Hondros Real Estate offers pre-licensing, continuing education, and broker courses primarily in Ohio and Indiana. Founded in 1981, the school provides three learning formats: self-paced online, live-stream, and in-person classes. Pre-licensing packages range from $1,299 to $1,799, with CompuCram exam prep showing an 86.5% first-time pass rate. The school educates 25,000 students annually through 58 dedicated instructors with an average of 23 years of experience. While praised for local market expertise and instructor quality, Hondros has limited geographic coverage and a dated online platform compared to competitors like Aceable and Kaplan.
What Makes Hondros Real Estate Different
You’re shopping for real estate education. You’ve seen the ads promising quick licenses and easy exams. Hondros takes a different approach.
The school focuses on the Ohio and Indiana markets exclusively. This narrow geographic focus means instructors teach state-specific laws, not generic national content. When you study contract law, you learn Ohio contract law. When you practice exam questions, they mirror what you’ll see on test day in your state.
Nine out of 10 Hondros students recommend their courses to friends. That recommendation rate speaks to something most online schools miss: actual teaching, not just content delivery.
Hondros Real Estate Course Options
Pre-Licensing Packages
Your first license requires 120 hours of coursework in Ohio and 90 hours in Indiana. Hondros structures this into three packages:
Career Start Package ($1,299)
- 120/90 hours of required education
- Course textbooks and materials
- Access to course instructors
- Basic exam preparation
Set For Success Package ($1,499)
- Everything in Career Start
- Study flashcards (500+ terms)
- Math review course
- CompuCram Exam Prep
- Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee
Ultimate Package ($1,799)
- Everything in Set For Success
- Hondros Alumni Membership
- 30 hours of continuing education credits
- 20 hours post-licensing courses
- Career networking resources
The pricing puts Hondros in the mid-range. Courses cost $300-$600, making them more affordable than Kaplan’s packages. You pay more than budget providers like Aceable, but less than premium options.
Continuing Education
Ohio requires 30 hours of CE every three years. Hondros offers multiple formats:
Online Self-Paced CE
- Fundamentals for Success Package: $169
- Advanced Topics Package: $169
- Six-month access to materials
Instructor-Led Live Stream
- Complete 30-hour package: $199
- 9-hour Core Requirements: $69
- Real-time Q&A with instructors
Classroom CE
- Variable pricing by location and date
- In-person instruction across Ohio
- Face-to-face networking
Broker Pre-Licensing
Moving from agent to broker requires additional education. Hondros provides:
- Broker pre-licensing courses (Ohio, Indiana, Arizona)
- 16-hour Broker Foundation Course
- 10-hour broker post-licensing course
- Broker Review Crammer Course
- Broker Review Package: $999
Post-Licensing Requirements
Ohio requires 20 hours of post-licensing for agents within their first year. Brokers need 10 hours. Hondros includes these in the Ultimate Package, or you can purchase them separately.
Agents choose between live-stream and online formats. Brokers access only self-paced online courses.
Learning Formats Explained
Self-Paced Online
Your primary option for working around jobs and family commitments. The platform provides:
- Reading materials and presentation slides
- Training videos from active agents
- Topic quizzes after each module
- Final exams matching state requirements
Access runs for six months from purchase. You control the pace, but the platform tracks progress to keep you on schedule.
Live-Stream Classes
Zoom-based instruction combines online convenience with classroom interaction. You get:
- Scheduled class times with instructors
- Live Q&A during lessons
- Chat-based class participation
- Recording access for review
Students mention “a-ha moments” from live instruction that online-only formats miss.
In-Person Classroom
Six campus locations across Ohio: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Akron. Classroom courses offer:
- Direct instructor access
- Peer networking during breaks
- Hands-on exam preparation
- Immediate question resolution
CompuCram: The Exam Preparation Tool
CompuCram operates as Hondros’s proprietary exam prep system. Students completing CompuCram show an 86.5% first-time pass rate.
The platform includes:
Practice Tests: Simulated exams matching your state’s format. Same question count, same time limit, same difficulty level.
Vocabulary Builder 500+ flashcards covering terms you must know. The tool tracks which terms you’ve mastered and which need more review.
Custom Review Sessions After completing standard prep, you can request custom cramming sessions targeting your weak areas.
Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee Available with Set For Success and Ultimate packages. Complete the prep, take the exam three times, and get refunded if you don’t pass.
Who Teaches Hondros Courses
The average instructor brings 23 years of real estate experience. These aren’t career educators reading from textbooks. They’re active or recently retired agents who’ve closed deals, managed listings, and navigated Ohio’s real estate laws.
Hondros employs 58 dedicated real estate instructors across its programs. You get assigned instructors for live courses, but even self-paced students can email questions and expect responses within 24 hours.
Students specifically praise the finance instructors. Real estate math trips up many test-takers. One student struggled with math but understood finance concepts within hours thanks to real-world examples from instructors.
Hondros Real Estate Reviews: Student Experiences
What Students Like
Local Market Focus: Your instructor knows Ohio brokerages, Ohio laws, and Ohio market conditions. This isn’t generic national content with a state supplement tacked on.
Instructor Accessibility Email responses come within 24 hours. Live sessions include a dedicated Q&A time. Phone support operates five days per week.
Exam Preparation Quality Multiple students report exam questions matching their practice tests word-for-word. The state draws from a limited question bank. Hondros apparently reverse-engineers it well.
Networking Opportunities: Hondros maintains relationships with 45 of Ohio’s top 50 brokerages. The school hosts networking events where students meet potential employers before they even pass the exam.
What Students Criticize
Outdated Technology: The online platform functions, but feels ancient. No mobile app. Clunky navigation. Basic video player. Students coming from modern learning apps notice immediately.
Limited Access Period: Six months seems generous until you’re balancing work, family, and studies. Other schools offer 12-18 month access.
Geographic Restriction: Ohio and Indiana only for most courses. A few programs extend to Arizona and Virginia, but coverage remains limited.
No Free Retake. Some schools let you retake courses for free if you fail. Hondros doesn’t. You pay again or rely on the Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee.
How Hondros Compares to Competitors
Hondros vs Kaplan
Kaplan operates in all 50 states with polished course production. Professional video instruction. Modern platform. Higher prices.
Kaplan charges around $500 in New York for courses that Hondros offers at $300-600 in Ohio. You pay for nationwide coverage and brand recognition.
Kaplan suits you if you want slick production and don’t mind generic content. Hondros wins if you value local expertise and instructor access.
Hondros vs Aceable
Aceable built its entire platform for mobile-first learning. Sleek app. Modern design. Audio-based lessons perfect for commuters.
Aceable feels like the “cool younger sibling” with apps and modern design, but Hondros offers actual human instructors you can question.
Aceable works for self-directed learners who study on phones during lunch breaks. Hondros suits people wanting structured instruction and live help.
Hondros vs Colibri (Real Estate Express)
Colibri operates in 41 states with over 25 years of online education experience. They offer audio narration, interactive dashboards, and modern tech.
Colibri beats Hondros on user experience. Hondros wins on local market knowledge and instructor quality. Price points sit similarly.
Special Certifications and Programs
Hondros partners with the National Association of Realtors for specialty certifications:
Military Relocation Professional (MRP)
- $99 for live-stream course
- $195 one-time application fee
- Serves military families relocating
Home Inspection Courses
- Basic Package: $1,699
- Career Start: $2,499
- Set for Success: $2,699
Contractor Education
- Ohio Contractor’s Business Law: $214.97
- Exam Prep: $147
Is Hondros Real Estate Worth It?
Choose Hondros if:
You live in Ohio or Indiana and want education focused on your market. Local laws, local instructors, and local job connections matter to you.
You prefer structured learning over solo studying. Live classes, instructor Q&A, and scheduled sessions keep you accountable.
You value pass rates and preparation quality over fancy platforms. The dated interface bothers you less than passing your exam.
Skip Hondros if:
You need nationwide licensing. Their geographic coverage can’t compete with Kaplan or Colibri.
You want cutting-edge technology. Aceable’s mobile app and modern interface blow Hondros away.
You study exclusively on your phone. No mobile app means laptop or desktop only.
Getting Started With Hondros
Visit hondros.com and select your state. Choose your learning format. Pick your package based on budget and support needs.
The Career Start package works if you’re confident and budget-conscious. Set For Success makes sense for most students—the exam prep and guarantee justify the extra $200. Ultimate Package pays off if you know you’re staying in real estate long-term.
Register online or call student services at their Columbus headquarters. Payment plans split costs across multiple months. Financial aid doesn’t apply (these are professional courses, not degree programs), but many students expense courses through business deductions.
After registration, you receive login credentials within 24 hours. Online students start immediately. Live-stream students see their class schedule. In-person students choose from available dates at their nearest campus.
Final Thoughts
Hondros Real Estate built its reputation on one thing: preparing Ohio and Indiana agents to pass their exams and succeed in their markets. The school doesn’t chase nationwide expansion or flashy technology. They teach real estate the way trade schools teach welding—practical, focused, and job-ready.
Your decision comes down to priorities. If you want the newest app and sleekest interface, look elsewhere. If you want instructors who know your market and prove their teaching works through high pass rates, Hondros delivers.
The 50-year track record and 25,000 annual students suggest they’re doing something right. Whether that something aligns with your learning style and location determines if Hondros works for you.
FAQs
How long does the Hondros pre-licensing program take?
The 120-hour agent program takes two to three months to complete, according to student testimonials. Actual time depends on your schedule and chosen format. Self-paced students working full-time typically need 8-12 weeks. Full-time students focusing only on coursework finish in 4-6 weeks.
Does Hondros offer a pass guarantee?
Yes, but only with certain packages. The Set For Success and Ultimate packages include “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantees. Complete all coursework and CompuCram prep, attempt the state exam three times, and receive a refund if you don’t pass. The Career Start package doesn’t include this guarantee.
Can I access Hondros courses on my phone?
Hondros doesn’t offer a dedicated mobile app. The website works on phone browsers, but the experience isn’t optimized for mobile. You’ll want a computer or tablet for the best experience. This marks a major difference from competitors like Aceable, which built its entire platform for mobile-first learning.
What happens after I complete the course?
You receive a certificate of completion, qualifying you to schedule your state licensing exam. Hondros assists with exam scheduling and provides final exam prep materials. The Ultimate Package includes job placement assistance and networking events connecting you with Ohio brokerages.
Are Hondros courses accredited?
Yes. Hondros holds accreditation from Ohio’s Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. Courses meet all state requirements for pre-licensing, post-licensing, and continuing education. Credits earned transfer to Ohio license applications without issue.
