Donald E. Fender Realtors, Inc. celebrates 65 years

The Highland County Press

Donald E. Fender Realtors, Inc. is celebrating its 65-year anniversary in 2013.

The business was founded in 1948, two years after Donald Fender Sr. started his career in Real Estate, working with Verne Williams in Milford.

Two years later, Mr. Fender earned his broker's license and opened an office in Highland County, and the rest is history. Sixty-five years of history, to be exact.

After running the business out of a house in Mowrystown for several years, Mr. Fender opened an office on East Main Street in Hillsboro, which was managed by Willfred "Tubby" Faul.

Shortly thereafter, Fender Realty moved to the second floor of the Farmers and Traders National Bank, which is where U.S. Bank is today.

The office stayed in that location until 1969, when it moved to its location at 221 N. High St. where it remains today.

Don Fender, Jr. assumed leadership of the firm in the mid-1960s.

"I came back to the firm in 1963 after attending Ohio State," Don said. "I also spent a couple of years in the Air Force Reserve during the Berlin crisis."

Several local Realtors started their career at Donald E. Fender Realtors, Inc., including Ken Juillerat, Len Koogler, Charlie Hunter, Delmar Mayhugh and many others.

"This career has been interesting and rewarding," Don said. "My (more than) 50 years have also been personally rewarding."

During his time in the Real Estate business, Don has witnessed agricultural values rise from $200 to $300 an acre to $4,000 to $6,000 or more per acre.

Aside from property values, Fender says the technological advances made in recent years is also a big change.

"I remember when we had one-page contracts, and at times, farmers would insist on verbal contracts," Don said. "Now, there are virtual tours on the Internet and things of that nature, and to sign a contract now is like signing every page of a notebook."

Don recalls several housing market slumps through the years, and he says the way to persevere is to stick to the basics.

"We had a major housing slump in early 1980s," Don said. "It was a time when periodic recessions were the name of the game. But there is hardly ever a recession on farmland."

In 2004, Don sold the business to Joe Bryan and Amy Fulkerson. He now acts in a part-time role at the company, and still keeps an eye on the real estate market.

"Joe and Amy have done a terrific job," he said. "They have taken it and ran with it."

"Business has been on an upward spiral and much appreciation is given to all of our past and present clients," co-owner Joe Bryan said. "It is our loyal repeat business that has kept us on a successful path. 2012 was the best year in the company's history and we are looking forward to many more to come.

"Our number one goal is 100-percent customer satisfaction. We are always looking for ways to improve our business while helping our customers achieve the dream of buying or selling their home."

Donald E. Fender Realtors, Inc. is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year!