Some states, including Ohio, have a law providing a “redemption period” during which foreclosed homeowners may repurchase their property. Repurchasing the property is called "redeeming" the home. Redeeming the home undoes the foreclosure, and you regain ownership of the property.
However, Ohio law doesn’t give a precise amount of time for the redemption period—meaning, the statute doesn't say, for example, "one month" or "one year" to redeem. Instead, under state law, you get up until the court confirms the sale to redeem your home, which could be a few days or a month; it varies from case to case.
You’ll have to pay off the full amount of the foreclosure judgment plus some additional amounts. Then, you may then keep the property.
How Foreclosures in Ohio Work
Ohio foreclosures are "judicial," which means the lender files a lawsuit in court to foreclose the home. As part of the process, you'll receive a summons and complaint. In most cases, the borrower gets 28 days to respond by serving a written answer to the lender's attorney and filing the answer with the court within three days of serving it.
If the lender gets a foreclosure judgment from the court, the sale process starts with an appraisal to determine the fair market value (FMV) of the home. At the sale, the property can’t be sold for less than two-thirds of the FMV. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.20, § 2329.17 (2025).) After the foreclosure sale takes place, the court must confirm it. This action validates the sale.
How Long Is the Redemption Period in Ohio?
You have the right to redeem the home at any time after the sale, up until the sale is confirmed. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.33 (2025).) After the sheriff's sale, the sheriff has up to 60 days to inform the court that the sale took place. The court must confirm the sale within 30 days.
So, the confirmation could take place around 30 to 60 days after the sale date, but the time frame varies. It might be as long as 90 days, or it could be just a day or two. If you want to redeem, you should do so as soon as possible after the sale happens. Talk to a local attorney to find out how long the redemption period is likely to last in your case.
You can file a motion to stay (postpone) confirmation if you need more time to redeem, but whether you’ll get additional time is up to the court's discretion.
How Much You'll Have to Pay to Redeem in Ohio
To redeem, you must pay the full amount of the foreclosure judgment plus costs and interest. You’ll also have to pay poundage, which is an amount allowed to the sheriff or other officer. (Ohio Rev. Code. Ann. § 2329.33 (2025).)
Consider Talking to a Lawyer If You Help Redeeming Your Ohio Home
If you decide to try to redeem your home without an attorney’s assistance, you’ll need to devote a substantial amount of time to conducting research, contacting relevant parties, and getting your paperwork in order. To get more information about how the process works in Cuyahoga County, go to the Common Pleas Court website and look at the “Foreclosure FAQs.” For more information about how the process works in a different county, go to that county’s website. Be aware that not every website will contain detailed redemption information.
However, as you might have determined after reading this article, the redemption process can be difficult to navigate. To ensure you complete a timely redemption in the correct manner and in an accurate amount, you should consult with a local attorney. If you can’t afford a lawyer, you may contact a legal services program in your area to find out if you qualify for free legal help.