 Built on a tradition of excellence, the company was founded by Howard and Anne Hanna and celebrated their 50th anniversary in the year 2007 as three generations continue to provide the highest level of integrity and innovation in the real estate process.
In 1957, with a modest dividend check and a tiny office, the Hannas wanted to carve out a business close to their Pittsburgh home. Mr. Hanna had experience working for the homebuilder’s association in Cleveland; his wife had strong roots in Pittsburgh and didn’t want to leave home. With his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business from the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Hanna began with a single office in the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh. He paid $25 for a one-room office, $15 for his REALTOR’S license, $20 for a phone and thus began the business now so well known by its green and yellow logo.
Founded as the Howard Hanna Company, the family business was an integral part of growing up in the Hanna household: Hoddy, the oldest of the three Hanna children started to sell real estate two weeks after high school graduation, continuing his career during each summer; Helen received her license just after graduating from college, and was sent to “open” a new North Hills office in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh; after college and graduate school, Annie, the youngest daughter, went on to take over the much needed business function of forming a consolidated accounting department.
Today, with 120 offices across Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and West Virginia, Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna, III, serves as Chairman and CEO; Helen Hanna Casey, President; and Annie Hanna Cestra, Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer of the Company; and third generation, Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna, IV, serves as President of Howard Hanna Ohio.
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is ranked the 4th largest full service and 3rd largest independent real estate and financial services organization in the United States by Real Trends Magazine.
Integral to the business of this company are the influences of fair housing, the role of women in the workforce, a changing economy, mobilization, suburbanization and urbanization, technology, and fully being able to service the achievement of the “American Dream” of home ownership.
The full service real estate company offers the Howard Hanna Advantage by providing a spectrum of innovative services, all from one location: Howard Hanna Mortgage Services, Barristers Land Abstract Company for title insurance and closings, Howard Hanna Appraisal, Insurance and Relocation services along with a Commercial division, Condominium division and Land Development Company.
Known for offering the most innovative services and programs for clients who are buying and selling real estate, Howard Hanna was a pioneer in the mid-1980’s with their weekly Sunday TV Showcase of Homes and award-winning internet site. Now, the Sunday TV Showcase of Homes is available for viewing 24/7 by simply clicking on www.howardhanna.com. Howard Hanna is home of the exclusive “100% Money Back Guarantee” on the purchase of a home; the “Buy Before You Sell” program that allows buyers to use the equity in their current homes toward the purchase of a new home; and “one stop shopping”, a spectrum of services allowing the customer the convenience of mortgage, insurance, title and escrow services all from one location. |