Veteran Realtor Howard Parnes Passes Away

WHITE PLAINS— Howard Leon Parnes, partner of Houlihan-Parnes Realtors, passed away at age 86 on April 21, 2016.

Parnes joined forces in 1967 with the long-established Houlihan firm run by James G. Houlihan and Daniel J. Houlihan. The firm, which became known as Houlihan-Parnes Realtors, celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.

Parnes was known in the industry for being active in purchasing and selling real estate for over 56 years, and he brought a wealth of experience to any transaction. He was involved in the acquisition, ownership and/or sale of over 5,000 properties, not only throughout the New York area, but also throughout the United States and in the Caribbean. His extensive career covered virtually all types of investment real estate. He specialized principally in shopping centers and taxpayers, along with high-rise, mid-rise and garden apartment buildings.

At Houlihan-Parnes Realtors, Parnes established a mortgage servicing company, as well as a management company to run his various properties in New York and nationwide. Parnes and his staff formed investor groups, arranged financing with the assistance of the Houlihan Parnes Realtors’ mortgage brokerage department, and performed the due diligence and handled the closings on more than $3 billion of real estate in the United States.

He was affiliated with The Bronx/Manhattan Board of Realtors, the Real Estate Board of New York, and the Westchester County Board of Realtors.

A dedicated philanthropist, Parnes constructed three wings for an old age home, Hogar de Ancianos, in La Romana, Domincan Republic. This included building an infirmary with a medical office, a reception hall where patients may congregate and have social activities, a new kitchen and fully furnished dining room, as well as a dormitory with sleeping quarters. Parnes was also involved in the orphanage “Hogar de Nino” and donated money for the medical equipment of the Romana Central Hospital. Nearby at the Casa de Campo resort, he also developed many vacation homes and villas there as well.