Engel & Völkers on Thursday announced its entrance into two new Ohio markets: Columbus and Cleveland. Per the firm, an increasing number of consumers are seeking houses in these types of Midwest markets, “in the heart of America.”
Anthony Hitt, president and CEO of Engel & Völkers Americas says Columbus boasts of diverse neighborhoods, restaurants, cultural hubs and outdoor spaces with parks and water bodies, adding to the “draw of the midwest.”
“Engel & Völkers recently issued a report on the growing popularity of America’s heartland markets as consumers look to establish primary and secondary residences in affordable, community-oriented places that now offer many of the same lifestyle amenities as coastal markets,” Hitt said.
The Columbus location will be led by license partners Brad Winter, Paige Winter and Elias Pappan, while the Cleveland location will be led by Inna and Gary Muravin.
Hitt says Cleveland ranked among the top 50 real estate markets in the U.S., showing continual growth, which are some of the reasons why it was the right time for the entry of Engel & Völkers into the market.
“There are many affordable investment and growth opportunities for development, sale and rental properties in this market, which have resulted in some of the best long-term returns in the United States over the last ten years,” Hitt said.
The Columbus firm will leverage Engel & Völkers’ network and advisor resources to “expand their skills, network and global reach,” Paige Winter said.
The Winters, who are native to Ohio, have a combined professional experience of more than a decade in the real estate, business and leadership space, serving homebuyers and sellers in Central Ohio.
Pappan has prior experience in business entrepreneurship within the commercial and residential real estate industries.
Brad Winter said this was the most suitable time for the affiliation with Engel & Völkers, owing to the “massive shift” in the real estate market.
“They [consumers] want to be educated, informed and serviced at a higher level than ever before,” he said in a prepared statement. “This is how we have run our business since day one and aligning with a global brand that shares our values will only allow us to serve Columbus residents at a higher, more personal level.”
Inna Muravin serves as the managing broker of the Cleveland office, with more than 18 years of experience in real estate. She has also led the Distinct Home Group at Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan.
According to the statement, Muravins’ team has plans to expand their business throughout northeast Ohio and open four additional locations within six years.
The Cleveland office will be located in Landerwood Plaza in Pepper Pike and will serve Northeast Ohio markets, Cuyahoga, Summit, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Mahoning, Muskingum, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties, per the statement.
The Cleveland firm will work to introduce “a new standard of personalized luxury service across all price points” in the service areas, according to the release.
“Over the last decade, much of real estate has become very transactional and fast-paced, focused on the sale with little regard for quality and experience,” Inna Muravin said. “Consumer attitudes today are shifting back towards a desire for superior customer service. We want to bring these values together with some of the best real estate professionals in Northeast Ohio and change the status quo to provide the best quality of service not only to the consumer but also to those who work in the industry.”
This January, Engel & Völkers expanded into North Carolina with three new locations in the Carolina foothills, two in Morganton and one in Nebo.
