SPOTLIGHT ON: Tim Bohlke

Paving the Way to Real Estate Through Education

Tim Bohlke spent more than 20 years in education while working part-time in real estate with Howard Hanna | Rand Realty in New City. Today, he manages the firm’s Suffern office and has started his first year as a HGAR Board of Directors member.

Bohlke credits his mother for opening his eyes to a real estate career. “My mom was a Realtor when I was in grade school and I often helped her out in the office,” he recalled. “It was back in the days before computers, and we would write down everything on index cards. I never realized how much I already knew when I finally took the exam.”

After earning a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Widener University in PA, he spent time managing conference centers for the Marriott Corporation. Years later, he headed to Mercy College in the Bronx, where he earned a M.S. in Education and Instructional Technology. He went on to complete an SDA/SAS Certification Program for School Administration at Mercy.

However, it was while he was volunteering for Junior Achievement at Spring Valley High School in 1999 that prompted Bohlke to become a teacher. “I liked being supportive to the kids,” he said. “Everyone has potential and I wanted to help them reach that potential.”

Bohlke’s education career included teaching technology with the New York City Department of Education in the Bronx and the South Orangetown Center School District in Blauvelt before spending several years as elementary, middle and high school principals with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. In addition, he held an Interim Assistant Superintendent position with the Liberty Central School District and a Superintendent with the Tuxedo Union Free School District.

Over the years, he has touched many lives. “Sometimes, you become more of a parent than an administrator—some kids don’t have parents who are involved in their lives,” he explained. “In fact, I would still stay connected with some former students who were in their 20’s and 30’s.”

A real estate professional since 1995, Bohlke jumped in full-time in 2021. Licensed in both New York and New Jersey, he decided to expand his horizons last year by enrolling in HGAR’s Leadership Accelerator Program. “I really enjoyed that and now as a new Board of Directors member, I can be more active and give back,” he said. Also, as a NYSAR Director, Bohlke has met even more people. “It’s great to be able to interact with people from all over the state and deal with issues affecting New York,” he said.

Bohlke, a Nyack resident, is also involved with the Homeless Shelter Meal Program at St. Anthony’s Church in Hackensack, NJ, which provides meals to homeless shelters in the area. In addition, he serves as a Director for the Suffern Chamber of Commerce.

With his impressive background in education, Bohlke has come full circle now in his new role as branch manager. “One of the areas that many Realtors lack is proper education and training,” he admitted. “I see that as an educator and we’re taking a hard look at how we offer that. I believe in smaller classes where you can offer hands-on training. That’s how agents can really learn.”

While virtual meetings seem to have taken over the corporate world, Bohlke believes in-person education to be the best option. “I think the world has become very complacent when it comes to Zoom, but part of learning is actually learning from one another. Sometimes people tend to tune out or get lost during virtual classes,” he said.

Bohlke still handles occasional sales and loves working with buyers. “Sometimes they’ll walk into a house they fall in love with and that’s the best part – to have those connections,” he said. “I’ve actually worked with some of the children of people who I sold houses to years ago!” And yes, his mother is still in the business at Rand’s New City office.