Home » Sitemap

Visitor Sitemap

Sorry, no news found.

  • ‘Empowered’ Appliances Link Home, Internet
    Want to be able to start and stop you washing machine and dryer while having dinner out? How about managing your home thermostat and security system? All is possible with new connected appliances and devices.  embryogene.ca This article contains some of the product announcements made during the just completed Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.... Read more
  • 10 Critical Skills of Real Estate Agents
    You don’t necessarily have to possess a specific personality type, come from a particular background, or even have the same goals as the people around you to find success in real estate. It’s a wonderful profession for many different kinds of people. However, despite their differences, successful real estate agents have often mastered similar skill... Read more
  • 10 Test Taking Techniques
    1) Don’t tell family and friends that you are preparing to take the exam, this adds unneeded pressure and expectations. 2) Don’t spend a lot of time on questions that you are unsure of. You may end up wasting valuable time and increasing your anxiety level. 3) During the exam you may lose your train... Read more
  • 20 Tools Every Home Inspector Needs
    When learning to become a home inspector, it’s helpful to have tools on hand to get a clearer scope of a home’s condition. Beyond the typical screwdriver and tape measure, here is a list of tools that you’ll want to have on hand to ensure a safe and successful home inspection. The Basics Flashlight –... Read more
  • 2015 James Dwyer Scholarship Winner: Nancy McIntyre
    Hondros College is proud to announce Nancy McIntyre as the 2015 James Dwyer Scholarship recipient. Nancy, a resident of Loveland, Ohio, has had her eyes set on a real estate career and is beyond excited to begin her journey in the industry! “It is an absolute thrill to be awarded the James Dwyer Scholarship!  I... Read more
  • 2015 Kicks Off Brand New Career Launch Event
    Hondros College is thrilled to be hosting brand new career event opportunities at all six college locations. If you have been considering a career change, this is the event for you. The Career Launch is designed to give prospective students a “behind the scenes” sneak peek into the real estate, insurance, appraisal, mortgage, home inspection,... Read more
  • 3 critical strategies to urge first-time homebuyers to act now
    According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, first-time buyers accounted for only 33 percent of all sales, the lowest mark in this century. The issue is how to overcome first-time-buyer reluctance and persuade them to buy now. According to Freddie Mac (“Perceptions of Renting and Home Ownership,” Multifamily Research... Read more
  • 3 Steps to Becoming an Insurance Agent
    There are more than 1.1 million insurance agents, brokers, and employees in the United States. All of them started their somewhere — a college classroom or lecture hall, perhaps. Some received their training on the job; others studied online. Regardless, all of them would have completed the licensure requirements for the job. Here’s how to... Read more
  • 32 Tried and True Ways to Market Yourself in Real Estate
    1. Become a thought-leader Position yourself as the real estate expert you are by starting a blog. Weigh in on the industry and offer reports or guides that your readers can download if they submit their contact info (then use their info for number 10 on this list). Share the latest real estate and mortgage... Read more
  • 4 Financial Benefits of Becoming a Real Estate Agent
      Choosing a career path isn’t an easy decision. From education costs to business expenses, pursuing your dream job can require financial investments. Becoming a real estate agent has many benefits. A career in real estate offers flexibility, provides growth opportunities, and can set new agents up for a rewarding career. Before pursuing a career... Read more
  • 4 Insights that ‘WOW’ Potential Homebuying Clients
    This article reminded me of the traits I’d like to see in my next Real Estate Agent, especially if I’m buying a home. While these 4 insights seem very commonsensical (is that a word), many agents don’t employ them to their fullest.  iscbrm.org The 4 insights and a brief description of each, are: 1. Be... Read more
  • 4 Reasons Why You Are Having Trouble Generating Quality Leads
    A study conducted by the team at B2B Technology Marketing Community found that 61 percent of businesses polled claimed generating quality sales leads was their biggest challenge. The best way to generate consistent sales leads is by having an appealing and fully optimized website. When done the right way, a website can provide a business with... Read more
  • 4 Things First-Time Buyers Look for in a Mortgage Loan Officer
    Thirty-three percent of all people who purchased a home in the United States in 2018 were first-time buyers (according to Statista), and many of these used a mortgage loan officer to finance their move. If you work in the mortgage or financial services industries, it is important to know what first-timers look for when applying... Read more
  • 4 Ways to Balance Family Time When You Own a Business
    Juggling business and family is a constant struggle. We know Americans have a poor work-life balance. As a busy entrepreneur, there are a number of ways you can successfully focus on your career and personal life. Here’s how to do it. 1. Spend More Quality Time With Your Family A job involving owning your own... Read more
  • 4 Ways to Connect with Clients and Make New Contacts This Holiday Season
    The Holiday season is such a magical time of year. From connecting with friends and family at Holiday dinners to remembering the reason for the season, there is a lot to celebrate.  The Holidays also are a great opportunity for you to reconnect with past clients in a natural way and build your pipeline with... Read more
  • 4-Unit Property: Appraising The Tough Ones
    A new appraisal order comes in, and you discover it’s a 4-unit property… and the groaning begins. You don’t have time for this – the phone calls to verify rents, the lack of comps, and more. What is it that makes these appraisals so challenging? At least two approaches will be in the scope of... Read more
  • 5 Actionable Tips to Become a Sales Leader
    As a sales manager, your job description is pretty simple in definition — make your sales team successful. While this may sound easy, this is also considered the biggest challenge a company faces. If you want to ensure you are not just a good sales leader, but a great one, you need to learn what... Read more
  • 5 Benefits of Becoming a Mortgage Loan Officer
    A Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) sells financing for possibly the biggest purchase of a person’s lifetime – a home. From job satisfaction to professional development opportunities, mortgage lending offers many benefits to anyone willing to work hard. Here are just a few reasons why a career as an MLO may be right for you: 1.)... Read more
  • 5 Benefits of Becoming an Appraiser
      From job stability to professional development opportunities, residential appraisal careers offer many benefits to anyone willing to work hard. If you’re driven and enthusiastic about running a successful business, you’ll find that appraisal may be a good fit for you. Here are just a few reasons why a career as an appraiser may be... Read more
  • 5 Essential Contract Clauses to Have on Hand
    Most brokerages use form purchase agreements supplied by their local Board of Realtors. Many of those forms have been updated over the years to include the most frequently used contingencies. Namely financing and inspection contingencies. However, in a hot and competitive real estate market, clients are seeking to have other clauses added to their purchase... Read more
  • 5 Essential Marketing Videos Every Real Estate Agent Needs
    Nearly 50 percent of real estate buyers polled by Virtuets claimed that they look at virtual tours and other videos during the buying process. To be successful in the real estate industry, you must take advantage of the technology at your disposal. Setting yourself apart from the competition is the only way to attract new home... Read more
  • 5 Lead-Boosting Tips for Mortgage Loan Officers
    For mortgage loan officers (MLOs), lead generation and customer value are significant parts of the business. MLOs that have an entrepreneurial spirit must know how to market themselves. And there’s never a wrong time to reassess your marketing strategy. If you’re ready to ramp it up or change your tactics, here are five ways mortgage loan officers... Read more
  • 5 More Marketing Tips for Mortgage Loan Officers
    Marketing is a part of business that many people struggle with. As a mortgage loan officer, you likely face many of the same challenges when it comes to finding new clients. While a strong marketing strategy is key to growth, laying one out will take time along with a good deal of trial-and-error. Here are... Read more
  • 5 Must Know Tips for a Residential Property Disclosure Form
    The Residential Property Disclosure Form (RPDF) is the source of many questions, ranging from who must complete it to how it should be completed. Here we’ll answer some of those questions and provide best practice tips for agents when dealing with the form. 1. Know what type of property requires the RPDF to be completed... Read more
  • 5 Reasons You Should Hire A Tax Professional This Year
    Using a tax professional to help make sure you get the largest possible refund this year is just one reason it pays to turn over this important job to the experts. At tax time, most small business owners focus on minimizing their tax bill or getting the biggest refund possible. Either way, a tax professional... Read more
  • 5 resolutions that will supercharge seller communication
    How often do you communicate with a client after listing their home for sale? Do you communicate at all, or wait for them to call you to ask what is going on? This article by Robert McTague provides good reminders of the types and frequency of communication you should be doing for and with your... Read more
  • 5 Simple Life Hacks to Boost Experience
    By Sam DeBord (Realtor.org) Real estate rookies can really kick start their learning experience by picking up some simple shortcuts from those who’ve been selling for many years.  These are just a few of the real estate “hacks” I’ve learned over the years from seasoned practitioners that improved my experience and knowledge in simple yet... Read more
  • 5 Terms Agents and Brokers Need to Make Sure Clients Know
    Let’s face it, many of your clients only buy or sell a home once or twice in their lives. And, they may be a bit intimidated by all the legal and real estate terms they hear and have to deal with.  This article talks about five terms you should make sure each of your clients... Read more
  • 5 Tips for Complying with Ohio’s Unclaimed Funds Law
    Many real estate brokerages do not realize they are subject to Ohio’s Unclaimed Funds Law. The law sets for the process of identifying and reporting funds a real estate brokerage is holding that belong to others. One obvious fund that brokerages hold is the escrow deposit on a purchase contract, but there are others. Commissions,... Read more
  • 5 Top Real Estate Trends to Watch
    Predicting trends in the constantly evolving real estate market is always a fun adventure! There’s always something new around the bend. This goes for commercial, retail, or residential real estate. Trends can come from anywhere. Anything from rising mortgage rates, falling home sale prices, a phenomenon like the 2008 housing bubble, to the newest trend... Read more
  • 5 Trends Every Appraiser Should Watch for in 2019
    To be ahead of the real estate market, seasoned appraisers cannot afford to become stagnant regarding the current trends. They must get out in front of them if possible to maintain that advantage edge. In this article, we’ll discuss several trends that are prone to have an impact on the appraising industry. By the end... Read more
  • 5 Ways to Build a 100 Percent Referral-Based Business
    Imagine you didn’t have to spend cash on advertising your real estate business. Or waste hours searching for new clients. Imagine if clients came to you. Imagine if these clients told other clients about you. Running a 100 percent referral-based business comes with loads of benefits. Whether you’re a broker, appraiser, insurance agent, or home... Read more
  • 5 Ways to Network as a Real Estate Agent
    Learning how to network as a real estate agent is one of the most important skills you can develop. Networking allows you to learn from the experience of others, gain new clients, and promote yourself and your business.  If you’re struggling to build your network, we recommend following our three golden rules. Focusing on the... Read more
  • 6 factors that impact the value of a home
    The website HouseLogic recently came up with a list of items that impact the value of a home. We all know that highly rated schools are a bonus for nearby housing, but did you know that good schools have a lot in common with Wal-Mart and public transportation, for example? Advising buyers toward being near any... Read more
  • 6 Key Trends: State of the Nation’s Housing Report
    Published by Harvard University’s Join Center for Housing Studies, the State of the Nation’s Housing Report uses data from a number of sources, including the US Census Bureau, HUD, Bureau of Economic Analysis, NAR, Zillow and a number of other sources to develop its findings. Overall, the report indicates positive trends for the housing industry.... Read more
  • 6 Perks of Becoming a Home Inspector
      If you are friendly, observant and trustworthy, a career in home inspection may suit you well. Home inspectors are a critical component in the home buying process, and the profession can be very rewarding. In fact, there are many benefits of becoming a home inspector. Here are just a few: 1.) Be Your Own... Read more
  • 6 Perks of Becoming a Real Estate Agent
    Whether you’re looking for a fresh start from your 9-5 or considering your first job, becoming a real estate agent is a great career choice. There are many benefits of a flexible career, and if you’re self-motivated and hard-working, you will likely find success by choosing real estate. Here are a few of the many reasons... Read more
  • 6 Steps to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur
    Becoming a successful entrepreneur takes hard work and devotion. Staying successful, even more so. Many entrepreneurs naturally exude certain qualities such as persistence and optimism. However, there are certain actions that will help anyone wanting to become an entrepreneur find success. Here are six steps to keep in mind as you jumpstart your entrepreneurship: 1. Put... Read more
  • 6 Things to Know Before Becoming a Real Estate Agent
    You may be considering a career switch to real estate after having recent experience buying or selling a property. Perhaps you want to become a real estate agent because you have seen recent headlines about Ohio’s hot real estate market and want to take advantage of this exciting time of growth and prosperity. Regardless of... Read more
  • 6 Ways to Prepare for the Appraisal Process
    The central Ohio housing market is being threatened by low appraisals. According to a recent Dispatch article, “…appraisers are concluding that some homes simply aren’t worth what buyers are offering to pay. The findings are forcing deals to be renegotiated and, in some cases, killed.” Appraisals are used by mortgage companies as a way to... Read more
  • 6 Ways to Promote Your Next Open House
    You want to create buzz about a new house you’re selling that just hit the market, so you’ve decided to host an open house. You’ve already instructed the sellers to do the basics: declutter the rooms and make sure the space appears well-maintained. But how do you ensure serious buyers will walk through the door... Read more
  • 7 Marketing Tips for Mortgage Loan Officers
    The mortgage loan industry is extremely competitive. This means you’ll need to make the most of every marketing opportunity available. The following are several marketing tips to give you a competitive edge. 1. Update Your Website Updating your website on a regular basis is a necessity when trying to stay relevant in the digital age.... Read more
  • 7 Ways to Show Your Clients You Appreciate Them
    As a small business owner, it’s important for you to thank your clients for their business. Thanking customers show them that you really do appreciate them for doing business with you. It can also help you to generate future business at the same time. Thanking your customers in unique ways help ensure that the customers... Read more
  • 8 Careers You Can Get with a Real Estate Education
    Getting a real estate education can open the door to a vast selection of new careers. You might think of an agent when real estate comes to mind, but there are more options beyond becoming a salesperson. 1. Real Estate Broker A real estate broker is similar to a salesperson, but they can do so... Read more
  • 8 Habits of a Top Performing Mortgage Loan Officer
    If you’re wondering if you have what it takes to become a successful mortgage loan officer (MLO), the answer can be found in your habits. Are you managing your time wisely? Do you have a business plan? When was the last time you networked? These are among many strategies you can implement to become a... Read more
  • 8 Social Media Musts Before You Become a Real Estate Agent
    You probably have a mile-long to-do list if you are just getting started in real estate. However, it’s important that you block out some time each week to work on your social media presence. In today’s real estate market, developing your brand on social media is crucial to marketing your business – especially when marketing... Read more
  • 8 Ways to Use Email to Grow Your Real Estate Business  
      Well-crafted emails generate an average return on investment that is significantly higher than most other real estate marketing channels. According to Fit Small Business, emails generate $36 for every $1 spent. If you haven’t started an email marketing campaign for your real estate business, it’s time to add that to your to-do list. Don’t... Read more
  • 9 Top Ideas for Promoting Your Business Website
    So you’ve created a website for your budding business? Great! A business website is a fundamental marketing tool in today’s world. The next step is getting people to find it. Gaining web traffic is one of the biggest challenges cited by business owners, but fear not! There are lots of ways to get eyeballs on... Read more
  • A Case of the Monday’s? Not in the Real Estate Industry
    It’s become all too familiar. We all know someone who constantly complains about his or her job. Whether it’s the standard “I don’t make enough money,” “I can’t stand my boss,” or “I just don’t feel fulfilled at work,” roughly two thirds of Americans report they are unsatisfied with their job for one reason or... Read more
  • A New Threat To Residential Appraisals
    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
  • Agency Agreements Explained         
    As real estate agents continue to evolve in how they represent clients and how they are compensated, the types of agency relationships and agreements remain unchanged. Understanding the duties and obligations that come with each type of agency relationship is important when evaluating how your practice will advance in an ever-changing real estate landscape. Three... Read more
  • Agent Blueprints for Success: Finding the Right Real Estate Brokerage 
    Just as builders carefully follow blueprints when constructing a home, new real estate agents must carefully examine every step they take when building their careers. One of the steps to becoming a real estate agent in Ohio is finding the right real estate brokerage. Finding the right real estate brokerage is critical, as your brokerage will provide... Read more
  • Alumni Association Event Recap
    The Alumni Association at Hondros College hosted a 2-day CE event August 29th-30th. Alumni members had free admittance. Attendees nibbled appetizers and sipped refreshments while earning CE credit. Here’s what we covered and what you need to know! Hot Topics for 2017: Medical Marijuana and How it Affects Real Estate Goal: To learn and understand... Read more
  • Alumni Success Series: Meet James Wise, Broker/Owner
    At Hondros College, we are proud to connect with our alumni who are actively working in their new profession after receiving their education. We sat down with James Wise, real estate agent/broker/owner and Hondros College alumnus of 2013 and 2015, to see how life has been after entering the real estate industry. As a licensed... Read more
  • Alumni Success Series: Meet Jason Wright, Real Estate Agent
    Hondros College is proud of our alumni and the hard work they’ve put in to achieving their successful new career. We sat down with Jason Wright, real estate agent and Hondros College alumnus of 2012, to see how life has been after becoming a real estate agent. Between being a father of three, assistant Boy... Read more
  • Alumni Success Series: Meet Jeff Dulmage, Real Estate Broker
    At Hondros College, we are passionate about our alumni and the hard work and success they’ve put into their new careers. We sat down with Jeff Dulmage, real estate agent/broker and Hondros College alumnus of 2013 and 2015, to see how life has been after entering the real estate industry Only having been a licensed... Read more
  • Alumni Success Series: Meet Whitney Davis, Hondros College Employee & Real Estate Agent
    We love connecting with our alumni to hear what they’ve been up to since completing their courses. Some have become successful agents; some have opened up their own brokerages. Today we’re spotlighting an employee who became a licensed agent by completing our real estate program. Whitney Davis started her career with Hondros College nearly two... Read more
  • Alumni Success Story: Catching Up with John Lestina
    From taking his real estate courses online while deployed in Puerto Rico, to his first successful year in his real estate career – we had the pleasure of catching up with John Lestina! For a refresher on John’s journey, check out our initial interview when he was just starting out in the real estate industry.... Read more
  • Alumni Success Story: Denise Gifford
    For 50 years, Hondros has educated some of the top real estate agents in Ohio. We are proud of our alumni and seek active relationships with them well after they pass their exams. We sat down with Hondros Alum, Denise Gifford, and asked about her journey to success in the real estate industry. Why did... Read more
  • Alumni Success Story: Hasina Nelson
    For 50 years, Hondros has educated some of the top real estate agents in Ohio. We are proud of our alumni and seek active relationships with them well after they pass their exams. We sat down with Hondros Alum, Hasina Nelson of Vylla Home and asked about her first year, so far, in the real... Read more
  • Alumni Success Story: Jessie Goodman
    Hondros College is proud of our alumni and the hard work they put into achieving their successful new career. We sat down with Jessie Goodman, former mortgage professional, turned real estate agent and later real estate broker, and asked her about her journey. Why did you change from mortgage to your current field? I have... Read more
  • Alumni Success: Meet Austin Cooper, Real Estate Agent
    At Hondros College, we are proud to connect with our alumni who are successfully working after receiving their education. We sat down with Austin Cooper, real estate agent and Hondros alumnus of 2013, to see how life has been after becoming a licensed agent. Austin is a thriving real estate agent for condominium communities in... Read more
  • An Honest Mistake – Lies and Litigation
    Unfortunately, many professionals are not given the luxury of making an honest mistake. The real estate profession is one such profession. Where a mistake is not a mistake, but a lie. Some clients inherently distrust real estate agents (car salesmen and lawyers as well). This distrust leads to an expectation of perfection. Any mistake will... Read more
  • Appellate Court Affirms Revocation of Salesperson’s License
    The Tenth District Court of Appeals has affirmed an order of the Ohio Real Estate Commission revoking a real estate salesperson’s license (“Licensee”). By way of background, the Licensee and a friend (“Friend”) entered into an agreement whereby a company owned by the Licensee would bid at a tax foreclosure sale on Friend’s property. The... Read more
  • Appellate Court Limits Slander of Title Claim
    Slander of title is a civil claim for damages resulting from the publishing of false information about real property, such that the property is disparaged, or its title is clouded. For example, at its simplest terms, if a person records an affidavit with the county recorder, specifying the person has a legal or equitable interest... Read more
  • Appellate Court Rules on Legality of Commission Rebates
    Last month the 10th District Court of Appeals in Franklin County issued a ruling denying a commission rebate because the recipient, a principal in the transaction, was not a licensed real estate broker. The decision is a departure from the current practice of agents occasionally rebating commissions to principals in a transaction, provided the rebate... Read more
  • Appraisal Review: A Necessary Evil or A Profit Center?
    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
  • Appraisal Update – July
    Tim Detty, CDEI Certified General Real Property  Appraiser AQB Certified USPAP Instructor Hondros College Appraisal Lead Faculty Senior Editor, Appraisal Programs – Hondros Learning Recently, I have been receiving numerous questions regarding revision requests received from lending clients and Appraisal Management Companies (AMC). One question in particular that is frequently received, and has also been... Read more
  • Appraisal Valuation Expo Convention 2019 Recap
    March brought the annual Valuation Expo convention at the Palmer House in Chicago, a great opportunity to get updated on all the appraisal changes. Speakers at the Expo included representation from VA, FHA, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Moody’s, CoreLogic, and many others. Here’s some of the news coming out of the convention: Comments from Freddie... Read more
  • Appraiser Basics: What You Need to Know
    A career as a real estate appraiser has a lot going for it. You have the option of choosing a flexible schedule as an independent appraiser or working regular hours in-house for an appraisal company. You work closely with the lender to ensure that the property is valued appropriately, providing insights that are critical for... Read more
  • Appraiser Qualifications Board Q & A’s
    Most practicing appraisers and appraisal students are familiar with the USPAP Q & As offered as guidance by the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB). But did you know that the Appraiser Qualifications Board also periodically publishes Q & As? As the time is drawing near for revised appraiser qualifications commencing January 1, 2015, many appraisers and... Read more
  • Appraisers Need a Website Too
    If you have your own appraisal business or plan to start one once you’re licensed, you need to reach prospective clients. You need to meet them where they’re searching for your service. In today’s digital age, that place is the internet. As part of an all-around internet marketing campaign that includes social media and advertising,... Read more
  • Appraisers’ Best Defense is Education
    By Tim Dettey, Certified General Real Property Appraiser, AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, Hondros College Appraisal Lead Faculty, Senior Editor, Appraisal Programs – Hondros Learning There are a lot of reasons why appraising is a great profession. One of those reasons is that the profession is rapidly evolving, with new technology and ways of doing things that make life so... Read more
  • Are Homeowners Required to a Join HOA? Or Pay Assessments?
    Generally, Homeowner’s Associations or HOAs collect dues from members to maintain and improve its members’ properties. Whether an owner is a member of the HOA depends on whether their property is included in the governing document (or Declaration) for the HOA Community and whether the owner’s deed references as an exception to ownership for “zoning... Read more
  • Are There Laws Against Littering On Your Own Property?
    We know trash and blight can stigmatize neighboring properties, they can foster crime and become a public health hazard. Citing reduction in property values along with eyesores, health hazards, and rodents, State Representatives Boggs and Miller have introduced legislation to criminalize litter on one’s own property in the state of Ohio. During her testimony before... Read more
  • Are You Using a Wire Fraud Notice?
    From 2000 through 2017, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received more than 4 million victim complaints. IC3 is the lead federal agency for investigating cyber-attacks and also provides the public with information about criminal cyber activity. In May of 2018, the IC3 released its Internet Crime Report for 2017. The Report provides... Read more
  • Are Your Commissions Subject to Garnishment?
    Many licensees believe that because they are independent contractors, their commissions cannot be garnished. This is incorrect. Ohio has several statutes that apply to a judgment creditor’s collection on its judgment from a judgment debtor. One is garnishment of personal earnings and the other is garnishment of property other than personal earnings. The former is... Read more
  • Arizona Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2020
    Over the past decade, America’s real estate market has been growing steadily. So, Arizona’s real estate market growth has been particularly strong. According to Arizona’s Office of Economic Opportunity, employment is expected to grow 2.6% by 2021 due to expansion in construction, health services, and manufacturing. High employment rates and a booming economy creates a... Read more
  • Attending the NAR Convention: 3 Conclusions from a First Time Attendee
    The National Association of Realtors conference was held November 3rd -7th in Orlando, Florida. Hondros Education Group had a huge presence there this year and I had the exciting opportunity to attend. Here are three thoughts I wanted to share with my fellow real estate agents now that I’m back home. Education is the foundation... Read more
  • Auctioning Real Estate
    Auctioning of real estate has become an increasingly popular way to sell real estate. Distressed properties are auctioned as a matter of course, but the market is starting to see more traditional real estate auctions. The pros are that a higher sale price and a quicker sale. Cons are a no sale and resulting stigma.... Read more
  • Average Starting Salary for Real Estate Agents in Ohio
      When considering a new career, the first step is determining whether the industry aligns with your interests and skills. If you’ve already decided that real estate is the right industry for you, it’s time to get started! However, a key question for anyone contemplating a career change is, “What is the average starting salary... Read more
  • Avoid These Common Home Office Mistakes!
    The number of people working out of their home is increasing every day. Some people have a remote office in their home, while others conduct their business only from a home office. Creating a home office can be tricky. Avoiding common mistakes will allow you to make the most of the time you spend there.... Read more
  • Be Wary of the Perils of Electronic Communication
    Seventy-seven percent of sellers expect a response from their agent within 30 minutes.[i] Eighty-eight percent of buyers expect a response from their agent within one hour.[ii] Do not expect the same from your attorney! All jokes aside, this puts a ton of pressure on agents to respond in the most expeditious manner or risk losing... Read more
  • Become a Trusted Real Estate Agent with Online Reviews
    Whether you’re a real estate agent with years of experience or just starting out, your online presence means more to your clients than you may think. A non-existent or tarnished online profile could hinder chances of earning new clients and selling homes. Many home buyers search a real estate agent’s name online before making the... Read more
  • Becoming a Real Estate Agent as a Senior or Retiree
    Some view retirement as an opportunity to spend more time on the golf course or to pursue hobbies. However, others may feel uncomfortable with a more leisurely schedule and are compelled to use their retirement to try new careers. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for real estate, perhaps it’s time to... Read more
  • Bed Bugs – Prevention, Discovery, and Eradication
    There are a lot of myths about bed bugs, and understanding how to prevent them, find them and get rid of them can be critical in avoiding a comprehensive investigation with significant costs to resolve. First to some of the myths courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bed bug Myths: Bed bugs are only... Read more
  • Benefits and Disadvantages of Freelancing
    Being a freelancer is amazing. You set your own schedule, pick your own projects and be your own boss. However, things can get a little complex when tax time rolls around, and finding clients can be a scramble! Here are some of the top considerations about being a freelancer. Benefit: You Make the Rules If... Read more
  • Best Communication Apps to Keep Your Team Connected
    There are all kinds of tools that allow your team to communicate better. These applications and platforms offer powerful chat functionality that empowers your team to share information, assets, and other resources. The right choice for your business depends on how large your group is, whether you need to integrate the chat with other solutions,... Read more
  • Best CRM for Real Estate: Elevate Your Lead Generation
    In essence, the real estate business is all about developing and managing relationships. The most successful real estate agents really just how important it is to stay on top of their client’s needs. Each year, over 5 million pre-existing homes are sold in the United States. Nearly 90 percent of the people who sell their... Read more
  • Best e-Signature Tools for MLOs
    Mortgage loan originators play an important role for prospective homeowners. These are the agents that make the buying process free of undue stress. Initiatives that make the document signing process easier to reduce administrative burdens on MLOs and result in more happy clients. One such example is an e-signature tool, which saves time and paper... Read more
  • Best Software for Mortgage Loan Officers
    Mortgage Loan Officers (MLOs) are constantly looking for ways to stand out in a competitive industry. They need to improve their marketing efforts, reduce the time and resources required to process mortgage loans, and improve their customers’ experience. There’s no doubt that technology is the key to achieving those goals. This brief overview gives you... Read more
  • Best Vehicles for a Home Inspector
    The first decision to make in selecting a vehicle for a home inspection business is to consciously decide to treat the purchase like a business decision, not a personal one. Forget emotion; focus on needs, budgets, and available incentives as you select the ideal vehicle to build your business. Requirements A business vehicle has to... Read more
  • Blockchain: The New Real Estate Frontier
    The Franklin County Auditor’s Office recently announced a pilot project to use blockchain technology to transfer a real estate deed. Ohio is not the first state to explore the technology for real estate transactions. In July of this year, California became the first state to conduct a blockchain only real estate deal. Similar to the... Read more
  • Brexit Vote Shocks Markets!
    The unexpected Brexit vote, where United Kingdom voters have elected to leave the European Union, came as an unexpected shock to financial markets.  All across the world, stocks are down, and “safe haven” assets like Gold and United States Treasuries are up. “It will cause sales to slow for the near term then start climbing... Read more
  • Building Ohio’s Future – Continuing the Story
    Earlier this year, I sent you four articles from Hondros College about the value of an accredited institution of higher learning in the education of your constituents who seek out adult education. These articles addressed how accredited institutions are helping to: Develop Ohio’s workforce Build Ohio’s future Start new careers Enable student success Continuing the... Read more
  • Building Your Personal Brand as a Real Estate Agent
    Building Your Personal Brand as a Real Estate Agent With 1.2 million Realtors®* in the United States and countless other real estate agents, we have plenty of competition. If your goal is to build a successful career as a real estate agent, it is essential to learn how to differentiate yourself. One of the most... Read more
  • Buyers and Exercise Due Diligence on Flood Zone Determination
    As part of the home buying process, lenders are required under federal law to determine whether the property is located in a flood hazard area. If it is, then the buyer will be required to purchase flood insurance. If it is not, then insurance is unnecessary. However, if it is later determined the property is... Read more
  • Can a Felon Be a Real Estate Agent in Ohio?
    Can a felon be a real estate agent in Ohio? Can you get a real estate license with a criminal record? There’s no easy answer to these questions. According to Ohio’s Real Estate and Professional Licensing Department, it depends on the following: The nature and seriousness of the offense Passage of time since the crime... Read more
  • Can a Trespasser Become a Property Owner Through Occupancy?
    An adverse possession action will result in a legal owner of real property having to forfeit their ownership interest to another, without compensation.  An example would be an incorrect fence placement that results in the user of property owned by another ultimately becoming the rightful owner of the property by adverse possession. In order for... Read more
  • Can I Do Real Estate Part-Time?
    As I teach pre-license, post-license and CE classes for Hondros College, students often ask me if they can work “part-time” in the real estate industry.  My answer to that question is usually, “maybe.”  In other words, maybe and maybe not… First, it is difficult for anyone to jump from the security of a full-time job with... Read more
  • Can the Real Estate Commission Discipline You for Your Personal Facebook Page?
      The Ohio Real Estate Commission will soon be considering a case concerning a licensee’s Facebook page. The Division of Real Estate is seeking to discipline an Ohio licensee for comments she made on her personal (but public) Facebook page. The basis of the charges is: The licensee’s comments did not reflect high standards of... Read more
  • Can You Lose Your License for a “Crime of Moral Turpitude”?
    Most licensees know that their license can be in jeopardy if convicted of a felony. What about a misdemeanor? Better yet, what if that misdemeanor involves a crime of moral turpitude? Real estate license law contains a similar provision to other licensed professions. It allows the Real Estate Commission to impose discipline towards a licensee... Read more
  • Can You Switch Your Residential Real Estate License to Commercial?
    The real estate industry offers many choices to licensed agents; they can work with buyers or sellers or both, they can help facilitate sales, rentals, or both types of transactions, and they can work in residential or commercial real estate (CRE). If you’re currently working in residential real estate and considering a switch to commercial,... Read more
  • CE That Sells: An Educational Event with Extraordinary Speakers
    On Wednesday, April 30th Hondros College students learned from some of the best national real estate educators and state and local officials. Hondros College hosted CE That Sells, a four day continuing education event that included prominent speakers active in the legislative and legal system.  Tina Lapp, President of Hondros College, was thrilled to be... Read more
  • Celebrating Retirement: Jim Kinzer
    Jim Kinzer has been a Financial Services Instructor with Hondros College for more than 22 years. His passion and dedication to serving his students, his field, and our school are unparalleled. With Jim’s recent announcement of retirement, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate his commitment and many years of service. We asked Jim... Read more
  • Changes to Fair Housing Law Proposed in Ohio Fairness Act
    Earlier this year, State Senator Nickie Antonio introduced the Ohio Fairness Act. Among other things, the Act proposes changes to Ohio’s Civil Rights Law by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of persons protected under Ohio’s housing, employment, and public accommodation protections. Current law requires every real estate broker’s office to prominently... Read more
  • Choosing a Real Estate Brokerage Firm
    Considerations for Choosing a Real Estate Brokerage Firm:  Culture Brokerage Type Training, Coaching, Mentoring Reputation and Market Share Support Location Commissions and Expenses   During your first year in real estate, you will have plenty of questions and curiosities. Be sure you’re choosing a real estate brokerage that will be there with you every step... Read more
  • Choosing the Best Real Estate School
    Is the School Approved and Accredited? What are their Prices? What do their Reviews Look Like? What are your Personal Needs and Priorities? What does their Customer/Student Support Look Like?   Confirming the School’s Legitimacy: 1. Is the school approved? Since real estate licensing happens at the state level, it’s important to know an approved... Read more
  • Classroom or Online Real Estate Courses: What’s the Best Fit for You?
     Online Real Estate Courses: Study at your own pace Flexible with your schedule In-Classroom Real Estate Courses: Traditional learning environment Study in groups Structured learning times   You want to get your real estate license, but don’t know the best way to prepare. You can choose between classroom or online real estate pre-licensing courses –... Read more
  • Clients for Life: Staying Top-of-Mind with an Intentional Plan
    You’re driving down the road and there it is – a competitor’s sign in your client’s yard. You’re incredulous! Didn’t you work night and day to find them that home? Why aren’t they loyal to you? How could this happen? The problem is, you’re not top-of-mind. Your name does not pop into their heads when... Read more
  • Collateral Underwriter and the End of Time
    Remember when Fannie Mae and others implemented the 1004MC, Market Conditions Addendum? How about the Uniform Appraisal Data set? What do these events have in common? Appraisers nationwide bemoaned that the end was near for appraisers and the appraisal profession. Okay, maybe the reaction wasn’t quite that dramatic, but human nature has a way viewing change... Read more
  • Columbus CEO Magazine Names Hondros Family of Companies a Top Workplace in 2017
    Columbus, OHIO (May 18, 2017) – Hondros Family of Companies has been awarded a 2017 Top Workplaces honor by the Columbus C.E.O. Magazine. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several... Read more
  • Columbus CEO Magazine Names Hondros Family of Companies a Winner of the Columbus Top Workplaces 2019 Award
    (Columbus, OH April 29, 2019) Hondros Family of Companies has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2019 honor by Columbus CEO Magazine. The Top Workplaces list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several... Read more
  • Columbus Ranked #1 Hottest Real Estate Market in the Nation
    This past March, Realtor.com® put Columbus at number 1 on their list of hottest markets – beating out Boston as well as Sacramento! These rankings are based on the number of hits each home listing received and how quickly the homes were selling in cities around the U.S. For cities like Columbus, this is an... Read more
  • Columbus Ranked #4 Hottest Real Estate Market in the Nation
    This past April, Realtor.com® put Columbus at number 4 on their list of hottest markets. That’s right behind San Francisco, California! These rankings are based on the number of hits each home listing received and how quickly the homes were selling in cities around the U.S. From March to April, Columbus jumped up 5 spots—from... Read more
  • Columbus Realtors Central Ohio Housing Report
    Our friends at Columbus Realtors share great news in this insightful article about the booming real estate market in Columbus. Read the article.      
  • Columbus, OH Named the Hottest Real Estate Market in the U.S.
    Columbus, Ohio, is experiencing remarkable growth, making it a prime location for real estate opportunities. An August 2024 report by Realtor.com has crowned Columbus as the hottest real estate market in the country, driven by its affordability and appeal to families and young professionals. The city’s housing market has consistently attracted a high volume of... Read more
  • Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate: Which is Right for You?
    The real estate industry is an attractive career niche for entrepreneurs. Both residential and commercial real estate offer lucrative income opportunities, low start-up costs, and long-term growth potential. If you’re considering a career in real estate, explore all your options before you dive into classes. Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate While both commercial and residential... Read more
  • Complaints on Real Property Valuation
    Property owners that believe their property is worth less than the value assessed by the County Auditor, can file a complaint on the property valuation. The property valuation is used to determine the amount of property taxes an owner pays. Thus, if the property valuation is too high, then the owner is unnecessarily paying higher... Read more
  • Congrats to Our April 2019 Instructor of The Month – Belinda Fulton
    We’re happy to announce the winner of April 2019’s Instructor of the month – Belinda Fulton! She has worked with us as an instructor for 20 years. Before joining us at Hondros, Belinda worked in Intelligence at the United States Air Force. She first learned about Hondros when she became a student in 1993! Belinda... Read more
  • Congrats to Our August 2019 Instructor of The Month – Jon Bradfield
      We’re happy to announce the winner of August 2019’s Instructor of the month – Jon Bradfield! Having been a part of the Hondros family for three years, he first heard about Hondros from other realtors. Jon cites his favorite aspect of his work is “the people!” This selfless instructor greatly values the knowledge and... Read more
  • Congrats to Our December 2018 Instructor of The Month – Craig Gatzulis
    We’re happy to announce the winner of December 2018’s Instructor of the month – Craig Gatzulis! This two-time winner of the Hondros Instructor of the month has been with us for 19 years. Before working at Hondros, Craig managed a real estate office for 10 years. There, he learned a lot from other agents and... Read more
  • Congrats to Our February 2019 Instructor of the Month – Tom Williams
    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
  • Congrats to Our January 2019 Instructor of the Month – Jackie VanDorn
    We’re happy to announce our first Instructor of the Month for 2019 – Jackie VanDorn! We got the chance to interview Jackie about her time at Hondros, what it takes to succeed in the real estate industry, and thrive as an instructor. This 2016 Instructor of the Year winner has been an active seller and... Read more
  • Congrats to Our July 2019 Instructor of The Month – Alfred Rosser
    We’re happy to announce the winner of July 2019’s Instructor of the month – Alfred Rosser! He knew he had a special connection to the Hondros family right from the start! He took his real estate pre-licensing courses at Hondros in 2000! Alfred then joined our team of expert instructors in 2010. He relishes the... Read more
  • Congrats to Our June 2019 Instructor of The Month – Amy Gilpin
    We’re happy to announce the winner of June 2019’s Instructor of the month – Amy Gilpin! She knew she wanted to be a part of the Hondros family right from the first phone interview. Amy enjoyed the down to earth conversation and “since that initial experience, it’s only gotten better. I truly feel like everyone... Read more
  • Congrats to Our March 2019 Instructor of The Month – Larry Pope
    We’re happy to announce the winner of March 2019’s Instructor of the month – Larry Pope! This former marine has been with us for a year and a half. Before working at Hondros, Larry was a Hondros alum, completing his real estate pre and post-licensing with us. Hondros’ ability to “interact with individuals from various... Read more
  • Congrats to Our November 2018 Instructor of The Month – Jimmie Gibson
    We’re pleased to announce the winner of November 2018’s Instructor of the Month – Jimmie Gibson! He gave insight into his strategy for enjoying the journey to success. Keep reading to learn more about our inspiring instructor of the month. Jimmie first came to Hondros for his 10-hour real estate post-licensure class at the Westerville... Read more
  • Congrats to Our November 2019 Instructor of The Month – Starla McCollum
    We’re happy to announce the winner of November 2019’s Instructor of the month – Starla McCollum! Starla has been working with us for over two years and loves Hondros’ “welcoming and supportive staff.” She was originally drawn to work at Hondros when a co-worker at her insurance company suggested she apply. Starla relished “the opportunity... Read more
  • Congrats to Our October 2018 Instructor of The Month – Tammy Parkin
    We’re happy to announce our October 2018 Instructor of the month – Tammy Parkin! We got the chance to interview Tammy about her time at Hondros and her secret to a successful career and a balanced lifestyle. Continue reading to learn more about our fabulous instructor of the month. Tammy shared that, while her primary... Read more
  • Congrats to Our October 2019 Instructor of The Month – Maria Taylor
    We’re happy to announce the winner of October 2019’s Instructor of the month – Maria Taylor! Before working at Hondros, Maria was a Hondros alum, completing her real estate pre and post-licensing with us. She also won our Rookie Instructor award in 2016. “The site staff at the Fairborn campus” has been part of what’s... Read more
  • Congrats to Our September 2018 Instructor of The Month – Larry Press
    Hondros College is proud to announce our September 2018 Instructor of the Month – Larry Press! Teaching real estate law with us for the past 14 years, Larry is the proud recipient of Instructor of the year in 2014. He is also Vice President of First American Title Insurance Company – specializing in title and... Read more
  • Congrats to Our September 2019 Instructor of The Month – Ron Eatmon
    We’re happy to announce the winner of September 2019’s Instructor of the month – Ron Eatmon! On top of working with the Hondros family for nine years, he started his own insurance agency in Columbus 20 years ago – now that’s an experienced instructor! Ron first learned about Hondros during an Open House event and... Read more
  • Copyright Updates to Protect Your Website
    In the millennial age, it has become a necessity for licensees seeking success to have a website that displays personal information, services the licensee offers and, of course, listings.  A lot of time and effort go into creating both the visual aspects as well as the content on a website.  The end result is a... Read more
  • Court Reverses Ohio Real Estate Commission
    In a recent decision, a Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge reversed the Ohio Real Estate Commission decision to revoke the real estate salesperson license of Tony V. Sekulovski. The Court found the Commission’s decision violated Mr. Sekulovski’s due process rights and the Commission’s interpretation of license law statutes was contrary to law. The... Read more
  • Courting the Prospect: 3 Steps to Getting the Lead
    Stop wasting time and money on courses, gurus, masterclasses and marketing firms that want you to create lead magnets to “standout” in your market. Ignore the debates over what is most effective: email series, video series, or white papers. Today the market, any market, for every industry is oversaturated with stuff from your competition. Being... Read more
  • Crash or Growth: Ohio Housing Market Crash in 2024? 
    Ohio real estate has received extensive national press in recent months. If you’re thinking about getting your real estate license, you may be following this current Ohio market analysis to determine whether it’s a good time to enter the industry. Let’s look at the current Ohio market analysis – and how industry leaders interpret that... Read more
  • Dayton Flyers Keep Scoring for Hondros Family of Companies Employee
    March Madness fans who chose Ohio State over Dayton fell in the pool of busted brackets after the first round of the NCAA tournament. But for one Hondros Family of Companies employee, she has Dayton winning it all. Calandra Robinson, a staff member of the North East Conference Center, will be cheering courtside for her... Read more
  • Delaware County Recorder Issues Notice of Documents Not Timely Recorded
    On October 26, 2018, the Delaware County Recorder issued a notice that certain documents filed with its office were not timely recorded. The notice indicates on October 19, 2018, the office located approximately 30 documents were not timely recorded. The documents were presented to the office over a period of approximately the last 3 years.... Read more
  • Demystifying Variable Square Footage
    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
  • Developing Ohio’s Workforce
    At Hondros College, we are developing Ohio’s workforce. Since 1981 we have been educating and training adults looking to advance or start their new career – adults who really just want a better life for themselves and their families. Our top priority is to get Ohio citizens working; what better way to do that than... Read more
  • Disclosure of Assignment Results
    Hopefully, appraisers have noted that the USPAP definition of Assignment Results has been edited in the 2014-2015 Edition of USPAP. While the overall definition has not really changed, the Comment following the definition has been revised for clarity: Comment: Assignment results include an appraiser’s opinions or conclusions developed in an appraisal assignment, not limited to... Read more
  • Division Delays Home Inspector Licensing
    In a statement issued October 11, 2019, the Division of Real Estate advised that it will not enforce the November 1, 2019 licensing deadline for new home inspectors. The Ohio Home Inspector Program will be on hold until the Division adopts new administrative rules for the program, which are currently pending. The administrative rules, a... Read more
  • Division of Real Estate Adopts New Administrative Rules
    The Division of Real Estate has adopted a series of rule changes that went in to effect February 10, 2019. The rules address implementation of HB 532, which among other things established Principal Brokers, Associate Brokers, and Management Level Brokers & Salespersons. The rules also provide a series of other changes affecting advertising, continuing education,... Read more
  • Division of Real Estate Considers Regulation of Team Names
    The Division of Real Estate has circulated a draft administrative rule to real estate industry stakeholders for review and comment. One such draft proposes to add restrictions on words a real estate team may include in their team name. Real estate teams have operated in Ohio for more than fifteen years, spending significant resources on... Read more
  • Division of Real Estate Issues Home Inspector Program Update
    The Division of Real Estate has issued an update on the implementation of the new Ohio Home Inspector Program, which was signed in to law on January 4, 2019. The law mandates licensure of any provider of home inspection services. The law becomes effective on April 5, 2019, but is not operational until the Governor... Read more
  • Division of Real Estate Releases Discipline Summaries
    With its Spring 2019 Newsletter, the Division of Real Estate has released disciplinary summaries of Real Estate Commission actions against real estate salespersons, brokers, and unlicensed persons and entities. The summaries reveal a continued pattern of cases involving agents permitting unsupervised access to properties, failure to cooperate with Division personnel in investigations and agents signing... Read more
  • Division of Real Estate Releases Mid-Year Discipline Summaries
    The Division of Real Estate has released discipline summaries for enforcement cases before the Real Estate Commission from January through May of 2019. During the first five months of this year, the Commission revoked 9 licenses and issued some combination of suspensions, fines, and education against 15 licensees. The Commission also issued civil fines against... Read more
  • Division of Real Estate: Answer Ethics Questions Correctly, Honestly
    The Division of Real Estate has highlighted the need for real estate licensee to answer ethical conduct and legal history questions on licensure, renewal, and transfer applications correctly and honestly. Failure to do so could result in an investigation into whether you have procured a license by fraud, misrepresentation or deceit. The ethical conduct and... Read more
  • Division Re-Introduces Team Advertising Rule
    The Team Advertising Rule, which was inexplicably scrapped from the Division’s rule package enacted earlier this year, has been re-introduced. The rule addresses how teams may advertise and for the first time contains restrictions on what may and may not be included in a team’s name. Until now, the Division has not sought to regulate... Read more
  • Do Brokers Make More Than Agents in Ohio?
    Yes, real estate brokers typically make more than agents in Ohio. However, the increased commissions come with increased responsibilities. Is it worth getting a broker’s license in Ohio? We’ll answer the question, “How much does a broker make a year?” and help you decide whether earning your broker’s license is worth it. Key Takeaways In... Read more
  • Do I Need a Business Degree?
    Do I need a business degree to be successful in business? The short answer is no, you don’t. Some people simply have the right experience and the right relationships to build a great foundation for a successful enterprise. However, everyone does not fall into that category.  As a matter of fact, Forbes Magazine contributing writer, Eric... Read more
  • Do You Have Supra Powers?
    In today’s market, integrity and accountability are two attributes that clients look for in a Realtor. Are you aware of how “Supra Powers” can assist with and possibly increase your business? Have you educated yourself as to how the Supra Network can help protect your clients’ homes and personal property? The Supra Network consists of... Read more
  • Do You Like To Talk To Strangers?
    Your mother may have told you not to, but when you become a real estate agent you will have to talk to a lot of strangers. Do you like to, do you know how to? Depending upon your background before becoming a real estate agent, you may have talked to a lot of different people,... Read more
  • Does Your Referral Fee Violate RESPA?
    Ohio law permits real estate licensees to pay referral fees to real estate licensees licensed in another state or country. Conversely, licensees are prohibited from paying referral fees to unlicensed entities. When paying a referral fee, care should be taken to confirm that: The referral is reduced to a written agreement The recipient of the... Read more
  • Dying with Real Estate
    Much of estate planning is tailored to those items that can pass outside of probate and those that cannot.  An example of something that can transfer outside of probate is real estate. Others include insurance proceeds, investments, and bank accounts.  Upon the death of the decedent, these items will transfer to previously named beneficiaries, notwithstanding... Read more
  • E&O Policy Claim Dismissed: Statute of Limitations
    The Ohio Supreme Court recently issued a decision clarifying when the statute of limitations starts to run for claims against insurance companies regarding professional liability insurance policies. The case stems from a real estate company’s lawsuit against their insurance agent for negligence in failing to procure an appropriate E&O policy for the brokerage and negligently... Read more
  • Education Tops 2015 New Year’s Resolutions
    With every New Year comes new resolutions. We ponder how we lived our lives the year before and vow to change in the year to come. We wonder what we could do more of, spend less on, and devote more time to in order to improve upon ourselves. 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s... Read more
  • Eight Tools Every Appraiser Needs
    Most professions come with a hefty price tag to get started. You have to rent space or buy inventory, or purchase equipment that comes at a high cost. What if there was a career where you could be your own boss, work the hours you please, and was inexpensive to enter? Welcome to a great... Read more
  • Electronic Transactions, Signatures, and Records
    Technology continues to alter the practice of real estate. Letters and phone calls give way to emails and text messages. Professionals use online tools and programs to facilitate review and signatures on transactional documents. Understanding the parameters for conducting transactions electronically will help avoid risks to your clients or your practice. The Uniform Electronic Transactions... Read more
  • End of Year Recap: Hondros Family of Companies Highlights Employees at 2013 Company Meeting and Holiday Event
    The Hondros Family of Companies held their annual company meeting and holiday event on Friday, December 20, 2013. Employees from all six locations gathered in Westerville to celebrate the holiday season, and to share in the spirit of camaraderie of what it means to be a part of the family of companies. Hondros College and... Read more
  • Establishing Your New Brokerage
    Obtaining a broker’s license is an accomplishment in and of itself. Setting up your brokerage is the next logical step for real estate entrepreneurs. This business enterprise requires careful planning and preparation. There are many considerations beyond your brokerage name and location. Below are some items to consider when designing your brokerage business plan. The... Read more
  • Evaluations: Appraisal Foundation Releases Concept Paper
    According to the Appraisal Foundation, requests for evaluations are on the rise. A concept paper on this subject is the discussion for the TAFAC meeting this October in Arlington, Virginia. The author is Wayne R. Miller, Chair of the Appraisal Standards Board. TAFAC is The Appraisal Foundation Advisory Council, which is composed of 60 non-profit... Read more
  • Exercise Caution When Communicating with Appraisers
    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
  • Existing home sales jump 5.1 percent in May
    Existing home sales bounced up at the highest pace in nearly six years in May, resuming improvement in the housing market after an unexpected decline in April. Sales rose 5.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million pre-constructed homes, condos and co-ops last month, up from April’s 5.09 million, the National Association of... Read more
  • Features of Accounting Packages for Small Business
    Real estate is your strength, not accounting, but you need to handle the taxes and other financial matters for your small business. Luckily, accounting software packages make it easier for you to manage these tasks and stay on top of your administrative responsibilities. FreshBooks FreshBooks is an excellent choice for new small business owners, as... Read more
  • Federal Fair Housing Act Turns 50
    President Lyndon Johnson signed the federal Fair Housing Act in to law on April 11, 1968. The Act prohibits discrimination based on specified protected classes in the sale, rental, financing of residential housing. This significance of this historic legislation is captured in President Johnson’s remarks following his signature of the Act into law: I do... Read more
  • Financial Aid Event to be Held at Hondros College
    Hondros College’s West Chester Campus will host the state-wide college financial aid event “College Goal Sunday” (CGS) on February 10, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. The free event, presented by the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) and endorsed by the Ohio Board of Regents, assists students and parents with completing the Free Application... Read more
  • Finding the Discipline to Be Your Own Boss
    Being your own boss isn’t for everyone. It takes drive, determination, tenacity, and sometimes sheer will to make it work. There are many obstacles to making a successful real estate career, and some of them are beyond your control. Although discipline and knowing when to put your nose to the grindstone are not among them.... Read more
  • First time since June: Home contracts rise
    April 28, 2014 Christopher S. Rugaber, AP     WASHINGTON — More Americans signed contracts to buy homes in March, the first increase since June and a sign that the housing market might pick up after a sluggish start to the year.The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its seasonally adjusted pending home sales... Read more
  • First-Time Homebuyer Savings Accounts Become Closer to Reality in Ohio
    A first-time homebuyer is a buyer that has not owned a property in the last three years. With the tightening of lending requirements after the mortgage crisis and increasing costs of housing, many first-time homebuyers have trouble saving for a down payment on a home. The legislation is currently pending in Ohio that would create... Read more
  • Five Best Practice Tips for an Escalation Clause
    With a tight seller’s market, the use of escalation clauses is on the rise to give buyers an advantage over other competing buyers. Unfortunately, poorly worded escalation clauses can hurt your client and leave you at risk. Below are some tips to consider before recommending your client use an escalation clause. What is an escalation... Read more
  • Flat Fee, Minimum Service, and A La Carte Brokers
    The same strategy that low-cost airlines utilize is also becoming more common in the real estate industry. Consumers find it attractive to only pay for what they need. If they aren’t traveling with luggage, why should they pay the same price as a passenger that does? For buyers and sellers, why not do some of... Read more
  • Forfeiture of Oil and Gas Leases
    Consider this: in advance of closing, the title commitment reveals the existence of an oil or gas lease clouding title. Now what? The lessee is no longer in business or cannot be found and your client is unsure how to proceed. Your next step is to direct them to legal counsel because, under certain circumstances,... Read more
  • Four Ways a Plumber Can Help Determine if a Home is Worth Flipping
    Flipping a house can be a great way to make a lot of money within a fairly short period of time. In order for a house flip to be as lucrative as it can be, there needs to be a minimal investment in the remodeling that needs to happen. A great way to ensure that... Read more
  • Free Tech Tools That will Help You in Your Real Estate Business
    As real estate agents and small business owners, our to-do lists can seem a mile long. Generating leads, showing homes, listing homes, keeping in touch with clients, tracking expenses, marketing, networking; the lists goes on and on. That’s why I love anything I can do to help me stand out as a real estate agent... Read more
  • Free Webinar Covers the State of Fair Housing
    On Friday, October 23, 2020, our sister school, McKissock Learning will be hosting a FREE non-credit webinar titled “Fair Housing, Is It?” Join a virtual panel of real estate experts as they analyze the findings of the Newsday investigation, Long Island Divided, and discuss how real estate agents and brokers can evaluate their current practices... Read more
  • Free Webinar Explores Updates in Real Estate Ethical Standards
    As the real estate industry continues to evolve and the National Association of REALTORS® updates its ethics standards to be more aligned with today’s current environment, there are a lot of questions about what the actual changes are and the implications of those changes. Join a virtual panel of real estate experts as we explore the... Read more
  • From Contacts to Contracts: Building Relationships in Real Estate
    Before we discuss building relationships in real estate, we want to emphasize that relationship building should not simply be a business strategy because real estate is more than a business.  As a real estate agent, you’ll participate in one of the most significant financial and emotional decisions your clients will make.  In addition, if you... Read more
  • Generating Prospects Through Public Speaking
    For small business owners and the self-employed, generating new prospects is always on our minds. We don’t have the kind of revenue to support large-scale media campaigns, so our prospecting efforts have to be more targeted. Many of us learned the hard way what doesn’t work, and through trial and error have found some things... Read more
  • Getting The Most Out Of Online Real Estate CE
    If you are like most real estate licensees in Ohio, you have 21 hours of electives to choose from towards fulfilling the 30 hour CE requirement every three years. And again, like most licensees, you may elect to take one or all of the courses in an online environment. There are a wide range of... Read more
  • Governor Makes Appointments Affecting Real Estate Industry    
    Governor Kasich has announced several appointments to state boards and commissions affecting the real estate industry. Ohio’s real estate related boards and commissions have broad powers to adopt rules affecting qualification for licensure and how members of the profession practice. Ohio law has specific requirements for individuals seeking appointment, such as obtaining a certain level... Read more
  • Handwritten Notes Get Attention, What A Concept
    Amanda Ross talks about an old-fashioned, yet attention getting concept in this article, sending Handwritten notes to your database of business contacts at least twice a year. Think about it, do you open most envelopes that have your address handwritten on them? If you are like most people, the answer is yes. vada2013.ca So, build... Read more
  • HB 532 Controversy Thickens
    House Commerce and Labor Committee Opponent Testimony – HB 532 Presented by Kristin E. Rosan, Esq. Madison & Rosan, LLP As you may know I had the honor of testifying before the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee during its May 24, 2016 hearing.  Click here to read the testimony I gave. Below are my current... Read more
  • Help Spread the Warmth this Holiday Season
    Did you know? 1 in 5 children live in households whose earnings fall below the poverty level in the U.S. For many of these families living in poverty, a warm winter coat is considered an “extra.” An estimated 671,850 Americans experience homelessness on any given night. Health experts report that even a 2-degree drop in... Read more
  • Helping Your Client Navigate Real Estate Liens
    In advance of closing, clients (whether buyers or sellers) will receive a report from the title company disclosing the liens against the property being sold. A basic understanding liens affecting real estate will aid agents in reading and understanding the title search report. Mortgage The mortgage is actually a lien on the property. It is... Read more
  • Higher Education’s “Dirty Little Secret” – You don’t need to spend $35k on a 2 year degree for a high paying career
    Local college bucks the trend of high college tuition, creating career focused programs that can be completed in six weeks or less, for less than the cost of one college class. With 2 year private college degrees approaching $35,000 in tuition and fees, prospective students are beginning to question whether it is financially a smart... Read more
  • Home Inspection: A Solid Career Choice
    Have you been considering becoming a home inspector? Now is a great time to join the industry! The fact is that the majority of homes on the market today have a home inspection as part of the buying process. The 2013 Ohio Association of REALTORS President, Thomas J. Williams, shared in the August housing report... Read more
  • Home Inspection: What I Wish I Knew in My First Year
    As an experienced home inspector, I’ve learned a lot; some of it good, some of it scary, but all of it important. If I’d known some of these things when I first started out, I could have saved myself time and aggravation. So, now that I have a few years of experience under my belt,... Read more
  • Home Inspector Licensing Could Be a Requirement Soon
    The Ohio Legislature is one step closer to licensing home inspectors. Last week the House Economic Development, Commerce and Labor Committee approved a substitute version of H.B. 211, Ohio’s Home Inspector Law. The proposed legislation would require those wishing to perform home inspection services to obtain a license from the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division... Read more
  • Home Inspectors: Accurate Mold Testing
    Many homeowners are unaware that mold can be lurking throughout their home without them knowing it. Mold testing is crucial because it needs to be remedied properly if it is found in a house before it can be sold. The following guide walks you through what you need to know to accurately test for mold... Read more
  • Home Inspectors: Water Quality Testing
    There are many times when the water in a home seems fine because nothing abnormal is seen in the water and it doesn’t have an odd smell to it. The fact is, there could be issues that aren’t easily noticed or detectable without extensive testing. The following guide walks you through what to remember when... Read more
  • Homebuyers Blog Part III: 1 Year Later
    It has officially been one year since we moved into our new home, and we couldn’t be happier! But as first time homebuyers, that’s not to say we haven’t had our share of struggles along the way. Owning our own home has given us a sense of pride and accomplishment and we have worked hard... Read more
  • Homebuyers have a spring in their step
    As we bid adieu to another harsh winter and welcome a more cheerful season — at least in some areas of the country, anyway — prospective homebuyers have a spring in their step, as mortgage applications increased almost 5 percent last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. For the week... Read more
  • Homebuyers Protected by Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act
    Homebuyers that are subjected to unfair or deceptive practices (from their lender, mortgage broker or appraiser) during the home buying process have options under Ohio’s Homebuyer Protection Act. Adopted in the 1970’s, the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act or (CSPA) protects consumers from a supplier’s deceptive practices in a consumer transaction. In 2006, the law... Read more
  • Hondros Alumni and Instructor receive Major League surprise!
    At Hondros College we believe there is no greater way to gauge our quality of education than to have our students continue to choose us year after year for their continuing education after they completed their career entry education with us. We also constantly monitor student feedback to ensure than our instructors are giving our... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Increase In Real Estate Career Night Dates For Remainder Of 2013
    Hondros College, Ohio’s top real-estate college, announced the 2013 open-house dates for prospective real-estate students at their six Ohio campuses. Due to the increased strength of the current housing market and real estate industry, 30 career night dates have been set for the remainder of the 2013 calendar year; each event begins at 5:00 p.m.... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces 2013 Personal Fitness Open House Dates
    Hondros College, a National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) approved training provider, announced today the 2013 open house dates for prospective students at three of their Ohio campuses. Four open house dates have been set for the 2013 calendar year; each event begins at 5:00 p.m. and provides the opportunity to learn about Hondros... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces 2013 Real Estate Career Night Dates
    Hondros College, Ohio’s top real-estate college, announced today the initial 2013 open-house dates for prospective real-estate students at their six Ohio campuses. Due to the increased strength of the current housing market and real estate industry, sixteen career night dates have been set for the first half of the 2013 calendar year; each event begins... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces 2013 Spring Real Estate-Industry Forecast
    Hondros College announced today its 2013 spring real estate industry forecast. Based on trends from the Hondros College database of student statistics and the 2013 Ohio Association of Realtors® (OAR) Your Market At A Glance report, the spring forecast indicates continued recovery and growth in the Ohio housing market. “The increasing number of real estate... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Acquisition of Ohio Real Estate School
    COLUMBUS, OH (June 25, 2018) – Hondros College, a division of Hondros Education Group (HEG), announced today that it has acquired the Ohio Institute of Real Estate Studies (OIRES) in a partnership that will further unify real estate education in Ohio. Based in the Medina, OIRES will pool its talents with Hondros College to represent the largest real... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Career Launch Event Schedule and New Campus Location
    Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) May 12, 2014 Hondros College announces the spring and summer Career Launch Event schedule and a new location. Starting this month, the College is offering special events for prospective students to learn more about preparing for a new career. The Career Launch Events feature industry professionals who will share information about the... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Expert Speaker Series
    Hondros College is pleased to welcome Scott Phillips Jr., who was recently recognized by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as one of real estate’s 30 Under 30, to its inaugural speech for the expert speaker series at its Columbus and Cleveland campuses this April. Hondros College will host Phillips at the Columbus campus on... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Georgia Real Estate Education Available Online
    Hondros College now offers Continuing Education and Pre-Licensing courses online. Georgia, October 9, 2018 – Hondros College announces Continuing Education and Pre-Licensing courses available online for real estate education in the state of Georgia. The online courses are rich in content and delivered through a dynamic format with features that make study engaging. A proven... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Increase in Real Estate Career Night Dates for Winter and Spring 2014
    Hondros College, Ohio’s top real-estate college, announced the January through April 2014 open-house dates for prospective real-estate students at their six Ohio campuses. Due to the increased strength of the current housing market and real estate industry, 26 career open house dates have been set for the Winter and Spring 2014 calendar year; each event... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Merger with Arizona School of Real Estate and Business
    The Hondros Family of Companies is pleased to announce its merger with the Arizona School of Real Estate and Business. The Hondros Family of Companies, consisting of the Hondros College, Hondros Learning and National Background Check, expands its footprint in the real estate market with the addition of the Phoenix-based school. “This is an exciting... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Merger with Realty Continuing Education
    Hondros College and Realty Continuing Education announced today they have signed a merger agreement. The two continuing education companies have a strong reputation for providing quality education. Hondros College and Realty Continuing Education will create a new partnership capitalizing on the longstanding history these two companies provide in real estate continuing education. Realty Continuing Education... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Michigan Real Estate Education Available Online
    Hondros College now offers Continuing Education and Pre-Licensing courses online. Michigan, October 9, 2018 – Hondros College announces Continuing Education and Pre-Licensing courses available online for real estate education in the state of Michigan. The online courses are rich in content and delivered through a dynamic format with features that make study engaging. A proven... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces New Involvement in the Oil & Gas Industry
    Hondros College, with multiple locations throughout Ohio dedicated to helping the Ohio workforce enter and succeed in  various careers and industries, announced today it will begin offering SafeLand USA safety courses for individuals and companies who will be involved in developing Ohio’s Shale resources and those servicing such companies. Individuals and employees of any company... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces New Location in Mayfield Heights
    (PRWEB)February 02, 2016 Hondros College has added a new satellite location in Mayfield Heights, which is directly east of Cleveland. This new location stems from a partnership between Hondros College and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), with the goal of providing real estate pre-licensing classes for area students. The Mayfield Heights location is the seventh Hondros... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces New Location In Mentor
    COLUMBUS, Ohio | PRNewswire — Hondros College has added a new satellite location in Mentor, which is northeast of Cleveland. The Mentor location is the eleventh Hondros College location throughout Ohio. The official address is 8200 Norton Parkway, Mentor, OH 44060. Classes at the Mentor location will officially begin May 16. Students at this location will have... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces New Locations, Additional Course Offerings and Events
    Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) August 06, 2014 Beginning in September, Hondros College will offer classes at a new location in Hilliard, OH. As the leading real-estate college in Ohio, Hondros College is aiming to better serve the west side of Columbus and surrounding counties of Madison, Union, Clark, Champaign and Logan with this opening. Coinciding with... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces New Toledo Location and Open House on November 19
    Hondros College is pleased to announce the opening of a new Toledo location on November 1, 2013. Hondros College will host a business open house event on November 19 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 6546 Weatherfield Court, Unit C, Suite 1, Maumee, Ohio 43537. Hondros College partners and members of the community are... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces New Youngstown Location
    Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) October 02, 2014 Hondros College has announced that starting in November, pre-licensing courses will be offered to Eastern Ohio residents with the opening of a new location in Youngstown, OH. Individuals seeking a career change or those who are just starting their career will have the opportunity to earn their real estate... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Partnership with Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors®
    Hondros College is excited to announce that they are partnering with the Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors® in an effort to further heighten real estate education in the Youngstown/Columbiana region of Ohio. “We can’t be more pleased to begin a relationship with Hondros College. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote real estate education in... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Personal Fitness Open House Dates in July and October
    Hondros College, a National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) approved training provider, announced today the July 31 and October 2 open house dates for prospective students at their Columbus campus. Each event begins at 5:00 p.m. and provides the opportunity to learn about Hondros College’s offerings for a career in personal fitness. Prospective students... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Relationship With Toledo Board of Realtors®
    Hondros College is pleased to announce their new relationship with the Toledo Board of Realtors. This relationship was formed to support real estate education in the Toledo, Ohio area. “We formed this relationship with Hondros College as they offer a full array of real estate offerings in Ohio and for Michigan continuing education, which makes... Read more
  • HONDROS COLLEGE ANNOUNCES SPRING OPEN HOUSE EVENT SCHEDULE AND LATEST COURSE GUIDE
    COLUMBUS, OHIO (January 19, 2016) – The Hondros College will offer a series of Open House Events for students to learn more about preparing for a new and rewarding career. The earnings potential of these careers is high. For example, the average Real Estate professional in Ohio earned $53,140 in 2014,1 while the average Insurance... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Summer Open House Event Schedule And Latest Course Guide
    COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 18, 2016 | PRNewswire – The Hondros College will offer a series of Open House Events for students to learn more about preparing for a new and rewarding career. The earnings potential of these careers is high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Real Estate professional in Ohio earned $58,410... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces the New Position and Hire of a Director of Education
    Hondros College today announced the addition of a new staff member to a newly formed executive position at Hondros College. Angie Osborn assumed the role as Director of Education on July 8, 2013. The Director of Education will work directly with all faculty at Hondros College and will oversee faculty development, new course direction and... Read more
  • Hondros College Announces Virginia Real Estate Education Available Online
    Hondros College now offers Continuing Education and Pre-Licensing courses online. Virginia, October 8, 2018 – Hondros College announces Continuing Education and Pre-Licensing courses available online for real estate education in the state of Virginia. The online courses are rich in content and delivered through a dynamic format with features that make study engaging. A proven... Read more
  • Hondros College Brings Excitement to Toledo Market
    At Hondros College we are springing into the new season with some exciting changes in support of Northwest Ohio and the Real Estate Industry! First, we are pleased to announce Rod Farthing as the Regional Manager of Real Estate Programs. Farthing comes to Hondros College from Stautzenberger College and will be responsible for business development... Read more
  • Hondros College brings Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses to Southeastern Ohio
    As Johnny Cash would say, “We’re Going to Jackson.” Hondros College is excited to bring real estate pre-licensing courses to southeastern Ohio. Beginning on March 16, classes will be offered in Jackson, Ohio at The Office Commons, located at 135 E. Huron Street, Jackson, Ohio. “The new location allows us to better serve southeastern Ohio,”... Read more
  • HONDROS COLLEGE BRINGS TWO NEW LOCATIONS TO OHIO; HILLIARD, MEDINA
    Hondros College is excited to announce the opening of two new locations! Beginning in September the career college will be opening up its second central Ohio location in Hilliard and its third northeastern Ohio location in Medina. While the company’s corporate headquarters has a strong presence in Columbus, the new Hilliard location aims to better... Read more
  • Hondros College Celebrates New Toledo Location With Community
    On Tuesday, November 19th, Hondros College associates hosted a business after hours-style event to celebrate the grand opening of their new Toledo location & the College’s renewed commitment to the growth of the education programs that service the Toledo regional area.  Over 30 members of the Toledo business community were welcomed into the new space... Read more
  • Hondros College Cleveland Campus Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Boys and Girls Clubs Donation
    Columbus, OH (PRWEB) November 23, 2015 Hondros College will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Cleveland South/Independence Branch campus and recent commendation from the Ohio State Senate by providing Thanksgiving meals for 25 local families through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland. “We are proud of our Cleveland history, and we look forward to... Read more
  • Hondros College Expands Course Offerings for Real Estate Students
    COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 5, 2017) – Hondros College now offers online real estate pre-licensing courses for students looking to become a licensed real estate professionals in the state of Ohio. Identical to the Hondros classroom option, the online version is designed to accommodate the busy student in need of a flexible approach to high quality... Read more
  • Hondros College Expands Education Offerings With Kentucky Real Estate Licensing Courses
    (Kentucky – June 6, 2019) – Hondros College now offers online real estate courses for students looking to become a licensed real estate professional in Kentucky. A proven, national leader in real estate education for over 50 years, Hondros College has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive real estate education, including dynamic online courses... Read more
  • Hondros College Expands into Southeastern Ohio with Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses
    Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) March 05, 2015 Hondros College announces real estate pre-licensing courses will now be offered in Jackson, Ohio. Classes will begin on March 16 at The Office Commons, located at 135 E. Huron Street, Jackson, Ohio. “The new location allows us to better serve southeastern Ohio,” says Tina Lapp, president, Hondros College, “and... Read more
  • Hondros College goes ALL IN with the Cleveland Cavaliers
    Hondros College is ALL IN with the Cleveland Cavaliers! Our staff and students did a great job going all out in support of a Cavs game 6 victory! On Tuesday, June 16th, we held a contest among all 6 of our Ohio campuses to see who could show the most Cleveland Cavaliers spirit! Fittingly, the hometown of LeBron James,... Read more
  • Hondros College Honors Faculty Member and Announces Scholarship Recipient During Annual Meeting
    Hondros College announced the 2012 recipients of the Hondros College Distinguished Faculty Award and the James Dwyer Memorial Scholarship during the college’s 2012 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. The 2012 Hondros College Distinguished Faculty Award was presented to Andrea Galassi, Hondros College Property and Casualty Insurance instructor at the school’s Cleveland Campus.  Galassi... Read more
  • Hondros College Hosts Career Open House with Panel of Industry Experts
    On September 23, Hondros College held their career open house at the corporate location in Westerville, Ohio. The school opened its doors to the public, featuring all career programs in order to give adults the opportunity to learn about the different professions from real industry experts. This open house operated as a public forum panel... Read more
  • Hondros College Launches Military Appreciation Program
    Hondros College has announced that they will offer all military personnel, active and veterans, a 15% military discount on all Insurance and Real Estate Pre-Licensing Packages. Hondros College would like to thank all our military personnel, both active and veterans, for serving our great country. We are proud to be a school that our past... Read more
  • Hondros College Launches Online Marketing Courses to Help Small Business Owners Grow Their Business Through Digital Marketing
    Hondros College is pleased to announce the launch of Online Marketing Specialist Programs to help business owners master the digital marketing skills needed to grow your business in this competitive world. The Online Marketing Specialist Programs are video courses with expert speakers and real life examples to assist business owners with digital marketing. The courses... Read more
  • Hondros College Named as a Top Workplace in 2024
    We are excited to announce that Hondros College was recently named one of Columbus CEO Magazine’s Top Workplaces 2024. Columbus CEO Magazine listed 85 organizations as top workplaces based on employee surveys conducted in 2023. Survey results were only valid if at least 35 percent of employees in a given company responded. The survey (conducted by research partner... Read more
  • Hondros College Offers Real Estate Classes in Youngstown
    Hondros College is excited to be offering real estate pre-licensing courses in Youngstown, Ohio. Through their relationship with the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®, classes are set to start at this location on Monday, November 17. This Youngstown location gives students in the community and surrounding areas the opportunity to complete a 3-week real estate... Read more
  • Hondros College Opens New Education Facility in Westerville
    Westerville, Ohio – Hondros College, the leading real estate educator in Ohio, announced the opening of its brand new, state-of-the-art learning facility in Westerville. This facility boasts all-new learning environments and enhanced resources to support students in their pursuit of real estate education and career advancement. Among other features, it provides dedicated spaces for collaboration... Read more
  • Hondros College partners with Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana to change local lives
    Hondros College aims to raise funds to grant a wish to a local child dealing with a critical illness Westerville, Ohio (October 30, 2018) – Hondros College is no stranger to providing services that help people change their lives. This time, though, they’ve partnered with Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to provide a life-changing wish to... Read more
  • Hondros College Personal Fitness Certification Course Receives Approval From National Council on Strength and Fitness
    Hondros College formally announced today it is an approved training provider for the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF). Hondros College students who complete the Personal Fitness Certification Course and NCSF examination now receive NCSF certification and membership in addition to Hondros College PFiT Certification. The Hondros College Personal Fitness Certification Course is a... Read more
  • Hondros College Recognized as a Top Workplace for Dayton/Springfield Area
    Hondros College announced today it has been honored as one of the Dayton and Springfield areas Top Workplaces. Top Workplaces are determined based solely on employee feedback. The employee survey was conducted by Workplace Dynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. “Employee fulfillment has always been an important focus of... Read more
  • Hondros College Rolls Out Military Appreciation Program
    Hondros College would like to thank all our military personnel, both active and veterans, for serving our great country. We are proud to be a school that our past and present troops turn to for a new career. To recognize the commitment of our Veterans, we are offering a 15% military discount program on all... Read more
  • Hondros College To Host Hondros Homecoming: Alumni & Networking Event
    COLUMBUS, Ohio, PRNewswire Hondros College announces a special networking event exclusive to its alumni. The College has invited alumni to attend a Homecoming event that will be on October 6, 2016 at the Westerville Campus. This event is free to Hondros Alumni Association members. Two guests of honor will speak at the Hondros Homecoming event.... Read more
  • HONDROS EDUCATION GROUP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL ARIZONA REAL ESTATE SCHOOL
    TUCSON, AZ (Nov. 1, 2018) – Arizona School of Real Estate & Business (ASREB), a division of Hondros Education Group (HEG), proudly announced today that is has acquired Hogan School of Real Estate (Hogan), in a partnership that will further unify real estate, mortgage, and appraisal education in Arizona. This is the third acquisition for HEG in the... Read more
  • Hondros Education Group Announces Acquisition Of Additional Phoenix Real Estate School
    PHOENIX, Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Arizona School of Real Estate & Business (ASREB), a division of the Hondros Education Group (HEG), announced today it is teaming up with Westford College in a partnership that will further unify real estate education in Arizona. This is the second such purchase for HEG in 2017. Based in the Phoenix area, Westford will pool its talents with ASREB and another... Read more
  • Hondros Education Group Announces Acquisition of Pennsylvania And New Jersey Real Estate School
    Philadelphia, PA (Dec. 18, 2018) – Hondros Education Group (HEG), proudly announced today that it has acquired Schlicher-Kratz Institute, in a partnership that will advance real estate, mortgage, and appraisal education in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This acquisition follows HEG’s 2018 purchase of Tucson-based Hogan School of Real Estate and helps fulfill its vision to offer... Read more
  • Hondros Education Group Announces Key Management Additions
    Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) September 17, 2015 Robert Voltz and Hobie Hondros have joined the Hondros team. Voltz joins as director of operations and customer relations for Hondros College and Hobie Hondros, son of founders John and Linda Hondros, joins the company’s management training program. Voltz comes to Hondros from Highland Ventures Ltd. where he was... Read more
  • Hondros Education Group REEA Conference Recap 2017
    This past June, Hondros Education Group had the pleasure of attending the 2017 Annual REEA Conference in Miami, Florida. We had several corporate associates and instructors represent HEG as event speakers, booth exhibitors, and conference attendees. Our overall goal was to improve our instructional skills and best practices, learn from national regulators and educators, and... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Brings Together All Families for Annual Summer Picnic
    The Hondros Family of Companies wouldn’t be complete without the families of our instructors, associates and staff. On Saturday, June 28, Hondros Family of Companies held its annual family summer picnic at the Hondros Family Farm in Sunbury, Ohio. Instructors and staff were encouraged to bring their loved ones and friends to celebrate the summer season... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Employees Share What it is Like to be a Part of the Team
    Hondros Family of Companies is a great place to work. I can say that with certainty. Why you ask? Well, for starters I work here!  Also, we have won Best Place to Work awards. So that makes it official, right? Well awards are great because they are based on employees’ honest feedback, but I bet... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Gives Back this Holiday Season
    Throughout the state of Ohio, more than 650,000 children are uncertain of when their next meal will be. That’s enough to fill OSU stadium more than six times. In order to help combat hunger within our communities, Hondros Family of Companies invited everyone to help feed Ohio this holiday season. Beginning November 1, each of... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Gives Back to Local YWCA Family Center
    On Thursday, July 3, seven ladies from the Hondros Family of Companies volunteered their time by serving lunch at the local YWCA Family Center in Columbus. The Food for Thought Café prepared two different types of macaroni and cheese, applesauce, salad, and delicious chocolate brownies for the families and staff at the YWCA. Our volunteers... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Ranked as a TOP Workplace by Columbus CEO and WBNS 10TV
    The Hondros Family of Companies is excited to announce that it has been ranked as a TOP Workplace by Columbus CEO magazine and WBNS 10TV. Columbus CEO and WBNS 10TV’s TOP Workplaces were selected from results of employee surveys measuring qualities such as company leadership, communication, career opportunities, working environment, managerial skills, pay and benefits.... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Receives Recognition as one of Central Ohio’s Healthiest Employers
    On March 10, 2015, Hondros Family of Companies received recognition as one of Central Ohio’s Healthiest Employers. The company was honored at the Columbus Business First’s Third Annual Healthiest Employers of Central Ohio Awards Program & Expo. Presented by OhioHealth, sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and branded by Delta Dental. Award applicants... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Recognized for Culture and Employee Benefits
    Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) April 23, 2015 The Hondros Family of Companies is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a TOP Workplace by Columbus CEO magazine and WBNS 10TV. Columbus CEO and WBNS 10TV’s TOP Workplaces were selected from results of employee surveys measuring qualities such as company leadership, communication, career opportunities, working... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies Rolls Out New CompuCram Exam Prep System
    Hondros Family of Companies is excited to roll out the new CompuCram Exam Prep System, incorporating a new and unique learning methodology, responsive design and a revolutionary Readiness Indicator to ensure that students pass their exam the first time. Developed after extensive market research, the new CompuCram is available for the real estate, appraisal, insurance,... Read more
  • Hondros Family of Companies welcomes new President, Jerry Weissberg
    The Hondros Family of Companies is excited to welcome its new President, Jerry Weissberg. With over 20 years of hands-on management experience in IT training, higher education  e-learning, publishing and adult education, Jerry is a driven leader whose passion for education and “go getter” approach has made him a diamond in the rough. The decades... Read more
  • Hondros Hires Veteran Educator as Regional Manager
    Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) March 16, 2015 Hondros College is pleased to announce that Rod Farthing has joined the Hondros team as Regional Manager of Real Estate Programs. Farthing comes to Hondros from Stautzenberger College, where he was an administrator and instructor in business management, economics, public speaking and real estate pre-licensing. Farthing will be responsible... Read more
  • Hondros supports the Real Estate Educators Association
    The Hondros Family of Companies, with schools located in Ohio and Arizona, was pleased to be a gold sponsor of the 2014 Real Estate Educators Association (REEA) Annual Conference that was held in Scottsdale, Arizona on June 20-23, 2014. Hondros Family of Companies has supported the real estate industry for over 40 years and is... Read more
  • Housing, consumer confidence show new vigor
    June 24, 2014 Paul Davidson, USA Today   A batch of economic reports Tuesday spelled good news for consumers, as the housing market continued to bounce back from a brutal winter, home price gains moderated, and consumer confidence surged to a post-recession high. New home sales jumped 18.6% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual... Read more
  • How a Government Shutdown Affects the Real Estate Market                     
    We’ve all heard about a government shutdown and what they mean to those working in government. But how do these shutdowns affect people who work outside of the government, yet rely on their services? For instance, real estate agents selling and buying homes, and mortgage loan officers could be in for some barriers. Real estate agents and... Read more
  • How a Home Inspector Builds Trust with Their Clients
    While building trust is a multifaceted process, what it really comes down to is professionalism. This may sound easy, but it’s more complicated than you think. It’s more than dressing the part. There are several things that go into building your professionalism so you can build trust with your clients. So exactly what goes into... Read more
  • How a Home Inspector Uses Technology to Break Bad News
    Typically, home sellers say they want a simple, straightforward home inspector’s report. But, if that simple home inspection report has bad news, they will have more questions and expect solid documentation. The mark of a professional home inspector, as opposed to someone who leaves a trail of unhappy clients behind, is science-based technology. This keeps... Read more
  • How a Mortgage Loan Officer Goes the Extra Mile for Their Clients
    Applying for and getting a loan can be a tough and challenging process for a potential homeowner. However, a mortgage loan officer can make that process easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved. By taking some steps to offer outstanding service, mortgage loan officers can ensure that potential clients want to do business, current clients... Read more
  • How Agents Use Social Media in Real Estate Marketing
    Location, Location, Location. It’s a mantra you hear often in the world of real estate, and it’s true that the location of a property means everything when it comes to marketing, pricing, and value. However, it also applies to social media marketing. The more locations you’re seen in, the faster your business grows. But can... Read more
  • How an Appraiser Can Wow Their Clients
    There are many types of real estate appraisers today. Some are certified to appraise residential real estate, while others appraise property for federally related transactions. If you’re interested in becoming an appraiser, you may aim to be one that serves high-end, luxury clients and appraises upscale properties. If you’re looking to become a top-shelf appraiser,... Read more
  • How an MLO Can Find Success in Their First Year
    So you’ve passed the NMLS, received your certification and joined a brokerage. It’s official — you’re a mortgage loan officer! Your first year as an MLO will be a challenging one, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. You’ll close real loans, deal with the public and learn about new mortgage processes. It will be the... Read more
  • How Appraisers Deal with Difficult Homeowners
    Being a real estate appraiser can be a fascinating career. After an apprenticeship under a seasoned veteran and finishing up the pre-license/certification coursework, the adventure can truly begin. However, one thing no amount of classroom instruction nor experience as an apprentice can impart is dealing with difficult homeowners/customers. The first thing you need to do... Read more
  • How Appraisers Diversify Their Work
    Most residential appraisers rely on appraisal assignments from a limited pool of lending clients from banks and orders from appraisal management companies. While complaining about a constant stream of “revisions requests” and unreasonable turn-times, you may find yourself ready for something new. But how do you go about spicing-up your work week? Consider Your Current... Read more
  • How Can a Home Inspector Use Drones?
    Like a private detective in a true crime novel, a home inspector searches for clues. Mildew, damp, creaky roofs — a good inspector has a knack for finding all the hidden evidence that could impact the price of a property – smart houses included. Now, these professionals are using aerial vehicles in their inspections. Drone technology... Read more
  • How Can an Appraiser Use Drones?
    For some, drones are pesky annoyances. But in many industries, they are considered to be labor-saving technology. A real estate appraiser, for example, can benefit from the extra vantage point offered by a drone. Here are five ways drones can make real estate appraisal more enjoyable and efficient. What’s On the Roof? Not all properties... Read more
  • How Do I Develop a Training Program for My Staff?
    Over $500 billion is lost each year due to employee disengagement. Failing to properly train and engage your employees can lead to big problems in the future. As the world of technology grows, you will have to work on utilizing the latest tools to grow your company. If your employees are out of the loop... Read more
  • How Do I Start My Own Real Estate Brokerage?
    Starting your own real estate brokerage can prove lucrative. Around 6.2 million Americans purchased a home in 2017, and they all used a brokerage in some capacity to make these moves. Setting up a new business is never easy. But with careful planning, you can increase your chances of success. Here are the steps for... Read more
  • How Home Inspectors Build Relationships with Real Estate Agents
    In a perfect world, home inspectors and real estate agents would work together in an effort to provide assistance for home buyers and ensure they can make knowledgeable decisions about the properties they should purchase. In some cases, this is what actually happens. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, real estate agents want to... Read more
  • How Home Inspectors Cross-Promote with Local Businesses
    Have you ever bought a hamburger at McDonald’s and automatically bought a Coca-Cola to go with it? You have been touched by cross-promotion. Think how your home inspection business would thrive if other businesses included you in their marketing plan, without charging you a dime. Think how fast your name would spread if it appeared... Read more
  • How Home Inspectors Help with Stairway Safety
    Research shows that more than 1 million Americans injure themselves on stairways every single year, and more accidents happen on stairs than anywhere else in the home. This is why it’s crucial that you check stair safety when you inspect a property. Here are six ways to do it: 1. Check Lighting Poorly-lit stairs can... Read more
  • How Loan Officers Can Build Trust with Realtors
    If you’re a mortgage lender or thinking of becoming one, it pays to build relationships with real estate agents. Real estate agents and mortgage lenders often work closely together. More than just showing potential places to live, realtors, and real estate agents help buyers throughout the entire process. That includes guiding them on how and... Read more
  • How Many Messages Are In Your Inbox?
    I’ve always been pretty aggressive about keeping the number of emails in my Inbox to as small a number as possible.  Part of that process for me has been to read and respond to emails as they come in, whenever possible.  Also, delete emails as soon as possible if you don’t need to respond, don’t... Read more
  • How Medical Marijuana Will Change Your Practice
    Medical marijuana has been decriminalized in some states. However, under federal law, landlords are permitted to decline rent to a user of medical marijuana. So where does Ohio stand? Here we’ll go over the Cole Memo, Ohio’s law in response, and how this law change may affect the Ohio real estate industry. Understanding medical marijuana... Read more
  • How MLOs and Real Estate Agents Make a Great Team
    Purchasing a home can be a tedious, complicated process for home buyers. Not to mention, it’s a pretty big deal! Amidst the life-changing decisions, having support from trustworthy professionals (cough, cough: a quality mortgage loan officer and real estate agent team) will help to make the process as seamless as possible for the buyers. You... Read more
  • How MLOs Can Grow Their Referral Sources
    Obtaining a mortgage loan can be a stressful process. Most people don’t share information about their finances with other people. But when they want a loan, they must share all of their financial information with a mortgage loan officer (MLO). They must trust that MLO has their best interests in mind and will find them... Read more
  • How MLOs Can Help First Time Homebuyers – And Gain Referrals
    Buying a home for the first time can be very stressful. Most potential homeowners don’t know anything about the logistics of buying a home. As a mortgage loan officer, it’s your responsibility to make the experience as stress-free as it can be. The following guide walks you through a few tips to use to ensure... Read more
  • How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Ohio?
    You must have a real estate license to work as a real estate salesperson in Ohio, and there are some costs involved in getting that license. How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in Ohio? Let’s do a deep dive into this topic so you know what to expect.  Key Takeaways:... Read more
  • How New Agents Can Optimize Facebook For Better Lead Generation
    Facebook has a lot to offer in real estate. It includes a potential audience of more than 2 billion users, including 68 percent of all adults in the U.S. It also includes robust features to subset your leads and provide targeted marketing campaigns. As a new real estate agent, you are well placed to cash... Read more
  • How Real Estate Agents Can Manage Difficult Home Buyers
    Whether you’re a seasoned agent or just starting out at a real estate school, one thing that all agents need to learn is how to handle difficult home buyers. How to Recognize Difficult Home Buyers There are several warning signs to look for when you are working with buyers. Rigid Requirements Every buyer should know... Read more
  • How Real Estate Agents Can Reach Millennials
    1. Who are millennials? Millennials, born between 1980 and 2000, are more tech-savvy than their parents. As a result, they are basically constantly connected online and to each other. They have grown up seeing social and financial crises in America. In their formative years, they’ve witnessed the Great Recession, 9/11, and ongoing political conflict. It... Read more
  • How Soon Can You Get Your Real Estate License in Ohio?
    You can get your real estate license in Ohio when you turn 18. You may be excited about working in the industry after seeing videos like this one that show a young woman making a tremendous amount of money in her first three years on the job. However, this video fails to mention that you... Read more
  • How Starting a Podcast Will Benefit Your Business
    In an earlier post, we discussed the potential a podcast could have as far as audience reach and brand visibility. But let’s really get into the specific benefits your business will reap should you decide to start podcasting. Building awareness There are only so many ways people can learn about your company. If you practice... Read more
  • How the Buyer’s Market will Support Your Home Inspection Career
    In real estate, a buyer’s market is as simple as a market that is beneficial to the buyer. Prices are relatively low because supply exceeds demand. So, if you’re interested in purchasing a home, and the state of the market is favorable for buyers, you’ll likely be able to pick and choose what’s right for... Read more
  • How to Become a Real Estate Agent
     Understand the General Requirements Consider a Specialization Get your Education Find your Brokerage Fit Pass the State and National Exams You love HGTV. You dream of a career that allows you more flexibility than a normal 9-5. You have heard from numerous people you would make a great real estate agent. You want to learn... Read more
  • How to Build & Drive More Traffic to Your Real Estate Website
    According to the technology survey produced by the National Association of REALTORS, 97% of all homebuyers used the internet in their home search. More than three-quarters of those homebuyers used a mobile device or tablet to search for a home. With this data in mind, it’s clear that real estate agents must learn how to... Read more
  • How to Build a Truly Cohesive Team
    Over 32 percent of businesses polled in a recent survey claimed that employee engagement was one of their main challenges. If your employees do not feel engaged, chances are they will not stay loyal to your company. While 78 percent of companies have a documented employee engagement strategy, only around 50 percent of them keep... Read more
  • How to Build Trust with Your Clients
    The key to building a loyal, long-lasting client base is trust. You don’t establish trust with customers overnight. It takes an extended time of consistent action that demonstrates you’re a trustworthy company acting in their best interest. Here are trust-building tips to improve your relationships. Offer Value with Each Interaction Does your client feel like... Read more
  • How to Build Your Brand Identity and Improve Your Online Presence
    As a real estate agent, what you really are is an entrepreneur. True, you work for a broker, but in reality, you’re building your own business from the ground up. This means you need to generate your own customers and create your own brand. The good news is it’s never too early to start. Branding... Read more
  • How to Buy Foreclosed Homes in Ohio – Process of Foreclosure
    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
  • How to Create a Home Office You Can Actually Work In
    One of the great things about working in the real estate industry is being able to work when and where you want. While you may have to put in hours in the actual office – which is the best place to hold meetings and present offers – working out of a home office can help... Read more
  • How to Create a Podcast for Your Business
    Podcasts are one of the many ways businesses and personalities connect with their followers. But before diving into what it takes to start podcasting, let’s look at why you should. Why Start One? According to Edison Research, podcast listeners spend, on average, 4 hours listening to audio each week. This is likely because podcasts are auditory and mobile... Read more
  • How to Establish Your Business Entity
    A little-known provision in license law permits licensees to receive their commissions in the name of their business entity rather than personally. Many licensees see tax and other benefits from establishing an entity for their real estate practice. For those licensees that provide other services (inspection, home staging, construction, consulting, etc.), setting up a business... Read more
  • How to Explain Adjustable Rate Mortgages to Your Client
    Buyers can easily get overwhelmed by the number of financing options available to them. Your job, as a mortgage loan officer (MLO), is to make sure that your clients obtain the type of loan that is best suited for their financial situation and their goals. Adjustable rate mortgages can look very attractive to home buyers,... Read more
  • How to Find Success in Your First Year as an Appraiser
    As a real estate appraiser, you have the most important role in the property-buying process. Without you, sellers can’t sell their homes and buyers can’t buy them. Now that you’ve completed your training and are gainfully employed. So far, so good. Here are some tips to make sure you flourish in your first year as... Read more
  • How to Fine-Tune Your Freelance Business Model
    The future, outlets like Entrepreneur proclaim, is freelance. “More than half of all U.S. workers are expected to freelance by 2027,” the source predicts, and for the intrepid souls who are new to freelancing, some advice on how to maximize their business would be beneficial. That’s where this short guide comes into play. Today, we’re... Read more
  • How to Grab Attention with Digital Property Listings
    Each day in the United States, 14,027 houses are sold. As a real estate agent, you likely want part of that “pie.” However, with so much competition in this industry, standing out and having your listing noticed above others is extremely challenging. The good news is there are strategies and tactics you can use to help... Read more
  • How to Grow Your Home Inspection Business
    Over 5 million pre-existing homes are sold each year. Homes that are being purchased with a mortgage loan will have to be inspected. If you are a home inspector, you know all too well how competitive this industry is. Finding ways to make your business stand out from others in your area is essential. Are... Read more
  • How to Help a Client that is Selling and Buying a House
    In a hot real estate market, many sellers are looking to make a move. Often times agents are asked, “When selling and buying a house, which should I do first?” The answer depends on each seller’s specific preferences and needs; attention to detail and knowledge are two of our Keys to Real Estate Agent Success. There... Read more
  • How to Inspect a Home for Aging in Place
    By 2030, one out of every three Americans will be 50 years of age, or older and one in five will be 65 or older. It is estimated that 87 percent of adults over the age of 65 want to remain in their current home and community as they grow older. Unfortunately, as a person... Read more
  • How to Inspect a Smart Home
    According to a recent study, over 55 percent of the residences in America will be smart homes by 2021. For professionals in the home inspection industry, working with smart homes has been a bit challenging. These homes are far more advanced than traditional residences, which usually means you will spend a lot longer inspecting them.... Read more
  • How to Know Whether a Client Qualifies for a USDA Loan
    As a mortgage loan officer (MLO), you will have clients in all different types of situations. They will be looking to you to provide the information they need to make an informed decision about how they’ll finance their home. A conventional loan may not be the right answer for every client. For example, if you... Read more
  • How to Manage a Busy Real Estate Season
    As a real estate agent, it is important to understand seasonal trends in the housing market. Research from CNBC shows that homes are usually less expensive in the fall and winter months, but spring and summer typically show a larger inventory that tends to sell faster and for more money. Understanding when is the best... Read more
  • How to Market Your Home Inspection Business
    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
  • How to Own the Rental Market as a Real Estate Agent
    Savvy real estate agents know how to change with the times. Instead of patiently waiting for changes in the Ohio housing market, consider a temporary pivot into the rental market – especially if you serve an area with a high move rate. Forming relationships with rental clients will also serve you well when those renters... Read more
  • How to Predict Real Estate Trends
    The realm of real estate trend prediction is full of fortune tellers and doomsayers. Rarely do the so-called experts agree. However, getting a handle on current trends is not as hard as all that. While it’s true that no one can accurately predict the future of anything, there are some things you can do to... Read more
  • How to Prepare Clients for a Home Inspection
    Whether buying or selling, your clients will eventually need a home inspection. They are an industry-standard method for recording the strengths and weaknesses of a property. An inspection protects both parties with a comprehensive review of the home’s condition. The inspection team, usually hired by the buyer, will assess a home in a session of... Read more
  • How to Prepare Your Client for Moving Day
    As an agent, you might at times, help clients anticipate and prepare for moving day. You’ll notice worries abound on both sides of the transaction. Sellers must move their things and prepare the house for its next chapter of ownership. Buyers may have anxiety about square footage, appliances or other features they will lose or... Read more
  • How to Sell a Smart Home in Just a Few Days
    Did you know the global smart home market will likely reach more than 40 billion dollars by 2020? Or that the United States has the world’s highest smart home penetration rate, followed by Japan and Germany? These statistics prove that more Americans are searching for the hottest smart homes. But how do you sell one... Read more
  • How to Succeed as a Real Estate Agent Post-Settlement: Be a Confident Representative for Your Clients
    There’s been a lot of noise about the real estate industry lately that may be distracting you from your real estate career goals. You may have seen headlines about lawsuits, settlements, and policy changes. You probably have seen talking heads hypothesizing how these issues may affect commissions and the industry at large. But if you... Read more
  • How to Succeed During Your Online Classes
    Previously, earning a college degree or professional certificate used to mean attending in-person classes. Today, we have the option to find educational programs that offer more flexible options through in-person classes, online learning, or a combination of the two. Online schools allow you to learn whenever, wherever, and however works best for you. According to... Read more
  • How to Thrive as a Real Estate Agent Post-Settlement: Promote Your Expertise
    Since the NAR lawsuit and settlement, the media has increasingly focused on the real estate industry. Unfortunately, this heightened attention has led to more confusion, especially regarding real estate agent compensation, buyer agreements, and the importance of professional representation. As we navigate this critical time in our profession, it’s essential to demonstrate your value by... Read more
  • How to Use Smart Home Technology to Improve Home Business Workflow
    “Home business” means something different from entrepreneur to entrepreneur. In some cases, it means an office in the home where clients are dealt with remotely. In many other instances, it means an actual office where clients come to you. How often is your workday interrupted by the need to handle home-related tasks? You can use... Read more
  • How Video Can Improve Your Real Estate Business
    Did you know that 55 percent of all people watch videos online each day? Additionally, after watching a video, 64 percent of viewers are more likely to make a purchase. You may wonder what these statistics have to do with the real estate industry. Just think about it – if there are that many people... Read more
  • How Will Drones Improve My Real Estate Business?
    Quick, put your camera down — drones are a better option for taking photos of your properties. These aerial vehicles will optimize listings and increase interest in the latest homes on the market. Better yet, they are a lot easier to use than you think. Here are three ways drones will improve your real estate... Read more
  • How Zillow is Entering the Mortgage Lending Business
    Zillow promises to be a one-stop shop for homebuyers if its announced acquisition of Mortgage Lenders of America goes through. The August 6, 2018 announcement heralds a new integration for real estate giant, Zillow. Already strong in buying, selling, and renting homes, apartments, and condominiums, the real estate clearinghouse has always advised prospective customers on... Read more
  • Immigration and The Fair Housing Act
    The national dialog about immigration raises questions on whether landlords may inquire about a prospective tenant’s status during the application process. HUD has issued guidance through its “Did You Know That” campaign that housing discrimination against immigrants or because of a person’s national origin is illegal. The fair housing law protects everyone in the U.S.,... Read more
  • Improving Economy Helps Buoy Housing
    Daily Real Estate News Recent drops in oil prices and mortgage rates, along with positive tailwinds in the economy, are helping to jump-start the housing market in the new year, according to Freddie Mac’s newly released 2015 U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for January. Consumers are gaining confidence, which is expected to translate to... Read more
  • Insiders Expect Hot Ohio Real Estate Markets for 2024
    A report published by the National Association of REALTOR’s® (NAR) predicts that Toledo, Ohio, will be the country’s hottest real estate market for 2024. In addition, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland are also expected to be highly competitive markets in the coming year. Here’s what the reports say and what this information means for Ohio real estate professionals. ... Read more
  • Insightful Tips for New Real Estate Agents
    Insightful Tips for New Real Estate Agents “Exciting,” “rewarding,” and “fulfilling,” –are some of the adjectives real estate agents use when describing their first year in the industry. However, in addition to these descriptors, some agents describe their first year as “challenging,” “unpredictable,” and “hectic.” Because it’s always a good idea to enter a new... Read more
  • Inspecting a Tiny House
    The tiny house movement is one that has gained quite a bit of momentum in the past few years. This trend attracts a new wave of buyers and sellers from diverse backgrounds. In fact, according to a recent survey, the largest group of tiny house owners included individuals who had a bachelor’s degree and earned... Read more
  • Insuring a Tiny House
    One popular trend in residential real estate today is the tiny house. According to tiny house expert The Tiny Life, a typical tiny house has between 100 and 400 square feet, while a traditional American home has an average of 2,600 square feet. Tiny homes offer people the ability to be sheltered and protected without... Read more
  • IRS Ruling Cites the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
    According to a press release from The Appraisal Foundation, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a new rule. The Substantiation and Reporting Requirements for Cash and Noncash Charitable Contribution Deductions rule explains how these contributions should be valued. Take note; this rule mentions the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) of The Appraisal Foundation. The Foundation’s... Read more
  • Is a Career in Real Estate Right for You?
    You know in your heart that it’s time for a career switch, and you have always dreamed of staging homes, negotiating contracts, and helping clients find the homes of their dreams. But is a career in real estate right for you? Even though you may enjoy reality TV that focuses on the real estate industry,... Read more
  • Is Being a Real Estate Agent Worth It Nowadays?
    In today’s rapidly evolving world, making a career choice that aligns with your aspirations and provides financial stability is more important than ever. For many aspiring real estate agents in Ohio, the question looms large: Is pursuing a career in real estate still a path to success in 2024? With a landscape defined by dynamic... Read more
  • Is Being a Real Estate Agent Worth It Nowadays?
    In today’s rapidly evolving world, making a career choice that aligns with your aspirations and provides financial stability is more important than ever. For many aspiring real estate agents in Ohio, the question looms large: Is pursuing a career in real estate still a path to success in 2024? The answer is resoundingly positive, even... Read more
  • Is Being a Real Estate Agent Worth It Nowadays?
    Is it a good time to become a real estate agent? You may have been contemplating a career in real estate for a long time, but recent national headlines may have caused you to reconsider this plan. You may have seen that at a national level, interest rates and affordability issues are affecting the nation’s... Read more
  • Is Mortgage Interest Tax Break Getting Axed?
    Major Changes Made to the SAFE MLO Test   On April 1, 2013 NMLS launched the Uniform State Test or UST. This is the first major change to SAFE MLO Test requirements since the SAFE MLO tests were launched in July, 2009.The UST will become a new domain or section in the National Test Component.... Read more
  • Is Social Media The Next Big Thing In Recruiting?
    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
  • Is the Appraisal Management Company (AMC) Model Broken
    It’s a common subject in appraiser forums, chat rooms, and Facebook pages – a discussion of the pros and cons of working with appraisal management companies (AMC). For those appraisers who have been appraising long enough to have only worked with “direct lenders”, the desire for the “good old days” is strong. Let’s take a... Read more
  • Is Your Cyber-House Secure?
    With the new year comes renewed concern on whether businesses are prepared to combat cyber threats from both national and international operatives. The FBI has identified the business email compromise as a sophisticated scam that is growing and targeting small, medium, and even large businesses. It reports between December 2016 and May 2018, there was... Read more
  • Is Your Practice Ready for Drone Technology?
    Real Estate professionals have started using drone technology to take aerial photos of listings and the surrounding neighborhoods. The technology is especially useful in publicizing the unique features of a property, such as natural features like streams and rivers, outdoor amenities, and lot size. Also, offering clients aerial photographs may give you a competitive advantage... Read more
  • Is Your Real Estate Team Violating Federal Law?
    We are all familiar with the idea of a real estate team. These groups of several or more agents provide efficient and coordinated real estate services to clients. Many teams hire personnel (licensed or unlicensed) that handle various phases of a transaction. Anything from marketing to showing. They also act as the transaction facilitator or... Read more
  • James Dwyer Memorial Scholarship 2017 Winner: Soubhik Das
    The James Dwyer Scholarship is awarded to individuals who share his passion for the pursuit of excellence in the real estate industry. Scholarships, as a whole, are earned by those who wish to invest in their careers and their future via education. This is what we believe at Hondros College and we strive to contribute... Read more
  • James Dwyer Memorial Scholarship 2019 Winner: TiaVonna Bing
    The James Dwyer Scholarship is awarded to individuals who share his passion for the pursuit of excellence in the real estate industry. Scholarships, as a whole, are earned by those who wish to invest in their careers and their future via education. This is what we believe at Hondros College and we strive to contribute... Read more
  • James Dwyer Memorial Scholarship Winner Announced!
    Scholarships, the life-blood of individuals pursuing the achievement of higher education, are a vital part to what we do at Hondros College. In turn, we are pleased to announce the winner of the James Dwyer Memorial Scholarship. Ms. Brandy Brady of Akron is this year’s winner and we could not be more proud of her!... Read more
  • Jerry Weissberg Joins Hondros Family of Companies as President
    Hondros Family of Companies is pleased to announce that Jerry Weissberg will join the Hondros Family of Companies as President. Weissberg comes to the Hondros Family of Companies from Education to Go (ed2go), a unit of Cengage Learning, where he has been Vice President and General Manager since 2004. Weissberg’s initial responsibilities include overseeing many... Read more
  • Just Starting As A Real Estate Agent? 6 Things You Need to Know
    In this article, Candy Miles Crocker points out that it is touch starting out as a Real Estate Agent, and that there are 6 things new agents should know. The 6 things are: Select a Broker, one who will work with you to develop your knowledge and skills Do more listening than talking–you have a... Read more
  • Kentucky’s Hottest Housing Markets
      In the past 5 years, Kentucky’s real estate markets have grown into some of the strongest housing markets in the country. The Bluegrass State is known for more than country music, home cooking, and horse racing, which makes it a diverse market for homebuyers. Whether you’re an experienced real estate professional or considering starting... Read more
  • Key Changes Mandated by the NAR Lawsuit Settlement
    This blog series aims to clarify the recently proposed NAR settlement and its implications for the real estate sector. In this article, we provided background details on the case that led to the settlement, which still requires court approval. Let’s delve into the specifics of the proposed settlement changes. For more details on the NAR... Read more
  • Large Historic Mansions Can Be A Bargain In Some Older Industrial Cities
    Some home buyers, especially those with an eye toward large, historical homes, are finding bargain prices in Midwestern cities like Toledo, Detroit and Minneapolis. One example is a home in Toledo, OH, with 10 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, almost 19,000 square feet, built in 1887, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  mckenna-group.com This... Read more
  • Learn How to Optimize Word of Mouth for Your Business
    Word of mouth can be an essential tool when it comes to the real estate market. Some people don’t do their job properly and give a bad name to agents in general. Sparking a great word of mouth initiative can be difficult to do if you are just starting out though. Many people don’t know... Read more
  • Legal Roundup: Amazon Entering Real Estate, Amendment to Closing Disclosure Rule, and More!
    This week’s “Legal Roundup” involves industry updates involving Amazon’s decision to potentially enter the real estate market, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau amending  its “Know Before You Owe” mortgage disclosure rule, and Ohio’s Budget Bill eliminating property tax appeal rights. Check out the full details of each story below and stay in-the-know on what’s on in... Read more
  • Legislative update on H.B. 532
    With the introduction and testimony this week, Hondros College wants to keep you up to date on HB 532 and the intent of the legislation. We are happy to see the modernization of real estate license law and we know that the recommendations of the 2013 Licensing Structure Task Force are of great interest to... Read more
  • Legislative Update on H.B. 532: Testimony from Kristin Rosan
    House Commerce and Labor Committee Opponent Testimony – HB 532 Presented by Kristin E. Rosan, Esq. Madison & Rosan, LLP Chairman Young, Vice Chair DeVitis, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan and members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee; thank you for the opportunity to appear and provide testimony on House Bill 532. My name is Kristin... Read more
  • Legislative Update on H.B. 532: Testimony from Linda Hondros
    House Commerce and Labor Committee Interested Party Testimony House Bill 532 Presented by Linda Hondros Chairman Young, Vice-Chair DeVitis, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan and members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee; thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony to House Bill 532. My name is Linda Hondros and I’m here to testify as an... Read more
  • Let Facebook’s Dynamic Ads for Real Estate Boost Your Digital Marketing
    Facebook recently rolled out a new tool crafted for real estate professionals. Dynamic Ads for Real Estate. It allows brokerages to upload and advertise for-sale listings. This promotes relevant properties to home buyers on Facebook and Instagram. All it takes is integration between the Facebook ad platform and your listing data. How does it work?... Read more
  • Licensees Offer More than Just Selling Real Estate – Deductions for Destroyed Property
    Potential consumers oftentimes seek consultation on issues that don’t involve buying or selling a home. Examples are questions on everything from HOA dues, homeowners insurance, and property taxes. Expanding your knowledge on general real estate topics will help you better serve your clients and may open the door to new customers. Today, I wanted to... Read more
  • Linda Hondros honored for Board Service at OhioHealth
    Guest Post written by Kim McCann: During a private dinner reception at North Bank Pavilion last Wednesday, Linda Hondros was honored for her nine years of service on OhioHealth’s Board of Directors and the various committees on which she has served. Among those to offer tribute was Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer for OhioHealth... Read more
  • Make 2017 Your Best Real Estate Year Yet
    I hope your 2017 has gotten off to an amazing start for your real estate business. The Ohio real estate market is HOT right now and I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2017 has in store. Do you want to make 2017 your best year in real estate EVER? Here are 3... Read more
  • Managing Vacation Rental Homes
    With the rise of vacation rental home websites, like Airbnb and others, many have sought to expand their practice to include the management of vacation rentals.  There is a difference between a vacation property management and traditional property management.  One difference is that a vacation rental is for a short-term (usually a week) while a... Read more
  • Manufactured Homes Program Moves to OH Dept of Commerce
    An important tip for professionals representing buyers of manufactured homes or the land upon which they sit. Starting this year, the regulation of the sale of manufactured homes has moved from the Manufactured Homes Commission (which was disbanded) to two Ohio Department of Commerce Divisions, the Division of Real Estate and the Division of Industrial... Read more
  • Mastering Local SEO for Real Estate Agents
      As you grow your real estate business, it’s important to understand search engine optimization (SEO) and its potential impact on your website. If done correctly, you can see hundreds or even thousands of new visitors to your website. These visitors will hopefully turn into leads and eventually new business!  We’ve explained why SEO is... Read more
  • Median New Home Prices in October Set Record
    redcrosswestmo.com The median price of new homes sold in October rose to an all-time high of $305,000 while the average price was $401,000, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mortgage News Daily reported Nov. 26. A year earlier, those numbers stood at $264,400 and... Read more
  • Millennials Don’t Know About Closing Costs
    It seems millennials do not know about or understand closing costs, and the responsibility to tell them about closing costs is falling to Real Estate Agents. Two-thirds of potential home buyers between the ages of 18-34 are unaware of closing costs, and therefore the true cost of buying a home. And, interestingly, one-third of all... Read more
  • Missing Motivation: When You Are Too Busy for Your Brand
    Everyone has a product that they are trying to sell using their personal brand; real estate services, insurance products, and business skills alike. Along with the product you are selling, you are also selling who you are and the things that you believe in – and who you are can get muddled in the day... Read more
  • Mobile Productivity for the Professional
    Have you ever wished you were near a computer to address a client concern, when all you had was your smartphone? Asked to do an impromptu presentation, but all your Power Points and notes were on the desk in your office, not in your hands? Or asked to forward information to a colleague, only to... Read more
  • Momentum to Increase Commission Transparency
    The Consumer Federation of American (CFA) has released a report, which estimates only 32% of Americans know a typical commission for a real estate agent. The CFA is an association of non-profit consumer organizations aiming to advance consumer interests through research, advocacy and education. The CFA report studied 263 agent/broker websites in four cities, included... Read more
  • More Referral Sources for Mortgage Loan Officers
    In order to be a successful mortgage lender, it’s important for you to have multiple referral sources. Establishing the referral sources can be difficult to do though. Thinking outside of the box and looking beyond local real estate agents and financial planners could be very helpful to you. The following guide provides two referral source... Read more
  • Mortgage Loan Officer Basics: What You Need to Know
    A mortgage loan officer is a person who looks at loan applications and makes a recommendation to approve or deny them. You are the person sitting between the borrower and the company offering a mortgage loan. Another job title that represents the same role is mortgage loan originator. This career allows you to encounter new... Read more
  • Mortgage Loan Originating: Do You Have What It Takes?
    A mortgage loan originator is a role that’s not for the faint of heart. You have to balance the interests of the borrower with those of the lender, be up to date on federal and state regulations concerning mortgages, underwrite the loans and have impeccable people skills. The right person will thrive in this environment... Read more
  • My Journey to Becoming a Real Estate Agent
    My Journey To Becoming A Real Estate Agent For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in becoming a real estate agent. My Dad likes to tell the story of how I would beg and plead for him to take me to open houses on Sundays when I was growing up.... Read more
  • NAR Member Survey Shows Rise in REALTOR® Income and Sales Volume
    May 20, 2014 National Association of REALTORS®   Reflecting the 11.5 percent growth in home prices last year, income and sales volume jumped for the third year in a row, according to the 2014 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile. The survey also found an increase in new and younger members to NAR in 2013.... Read more
  • NAR REALTORS Conference & Expo 2018 Recap
    The annual National Association of Realtors’ Conference & Expo took place in Boston, and gave new insights I couldn’t have found anywhere else! In past years, after attending this conference in New Orleans, San Diego, Orlando, and Chicago I am certain that this convention is vital to get the most current information on real estate... Read more
  • NAR Report Shows Home Sales Are Up in the Midwest
    Need another reason to stop procrastinating and finally register for pre-licensing courses? The real estate industry is still booming according to the National Association of Realtors. In a new report released last week, we learned that existing home sales increased 5.1% in March. Sales are up from a year ago as well. The report continues,... Read more
  • National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2017 Event Recap
    Over the weekend, Hondros Education Group attended the 2017 National Association of Realtors (NAR) The Sky’s the Limit Conference and Expo in Chicago, Illinois. We had many corporate associates represent HEG as booth exhibitors and conference attendees. Our overall goal was to develop a greater scope of the current standings of the real estate industry and market. These... Read more
  • Navigating the Statute of Frauds
    Generally, a statute of frauds is a law that requires certain types of contracts to be in writing and signed by the parties. Although laws vary from state to state, it is nearly universal that contracts involving the sale of real estate have to be in writing. If the contract is not in writing, then... Read more
  • Needed Change to Ohio’s Good Funds Law
    In 2016, for the first time in 20 years, the Ohio legislature updated Ohio’s Good Funds Law. The changes were intended to address fraud as it relates to certified checks, money orders, and other financial instruments. In April of 2017, the changes became effective and almost immediately raised compliance issues in the real estate industry.... Read more
  • Networking Like a Pro: Top Tips for Real Estate Networking
    Success in the real estate industry hinges on building connections and relationships with other professionals. Networking with fellow agents, lenders, inspectors, contractors, and others connected to real estate can make you a better agent and lead to business growth. As a new agent, how do you build your network? Key Takeaways Real estate success relies... Read more
  • New Appraisal Law Benefiting the Consumer
    New York state’s law regulating appraisal management companies recently became active and its contents are big news in the appraisal world. This is mainly due to it requiring transparency regarding the fees paid to appraisers, a big step in advocating for consumer interests. The New York State AMC law was proposed in 2015, introduced as... Read more
  • New Appraisal Requirements – Updated April 2019
    UPDATE: This appraisal education requirement change means you can become an appraiser with an Associate Degree from our affiliate company, Hondros College of Business. Hondros College of Business offers the only Associate Degree program recognized by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) as a nationally approved education provider for appraisal. Graduates of approved programs (like the Associate... Read more
  • New CompuCram Offers Adaptive Learning Technology
    COLUMBUS, OHIO (PRWEB) The new CompuCram Exam Prep System is now available, incorporating a new and unique learning methodology, responsive design and a revolutionary Readiness Indicator to ensure that students pass their exam the first time. Developed after extensive market research, the new CompuCram is available for the real estate, appraisal, insurance, home inspection and... Read more
  • New Course for Ohio Supervisory and Trainee Appraisers
    Ohio Appraising for the Supervisor and Trainee is here and ready!  This intriguing course commences with an overview of national and state appraisal regulatory bodies as well as a comprehensive discussion of the minimum AQB qualifying criteria for Supervisory Appraisers and the various appraiser classifications. Obligations of appraiser ethics and competency are also discussed with... Read more
  • New Dialogue, New Tools, Some of the Same Old Problems
    The past couple of months have been busy! In that time I have attended multiple appraisal conferences on behalf of Hondros Learning and Hondros College to keep all of us up to date on what is going on in the appraisal world. Most of the meetings have been focused on the federal regulatory side of... Read more
  • New FHA Appraisal Requirements Effective 6/15/2015
    FHA has updated and expanded the Single Family Housing Policy Handbook, which will take effect on June 15, 2015. The handbook is available for download by visiting HUD.gov/Audiences/Appraisers. There are numerous changes and edits to the handbook that directly impact the appraiser’s acceptance, development, and reporting of an FHA appraisal. Key areas that have been expanded... Read more
  • New Mobile Real Estate CE Courses
    As a real estate agent are you always on the go with little down time? We understand that in your free time the last thing you want to do is complete your CE! That is why we have worked hard to bring you an even more convenient way to complete your required CE. Now you... Read more
  • New Ohio Law for Oil and Gas Land Professionals
    On December 19, 2018, Governor Kasich signed S.B. 263, which among other things, created an exemption for oil and gas land professionals from obtaining an Ohio real estate broker or salesperson license. The exemption was to address the Ohio Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Dundics v. Eric Petro. Corp. In that case, the Ohio Supreme... Read more
  • New Online Appraisal Continuing Education Courses
    Hondros College now offers new online Appraisal courses: Green in Residences and Appraisals, gives students a look at the trend of green building in real estate. Covering All of the Bases in Residential Reporting, gives students the chance to review important reports and information on how to properly complete them. Click here to learn more about... Read more
  • New Options for Settling Legal Disputes      
    If you’ve been involved in professional practice long enough, chances are you’ve had the need to work through legal disputes with clients or other business professionals. In an effort to reduce the volume of cases before the Court, the Franklin County Small Claims and Municipal Courts have unveiled several new options for settling legal disputes... Read more
  • NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! BECOME A PERSONAL TRAINER TODAY AT HONDROS COLLEGE!
    We are excited to be hosting an exclusive Hondros College Personal Fitness Open House at our Columbus/Westerville location! By registering for the trainer certification course at our December 17 open house, you will receive a FREE Hondros College gym bag and water bottle on your first day of class and a FREE $100 Dick’s Sporting... Read more
  • NMLS Industry Update: 2016 Conference & 2015 Statistics
    The NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry) held their annual conference and training February 16-19 in Phoenix, Arizona. Attended by mortgage regulators, licensees and educators of all types, the conference provides attendees with the opportunity to exchange information and learn about new regulatory and compliance issues that affect their organizations. Hondros Family of Companies associates... Read more
  • Northern Virginia’s Housing Markets Are Heating Up
    Virginia’s real estate market was one of the nation’s hottest housing markets in 2019. Despite a rocky end to 2018 (including stock market volatility, high mortgage rates, and the government shutdown) homebuying trends improved in 2019 and are only expected to increase in the coming years. As major companies like Amazon establish their headquarters in... Read more
  • Northwest Ohio’s Growing Real Estate Market
    Ohio’s diverse population, cities, and attractions have created a massive opportunity for real estate agents. The state’s stable economy, relatively low cost of living, and thriving real estate market make it appealing to many prospective buyers.  In recent years, northwest Ohio, known for its agricultural and industrial impact, has become an affordable and safe place... Read more
  • Ohio Commences Regulation of Appraisal Management Companies
    An appraisal management company is a business that manages or coordinates appraisers and their provision of appraisal services to lender clients. Although the regulation of appraisal management companies is not new nationally, it is to Ohio. In 2015, various federal financial agencies enacted a final rule to implement state requirements for the registration and supervision... Read more
  • Ohio Department of Commerce Issues Fiscal Year 2019 Report
    The Ohio Department of Commerce has issued its annual report for fiscal year 2019. As the state’s chief regulatory agency, Commerce regulates more than 6,000,000 licensees and regulated entities. One of Commerce’s Divisions is the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. The report details several new programs the Division gained authority over during the... Read more
  • Ohio Elections 2018: Be Informed and VOTE
    November 6, 2018, known as the “Mid-Term Election”, marks the halfway point through the presidential 4-year term. Important dates to know: October 9, 2018 – Last Day to Register to Vote You can now register to vote online by clicking this link: October 10, 2018 – Early Voting Begins Contact your local county Board of Elections... Read more
  • Ohio Federal Court Dismisses Foreclosure in Favor of Borrower
    The U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, has issued a ruling that resulted in the dismissal of a foreclosure case against a borrower. The decision effectively allows the borrower to retain the property despite defaulting on the underlying $125,000.00 note. At issue in the case was the lender’s ability to demonstrate the... Read more
  • Ohio Home Sales Off To A Good Start In 2015
    The number of homes sold across Ohio in January rose 4.2 percent from the level posted during the month a year ago, the market’s fifth consecutive monthly year-over-year gain, according to the Ohio Association of REALTORS. myconjoinedjourney.com Home sales activity in January dipped 6.2 percent from the level reached in December 2014. “Home sales activity... Read more
  • Ohio Housing Finance Agency’s Homeownership Programs
    An important part of a licensee’s duties is aiding clients with obtaining financing to purchase their home. Ohio’s Housing Financing Agency (or OHFA) offers homeownership products that help low to moderate income buyers purchase a home. The governmental agency helps first time homebuyers, renters, senior citizens and others to find affordable housing. This is done... Read more
  • Ohio Real Estate Market Included in Class Action Lawsuit
    A group of home sellers has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and some of the nation’s largest brokerage firms, alleging antitrust violations. The brokerage firms named include Realogy (franchisor of Better Homes Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA Real Estate and Sotheby’s brands), Home Services of America... Read more
  • Ohio Real Estate Reciprocity States: Expanding Your Business
    Each state has its own real estate licensing requirements. However, many states allow licensed agents in other states reciprocity, meaning they can become licensed in another state without starting from scratch and completing all the pre-licensing requirements. (Reciprocity should not be confused with portability, which occurs when a state allows a real estate agent from... Read more
  • Ohio Supreme Court Declines to Hear Hybrid Commissions Case
      The Ohio Supreme Court had declined jurisdiction to hear Smythe Cramer’s appeal from trial and appellate court opinions certifying a class action lawsuit against it for fraud and unjust enrichment. The underlying lawsuit stems from a case filed in 2012, wherein the plaintiffs allege that Smythe Cramer’s practice of collecting a $225 administrative or... Read more
  • Ohio to Abolish Dower Rights
    On November 14, 2018, H.B. 407 was referred to the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. The legislation which generally proposes to abolish dower rights in Ohio was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives in June of this year. If the legislation becomes law, Ohio will join 47 other states that have already abolished... Read more
  • Ohio’s Affordable Housing Initiatives: Opportunities for Real Estate Agents
    There’s help for first-time homebuyers in Ohio. New, exciting programs are available to help buyers with their down payments. These programs are just some of the most recent Ohio advocacy and policy changes that real estate agents need to share with their clients. Key Takeaways: The median down payment for Ohio homes in 2023 was... Read more
  • Ohio’s August housing report: Low inventory, brisk sales pace & stablizing prices
    The most recent report on the Ohio housing marketplace shows that compared to the findings of a year ago, the inventory of homes for sale remains extremely low, the number of days properties are being marketed continues to shrink and prices continue to moderate. According to REALTOR.com’s August 2013 Housing Report, which tracks inventory of... Read more
  • Oil and Gas Professionals Must Now Obtain Real Estate Licensure in Ohio
    Continued from my earlier article concerning this topic. Last week the Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling that those Ohio professionals that help obtain oil and gas leases on behalf of clients must obtain a license licensure as a real estate broker or salesperson. Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, the federal districts in Ohio... Read more
  • On-Page SEO for Real Estate Agents
    As potential home buyers continue to use the internet to find new homes and rental properties, the importance of having a quality website has become more important than ever before. In our other blogs, The Importance of SEO for Real Estate Agents and Mastering Local SEO for Real Estate Agents, we discuss how understanding search engine... Read more
  • Online License Renewal Active July 17, 2017
    The Ohio Division of Real Estate is making another great improvement to the services it provides to real estate licensees, this time involving online license renewal. As you know, the Division has provided for a number of years online access to view licensee information, coursework, and enforcement history. Soon, real estate professionals will benefit from... Read more
  • Online Marketing Tip of the Week
    Hondros College has just added a selection of online marketing courses perfect for business owners, real estate agents, insurance agents and anyone looking to learn more about online marketing! The self-paced online courses cover many of the top topics in the marketing industry and give you practical uses for them in business. Our first tip... Read more
  • Online Marketing tip of the week
    Online marketing is a key tool to help you grow your business, so it is imperative that you are using it correctly! Hondros College is here to help small business owners, entrepreneurs and the everyday person gain knowledge on the key marketing tools available to grow their business. Today’s online marketing tip of the week... Read more
  • Online Post-Licensing Courses Now Available
    Both brokers and salespeople now have the choice to take their post-licensing education online or in the classroom – you choose! The ability of licensees to take online post-licensure education helps busy professionals get the education needed for a successful practice. I mean who wouldn’t prefer to take their classes early in the morning in... Read more
  • Open House Sheds Light on Employment Opportunities in the Insurance Industry
      Hondros College recently held its Insurance Focused Open House at the Westerville, Ohio campus. This Open House catered to the insurance industry where job seekers learned of the promising career options and security an insurance career has to offer. Attendees also learned about the real estate, mortgage, appraisal and home inspection industries, along with... Read more
  • Opportunities Found in the Appraisal Industry
    It’s a good time to become a real estate appraiser! For a variety of reasons, trained and certified appraisers are in higher demand than ever before. According to the Appraisal Institute, the number of licensed professional appraisers in the U.S. has declined each year for at least the past five years. Many professionals currently in... Read more
  • Pending Home Sales Surge 6.1%
    Daily Real Estate News     Pending home sales posted a sharp 6.1 percent rise in May, as lower mortgage rates and rising inventories helped propel the market into the summer season, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings. It was the largest month-over-month... Read more
  • Perks of Taking Real Estate Courses Online
    Long gone are the days when real estate courses could only be taken in a classroom. Today, online learning has made it easier than ever before to study and obtain a license. Study at home on your computer or smartphone and you can learn new skills, climb the career ladder, and network with industry professionals.... Read more
  • Powerful Networking: The 3 Golden Rules
    You’ve probably heard it before: It’s not what you know, but who you know. Networking is invaluable to entrepreneurs. It allows you to learn from the experiences of others, gain new clients and promote yourself and your business. In turn, the value you provide to your connections will deem you an influential professional. To get... Read more
  • Pre and Post-Closing Possession Agreements
    If you represent a buyer that requires immediate housing and wants possession prior to closing, consider a pre-closing possession agreement. The agreement is similar to a lease, whereby the parties agree to certain terms and conditions of the buyer moving in before the buyer actually purchases the property. As with any agreement, it is important... Read more
  • Pre-Sale Home Inspections and Fees Declared Unconstitutional
    Earlier this year, the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio issued a long-awaited ruling on the constitutionality of the City of Oakwood’s pre-sale or point of sale inspection ordinance. The Court ruled these laws requiring mandatory inspections violate owner’s fourth amendment rights because the laws subject owners to a warrantless search without... Read more
  • Preparing for a Possible Recession
    It’s hard to turn on the news without hearing economists debate when the next recession will rear its head. As a consumer, preparing for a recession can be difficult. The economy has grown steadily for years, but experts are trying to understand whether the U.S. economy is headed for a full-blown economic recession or just... Read more
  • Property Management and the Apartment Boom in Central Ohio
    A new report from real estate giant Zillow names Columbus a top-ranking apartment hot spot. Zillow’s latest report puts Columbus above Seattle, Denver, San Jose and many other hot apartment markets. According to Columbus apartment research and consulting firm, Vogt Strategic Insights, 6,800 apartments have been added in central Ohio in the past three years.... Read more
  • Property Management: The Worst Mistakes You Can Make
    Over the last year, the Ohio Real Estate Commission has seen a pattern of certain types of cases that result in the discipline of a real estate licensee’s license.  A review of these property management cases and associated conduct can aid licensees in being sure they are steering clear of those activities that are seeing... Read more
  • Property Managers: Adequate Notice Ruling from Supreme Court
    Managing property is not limited to finding tenants and collecting rent. One critical component of any property manger’s duties is to safeguard their client’s property. Thus, daily tasks like keeping up the landscaping and making repairs are necessary to keep the property in habitable condition and protect the landlord’s investment. Another responsibility is making sure... Read more
  • Protecting Your Business from Data Breach Liability
      A nightmare for your clients can also become a nightmare for your business. If your business suffers a data breach and your client’s confidential information is stolen. You can be liable for any damages your client sustains as a result of your failure to implement reasonable information security controls. Luckily, there is a new... Read more
  • Protecting Your Commission From Procuring Cause Claims
    Imagine this scenario: You’ve done a superb job as a buyer’s agent. You’ve shown your client the property through photographs and in person, you’ve negotiated the purchase agreement and guided your client to a successful closing… only to find out another agent claims a right to your commission under the theory of procuring cause. Procuring cause... Read more
  • Qualities to Look for in an Agent for Your Real Estate Team
    Real estate teams are a common occurrence in the industry. For experienced brokers, building a team of qualified local real estate agents is an efficient way to be in more places at once, combine skill sets, build notoriety, and make more sales. For new agents, it’s an incredibly helpful way to gain experience and credibility... Read more
  • Real Estate Advertising Rules Affected by Division-Issued Drafts
    The Ohio Division of Real Estate has issued proposed changes to 35 rules, the adoption of 5 new rules, and the rescission of one rule. Some of the rules are directed at implementation of H.B. 532, which became law in April of this year. The rest are part of a 5-year rule review process each... Read more
  • Real Estate Agent and Appraisers – Why Can’t We Be Friends?
    There’s chatter online these days concerning the “rotten appraiser” who “killed my last deal”. Those agents will make sure appraisers never get assigned another appraisal for their sales. Are agents and appraisers really destined to be adversaries? Let’s take a look at a typical transaction: As the listing agent, your first contact with the appraiser... Read more
  • Real Estate Agents Are Cashing in On Georgia’s Housing Boom
    With a population of 10.52 million, Georgia has become one of the most popular and affordable housing markets in the United States. Known for its deep history, beautiful scenery, and southern hospitality, Georgia is a great place to start or continue a career as a real estate agent. We’ve compiled four of Georgia’s most popular... Read more
  • Real Estate Agents Need to Mind Their Auto-Correct
    Real estate is a fast-paced, always changing career – agents use a variety of ways to communicate with their clients and others involved in the buying or selling process. The problem when some agents forgo proper communication skills in favor of being more casual and approachable. The results are misunderstood statements, contractual errors, dissension between... Read more
  • Real Estate and the Knowledge Gaps that Threaten the Industry
    The National Association of REALTORS® published its D.A.N.G.E.R. report in May 2015. The goal of this report is to gather a Definitive Analysis of Negative Game Changers Emerging in Real Estate. “Each day, we see evidence of changes in the industry and our business that can be both exciting and unsettling. This report is a... Read more
  • Real Estate Appraising: An Exciting Profession
    One of the benefits of a career in real estate is the variety of specialties available to the practitioner. For example, one might want to stay with selling which is the largest segment; there’s also management, financing, construction, legal including title, and development. Not to be overlooked are appraising and consulting which are a necessary component... Read more
  • Real Estate Career Opportunities for the Undecided Student
    If you’re exploring professional paths to pursue after you finish your real estate education, there are plenty of real estate career opportunities available to you! Whether you’re interested in communication, law, finance, or anything in between, there’s a job for you. (And if you’re interested in becoming a real estate agent or real estate broker,... Read more
  • Real Estate Commission Changes: How Will Buyers Agents Be Paid?
    The proposed NAR settlement introduces changes to the real estate industry, but it’s crucial to remember that real estate commissions have always been negotiable and will remain so. While there may be adjustments to commission structures, skilled and experienced agents can continue to earn a healthy income by adapting to market changes and highlighting the... Read more
  • Real Estate Commission Issues License Revocations 
    To avoid a license revocation, a licensee must: Seek a purchase offer at a price and terms acceptable to the client Present any purchase offers to the client in a timely manner Provide the seller with a copy of the agency disclosure statement   In its Fall of 2018 Newsletter, the Ohio Real Estate Commission... Read more
  • Real Estate Division Taskforce Decides on Property Management Credential
    In late 2016, the Ohio Division of Real Estate Property Management Taskforce began meeting as a follow up to the Division’s Ohio Licensing Structure Taskforce that culminated in H.B. 532 (which was enacted in April of 2017). The Ohio Real Estate Commission charged the taskforce with determining whether a real estate licensee should obtain a... Read more
  • Real Estate Farming Ideas: Strategies for Growing Your Business
    Real estate can be a highly competitive industry, where success often hinges on your ability to stand out and establish a strong presence in your market. But how do you establish a dominant brand in your community with many other real estate agents competing for the same listings? Consider this exciting approach to real estate... Read more
  • Real Estate Licenses on the Rise in Columbus Ohio
    According to Columbus Business First, as of June 25th of this year, 612 real estate licenses have been issued in Central Ohio. “Today, there are more than 7,600 active agents across Central Ohio.” – Marque Bressler Preininger, Columbus Realtors Since the Great Recession ended, the median price for homes sold has been rising in Central... Read more
  • Real Estate Safety- Best Practices
    As real estate agents I believe we have one of the best jobs in the world; we get to help make the dream of home ownership a reality! As my real estate business has grown and I reach more and more people, it has led me to think about what safety tips I can do... Read more
  • Real Estate Violations Caught on Camera
    We’ve all been tempted, and maybe some of us have given in, to peak into a host’s medicine cabinet or under their sink. Not to steal anything, but just to be nosey. Hidden security cameras capture both the curious and the criminals and real estate licensees are no exception. With the popularity of indoor cameras comes... Read more
  • Real Estate’s 12 Most Common Enforcement Issues
    This week the Division of Real Estate issued its first newsletter since the Winter of 2016. Of note is a list of the 12 most common enforcement issues before the Division and recommendations on avoiding them. The list will aid brokers and salespersons in identifying areas of exposure in their practice and provide an opportunity... Read more
  • Realtors, Clients, and Nanny Cams at Open Houses
    On August 10, 1948, Allen Funt brought the funny, popular, and long-running show “Candid Camera” to television. It turns out Mr. Funt was good at predicting the future because cameras are all around us these days. We can’t walk a step without seeing someone take a photo or video with their cell phone. Or watch... Read more
  • REALTOR® vs Real Estate Agent: What’s the Difference?
    Many use the terms “real estate agent” and “REALTOR®” interchangeably. Even though real estate agents and REALTORS® perform the same basic duties – helping clients with real estate transactions – there is a difference between the two titles. Here’s what you need to know about becoming a REALTOR vs real estate agent. Key Takeaways: All... Read more
  • Reasons to Become a Broker in Ohio
    Looking to become a real estate broker? Find out what you need to know for FREE by contacting our broker planning services team. If you’ve worked as a real estate salesperson for two of the last five years, you may ask yourself, “Should I become a real estate broker in Ohio?” Becoming a real estate... Read more
  • Representing Buyers of Properties with a Homeowner’s Association
    With Baby Boomers retiring and Millennials entering the real estate market, more buyers are purchasing condominiums or properties with a homeowner’s association. These buyers are looking to avoid the routine maintenance and upkeep that comes with owning a home. These properties are subject to additional restrictions of which buyers should be aware. Below are some... Read more
  • Residency & Citizenship Requirements for a Real Estate License in Ohio
    You do not have to be a resident of Ohio to apply for or obtain a real estate license. In addition, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply for or obtain a real estate license in FL. However, if you aren’t a U.S. citizen (or naturalized citizen), you must show proof... Read more
  • Reviewing Your Residential Lease Agreement
    Lease agreements are like any other form contract document. They get used daily but are rarely read. Agents may not realize the lease agreement being utilized in their practice may not afford the best protection for their landlord or tenant clients. Here are a few considerations when evaluating whether your form lease agreement needs an... Read more
  • Scholarship Winners Recognized
    These days, a college education can be quite the knockout blow to your bank account. Thankfully, this is not the case for several real estate pre-licensing scholarship winners recognized by Hondros College and the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation. A special gathering was held on Monday honoring the winners of the John G. and Linda Hondros scholarship,... Read more
  • Self-Paced Courses: How to Become a Real Estate Agent on Your Time
    Are you desperate to find a job you love – one that suits you better than your current position? Self-paced real estate courses are great options for motivated individuals who want to be their own boss. Here’s what you need to know about Ohio online real estate courses. We’ll help you understand OH real estate... Read more
  • SEMINAR WALKS REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS THROUGH NEW CFPB REGULATIONS
    Columbus, OH (PRWEB) – July 20, 2015 As of October 3, new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulations will change the way real estate professionals write closing contracts and do business. Real estate agents, appraisers and title insurance agents can learn everything they need to know about the new rules at Hondros College “ABCs of... Read more
  • Should I Hire a Real Estate Photographer?
    Photographs and videos can play key roles in improving your real estate sales. For instance, you can use videos to establish yourself as an authority in your real estate niche and make how-to videos for new homeowners. You can also use several types of marketing videos to attract more clients. When it comes to taking... Read more
  • Should Oil and Gas Professionals Be Licensed Real Estate Brokers?
    On May 8, 2018, the Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether professionals that deal in oil and gas leases are required to have a real estate broker’s license. At issue is whether the leases constitute an “interest in real estate” thereby requiring the professionals that negotiate them with landowners and petroleum companies to... Read more
  • Signs It’s Time to Hire New Employees
    Owning a small business can be very enjoyable. Making this type of business successful will require a lot of hard work and the right team. When your business is still in the startup phase, you will probably be able to handle a lot of the work on your own. However, as your company starts to... Read more
  • Simple Gestures to Keep Clients
    Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)! How many times have we all heard this advice throughout our lives and careers. This article by Andrew Flachner points out 5 Simple Gestures you can do to show your clients you appreciate their business, and that you want to retain that business for years to come. rimi4ac.net   All... Read more
  • Sniffing the trail for a Supervisory Appraiser
    The other day while casually scanning some employment ads in a local newspaper, I noticed something that had never caught my eye before. Most, if not all, of the advertisements specified that interested job applicants were required to respond to the ad electronically, and not physically present themselves in person or by telephone. Furthermore, most... Read more
  • Start your Real Estate Career
    Now is a great time to start your real estate career. Why? Well, there are a lot of reasons. Here are a few: The average age of Real Estate Agents and Brokers is 57. Renters and younger buyers are ready to become home owners. Mortgage rates continue to be historically low. Inventories of “homes for... Read more
  • Statute of Limitations for Fraud Claim Against a Real Estate Agent
    Ohio’s Eighth District Court of Appeals issued a ruling last week that established when the statute of limitations begins to run for a fraud claim against a real estate agent. A statute of limitations is the time frame in which a claim must be filed against another, or be forever lost. In the case of... Read more
  • Student Spotlight: John Lestina
    We’ve been following this rising star since he told us he was taking his classes online while deployed in Puerto Rico. Keeping in contact with him throughout his journey, it was clear to us that John Lestina had a fascinating story to tell. We caught up with John while he was back in Ohio to... Read more
  • Student success is our passion
    It’s time for you to get the degree you didn’t think was possible. As an institution of higher education, we believe that all of your coursework serves as the building blocks toward the professional career you deserve. Whether you are choosing a career in real estate or are on a path toward owning or operating... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Meet Elton Davis
    At Hondros College, we are proud to connect with our alumni who are successfully working after receiving their education. We sat down with Elton Davis, real estate broker and 2014 graduate of the Hondros College Associate Degree of Applied Business in Business Management program. Elton is a thriving real estate broker in the Columbus area... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Meet James Arnos, Real Estate Agent
    At Hondros College, we take pride in educating some of the top performing real estate agents in Ohio. We enjoy the opportunity to stay connected with our students following completion of their real estate education. We sat down with Hondros alum, James Arnos who graduated in December 2014, to learn about his time at Hondros... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Meet Melissa Stanley, Real Estate Agent
    Student Success Story: Meet Melissa Stanley, Real Estate Agent As the leader in real estate education, Hondros College of Business prides itself on educating some of the top-performing real estate agents in Ohio. It’s our mission to continue our relationships with our students following completion of their real estate education. We sat down with recent... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Meet Morgan McDonald, Real Estate Agent
    At Hondros College, we’ve had the pleasure of educating some of the top real estate agents in Ohio. We are proud of our students and seek meaningful relationships with them throughout their careers. We caught up with Hondros alum, Morgan McDonald, and asked about his path to success in the real estate industry. Interest in... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Meet Olivia Nicodemus, Real Estate Agent
    We love getting the chance to brag about our alumni! As we’ve previously posted, you’ll see that our graduates often find great success. Olivia Nicodemus finish her pre-licensing courses with us in 2006 and completed our Associate Degree Program in 2007. Starting her real estate career when she was just 19, she quickly learned the... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Meet Philip and Kyle Morrical
    At Hondros College, we are proud to connect with our alumni who are successfully working after receiving their education. We sat down with Philip and Kyle Morrical, a father and son duo who have taken the Cincinnati real estate industry by storm. Phil, second generation Hondros real estate graduate, and Kyle, third generation graduate, own... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Meet Stacie Testaguzza, Real Estate Agent
    As the leader in real estate education, Hondros College prides itself on educating some of the top-performing real estate agents in Ohio. It’s our mission to continue our relationships with our students following completion of their real estate education. We sat down with recent Hondros alumna, Stacie Testaguzza, who sells real estate part-time with Keller... Read more
  • Student Success Story: Sam Krafty, Real Estate Agent
    As a leader in real estate education, we are proud to educate some of the top performing real estate agents in Ohio. We strive to maintain our relationships with our students after their time at Hondros College. We sat down with Hondros alum, Sam Krafty, whose career in real estate has taken off since graduating... Read more
  • Success in Real Estate: It’s Not Just About the Listings
    As a newly minted real estate agent or veteran licensee, your career goals equal bringing in commissions and forging relationships with clients. But let’s not forget, you may be a parent, PTO president, sports coach, or Girl Scout leader. So let’s be honest: getting your degree couldn’t be farther from your list of things to... Read more
  • Superintendent Addresses MLS Issues in Advisory Letters
    Although the Superintendent of the Division of Real Estate does not enforce Multiple Listing Service (“MLS”) Rules, the publicly disseminated information in the MLS can be viewed as advertising. License law requires licensees to refrain from publishing any advertising that can be misleading or misrepresents any properties, terms, values, policies, or services of the business... Read more
  • Tax Appeal – The Appraiser’s Role
    For most of us, we have already received the first half tax bill from the county, or it will be soon on its way. For appraisers, this particular time of year can open avenues for additional clientele, apart from the typical mortgage lending appraisal work. Questions often arise from appraisers about the propriety of seeking... Read more
  • Tax Savings: Organize Your Real Estate Income
    It’s important to organize your real estate income and expenses so that you don’t overpay at tax time. The key to savings at tax time is to know which deductions realtors are most likely to miss and organize them by category for your accountant. Accounting software programs like QuickBooks and FreshBooks will help you keep... Read more
  • Texting Your Real Estate License Into a Suspension
    Text messaging has become ingrained in our daily lives. Not a day goes by that a person does not send or receive at least one text message from coworkers, friends, or family. The content of the texts varies from “what’s for dinner” to “did you pick up my dry cleaning?” to “I think we should... Read more
  • The Appraisal Qualifications Board Nationally Approves Hondros College of Business for Associate Degree Program
    (April 12, 2019) – Hondros College of Business, part of Hondros Education Group, now offers the only associate degree program recognized by the Appraiser Qualifications Board as an approved education provider for real property appraisers in the United States. These appraisal qualifying education courses are included in the Hondros College of Business’ online degree program.... Read more
  • The Best (Free!) Project Management Software
    Whether you’re a student or a working professional, chances are you’ve had to manage at least one big project in your career. That’s where project management software comes in. With cloud-based software, you can easily track your project status, communicate with collaborators, and even keep your own to-do lists in one place.  Managing multiple priorities,... Read more
  • The Best Apps for Home Inspectors
    These days, it’s pretty clear that there’s virtually an app for everything. While there are quite a few games and “fun” apps to chose from, there are also apps designed with a specific function or purpose in mind. There are even some that are designed for specific business niches, such as home inspectors. Home inspectors are... Read more
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics Has Good News for Real Estate Professionals
    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its jobs report today. The report shows that total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 215,000 in March. The unemployment rate is little changed at 5.0 percent. According to the job report, employment increased in retail trade, construction and health care, while there were job losses reported in the... Read more
  • The Buyer’s Blog: My First Home Buying Experience, Part I
    Most adults dream of being homeowners, saying “So long” to their monthly rent checks, “Adios” to the noisy neighbors and penny pinching landlords, and “Peace out” to the bedrooms that could be comparable to shoe boxes. Yes, owning your own home is a dream; however, getting there could be a nightmare depending on the situation.... Read more
  • The Buyer’s Blog: My First Time Home Buying Experience, Part II
    Some homebuyers struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They keep getting outbid on an offer, their dream home hasn’t popped up on the market, or they are just plain frustrated constantly looking at homes that aren’t right for them. You might remember from Part I of my blog that we... Read more
  • The Difference Between Commercial and Residential Real Estate
    Broadly speaking, real estate consists of two major branches: commercial and residential. On the surface, these two branches don’t look the same. Residential properties include both resale and new homes. This includes single-family homes, townhouses, vacation homes, investment properties, manufactured homes, and condominiums. Commercial includes shopping centers, medical and educational buildings, hotels, offices, and apartment... Read more
  • The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Staying Sane
    The life of an entrepreneur is filled with things they think they must do to make their business a success. While they may reach that goal, it could come at a high personal price. In fact, 32 percent of entrepreneurs experience two or more mental health conditions. Starting a business isn’t easy, but it helps... Read more
  • The Federal Reserve just hiked rates-so now what?
    Recent articles in Inman and the New York Times discussed the Federal Reserve’s interest rate action yesterday. The Federal Reserve raised rates at its December meeting by 0.25 percent. Here are a few things you need to know. Mortgage rates did rise after the hike yesterday. No-fee 30-fixed mortgages are just barely holding on to 4.25 percent, going... Read more
  • The Growing Trend of Digital Signature Tools for Real Estate
    For new real estate agents, there’s nothing more exciting than getting a real estate contract signed by a home buyer or a home seller. Signatures make it official, and after appraisals and inspections and an escrow period, you’ll have a commission check. Yes! What about digital signatures? Experienced real estate agents know something that new... Read more
  • The Hottest Real Estate Markets in Ohio
    Ohio, commonly known as the Buckeye State, is located at the crossroads of the United States. Its excellent connections by land and air to the rest of the country make it one of the most accessible regions in the nation. In addition to its central location, Ohio’s beautiful farmland, wild rollercoasters, and collegiate and professional... Read more
  • The Importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Real Estate Agents
    According to the National Association of Realtors, 44% of all people begin their home buying journey by searching online for property listings. So, what does this mean for real estate agents? It means it’s no longer enough to just have a website and publish content every so often. In order to attract those home buyers... Read more
  • The New Tax Law and Your Real Estate Business
    As you probably already know, the 2017 “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” is now law.  What you may not know is how to implement those tax changes to maximize the profitability of your real estate business.  Below are some highlights of the new law so you can be sure you are taking every advantage of... Read more
  • The Ohio Coalition of Appraisal Professional’s Summer Seminar 2019 Recap
    The Fawcett Center at the Ohio State University was a busy place on June 19th, as a line-up of well-known speakers shared information with a huge audience of appraisers at the annual Summer Seminar, sponsored by the Ohio Coalition of Appraisal Professionals. A highlight of the day was the announcement of the winner of the... Read more
  • The Power of Direct Response Marketing
    The world today is full of offers that consumers must wade through to find anything helpful. As a result, many consumers are just overwhelmed and stop paying attention. Direct response marketing is a different approach that can help real estate agents cut through the fog. What Is Direct Response Marketing? You might be thinking that... Read more
  • The Real Estate Educators Association Announces New Board of Directors
    Hondros College announced that Tina Lapp, Hondros College President, has been elected to the Real Estate Educators Association (REEA) Board of Directors for the new 2013-2015 term. The Real Estate Educators Association is a society of real estate education stakeholders comprised of instructors, trainers, regulators, schools and authors. Lapp and the new REEA Board members... Read more
  • The Top 5 Keys to Real Estate Agent Success
    So, you have made the decision to pursue a career in real estate. Good for you! You most likely understand the education needed to stand for the state exam, but what about the personal characteristics you need to be a successful agent? How does your personality match up with the industry’s most successful agents? Several... Read more
  • The Word NO Is In TechNOlogy For A Reason
    This is an age of sophisticated technology in which almost everyone has the capability of conducting most of their business from their smartphone. Popular applications, such as DotLoop and DocuSign, allow you to read contracts, electronically sign them, and return them to the sender within seconds. While time-saving, is it really the best way to... Read more
  • Thinking About a Career Switch? Here’s How to Get Your Real Estate License in Ohio
    Do you love what you do? You might not be surprised to learn that only half of American professionals are satisfied with their jobs. If you are a part of that demographic, why aren’t you changing careers? “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be... Read more
  • Three Important Trends for Mortgage Lenders to Know
    Mortgage lenders have an important role to play in the financial sector. They help people identify how much they can spend on a new home, thereby providing an invaluable service to people making one of the most important financial commitments they will ever make. Finding and retaining clients is nonetheless challenging for many lenders, as... Read more
  • Tina Lapp is installed as 2016 President of REEA!
    At Hondros, one of our values we were founded on is the concept of giving back. Whether to the community, our employees or our students you can find examples everyday of Hondros quietly doing the right thing. Many employees also volunteer for local and national organizations.  In that spirit we are proud to announce Tina... Read more
  • Tina’s Twenty Years: Hondros College President Tina Lapp Celebrates 20 Years with Hondros Family of Companies
    Hondros College is proud to recognize one of the most dedicated, influential and ambitious women of the company. For 20 years Tina Lapp, Hondros College President, has been a driving force behind providing excellence in education and giving the company its competitive edge with a familial advantage. I had the pleasure of sitting down with... Read more
  • Tiny House Movement Meets Slow Progress
    The tiny house movement has continued to grow in popularity over the last few years.  Now we have the United Tiny House Association, a Tiny House Conference, and brokerages that specialize in selling tiny homes.  Tiny houses are even the subject of television and reality tv shows.  Unfortunately, the proliferation of these tiny homes has... Read more
  • Tips for High Quality Real Estate Photography
    When looking at real estate listings, can you guess where a prospective home buyer’s eyes go first? The photos. Real estate photography is at the forefront of the decision-making process for home buyers. As a real estate agent, high-quality photography is your first chance to pull a potential buyer in. Beautiful imagery will compel that... Read more
  • To Uber Or Not To Uber? That Is The Question.
    In today’s electronic age of buying products and services via the internet, most transactions require the consumer to accept an agreement of terms regarding how the product will be delivered or how the services will be performed. Many of us under either personal blind trust in the honesty of mankind or simply the need to... Read more
  • Top 5 Reasons to Upgrade Your Appraisal License
    Are you stuck in a rut and wish you could advance your appraisal career? Consider an upgrade. Upgrading your appraisal license comes along with many benefits. From increased income potential to leadership opportunities to local market advantage, a license upgrade can offer you a more satisfying career. Here are five reasons to move up in... Read more
  • Top 8 USPAP Myths
    With many appraisers doing most of their work for lender-clients, they have become very familiar with the guidelines of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other programs’ underwriting rules. It’s common to confuse these guidelines with USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) requirements – so let’s take a look at how these can get misunderstood!... Read more
  • Top 9 Appraisal Marketing Tips
    Successful appraisers know that consistent appraisal marketing is critical to growing their businesses. When managing your business, there are a variety of appraisal marketing techniques you can use to build and grow your practice. 1. Differentiate Yourself from the Competition Your overall goal for your appraisal marketing efforts should be to make your services stand... Read more
  • Top Apps for Appraisers
    If you are a home appraiser, you know all too well the importance of having the right tools. Taking advantage of the various tech tools available to appraisers can make your job a lot easier – and wow your clients. The following are some of the helpful apps that can be used by an appraiser.... Read more
  • Top Benefits of Growing Your Team
    According to a study conducted by Office Vibe, more than 60 percent of the business owners they talked to claimed to be concerned with the cost of unfilled positions within their company. This same study found that employee turnover rate can be reduced by nearly 28 percent by investing in employer branding. Having the right... Read more
  • Top Lead Sources for Real Estate Agents
    When it comes to generating leads as a real estate professional, there are many ways to do it. There isn’t one cookie cutter way that works for everyone. When it’s all said and done, you’ll want to make sure you have a good tracking system in place to discover which lead generating methods work best... Read more
  • Top Questions for Your Real Estate Interview in Ohio
    For previous job interviews, you have probably prepared by practicing answers to the most common interview questions. But preparing for a real estate agent interview is a different ballgame. While you certainly must be prepared to answer questions, you must also be ready to ask questions. Let’s discuss the job-hunting process for real estate agents... Read more
  • Top Tips for Recruiting Freelancers
    In the real estate business, you work with freelancers every day. You might contract work out to inspectors, electricians, handymen, videographers, or real-estate marketers. As more real estate businesses utilize the huge freelance market, how do you source the best talent? How do you recruit the right workers remotely? There are many websites to hire... Read more
  • Top Ways Successful MLOs Use Social Media
    As a mortgage lender, you already spend a lot of time with people. You know that marketing and networking are important, but you might be apprehensive of using social media. There are many reasons people do not use social networking in their business. Perhaps you feel like you prefer traditional ways of face-to-face marketing, cold... Read more
  • Two Real Estate Education Veterans Join Hondros Team
    COLUMBUS, OHIO (PRWEB) January 06, 2015 Hondros Family of Companies is pleased to announce that Nancy Dunlop and Chris Vincenzi will join the Hondros team as national sales director and vice president of technology. Dunlop comes to Hondros from Dearborn Real Estate Education, a division of Kaplan University Professional and Continuing Education, where she was... Read more
  • U.S. New Home Sales Rise to Highest Level Since February 2008
    WASHINGTON—New-home sales rose to the highest level in seven years in February, a sign of strong demand that could help boost the broader U.S. housing market. Sales of newly built, single-family homes increased 7.8% from a month earlier to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 539,000, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That is the highest... Read more
  • U.S. Supreme Court Issues Ruling Regarding Property Rights          
    Although not widely covered in the mainstream media, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that overruled prior Supreme Court precedent that required a landowner to first exhaust property taking cases in state court before suing in federal court. The decision allows plaintiffs that believe a local government has taken their property, to sue... Read more
  • Understanding Home Construction Contracts
    Due to the tight real estate market, your clients may be contemplating building a custom home or building a home through a tract home builder. In either scenario, it is important that you understand the differences between the two main types of home construction contracts. Your clients should also always be directed to consult with... Read more
  • Understanding Land Banks
    Another consequence of the mortgage loan crisis was the incursion of vacant, abandoned and unsafe properties. These blighted properties adversely impact communities and neighborhoods. The property values of nearby properties are negatively impacted, as a result of overrun yards, trash accumulation, vandalism, squatters, and crime. Blighted properties are also associated with health concerns, such as... Read more
  • Understanding The NAR Lawsuit Settlement and Its Impact on Ohio Real Estate
    Recent headlines have brought attention to the lawsuit involving the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and its proposed settlement. If you’re considering a career in real estate, you may be wondering how these developments could impact your future success in the field. We understand your concerns – there’s a lot to digest. Here’s a concise... Read more
  • Unlicensed Staff in Residential Property Management
    Managers of multi-unit residential rental properties invariably will need to utilize unlicensed staff in performing services for their landlord clients. Brokers routinely inquire about what their unlicensed staff can and cannot do in the course of property management. This article clarifies those activities that unlicensed staff can perform and those activities only a licensed professional... Read more
  • UPDATED: Licensing Fee Increases and More in New Ohio Budget Bill
    As part of the 2019-2020 budget, many of the fees the Division assesses to real estate licensees for applications increased. Also included in the budget were changes to fingerprinting requirements for Ohio applicants for licensure and clarification on real estate transactions for medical marijuana. Some of the proposed fee increases are as follows: New Fingerprinting... Read more
  • Updates to Home Inspection Rules
    UPDATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2019: As of Thursday, September 5th, 2019,  the Home Inspection Board approved the draft of the Ohio Administrative Rules for the state of Ohio and will be available for public comment. For the latest news regarding the home inspector program, visit the Department of Commerce’s Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing website.... Read more
  • Use Your Competition’s Social Media Success to Attract New Followers
    Social media is an ideal platform if you want to build relationships with current and future customers. But there’s more to managing a successful online life than numbers. If your competitor’s social media presence, their number of followers, and their level of engagement makes you wince with jealousy, there are a few things you should... Read more
  • Using Broker Lien Law to Protect Commissions
    Commercial Brokers have an added tool available for them to collect an outstanding commission. Ohio’s Broker Lien Law allows a broker to file an affidavit creating a lien against an owner’s property for the amount owed. The lien can then be foreclosed or paid when title transfers to a buyer. The amount of the lien... Read more
  • USPAP Frequently Asked Questions for Appraisal Part 1
    These are questions most residential appraisers have asked themselves and wanted answers to – in a hurry. But the answers are in an unexpected place – the Frequently Asked Questions section of the USPAP document! Yes, that’s right. The huge section in the back of the USPAP document that you look at once a year,... Read more
  • USPAP Update in 4th Exposure Draft
    Appraisers know that from, time-to-time, an exposure draft is initiated by the Appraisal Foundation, offering proposed changes to USPAP for public comments. And they also know that these are often mundane proposals, specific to one discipline of appraisal, or tweaks to definitions. What is different this time is that the Appraisal Foundation has issued a... Read more
  • Vacation Homes and a Hot Market: What Realtors Should Know
    A recent survey from the National Association of Realtors shows that over 80 percent of both vacation home buyers and investment home buyers believe that now is a good time to purchase real estate. According to the survey, vacation home sales may have slightly cooled off in 2015, but remained at the second highest amount in... Read more
  • Ways to Attract and Recruit the Best Employees
    There is an old saying, “what got you here won’t get you where you want to go.” Your organization may have some of the best employees – loyal, hardworking, and those that embrace and embody the mission and ideals of the organization. Most companies are not clear on what they want and what they actually... Read more
  • What Are Desktop and Hybrid Appraisal Products?
    What happens when a client requests for “alternative appraisal products”? They may call it a desktop appraisal, an evaluation, a value-check, or any one of a myriad of catchy titles. In a residential appraiser’s world of churning out URAR forms every day, this could be new territory. What is needed in a “desktop” or a... Read more
  • What do Realtors really DO all day?
    Whether you are new to the Real Estate business or a veteran, certainly at some point in time a neighbor or friend is going to say to you, “What Do You Do All Day”.  This is true for anyone who works from home, and spends a fair amount of time there working.  Friends and neighbors... Read more
  • What Goes Into a Good Real Estate Agent’s Website
    In today’s information and digital age, real estate agents need to keep up with the times. In days past you could get by with some yard signs and some pretty business cards. Now, however, having your own web presence is vital to your business. Before You Get Started Before you spend time and money on... Read more
  • What Happens When Tenants Escrow Rent
    Attention all landlords and property managers! There are consequences for failing to keep a rental in good repair or otherwise abide by the terms of the lease. Under certain circumstances, a tenant may escrow rent with the county clerk of courts rather than pay the rent to the landlord. The tenant can withhold rent, if:... Read more
  • What Is a Brand and Why Do I Need One?
    You’ve probably heard people talking about how important it is for every business to create a brand – regardless of whether it’s a Fortune 500 company or a one-person business. But, if you’re like many entrepreneurs, you may not know the true purpose of a brand and the benefits it can have on your business.... Read more
  • What is an Appraisal Workfile and Why Do I Need One?
    There’s nothing like a lawsuit or a complaint to the state licensing board to get your attention regarding how you’re doing business. Part of sound business practices for appraisers should include solid documentation of the details for creating a credible appraisal report. So, what’s all the buzz about the appraisal workfile? Why do we need... Read more
  • What Is Your Unique Value Proposition?
    There are around two million real estate agents in the U.S.. Even in your local market, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of real estate agents consumers can choose from. How do you make yourself stand out in this large crowd? This article suggests developing a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) for yourself, and/or your brokerage/agency. What is a... Read more
  • What the MLS Clear Cooperation Policy means for Off-Market Listings
    The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has adopted a rule change that will require all members to submit their listings to the multiple listing service (MLS) within one business day of marketing the listing to the public. The rule change was prompted by MLS members hoping to generate more exposure in the marketplace for listings,... Read more
  • What To Do When Your Digital Work Is Stolen
    One of a licensee’s largest professional expenditures is on self and client marketing and promotion. Licensee’s spend significant time and resources on developing their brand, whether it be through designing a website, publishing a blog, or displaying photographs. When a competitor pirates your work, it can be detrimental not only to your brand but also... Read more
  • What to Look for in a Pre-Drywall Inspection
    Home inspection is an essential part of the construction process. A high-quality build should have a thorough review before the team hangs the drywall. That’s to make sure everything is up to code and meets the developer’s standards. Drywall can hide many deficiencies in the beams, insulation and other foundational parts of the home. This... Read more
  • What to Watch for When Appraising a Smart Home
    As an appraiser, your job includes many aspects. But what happens when you’re appraising a smart home? How valuable are smart homes when it comes to appraising? Is smart technology something you can make an adjustment for? Discover the process for appraising a smart home and what to watch for. What Constitutes a Smart Home?... Read more
  • What You Need to Know About Ohio Real Estate License Background Check Requirements
    Being honest and truthful is one of the requirements for getting licensed as a real estate agent in Ohio. In addition, you must not have been convicted of a “disqualifying offense” to work in the industry. This means you must pass an Ohio real estate license background check to earn your real estate salesperson or... Read more
  • What Your Appraisal Clients Want
    So, you do your best on every appraisal. You take your time and do thorough research. You carefully analyze the data, support the adjustments, and arrive at well-supported value opinions. And discover that your best client is giving the bulk of their work to your competitor! What’s going on? Just take a moment and look... Read more
  • What Your Clients Really Want in a Home Inspection
    Selling, buying or building a home can be an emotional experience. It’s important to be a trustworthy, knowledgeable resource during the process of working with real estate agents or home buyers and sellers. A good rule of thumb is to inspect each and every home as if you or your family would be living there.... Read more
  • What’s Your New Year’s Resolution? How About a New Career!
    Stuck in a rut at your current job? Unemployed? Just want more flexibility?  Hondros College is committed to helping you find and succeed in a new and rewarding profession. With over 40 years of excellence in education, let us guide you every step of the way towards your dream career! We offer many different pre-licensing... Read more
  • When Agents Manipulate the Multiple Listing Service
    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
  • When Do Real Estate Agents Offer a Selling Bonus?
    More and more, Realtors are seeing listing agents offering bonuses to buying agents if homes are placed under contract by a certain date. Bonus opportunities are not permitted to be mentioned in the “Public Remarks”. Rather, they can only be found in the “Broker’s Remarks”. This is a seller’s market and, with such a depleted... Read more
  • When Should a Client Refinance?
    As a mortgage loan officer (MLO), you help clients to mortgage a new home purchase, but clients could also ask you for advice on refinancing. Being able to explain when the time is right to refinance is an important skill that will help your clients feel comfortable with the process. Find Out Why Your Client... Read more
  • When to Recommend Upgrades to Clients
    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
  • When to Sign The Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships
    The Consumer Guide To Agency Relationships is one of two state-mandated forms that Realtors should be experts on before they even sit for the state licensing exam. So, when interacting with clients, why are Realtors failing to get a signature at the “first substantive contact”? This isn’t a case of “If you don’t use it... Read more
  • Which Transaction Management Software is Right for Your Real Estate Business
    At its core, the real estate business hasn’t changed in a hundred years. It’s still about matching up the right buyers and sellers while smoothing out the sales process for all of them. However, the advent of computers and the Internet have changed how most of the world gets business done, and the real estate... Read more
  • Who’s Paying? Disclosing Broker Transaction Fees
    Almost every brokerage has a set transaction fee they contractually charge to both their sellers and buyers. The brokerage fee is designed to offset the cost of the overhead such as office supply expenses and the costs of the salary/hourly non-licensed employees. The broker transaction fee is a set fee, and, on average, they range... Read more
  • Wholesaling Real Estate – Is it Legal?
    We’ve all seen the signs, “We Buy Houses.” Chances are the buyers are really investors seeking to wholesale property. Real Estate Wholesalers enter into a purchase agreement with a seller and then try to find an end buyer for the seller’s property. These investors are called Wholesalers because at any point in time they have... Read more
  • Why Real Estate is Great to Enter with a Partner
    Being a real estate agent provides the opportunity to help people achieve their dreams of homeownership. It can be a very rewarding, lucrative profession. But when first starting out, success can be difficult for agents to achieve on their own – this is why many of them join real estate teams. Here’s why joining a... Read more
  • Why Visuals Are So Important for Your Website
    The quest for the perfect website doesn’t begin and end with selecting the right template or web designer. In today’s competitive digital environment, visual assets will set you apart from other industry professionals and help you capture more leads. Web design trends for 2018 and beyond emphasize visual experiences for visitors, and these experiences require... Read more
  • Why You Should Accommodate Assistant Animals
    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
  • Working From Home: The Legal Requirements
    You’re getting the education you need to start your career, and you’d like to be able to work from home. Before you start, make sure you know the legal requirements within your field for working from home. These legal requirements can include licensing, registration and taxes. Requirements can be imposed by your state, some by... Read more
  • Your New Career Starts Here
    We have always believed in entrepreneurs; those who want to achieve something more. Many of you might be thinking about changing careers, but aren’t sure if going back to school is right for you. Maybe it’s been years or even decades since you have been in a classroom environment. At Hondros College, we are an... Read more
  • Your Real Estate Website: Template vs. Custom Design
    Real estate classes prepare you to manage real estate contracts and transactions, but they don’t spend a lot of time on real estate marketing. Once you’ve passed the exam and activated your real estate license, numerous real estate companies will want you to sign on with them. Some will offer you marketing services and a... Read more
  • “ABC’s of CFPB” Seminar a Success for Real Estate Industry Professionals
    On Friday, July 31st, Hondros College held the “ABC’s of CFPB” seminar in light of the new closing documents taking effect early fall. Industry professionals Kevin McClure, Dave McKee and Scott Stevenson conducted a three hour in-depth training in front of a packed house of real estate, insurance, appraisal and mortgage licensees, as well as... Read more
  • Can I be a part-time home inspector?
    Yes, you can. You determine how many hours you want to work. You may want to start out part time as you gradually transition from a current full-time job. As your own boss, you dictate your schedule. If you choose to work for an established organization, you will find many of them are open to... Read more
  • Can I get a copy of my background check?
    To get a copy of your background check, contact BCI & I at 1-877-224-0043. There should be an option to request a copy.
  • Can I use FAFSA?
    FAFSA is not available for our courses. Click here for our payment options.
  • Do I have to be fingerprinted if I’ve recently been fingerprinted for…(adoption, school, work)?
    Yes. The State of Ohio Dept. of Insurance requires all new licensees to be fingerprinted specifically for insurance licensing.
  • Do I HAVE to buy the books?
    It is highly recommended that books are purchased, though not required. If you purchase a package, books will be included. You will have the option to pick up your books at any Hondros campus, or have them shipped to you (shipping charges apply).
  • Do I have to have a sponsor to start the classes?
    A sponsor is not needed to start Real Estate classes; however, you will need a sponsoring Broker before taking the State exam. We can help you find a sponsoring broker! After registering for classes, come to one of our Career Nights during the start of your class session! Click here to view the Career Night schedule.
  • Do I have to take all the classes at once?
    After purchasing classes from Hondros College have 6 months to complete them. All can be completed at any one of our multiple locations statewide, online, or mix & match to create your own custom schedule. Get started now!
  • Do I need a broker to take the courses?
    No. It is not necessary to have a broker sponsor for you to take our courses. However, before you can be seated for the State of Ohio license exam, you must have a sponsor on record. This is the broker who will hold your license so that you may practice real estate. Sponsoring brokers are... Read more
  • Do you issue a 1098-T to students?
    Since we are privately, not federally, funded we do not issue the 1098-T.
  • Do you provide job placement and/or help me find a sponsoring broker?
    Every month we offer a Career Night. This is aimed at helping those becoming Real Estate Sales Agents find a sponsoring Broker. Click here to learn more and sign up for a career night!
  • Do you submit hours to state on behalf of your real estate continuing education students?
    We report course rosters to the Division of Real Estate for CE.  The student is still responsible to submit their certificates, pay their renewal fees with ODRE.
  • Does the program help me pass the licensing exam?
    Absolutely! We have built our reputation on great instructors, great courses, and great prep to pass licensing exams. We will get you there successfully, and efficiently. Our curriculum is built around the specific requirements recommended by the OHIB and our comprehensive textbooks are written by the same group that creates the National Home Inspector’s Exam.... Read more
  • How can I be sure a career in home inspection is right for me?
    We encourage you to review your career objectives and what you are hoping to achieve with your career path. Discuss the pros and cons with someone who knows first-hand what the industry is like and then make your decision. Attend a Virtual Open House to learn more about a day in the life of a... Read more
  • How can I be sure a career in real estate is for me?
    Real estate is, above all else, a customer service business. You will be involved in what will be one of the biggest purchases/sales in someone’s life. We would encourage you to sit down and review your career objectives and what you want to get from your career. Discuss those issues and goals with someone who... Read more
  • How can I reschedule my class(es)?
    Once you are registered, you will be given a student account at Hondros.com that will allow you to make any changes to your schedule that you need to. Your login name should be the email that you provided upon registration and your password is automatically default to ‘welcome’ (this can be changed once you login)... Read more
  • How do I get my insurance license in Ohio?
    Complete the steps below: Complete 40-hour classroom course or a self-study equivalent; Sign up for classes by visiting https://www.hondros.com/programs/insurance/overview/. Complete fingerprint/background check; This can be done at any Hondros College campus or view locations at www.fastfingerprints.com. Pass the state exam given by PSI; Scheduling of the exam is done by calling 855-807-3995 or visiting https://candidate.psiexams.com/.... Read more
  • How do I get my real estate license in Ohio?
    The state of Ohio requires 120 hours of education, all can be completed at any one of our multiple locations statewide, online, or mix & match to create your own custom schedule. Click here to sign up for classes. View the steps to licensure here.
  • How do I get started with the pre-licensing education?
    As an institution of higher education in the State of Ohio, Hondros College is the best place to start! We’ve been helping active, busy adults get the professional education they need to successfully launch their home inspection business for over 30 years. With the new licensing requirements, we’re ready to help you complete the education... Read more
  • How do I obtain experience hours?
    You will need to find a mentor who is willing to train you in the field. This experience will most likely involve viewing properties and writing reports.  (There are some circumstances where the training may involve other aspects of appraisal). The mentor will need to hold certain credentials with their state in order to mentor... Read more
  • How do I schedule an online class?
    If you would like to schedule, please follow the steps below: Click here, or click LOGIN at the top right of the hondros.com Under REAL ESTATE, click on PRE-LICENSING (CLASSROOM AND ONLINE) Enter the email address and password provided at registration This will bring up your classes page, where you can click on individual courses... Read more
  • How do I schedule my fingerprints?
    For our Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton locations, FastFingerprint services are available Monday – Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm, and at the Toledo location FastFingerprint services are available Monday-Thursday from 9:00am-1:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm and Fridays 9:00am-1:00pm. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at https://fastfingerprints.com. Fingerprinting services at the West Chester location is temporarily suspended. For... Read more
  • How do I schedule my fingerprints?
    For our Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton locations, FastFingerprint services are available Monday – Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm, and at the Toledo location FastFingerprint services are available Monday-Thursday from 9:00am-1:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm and Fridays 9:00am-1:00pm. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at https://fastfingerprints.com. Fingerprinting services at the West Chester location is temporarily suspended. For... Read more
  • How do I schedule my proctor?
    Scheduling to take a proctor at the campus can be done by calling 1-888-HONDROS (466-3767). Proctors are given Monday – Friday, 9-11am or 2-4pm.
  • How do I schedule my state exam?
    Real Estate state exams are scheduled by calling PSI Exams at 1-855-834-8749 or by visiting their website at psiexams.com.
  • How do I schedule my state exam?
    PSI administers the Ohio insurance licensing exams. Visit https://home.psiexams.com/#/home?bc=ohin to schedule your state exam.
  • How do I schedule my state exam?
    PSI administers the Ohio insurance licensing exams. Visit https://home.psiexams.com/#/home?bc=ohin to schedule your state exam.
  • How long are my certificates good for?
    Upon successful completion of your Real Estate pre-licensing classes you will be given completion certificates. These are good for ten years.
  • How long are my certificates good for?
    Upon successful completion of your Real Estate pre-licensing classes you will be given completion certificates. These are good for ten years.
  • How long are my certificates good for?
    Insurance certificates are good for 180 days. If you do not pass the state exam within the 180 days, you will be required to complete the course or self-study again.
  • How long does it take to complete the real estate courses?
    Real Estate pre-licensing on Ohio requires 120 hours of pre-licensing education. Complete 40 hours of Principles & Practices, 40 hours of Law, 20 hours of Finance and 20 hours of Appraisal.  All can be completed at any one of our multiple locations statewide, online, or mix & match to create your own custom schedule.
  • How long will it take me to complete the 80-hour course?
    You decide! We’ve built in flexibility allowing you to complete the 32 hours of online-self-study coursework at your convenience. The 6 days of instructor-led Livestream classes (48 hours) are scheduled monthly including Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday classes for 2 consecutive weeks. We encourage students to complete the online self-study course full-time on non-class days so they can be... Read more
  • I am currently enrolled in an online insurance product from Hondros. How long will I have access to my course?
    Students enrolled in online insurance products from Hondros will have 6 months from the date of purchase to finish their course.
  • I am currently enrolled in an online insurance product from Hondros. How long will I have access to my course?
    Students enrolled in online insurance products from Hondros will have 6 months from the date of purchase to finish their course.
  • If I have questions on content material how do I get support?
    Please continue to email askaninstructor@hondros.com for questions on content material. For all other questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful Student Services Associates at 1-888-HONDROS.
  • If I have questions on content material how do I get support?
    Please continue to email askaninstructor@hondros.com for questions on content material. For all other questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful Student Services Associates at 1-888-HONDROS.
  • If I have questions while I am studying on my own, where do I go for help?
    Hondros is here for you every step of the way! We know questions come up and we are committed to making sure you have the accurate facts to answer your questions. Our experienced Ohio home inspector experts are available via email through our Ask-an-Instructor resource, or you can attend one of our weekly scheduled Virtual... Read more
  • Is the full amount due when I register or is there a payment plan?
    Full payment is required at the time of purchase. Classes may be purchased individually to help lessen the upfront cost. Click here for more information on our payment options.
  • Is the job market promising for home inspectors?
    Yes. Three of the top 20 fastest growing real estate markets are currently in Ohio. Nearly 90% of all real estate transactions include a home inspection and with the new laws in Ohio (soon to be approved) that will require inspections to be conducted by a licensed home inspector, there is tremendous potential. New licensed... Read more
  • Is there a continuing education requirement?
    Beginning January 1, 2010 every licensee must complete 8-hours of NMLS approved continuing education annually by the end of the calendar year. Continuing education can be completed in a classroom or online. Learn more about our continuing education options.
  • Is there an exam involved in licensing or certification for appraisers?
    Yes, the exam is a test that is the same nation-wide that you would take at the end of your appraisal education, experience hours, and college courses/degree. Hondros College is here for you every step of the way.  We offer an Appraisal Review Crammer Course, CompuCram exam preparation software and appraisal flashcards. Click here to... Read more
  • Is there financial aid?
    Our Real Estate courses are currently not eligible for financial aid such as PELL grants or VA funding, but we have scholarships available on our website as well as other forms of assistance by outside agencies. Click here for a list of payment options.
  • My attendance is incorrect; how do I get this fixed?
    You can call Student Services at 1-888-HONDROS (466-3767) and one of our Student Services Associates will be happy to help you.
  • Ohio Open House Events
    Not sure where to start? No worries! Join us for one of our free Open House events at a convenient campus near you. SIGN UP TODAY During the Open House, we’ll help you: Explore different career path opportunities Meet our experienced instructors Gain insight into a “day in the life” of your new career Learn... Read more
  • Once I am a licensed or certified appraiser, will I be required to take continuing education classes in the future?
    Yes, every state will require a certain number of continuing education hours in order to maintain the license or certification held. A wide variety of continuing education courses are available right here at Hondros College, online
  • What are the most effective study tips to help me finish on time?
    Create a reasonable and attainable completion goal. Keep up with your studies until all the elements of the course have been completed. Register for your state examination as to help you remain on target.
  • What are the most effective study tips to help me finish on time?
    Create a reasonable and attainable completion goal. Keep up with your studies until all the elements of the course have been completed. Register for your state examination as to help you remain on target.
  • What are the passing requirements for my state exam?
    The passing score for all Ohio insurance examinations is 70%. Visit https://home.psiexams.com/#/home?bc=ohin to view the Ohio Candidate Information Bulletin and learn more about licensing requirements.
  • What are the passing requirements for my state exam?
    The passing score for all Ohio insurance examinations is 70%. Visit https://home.psiexams.com/#/home?bc=ohin to view the Ohio Candidate Information Bulletin and learn more about licensing requirements.
  • What does a Mortgage Loan Officer do?
    Loan Officers facilitate this lending by seeking potential clients and assisting them in applying for loans. Loan Officers also gather information about clients to ensure that an informed decision is made regarding the quality of the loan and the probability of repayment. Mortgage Loan Officers develop relationships with commercial and residential real estate agencies, so... Read more
  • What is required to become a Home Inspector?
    To apply for your Ohio Home Inspector’s License, the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing requires you to complete 80 hours of approved home inspector education, via an online setting or a classroom/Livestream setting. Qualifying education covers the following topics: Building enclosures Report writing Plumbing systems Foundations Heating and cooling systems Electrical systems... Read more
  • What is the first step to become an appraiser?
    You will need to take appraisal education courses, available right here at Hondros College. Classes are available online for your convenience. Your state will then have an application process to become an apprentice appraiser. Click here to read more about the steps to becoming an appraiser.
  • What is the process to becoming a licensed or certified appraiser?
    It is state-specific; every state has its own set of rules.  All will require what is called “pre-licensing” appraisal education hours (they are available online right here at Hondros College), plus experience hours where you will train with a mentor; plus the higher-level licensing levels will require some college courses or a degree. Click here to... Read more
  • What is the status of the new Home Inspection licensing laws in Ohio?
    Senate Bill 255 was signed into law on January 4, 2019, creating the Ohio Home Inspection Program to be headed up by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing (ODRE). The Ohio Home Inspection Board (OHIB) was created to establish requirements and rules for Ohio Home Inspection licensure. Home Inspection rules adopted by... Read more
  • What is your Military Appreciation Program?
    We have created the Military Appreciation program to recognize the commitment our veterans have made, and we are extending the 15% savings to all real estate, appraisal, home inspection, mortgage, and insurance pre-licensing package students. A student must register over the phone or in person with proof of ID to qualify for savings. Contact information: Call 1-888-HONDROS... Read more
  • What is your refund policy?
    Refund Policies*   The following is the Hondros College refund policy and is applicable to each classroom or online course. No refund will be issued after 30 days of purchase.   a. A student who starts class and withdraws during the first calendar week (10%) of the academic term shall be obligated for twenty-five (25%)... Read more
  • What items are students required to bring to the testing center?
    In Ohio, here is what you need to bring to the PSI testing center: Two (2) forms of signature identification, one of which must be a government issued photo-bearing (preferably a driver’s license). Bring ORIGINAL pre-licensing education certificate(s). PSI recommends these additional items: The confirmation number provided when the reservation was made. Failing score report... Read more
  • What should I do if I am currently working as a Home Inspector in Ohio but not yet licensed?
    The most important consideration is to be prepared so you do not miss time conducting business when the licensing laws go into effect. As the OHIB rules currently await approval, ODRE encourages all potential new home inspectors, and current home inspectors that did not qualify under the “grandfathering” provision (effective Jan. 10, 2020), to consider... Read more
  • When should self-study students take their proctored exam, and when are they available?
    Self-study students should take the required, provider-created proctored exam when they have completed their self-study materials and feel they comprehend the concepts. Students are able to proctor online with a disinterested 3rd party.  Students must pass their proctored exam in order to receive course certificates.
  • Where can I find a list of class dates?
    A list of upcoming class dates can be found in our digital course guide – click here!
  • Where do I get a proctor code?
    You can call Student Services at 1-888-HONDROS (466-3767) and one of our Student Services Associates will provide the proctor code.
  • Why Become A Home Inspector?
    As a Licensed Home Inspector, you can dictate your schedule and be your own boss! Gross annual full-time income of around $70K About 75% of home inspectors work for themselves. You’ll stay busy, too, as nearly 90% of homes sold in the United States involve an inspection.
  • Why do I only have 1 time to take the CompuCram pre-assessment?
    You can take the CompuCram practice tests, vocabulary reviews, and simulated exams as many times as you’d like. The initial Pre-Assessment test can only be taken once. This is for your benefit, as it gives the program a baseline of your knowledge and allows the program to evolve as your knowledge grows.
  • Will Hondros coursework be aligned with the new Ohio Home Inspection Board (OHIB) recommendations for pre-licensing education?
    Hondros College participated in every OHIB meeting and followed all of the OHIB guidelines and recommendations to develop our pre-licensing courses. Hondros is very confident once rules have been officially approved, our courses will subsequently receive formal approval. The Hondros College Set For Success Package includes every component included in the OHIB recommendations for pre-licensing,... Read more
  • Will I be able to purchase an extension for my online Hondros insurance course after the 6 month timeframe?
    No, we will not be allowing extensions on these products after 6 months, but you will be able to purchase a new course through XCEL. We strongly encourage students to complete within the 6-month timeframe so as to eliminate duplicate effort.
  • Will I be able to purchase an extension for my online Hondros insurance course after the 6 month timeframe?
    No, we will not be allowing extensions on these products after 6 months, but you will be able to purchase a new course through XCEL. We strongly encourage students to complete within the 6-month timeframe so as to eliminate duplicate effort.
  • Would I be paid as an apprentice appraiser by the mentor who is training me?
    Situations vary – this is a question to ask as you interview with mentors in your area. Some appraisal companies have all appraisal staff as independent contractors; while others have employees. Please contact Student Services at 888-HONDROS (614-466-3767) and we will try our best to answer any questions.

Have a question? Call us at 1-888-HONDROS or chat with us. We’re here to help!


You are now leaving Hondros.com

Cancel