Founded in 1957 by Howard and Anne Freyvogel Hanna, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services started as a single office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over the decades, it has grown into the largest family-owned and -operated real estate brokerage in the United States.

The company’s headquarters remain in Pittsburgh, reflecting its strong community roots. In 2010, Howard Hanna began franchising, allowing entrepreneurs to join its expanding network.

Howard Hanna offers a full range of real estate services, including residential and commercial sales, mortgage financing, title and escrow services, and insurance. This all-in-one approach creates a smooth experience for clients from start to finish.

What makes Howard Hanna stand out is its focus on innovation and agent success. Exclusive offerings like the 100% Money Back Guarantee and the Buy Before You Sell program provide added value to clients.

Training

Howard Hanna provides a structured training regimen to ensure franchisees and their teams are equipped to run operations effectively. The training programs include:

1. Hanna Franchise Services Orientation: This core training is mandatory for the franchisee and one designated staff member. It is held at Howard Hanna’s headquarters in Pittsburgh or another approved location, and it must be completed within 90 days of the franchise commencement date. The program covers company philosophy, marketing tools, the leads program, and internal systems.
2. Supplementary Training Modules: Subjects such as Company Philosophy (2 hours), Web Marketing Tools (5 hours), Leads Program (1 hour), Hanna U (1 hour), and System Programs (6 hours) are delivered primarily through in-office sessions. The instructors are experienced professionals with a minimum of one year in their fields.
3. Additional and Ongoing Training: Franchisees and their staff may be required to attend future training sessions or webinars at Howard Hanna’s discretion. These can be hosted at corporate offices or virtually, and participation is expected to keep franchisees aligned with evolving standards and technologies.

Territory Protection

Howard Hanna offers its franchisees a defined Protected Area to operate within. This area is generally a circle with a three-mile diameter centered on the franchise’s approved office location.

As long as the franchisee remains in full compliance with the agreement, Howard Hanna agrees not to license or operate another brokerage business within this Protected Area.

However, this protection is non-exclusive and does not prevent other franchisees or company-owned outlets from conducting sales activities within that area. There are no restrictions on the franchisor or others using different channels of distribution, such as the Internet or telemarketing, to solicit customers in or near the Protected Area.