve study companies offer the same scope?
No. Some provide only a static PDF, others include working files, lender specific schedules, or online tools. On our marketplace you can compare scope side by side so you are not choosing based solely on price.
How does PropFusion make money if we are just requesting proposals?
Reserve study companies pay to participate in the marketplace or pay a referral fee when selected. Your association does not pay extra to use the platform, and you still contract directly with the provider you choose.
Get proposals from reserve study companies in Ohio
If your board is planning big projects, worried about reserves, or simply wants a clear long-term funding plan, this is the time to bring in a professional reserve study company.
