News and Press Releases
In the News: View the latest news on Kaplan Professional Schools
Press Releases
In the News: View the latest news on Kaplan Professional Schools
Real Estate Appraisal Fraud is Costing Untold Millions and the Industry is Taking Precautions to Protect Consumers (September 1, 2006)
Real estate appraisal fraud is occurring more frequently across the country costing buyers millions of dollars. As the appraisal fields continues to grow, new and more stringent education requirements are being implemented in the hopes of improving these fraud issues. Consumers as well have the responsibility to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves in choosing a credible and experienced appraiser. (Article Summary)
Broker Associate Magazine
Kaplan Partners with PaRR Inspections to Offer FEMA Disaster Housing Inspector Training for Home Inspectors (August 2006)
Disaster housing inspection offers home inspectors another option to use their skills in the event of emergencies throughout the country. Kaplan’s Inspection Training Associates has partnered with the Partnership for Response and Recovery (PaRR Inspections), the primary contractor to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to offer disaster housing inspector training. (Article Summary)
Inspection Expo Coming to Las Vegas September 25-27 (July 27, 2006)
Inspection Training Associates (ITA) will hold its 11th annual home inspection conference and expo in Las Vegas. The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees to learn the cutting-edge trends and topics in the home inspection industry. With more than 50 different sessions to attend, each inspector, whether new to the field or a seasoned veteran, can gain information to better their practice. (Article Summary)
ASHI Membership Still the Best Fit for ITA Grads (July 2006)
The ITA East Coast Seminar, held from May 20-21, brings more than 150 home inspectors to Miami. The seminar not only provides great information for home inspectors, but allows attendees to meet various exhibitors such as the American Society of Home Inspectors. (Article Summary)
Real Estate Appraisal Trainees Entering Growing Market; Facing Dramatic Increase in Education Requirement (June 20, 2006)
As the field of appraisal continues to grow so do education requirements. The number of education hours needed will significantly increase starting January 1, 2008 to ensure that appraisers conduct their business at the highest standards possible. Within the past year, Kaplan Professional Schools has seen a nearly 10 percent increase in appraisal training and the field is expected to continue to grow according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Article Summary)
MSN Money: Real Estate Appraisal Trainees Entering Growing Market; Facing Dramatic Increase in Education Requirement (June 6, 2006)
As the field of appraisal continues to grow so do education requirements. The number of education hours needed will significantly increase starting January 1, 2008 to ensure that appraisers conduct their business at the highest standards possible. Within the past year Kaplan Professional Schools has seen a nearly 10 percent increase in appraisal training and the field is expected to continue to grow according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Article Summary)
Home Inspectors Attending Inspection Expo 2006 Have a Chance to Experience Las Vegas (Summer 2006)
At the 2006 home inspection conference and expo hosted by Inspection Training Associates, a part of Kaplan Professional Schools, attendees will have the opportunity to take in the sights of Las Vegas as well as receive the latest industry knowledge from nation-wide professionals in one convenient location. The expo pairs a three-day exhibition where inspectors can access products and services from leading vendors in one of the most famous entertainment cities in the world. (Article Summary)
Dearborn Real Estate Institute Gets New Name (May 16, 2006)
New Mexico’s oldest and largest real estate school, Dearborn Real Estate Institute, has changed its name to Kaplan Professional Schools. The school was acquired by Kaplan in 1998 and the recent name change is part of Kaplan’s branding initiative. Kaplan Professional Schools currently serves more than 150,000 professionals throughout various industries in 15 states. (Article Summary)
Piece of the Pie: With a booming housing market, the number of real estate agents has risen nearly 50% since 2001 (April 3, 2006)
The number of real estate professionals is on the rise in New Mexico as individuals try to cash-in on the housing boom. Dearborn-Kaplan, which operates schools in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Roswell, provides training to agents to arm them with the necessary education to build their real estate career. (Article Summary)
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Press Releases
Dearborn Real Estate Institute Changes Name to Kaplan Professional Schools
Albuquerque , NM , May XX, 2006 – Dearborn Real Estate Institute, New Mexico ’s oldest and largest real estate school acquired by global education leader Kaplan in 1998, has changed its name to Kaplan Professional Schools. For more than 44 years, Dearborn has offered exam preparation and continuing education for New Mexico professionals seeking and maintaining licenses in real estate. Dearborn serves more than 3,500 real estate professionals annually from locations throughout New Mexico , in Albuquerque , El Paso , Roswell , Santa Fe and Las Cruces .
“Dearborn Real Estate Institute and our schools in 14 states have been part of the Kaplan family for many years. This name change highlights the access to a vast network of resources, technology and specialists that are the trademark of Kaplan,” said Maureen Deaveiro, Director of Kaplan Professional Schools New Mexico.
Kaplan Professional Schools provides licensing and continuing education to more than 150,000 professionals in the real estate (commercial and residential), appraisal, home inspection, mortgage, contractor, insurance and financial services industries. With more than 50 locations in 15 states, Kaplan Professional Schools offer both classroom and distance education to help students earn their state certifications in California, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, Connecticut, Georgia, Tennessee, Washington, New York, Ohio and Illinois.
The renaming of Dearborn Real Estate Institute to Kaplan Professional Schools is part of Kaplan, Inc.’s new branding initiative designed to unify its businesses under a consistent naming and logo strategy. Kaplan, which generated $94 million in revenue a decade ago, has become a $1.4 billion global leader in postsecondary education, K12 programs, and professional training. Kaplan has more than 23,000 employees in 500 locations worldwide, including recent expansions into Europe and Asia .
About Kaplan Professional Schools
Kaplan Professional Schools, provides licensing and continuing education for the real estate (commercial and residential), appraisal, home inspection, mortgage, contractor, insurance and financial services industries. Kaplan Professional Schools is a division of Kaplan, Inc., leaders in education and test prep and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). With more than 50 locations, Kaplan Professional Schools offers both classroom and distance education to help students earn their state certifications in the 15 states served. Kaplan’s instructors are the leaders in their field, with many years of industry and teaching experience. Distance education courses include textbook correspondence and online learning. For further information, please visit www.kaplanprofessionalschools.com or call 1-800-621-9621.
About Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan, Inc. is a leading provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses and is comprised of four divisions: Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, which offers test prep and admissions services worldwide, including K12 services for schools; SCORE!, which offers after-school learning programs for children; Kaplan Professional, which offers licensing and continuing education training and compliance tracking; and Kaplan Higher Education, which offers postsecondary certificate and degree programs online and through 76 campus-based locations. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). For more information about Kaplan, please visit www.kaplan.com.
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Kaplan Partners with PaRR Inspections to Offer FEMA Disaster Housing Inspector Training for Home Inspectors
Lake Forest , CA , May 9, 2006 – It is difficult watching disasters live on television, observing the weeks, months and years of aftermath when communities and families struggle to get back on their feet. Nearly 30 tropical storms formed in 2005, with seven becoming major hurricanes, including four that made landfall in the United States . Disaster recovery home inspectors play a vital role in helping to rebuild these communities, revitalize neighborhoods and aid affected families by assessing the damage in a rapid, efficient – and thoughtful - manner. Many of today’s home inspectors are choosing to get certified to add disaster housing inspection to their business.
Kaplan Professional Schools’ Inspection Training Associates is partnering with the Partnership for Response and Recovery (PaRR Inspections) to introduce comprehensive training for home inspectors to become disaster housing inspectors. PaRR is a primary contractor to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and manages the housing inspections following federally-declared disasters across the Untied States and U.S. territories. Disaster housing inspectors are responsible for collecting and reporting the required information from applicants whose houses have been damaged in the U.S. by disasters, such as the 182,000 homes destroyed by Katrina.
“There is a definite need for more home inspectors to add disaster recovery inspection to their business,” said Michael Casey, Vice President and General Manager of Kaplan Professional Schools’ Inspection Training Associates. “We’re seeing a growing number of professionals going through this training due to the personal satisfaction of helping those in crisis.”
In order for home inspectors to also become certified disaster housing inspectors, they must complete comprehensive training that includes an overview of the disaster response process, an introduction to FEMA policies and procedures and technology training.
PaRR’s Disaster Home Inspector classes are available at Kaplan Professional Schools’ Inspection Training Associates’ upcoming seminar, “Build a Stronger Tomorrow,” May 20–21 in Miami , Florida . Visit www.itaroadshow.com for more details. Additional classes are offered at several locations in California , Florida and Texas , with additional classes to come. Visit www.home-inspect.com for class dates and locations.
About Kaplan Professional Schools
Kaplan Professional Schools, a Kaplan Professional company, provides licensing and continuing education for the real estate (commercial and residential), appraisal, home inspection, mortgage, contractor, insurance and financial services industries. Kaplan Professional Schools is a division of Kaplan, Inc., leaders in education and test prep and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). With more than 50 locations, Kaplan Professional Schools offers both classroom and distance education to help students earn their state certifications in the 15 states served. Kaplan’s instructors are the leaders in their field, with many years of industry and teaching experience. Distance education courses include textbook correspondence and online learning. For further information, please visit www.kaplanprofessionalschools.com or call 1-800-621-9621.
About Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan, Inc. is a leading provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses and is comprised of four divisions: Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, which offers test prep and admissions services worldwide, including K12 services for schools; SCORE!, which offers after-school learning programs for children; Kaplan Professional, which offers licensing and continuing education training and compliance tracking; and Kaplan Higher Education, which offers postsecondary certificate and degree programs online and through 76 campus-based locations. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). For more information about Kaplan, please visit www.kaplan.com.
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Real Estate Appraisal Trainees Entering Growing Market; Facing Dramatic Increase in Education Requirement
-- Kaplan Professional Schools is Helping Professionals Meet the New Standards –
Lake Forest, CA, May, 2006 – Jobs in the appraisal field are growing, and the organizations responsible for the regulation of education and standards -- The Appraisal Foundation, the Appraiser Qualifications Board and the Appraiser Standards Board – have put in place a new and more stringent set of education requirements to ensure that appraisers conduct their business at the highest standards.
Effective January 1, 2008, the rules will change:
Licensed Appraiser – Education hours will increase from 90 to 150.
Certified Residential Appraiser – Education hours will increase from 120 to 200 hours and an Associates Degree will be required.
Certified General Appraiser – Education hours will increase from 180 to 300 hours and a Bachelor’s Degree will be required.
“Kaplan Professional Schools supports the effort to increase standards in the appraisal profession, and we will work closely with the Appraiser Qualifications Board to develop the courses that will assist new and experienced appraisers to understand the ethical guidelines of their profession - and to help them work within those guidelines,” said Josh Levenson, President of Kaplan Professional Schools.
In the past year, Kaplan Professional Schools has seen an increase of nearly 10% in appraisal training. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004, appraisers and assessors of real estate held about 102,000 jobs. According to the Bureau, the employment of appraisers and assessors of real estate is expected to grow faster than the average from 2004–14.
Real estate appraisal is a highly regulated industry with strict standards of practice and ethics. Substantial fines are given for those who do not follow the rules. But the high salaries and flexible schedules continue to make appraisal an attractive career.
While there is broad speculation about the real estate bubble bursting, appraisers are not as affected by a downturn. Home refinance, home improvement loans and other transactions require the continued services of an appraiser. In addition, the small number of appraisers in some regions makes room for new professionals.
The process for becoming an appraiser varies in each state, depending upon the level of appraiser. The cost ranges from $249 to $1,239 for exam preparation and test fees. The current education requirements range from 75-120 hours. However, one of the most challenging aspects about becoming certified is the required 2,000-2,500 hours of appraising experience over a 24-30 month time period. Candidates must find an experienced appraiser who will mentor, train and compensate them for their work.
Kaplan Professional Schools’ Appraiser Training Programs include training and continuing education for trainee appraisers, licensed appraisers, certified residential appraisers and certified general appraisers.
Classes are being conducted at schools across the country in preparation for the large number of people seeking an appraisal licensing before the requirements increase in 2008.
About Kaplan Professional Schools
Kaplan Professional Schools, a Kaplan Professional company, provides licensing and continuing education for the real estate (commercial and residential), appraisal, home inspection, mortgage, contractor, insurance and financial services industries. Kaplan Professional Schools is a division of Kaplan, Inc., leaders in education and test prep and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). With more than 50 locations, Kaplan Professional Schools offers both classroom and distance education to help students earn their state certifications in the 15 states served. Kaplan’s instructors are the leaders in their field, with many years of industry and teaching experience. Distance education courses include textbook correspondence and online learning. For further information, please visit www.kaplanprofessionalschools.com or call 1-800-621-9621.
About Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan, Inc. is a leading provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses and is comprised of four divisions: Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, which offers test prep and admissions services worldwide, including K12 services for schools; SCORE!, which offers after-school learning programs for children; Kaplan Professional, which offers licensing and continuing education training and compliance tracking; and Kaplan Higher Education, which offers postsecondary certificate and degree programs online and through 76 campus-based locations. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). For more information about Kaplan, please visit www.kaplan.com.
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