Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Ohio

Before you file a lien against a debtor's real estate, (a) the debtor must default on the loan and you(b) must then obtain a judgment against the debtor. Once you have a judgment, you can place a lien on the debtor's property.

From your question, however, it appears that you want to use a lien to ensure repayment of the note, as opposed to a tool used to obtain proceeds from the note after default.

More information on liens is available here: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/judgment-liens-ohio-46851.html