What is the OPHP designation?
The OPHP designation is a statewide, education-based certification program
designed to recognize the high level of knowledge and professionalism among
the designation holder. It is sponsored and overseen by the Ohio Real Estate
Investor’s Association (OREIA).
Why obtain the OPHP designation?
Only persons completing the educational requirements will be permitted to
hold themselves out to the public as an Ohio Professional Housing Provider.
The designee will be recognized in the form of an award certificate and
the right to use the designation, and should recognize that having a basic
education in the topics outlined below will increase his or her ability to
reach his goals in real estate investment. Further, as OREIA works to make
the OPHP designation more recognizable, it is hoped that the OPHP holders
will have an advantage in dealing with legal and governmental bodies when
a “my word against his” situation occurs. It will also aid in encouraging
legislators to think of educated investors as a larger group for political
action. Other tangible benefits, including discounts on courses and
educational materials, may be added as the program develops.
How will I obtain these hours?
These hours may be obtained through local association meetings and seminars or through
courses taught outside of the local groups. All outside courses and seminars must
meet the following requirements: they must be taught live or online; they must be
pre-approved by the National PHP committee; and they must provide a certificate
of attendance acceptable to the National PHP committee.
Course of Study
The course of study will be divided into 42 clock hours of core courses and
18 hours of elective topics for a total of 60 hours of formal education.
The core topics are as follows:
View All PHP Events from the Club
Core Items
Includes formal appraisal methods (cost, income, replacement), Haines instruction and demos, how to compare properties, etc.
Including basic contract law; using contracts and clauses to protect yourself, developing contracts such as leases, options, purchase contracts, etc. for the real estate investment business
Including ethics in financing, negotiation, etc.
Exit Strategies
2.00
Hours
Including discussions regarding wholesaling, retailing, lease/options, renting, selling with owner financing, etc.
Fair housing Law
3.00
Hours
Including federal, state, and local fair housing
Including conventional financing, FHA/VA financing, owner financing of all types, comparing financing, offering financing.
Including pre-and post-purchase inspections; move-in and move-out inspections.
Including what type of property insurance is appropriate for investment property; negotiating for best rates and coverage; renter’s insurance, worker’s compensation, liability insurance, etc.
Landlord/Tenant Law
2.00
Hours
Including responsibilities of landlords and tenants, evictions, etc.
Including record keeping, dealing with tenants, maximizing cash flow, etc.
Including how to market properties for sale and for rent; how to market to prospective sellers.
Including negotiating with sellers, buyers, renters, contractors, vendors, banks, etc.
Including finding deals and calculating profitability
Regulations - Federal
2.00
Hours
Including regulations affecting real estate investment OTHER THAN tax laws and fair housing laws, such as lead paint regulations, wetlands regulations, underground storage tank regulations, Environmental Quality Zone regulations, etc.
Regulations - Local
2.00
Hours
Including zoning and building codes, foreclosure laws, etc. Attendance at meetings of the city council or other political bodies for the purpose of learning, testifying, objecting to new or existing local laws can be counted.
Rehab - Classroom
1.00
Hours
Including estimating rehab costs, which projects will pay for themselves, etc.
Rehab - Hands-on
1.00
Hours
Including actual hands-on opportunities and demonstrations, volunteer work for organizations such as Habitat For Humanity, and rehab property tours.
Including calculating and minimizing taxes, and tax laws as they affect the real estate investor, 1031 exchanges, property taxes.
Elective Items
Introduction to Real Estate Investing
2.00
Hours
Explores if Real Estate Investing is right for you.
Real Estate Investors Expo
1.00
Hours
trade show for real estate investors
Well of Wisdom
1.00
Hours
Structured, interactive question and answer dialogue for the whole group
The remaining 18 hours may include further education in any or all of
the above topics, as selected by the OPHP candidate.
How will I obtain these hours?
These hours may be obtained through local association meetings and
seminars. Or through courses taught outside of the local groups.
All outside courses and seminars must meet the following requirements
they must be taught live; they must be pre-approved by the OPHP
committee; and they must provide a certificate of attendance
acceptable to the OPHP committee.
Continuing education to maintain OPHP designation. Once the OPHP
designation has been obtained, designees must complete 20 hours of
continuing education every two years in order to maintain the
designation. These hours are elective and may be used by the
designee to continue his or her education as he sees fit.
Goals of OREIA
The Ohio Real Estate Investor’s association is dedicated to making this
program a success. It is understood by the committee that the program
will evolve as time goes on, and that time will pass before the local
groups, their members, and the public at large recognize the value of
this education. OREIA believes that the concept of creating well
educated investors is important in the fight to make our industry a
respected one. We also believe that the ability to present our members
as dedicated, educated professionals will aid in the political action
to which we are dedicated. While this education is already the mission
of the local associations, we hope that a statewide designation will
further this goal by making legislators, regulators, and the public at
large recognize that we are not simply “landlords”, but informed business
persons who make an ongoing contribution to our communities.
"The OPHP designation is even more important than ever...”
Deb McMillan, OREIA Past President