Blog
When Agents Manipulate the Multiple Listing Service
Blog
February 14, 2019 |
There is a growing trend in real estate where listing agents are taking their fledgling listings off of the market as “Withdrawn With Release”. They then immediately put them back on the market as “Active”. Along with this, there’s a new Multiple Listing Service number, sometimes a new property description, and possibly new photos. But… Read more
How to Market Your Home Inspection Business
Blog, Home Inspection
February 13, 2019 |
Being a home inspector can be a very rewarding job. Having success in this industry will require you to provide excellent customer service and to have a bit of marketing savvy. Edging out your competition will be much easier when developing a comprehensive marketing strategy. Studies show that companies who have a consistent brand presentation… Read more
Congrats to Our February 2019 Instructor of the Month – Tom Williams
Blog
February 13, 2019 |
We’re happy to announce the winner of February 2019’s Instructor of the month – Tom Williams! Tom has been teaching at Hondros for over five years. Before working at Hondros, Tom’s company developed land and built quality homes for customers. He learned about Hondros from Realtors in his circle who had previously attended. Hondros’ ability… Read more
Why You Should Accommodate Assistant Animals
Blog
February 8, 2019 |
In 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) saw increasing numbers of complaints regarding refusals to provide reasonable accommodation for assistant animals. The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations when a person with a disability requires such accommodation. The reasonable accommodation provision applies when persons with disabilities seek… Read more
Appraisal Review: A Necessary Evil or A Profit Center?
Blog
February 7, 2019 |
The term “appraisal review”, is likely to elicit annoyed groans from the appraisal community. Why is it that appraisers have a negative view? The world of appraisal includes all levels of review – from routine, daily review of residential reports by an AMC or client, to an appraisal review assignment on a fee basis. Fee… Read more
When to Recommend Upgrades to Clients
Blog
February 6, 2019 |
A listing agent is often asked by the seller, “What improvements should I make to the house to get the best price?” This puts the Realtor directly in the limelight as to his/her expertise in the area market and, going forward, may determine whether he/she will get future referrals from the seller based on performance…. Read more
How to Buy Foreclosed Homes in Ohio – Process of Foreclosure
Blog
February 1, 2019 |
Gone are the days of bidding on a foreclosed property at a Sheriff sale on the courthouse steps. Ohio’s foreclosure procedures have been updated to comply with changes in the foreclosure law. The biggest change is any residential property that is ordered sold from a residential mortgage loan foreclosure, must be held online. Ohio has… Read more
Is Social Media The Next Big Thing In Recruiting?
Blog
January 31, 2019 |
The recruiting industry surely has changed since its inception around the mid-1900s. However, it’s really not a surprise that today’s recruiting practices are being impacted by new technology. After all, the world of digital has found a way to change just about everything over the past 20 years or so. With that said, social recruiting… Read more
A New Threat To Residential Appraisals
Appraisal, Blog
January 30, 2019 |
Here we go again! The latest push to weaken the protections that appraisals provide to consumers applying for mortgage loans. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved a notice that would raise the threshold for residential real estate transactions requiring an appraisal to $400,000. Prior to this proposed change, the threshold was… Read more
Exercise Caution When Communicating with Appraisers
Blog
January 25, 2019 |
The situation is not unfamiliar. You represent a buyer that is in contract to purchase a home. Your client’s financing is contingent on the property appraising at or above the agreed upon purchase price. As your client moves through the steps necessary to close the transaction, you learn from your client’s lender that the property… Read more
Demystifying Variable Square Footage
Appraisal, Blog
January 18, 2019 |
One only needs to spend a few minutes browsing listings online to recognize wide variations in how square footages of property are listed. Some square footage listings match the County Auditor’s records and others grossly exceed that number by lumping together all living spaces in a property. A property with higher square footage may be… Read more
