We buy houses in Wickliffe, OH.

Thinking about selling your home in Wickliffe? Here’s What You Need to Know About Dye Tests and Sidewalk Inspections.

If you're planning to sell your property in Wickliffe, you must pass both a dye test and a sidewalk inspection as part of the city's requirements. The dye test costs $300. For homeowners thinking about selling their Wickliffe home (which we can buy quickly for cash, here’s a step-by-step guide on how the process works:

1. Preparing for the Dye Test

Before the city can perform the dye test, they need access to storm and sanitary test tees. These tees must:

·        Terminate within four inches of the finished grade in a straight, vertical position.

·        Be clearly visible for inspection.

·        Be located within three feet of the city right-of-way sidewalk.

·        If your test tees do not meet these specifications, you will need to hire a contractor to get them in the correct position/location.

For detailed specifications on test tees, visit the official Wickliffe city website: Wickliffe Property Sale Information.

2. Scheduling the Inspection

The seller contacts the City of Wickliffe Building Department to schedule the dye test and sidewalk inspection. The dye test costs $300.

3. Conducting the Inspection

• The Service Department performs the dye test.

• The Building Department inspects the sidewalk, reviews the Service Department’s results from the dye test, and determines whether any sewer/storm line repairs are required.

4. Handling Inspection Results

• If the property passes – No further action is needed, and the sale proceeds as usual. (See our article detailing the general process of selling your home.)

• If the property fails – The city issues a Notice of Violation outlining the required repairs (Example below.)

If you receive a Notice of Violation and we are buying your home, simply share the notice with us—we’ll take care of the repairs so you don’t have to deal with the contractors, the stress and the cost.

5. We Handle the Repairs

We assume the responsibility for making the repairs required by the city and making sure the property passes the subsequent dye test and sidewalk inspection. To comply with city regulations:

• We obtain estimates from city-registered contractors (or contractors willing to register).

• These estimates are submitted to the Building Commissioner for approval.

6. City-Imposed Escrow Requirements

To ensure repairs are completed, the city requires 1.5 times the repair estimate to be held in escrow by the title company that is handling the sale.  While sellers are sometimes required to put up this money, when we are buying a home we always take on the responsibility of supplying the required escrow monies to the title company.  The title company then confirms with the city that this amount is set aside in the title company’s account by sending a letter to the building department.  If the repairs aren’t made in the timeline required by the city, the city can use the escrowed funds to complete the repairs.

✅ Important: While some buyers will try to renegotiate the purchase price based on the city’s required escrow of repair money, we do not operate that way.  We will never allow the escrow funds to affect our offered price. For example, if we offer $100,000 for your home and the city requires an escrow of $20,000 in repair funds, we will still pay $100,000 for the house.

7. Completing the Process

• After we take ownership, we obtain permits and make the necessary repairs.

• The city re-tests the dye system and re-inspects the sidewalk.

• Once everything passes, we apply for a Certificate of Occupancy, which requires a $60 fee.

• We get our escrowed funds.

Sell Your Wickliffe Home with Confidence

Selling a home in Wickliffe can seem complex, but we simplify the process by handling inspections, repairs, and city requirements—so you don’t have to.

Have questions? Contact us today to learn more about selling your Wickliffe home hassle-free!