2025 Old Home Certified

By Anna Schmiel

This year’s Old Home Certified (OHC) was a resounding success, training 34 realtors on the ins and outs of old homes. This two-day course fulfills 12.25 of the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s yearly required Continuing Education (CE) credits for real estate agents. It also provides realtors with a solid foundation to feel confident when selling old homes.  

During this year’s course, realtors learned how to identify various architectural styles and advise clients on potential maintenance costs. New courses gave them a deeper understanding of the history of old homes, both through lectures and hands-on activities.  

• Rebecca Gillette (Associate Director and Community Engagement Lead at Mapping Prejudice) taught a new class titled, “Mapping Prejudice Project and the History of Racial Covenants.” She explained the history of racial covenants in the U.S. and Minnesota specifically and walked participants through how to map these racial covenants themselves.  

• Our downstairs neighbor, the Ramsey County Historical Society (RCHS), taught a new class titled, "Researching Home Histories.” Mollie Spillman (Director of Collections and Exhibits) showed realtors how to use both physical and digitalized primary sources to discover the stories behind old homes. 

Rethos’ new Continuing Education Manager, Anna Schmiel, is already working on plans for next year. She’s committed to improving the course and finding innovative ways to teach this vital content. Next year’s OHC will be in February. Stay tuned for exciting updates!