North Cincy News

The REALTOR Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (RAGC), alongside the University of Cincinnati’s Alpaugh Family Economics Center, has published findings from a survey exploring how administrative processes in Cincinnati affect real estate activities. The survey gathered insights from various real estate professionals, including members of RAGC, the Greater Cincinnati Realtist Association, and other related associations.

A significant issue highlighted was the delay in permitting and inspections, with over 40% of respondents noting challenges such as inconsistent plan reviews and unpredictable approval times. This red tape has led to more than $140 million in lost or stalled residential developments as clients chose not to pursue projects within the city.

Builders expressed high levels of dissatisfaction, with nearly 79% experiencing delays and half stating that obtaining building permits took between three to six months on average. The report suggests urgent improvements are needed in builder-facing processes.

While approximately 80% of participants rated the City’s online permit portal neutrally or positively, many reported issues like discrepancies in information and limited transparency. These problems contribute to stalling momentum and eroding trust among users.

The cost of permits was not deemed problematic by most participants; rather, it was the complex and inconsistent process that posed significant issues. Even newcomers to real estate avoided projects due to warnings about inefficiencies.

Survey respondents reported over $180 million worth of canceled or stalled projects due to administrative delays. More than half knew clients who refused further dealings with the City due to past experiences.

Respondents suggested several improvements: increasing staffing levels, streamlining interdepartmental approvals, establishing consistent standards for reviews and inspections, and enhancing communication and customer service. The top priorities were expediting the permitting process and reforming administrative workflows.

RAGC intends to use this data for advocacy efforts aimed at engaging City leaders and sharing best practices to ensure continued regional development amid growing demand for infill housing and mixed-use projects.