|
June 2004 Broker*Agent Magazine Article
Mark Kottman is that rare breed of REALTOR .... an industry leader who has dedicated his entire professional life to the residential real estate business. Mark is a 28-year veteran and is associated with the South Dayton Office of Real Living.Mark is a native of Dayton and graduate of Wright State University, where he obtained a degree in finance with a minor in accounting. He joined the real estate industry directly from college. After nearly three decades as a REALTOR, he contineus to enjoy every buyer and seller with whom he has the privilege to work. Prior to the company's purchase by Real Living in 2003, Mark was an associate partner with Execuitive REALTORS for over 20 years. "Real Living is an agent-centric organization. The company truly places their sales agents first. They offer their associates every tool they need to suceeded including state of the art technology, innovative marketing and relocation programs," he says. Although Mark works throught the Miami Valley, the majority of his business is centered in the South Dayton communities of Bellbrook, Centerville and Miamisburg. Mark assists buyers and sellers in every price range seeking to buy or sell existing homes or new construction. This results in a annual sales volume of approximately $5 million. Mark is the exclusive representative for custom home builder Bel Oak Realty, owned by Paul and Terry Gueltig. Ranging in price from $170-250, standard features of their homes include all brick construction, cathedral ceilings, direct vent gas fireplace, raised panel oak cabinets and poured patios. These items typically are upgrades with other builders. The Gueltigs are currently building in Terrington Place, located in Miamisburg, Ohio and will accomodate offsite building.
 | Mark emphasizes one particular Real Living service that greatly benefits his sellers. "Real Living's philosophy is to send all phone inquires about available homes to the listing agent. After all, nobody knows a home better than the real estate professional who has been hired to sell it! All calls are directed to my cell phone, available seven days a week from 6 am to 11 pm. Real Living also hosts a fantastic website which offers maximum exposure for our selling clients."In adition to marketing his listings via several websites, Mark distributes flyers to other REALTORS and sends 200 just listed postcards and 200 just sold postcards. "I have found that many buyers become knowledgeable about current listing from family members, neighbors, or friends. The postcards really work. They contribute to maximizing my seller's return on their home." Several websites provide incredible exposure to Mark's listings in addition to offering numerous services for buyers. "At www.markkottman.com, we have established a program that allows potential buyers to search homes, map out locations, review comparable active listings, and be alerted to new listings via the MLS. Clients can search for homes, financial information, school data, neighborhood details, and much more through this site. A search can be conducted locally, regionally or nationally, which is helpful to relocation clients."
|
While working with buyers, Mark feels it is his responsibility to provide guidance through every step of the process. "Since the beginning of my career, I have been committed to being educated on all aspects of our business. I pre-qualify my buyers so that they know their comfort level in price ranges and payments. I am very knowledgeable with the loan process and available loan programs. Many potential buyers are unaware that they can purchase even through they have less than perfect credit, or limited available funds." In addition, Mark provides all necessary forms prior to writing a contract. This gives the buyer an opporunity to become acquanited with the buying procedure.
In an age of real estate teams and personal assistants, Mark perfers the personal touch. "My 'team' consists of loan officers, title companies and inspectors with whom I routinely conduct business. I assist my clients through every step of the transaction.The Kottman family includes Mark's lovely wife, Lyn, and children Jennifer, 19, Nick 17, and Chris, 9. The family is active in their Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Township community. Mark is involved with Boy Scout Troop 375, the Bellbrook High School Marching Band, and is president of his neighborhood homeowners association. Throughout his career, Mark has ben an active member of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS (DABR). He is serving a second term as a memeber of the DABR Board of Directors. He chairs DABR's Forms Committee and serves on the Professional Standards Committee. Both DABR and the Ohio Association of REALTORS have presented Mark with awards for sales execellence every year since 1993.
|  |
 | Although Mark's business consists primarily of referral and repeat clients, he continues to host open houses every Sunday. Many new potential clients have the opporunity to meet him in this relaxed forum. "I am grateful for the clients who refer family and friends to me, and those who contact me again and again as their housing needs change." Mark says, "Hosting open houses has proven to be beneficial to showcase and sell my currnt listings and expand my referral network."How has Mark Kottman been successful in an industry that is known for a high turnover rate? Mark focuses on developing client relationships. "Clients must establish a level of confidence, comfort and trust with their REALTOR before they will commit to a working relationship. Even after the closing, my clients are ecouraged to call me with questions regarding refinancing, home improvement or other related topics. Most people have a family doctor, dentist or lawyer. I want my clients to consider me their family REALTOR." |
Integrity, Quality performance and Service is Mark's Pledge to you.MARK HIS WORD!
|
