At just 23 years old, Alex Hodara has been named one of Americas Best Young entrepreneurs under 25. He is the founder of Hodara Real estate; a student owned and operated real estate brokerage.
An entrepreneur from an early age, Alex successfully created and ran several successful businesses before establishing HREG including a poker chip importing company and the Eboy Charity Foundation.
When Alex Hodara was a freshman at Boston University four years ago, he took a part-time job at a local agency renting apartments to fellow students. After two years, he had his real estate broker's license.He made the quick transition from a successful realtor to a real estate broker, founding the Hodara Real Estate Group in 2008. He opened his own rental brokerage in January 2009, with four other students working as agents. Hodara calls his company the first student-run real estate brokerage.
The Boston-based company has since expanded into selling properties to buyers looking for income-generating investments; Hodara says he has so far brokered more than $5 million worth of such deals. He also started a separate business managing properties for landlords. Most customers are students who welcome working with their peers, rather than professional real estate agents. Hodara says the company had revenue of $175,000 in 2009 and expects $400,000 in 2010.
Since the success of his business, he has been featured in the media including “Street Signs” with CNBC, and was also a keynote speaker on social media marketing at the Century 21 Leadership Conference in 2009.
‘If you want to get into real estate, start from the ground level to learn the ropes (i.e. getting your real estate license or managing property). Starting in these positions will eventually lead to finding rare investment deals for yourself or your clients.’ Says Hodara advising other young entrepreneurs.
Written by Christine Maema
