Relevant Links
Here are several organizations that have similar goals as the Land Bank – to revitalize and repurpose land.
Center for Community Progress
Thriving Communities Institute
Greater Ohio
Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
The Mahoning County Auditor website can be useful for property searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Land Bank?
The Mahoning County Land Reutilization Corp., known as the Mahoning County Land Bank, has the mission of assisting individuals, businesses, nonprofits, local governments and others in obtaining ownership of vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent parcels and returning that land to productive use. The Land Bank Board of Directors sets all land acquisition policy and the staff carries out those policies.
How much do properties or inspections cost?
Purchase price for each parcel will be unique. The Land Bank will establish it with you. Purchase price generally will be near the parcel’s market value as listed by the Mahoning County Auditor’s Office. Other factors considered in the purchase price may include – but are not limited to – acquisition cost, maintenance, repair, demolition, marketing of the property and any indirect acquisition costs.
A $20 property inspection fee is required for each application. The fee is applied to the cost of staff traveling to inspect the requested parcel(s) and any parcel(s) the applicant owns. This fee is independent of purchase price. The fee will be returned on any applications denied before the property inspection phase.
How long does it take to process an application?
Please allow at least 60 days.
How does the land acquisition process work?
Once an application and property inspection fee is received, staff will evaluate the requested parcel and applicant. The applicant will be screened to assure they and their property request meet the qualifications outlined in the Land Bank’s Land Acquisition Policies & Procedures document. A site visit will be made to the applicant’s requested parcel(s) and any parcel(s) owned by the applicant to assure the application meets the qualifications.
Once Land Bank staff approves the application, the local government where the parcel sits will be given an opportunity to respond to the application. Assuming no objection, the Land Bank and the applicant will agree on a purchase price for each parcel.
Upon the applicant’s final payment, the Land Bank will prepare the deed, handle the conveyance and record the deed with the County Recorder. The applicant can then pick up the deed and enjoy the new property!
What houses are available for purchase?
If the house is not on our availability list, it is not available and we cannot assist in acquiring it on your behalf. Please check our properties to see what is listed.
Do you have a list of all your vacant lots?
Since our property inventory changes frequently, we do not keep a list separate from the public record available at http://oh-mahoning-auditor.publicaccessnow.com/. You may search by owner for “Mahoning County Land” to see a list of properties we currently own. You may also call us to ask about the availability of a particular lot.
Can I buy the lot across or down the street from me?
Our Residential Side Lot program requires that your property and the property you wish to acquire are mostly adjacent, meaning they each share 75 percent of a common boundary. Please call us if you have a question about a property.