'Tis the season for home buying and selling
The Keller Williams Tri-County Properties Red Key Team has the best interests of its clients at heart
The Keller Williams Tri-County Properties' Red Key Team, including Sharon Fletcher, Tony Bartinelli and Denise Rodak, go out of their way to accommodate their clients' needs. Photo by MELISSA MARTIN
The Red Key Team is based out of the Keller Williams Tri-County Properties office, 2425 Medina Road in Medina. Photo by MELISSA MARTIN
To do their jobs and do them well, the Red Key Team, which was named among Medina County’s top Realtors in 2016, utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed their clients’ expectations. Photo by MELISSA MARTIN
Having more than one Realtor involved in the process not only affords the Red Key Team’s clients the flexibility they need to meet the demands of their busy lifestyles, but also makes sure that an agent is available to respond to their clients’ questions and concerns at a moment’s notice. Submitted photo
One advantage to selling a home in the winter is that the amount of traffic going through a seller’s home is much less because there are fewer people in the market looking. That translates into less inconvenience for families trying to keep their home show-ready in case of unexpected visitors. Submitted photo
The Red Key Team says that the majority of their satisfaction comes from helping clients find the home that is right for them and their families. Submitted photo
The Red Key Team says there have been several times when they have shown their clients as many as 80 different homes before finding the one that is perfect for them. Submitted photo
MEDINA – When it comes to buying or selling a home, conventional wisdom has long dictated that the best market conditions are typically found during the prime real estate season – beginning early in the spring and lasting throughout the summer.
Though it’s true that the warmer months of the year will always be the busiest season for both buyers and sellers, the Keller Williams Tri-County Properties’ Red Key Team says the savviest consumers are often the ones who take advantage of the off-season market.
“Homes show really well this time of the year because they are usually more festive and decorated, especially around the holidays,” said Keller Williams Tri-County Properties Realtor Sharon Fletcher. “At the same time, inventory is lower by an average of 20 percent – which means so is your competition.”
According to recent reports, homes typically sell for more in the winter when there are fewer homes on the market. With inventories being lower, the good news for sellers is that there is also a slight shift as to who is in the driver’s seat when it comes to contract negotiations, meaning there are likely to be fewer concessions on behalf of the seller in the winter.
Another advantage, experts say, is that the amount of traffic going through a seller’s home is much less in the winter because there are fewer people in the market looking. That translates into less inconvenience for families trying to keep their home show-ready in case of unexpected visitors.
“You have to remember that in the winter, people who are searching for a home are serious buyers,” she said. “After all, these people are out there willingly shopping for a home in the cold and snow. They want to buy.”
Getting the ball rolling
Deciding when it’s the right time to start a new chapter in life can be a difficult decision for both buyers and sellers. That is why Fletcher and the rest of the Red Key Team, including Keller Williams Realtor Tony Bartinelli and Red Director of Marketing and Administrations Denise Rodak, make it their professional goal to guide each and every client through the process, from start to finish.
“We recognize that home buying and selling can be a roller coaster,” Fletcher said. “We know this is about more than real estate. It’s about your life and your dreams. We know this, and that is why the Red Key Team pursues your home search as we would for a family member or ourselves.”
Fletcher explains that the “Red” in Red Key Team stands for “Realtors Everyone Deserves,” which perfectly sums up the way her team functions in an effort to best suit the needs of their clients. Though Fletcher launched the business on her own in 2004, as her client list grew, she asked fellow Realtor Bartinelli to join her business to ensure that each and every one of her clients receives the personalized attention they deserve.
Fletcher said that having more than one Realtor involved in the process not only affords the Red Key Team’s clients the flexibility they need to meet the demands of their busy lifestyles, but also makes sure that an agent is available to respond to their clients’ questions and concerns at a moment’s notice.
“We take pride in knowing that we always do our best for our clients and that we do not have to be concerned about the integrity of our interaction,” she said. “We work together as a team because we know that when you are purchasing or selling your home, you deserve to have a Realtor in your corner who knows the market, knows the inspectors and tradesmen, title companies and lenders, and is there to ensure that these most important purchases or sales go smoothly.”
Because the Keller Williams team ranks among the most elite companies in the world when it comes to training, Fletcher said her clients have the luxury of knowing that no matter which Red Key Team member responds to their call, the answer will always be the same.
“We feel that this affords a distinct advantage to our clients, who have the power of two Realtors with the same goals and ethics working in their corner,” Fletcher said. “Because of this great teamwork we are in the top 3 percent of realtors in the state of Ohio and are continuing to grow thanks to the many referrals we have received from highly satisfied clients.”
Part of that satisfaction comes from helping clients find the home that is right for them.
“There have been times we’ve shown clients as many as 80 different homes before finding the one that is perfect for them,” Bertinelli said. “And at the same time, I’ve also been known to trying to talk my clients out of buying a home when I know it’s not the right one for them.”
That integrity, Bertinelli said, is what clients say they value the most about working with the Red Key Team.
“We take a different approach to real estate, one that is built on trust, aggressive marketing and a real partnership with our homeowners and future homeowners,” he said. “Our reputation is our greatest asset and we strive to ensure that every transaction is a win-win and that all of our clients are confident in referring us to friends and family.”
To do their job and do it well, the Red Key Team, which was named among Medina County’s top Realtors in 2016, utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed their clients’ expectations.
“More importantly, though, we listen and that means finding solutions that are tailored to you,” Fletcher said. “We try to understand your lifestyle, which can include clubs or organizations that you might want to be near, your home, how much entertaining you do and how much outdoor living and yardwork you want. These are just some of the things we talk about so that we are showing you homes that make sense for the way that you live.”
Paramount to the entire process, Fletcher said, is communication. While keeping the lines open virtually around-the-clock is a given, she said the team also works to find the ways in which their clients prefer to communicate.
“Some of our clients like to text and that is great, but if texting is not your chosen method of communication, we will call or email, whatever works best for you,” she said.
The time is right
With interest rates starting to increase, the Red Key Team encourages those who are thinking of buying a new home this year to act sooner rather than later.
“As interest rates increase, that lowers your buying power,” Fletcher warns. “For every 1 percent increase in interest rates, consumers are looking at a 10 percent increase in their mortgage payment.”
Industry experts, she said, have confirmed that interest rates are not expected to drop again, which means that buyers should take advantage of the lower rates before they start to rise.
“Even 6 percent interest is sweet and anything under that is a real plus,” Fletcher said. “You can buy a nice home for that rate and gain equity rather than throwing your money away by renting.”
For sellers, she points out, the news is more optimistic than it has been in years. Though the market has not fully recovered after dropping 25 to 30 percent in recent years, Fletcher said property values are finally on the way up.
“What that means is that properties have returned to a stable value and you are likely to sell for more than you have been able to in years,” she said.
The Keller Williams Tri-County Properties Red Key Team specializes in real estate in Medina, northern Stark, Wayne and Western Summit counties. As listing Realtors, the team is very familiar with all of these areas and offers a free comparative market analysis to determine what your home would likely sell for in today's market. For those looking to purchase a home, services in buyer representation are also free.
The Red Key Team is located at the Keller Williams Tri-County Properties office, 2425 Medina Road in Medina. Sharon Fletcher can be reached at 330-802-8938 or by email at ivegotyourkeys@gmail.com. Tony Bartinelli is available at 330-304-9744 or by email at tony.bartinelli@gmail.com.
Though it’s true that the warmer months of the year will always be the busiest season for both buyers and sellers, the Keller Williams Tri-County Properties’ Red Key Team says the savviest consumers are often the ones who take advantage of the off-season market.
“Homes show really well this time of the year because they are usually more festive and decorated, especially around the holidays,” said Keller Williams Tri-County Properties Realtor Sharon Fletcher. “At the same time, inventory is lower by an average of 20 percent – which means so is your competition.”
According to recent reports, homes typically sell for more in the winter when there are fewer homes on the market. With inventories being lower, the good news for sellers is that there is also a slight shift as to who is in the driver’s seat when it comes to contract negotiations, meaning there are likely to be fewer concessions on behalf of the seller in the winter.
Another advantage, experts say, is that the amount of traffic going through a seller’s home is much less in the winter because there are fewer people in the market looking. That translates into less inconvenience for families trying to keep their home show-ready in case of unexpected visitors.
“You have to remember that in the winter, people who are searching for a home are serious buyers,” she said. “After all, these people are out there willingly shopping for a home in the cold and snow. They want to buy.”
Getting the ball rolling
Deciding when it’s the right time to start a new chapter in life can be a difficult decision for both buyers and sellers. That is why Fletcher and the rest of the Red Key Team, including Keller Williams Realtor Tony Bartinelli and Red Director of Marketing and Administrations Denise Rodak, make it their professional goal to guide each and every client through the process, from start to finish.
“We recognize that home buying and selling can be a roller coaster,” Fletcher said. “We know this is about more than real estate. It’s about your life and your dreams. We know this, and that is why the Red Key Team pursues your home search as we would for a family member or ourselves.”
Fletcher explains that the “Red” in Red Key Team stands for “Realtors Everyone Deserves,” which perfectly sums up the way her team functions in an effort to best suit the needs of their clients. Though Fletcher launched the business on her own in 2004, as her client list grew, she asked fellow Realtor Bartinelli to join her business to ensure that each and every one of her clients receives the personalized attention they deserve.
Fletcher said that having more than one Realtor involved in the process not only affords the Red Key Team’s clients the flexibility they need to meet the demands of their busy lifestyles, but also makes sure that an agent is available to respond to their clients’ questions and concerns at a moment’s notice.
“We take pride in knowing that we always do our best for our clients and that we do not have to be concerned about the integrity of our interaction,” she said. “We work together as a team because we know that when you are purchasing or selling your home, you deserve to have a Realtor in your corner who knows the market, knows the inspectors and tradesmen, title companies and lenders, and is there to ensure that these most important purchases or sales go smoothly.”
Because the Keller Williams team ranks among the most elite companies in the world when it comes to training, Fletcher said her clients have the luxury of knowing that no matter which Red Key Team member responds to their call, the answer will always be the same.
“We feel that this affords a distinct advantage to our clients, who have the power of two Realtors with the same goals and ethics working in their corner,” Fletcher said. “Because of this great teamwork we are in the top 3 percent of realtors in the state of Ohio and are continuing to grow thanks to the many referrals we have received from highly satisfied clients.”
Part of that satisfaction comes from helping clients find the home that is right for them.
“There have been times we’ve shown clients as many as 80 different homes before finding the one that is perfect for them,” Bertinelli said. “And at the same time, I’ve also been known to trying to talk my clients out of buying a home when I know it’s not the right one for them.”
That integrity, Bertinelli said, is what clients say they value the most about working with the Red Key Team.
“We take a different approach to real estate, one that is built on trust, aggressive marketing and a real partnership with our homeowners and future homeowners,” he said. “Our reputation is our greatest asset and we strive to ensure that every transaction is a win-win and that all of our clients are confident in referring us to friends and family.”
To do their job and do it well, the Red Key Team, which was named among Medina County’s top Realtors in 2016, utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed their clients’ expectations.
“More importantly, though, we listen and that means finding solutions that are tailored to you,” Fletcher said. “We try to understand your lifestyle, which can include clubs or organizations that you might want to be near, your home, how much entertaining you do and how much outdoor living and yardwork you want. These are just some of the things we talk about so that we are showing you homes that make sense for the way that you live.”
Paramount to the entire process, Fletcher said, is communication. While keeping the lines open virtually around-the-clock is a given, she said the team also works to find the ways in which their clients prefer to communicate.
“Some of our clients like to text and that is great, but if texting is not your chosen method of communication, we will call or email, whatever works best for you,” she said.
The time is right
With interest rates starting to increase, the Red Key Team encourages those who are thinking of buying a new home this year to act sooner rather than later.
“As interest rates increase, that lowers your buying power,” Fletcher warns. “For every 1 percent increase in interest rates, consumers are looking at a 10 percent increase in their mortgage payment.”
Industry experts, she said, have confirmed that interest rates are not expected to drop again, which means that buyers should take advantage of the lower rates before they start to rise.
“Even 6 percent interest is sweet and anything under that is a real plus,” Fletcher said. “You can buy a nice home for that rate and gain equity rather than throwing your money away by renting.”
For sellers, she points out, the news is more optimistic than it has been in years. Though the market has not fully recovered after dropping 25 to 30 percent in recent years, Fletcher said property values are finally on the way up.
“What that means is that properties have returned to a stable value and you are likely to sell for more than you have been able to in years,” she said.
The Keller Williams Tri-County Properties Red Key Team specializes in real estate in Medina, northern Stark, Wayne and Western Summit counties. As listing Realtors, the team is very familiar with all of these areas and offers a free comparative market analysis to determine what your home would likely sell for in today's market. For those looking to purchase a home, services in buyer representation are also free.
The Red Key Team is located at the Keller Williams Tri-County Properties office, 2425 Medina Road in Medina. Sharon Fletcher can be reached at 330-802-8938 or by email at ivegotyourkeys@gmail.com. Tony Bartinelli is available at 330-304-9744 or by email at tony.bartinelli@gmail.com.
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