Whether buying or selling a home, searching for an investment property, or exploring a new market, the real estate agent you choose to work with can make all the difference. We’ve compiled the top questions to ask prospective agents to help you make the best choice.
1. How long have you been a full-time real estate agent in my market?
Experience matters in real estate. Agents with significant local experience can provide insights into neighborhood trends and property values, which is important for making informed decisions. Understanding the nuances of the community where you’re buying or selling provides valuable insight into factors like schools, amenities, upcoming developments, and zoning regulations. This also helps ensure your home is priced competitively or you’re not overpaying as a buyer.
2. Have you established connections with other local professionals?
Having reliable contacts such as lenders, inspectors, contractors, and repair specialists can facilitate a smoother transaction process.
3. How many homes did your agency sell last year?
Understanding the sales volume for both the agent and the brokerage is a good way to gauge their experience and expertise. High sales volume suggests the agent knows how to navigate the market effectively and is skilled in negotiating deals that close successfully. For the agency, a strong sales performance highlights the strength of the entire team, resources, and network – all of which can benefit you.
4. Can you provide references?
Hearing from past clients can give you valuable insight into what it’s like to work with an agent. If they can’t provide references, it might be a red flag.
5. What’s your preferred method of communication and availability?
Understanding an agent’s preferred communication method ensures everyone is on the same page for timely updates, which can be critical in an active housing market. Whether they prefer phone calls, emails, or texts, understanding how they best operate – and if it aligns with your lifestyle and preferences – helps avoid miscommunication, speeds up response times, and fosters better collaboration.
6. How will you market my home?
If you’re selling, it’s essential to know how your agent plans to get your home in front of potential buyers. A solid marketing strategy might include online listings, social media promotion, and virtual tours.
7. How many of your clients are buyers? How many are sellers?
Many agents specialize in either working with buyers or sellers. Asking about the ratio of buyers to sellers can help determine if the agent’s expertise aligns with your needs—whether you’re buying or selling.
8. What is your average list-to-sale ratio?
This question helps you understand how effectively an agent prices homes and negotiates offers, providing insight into their skills in achieving favorable sales outcomes.
Our team at Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate is committed to helping you navigate the Columbus housing market. Our experienced agents have in-depth knowledge of the local housing market and can help you find the perfect home to meet your needs and budget or sell your home with confidence. Contact us today to get started.
For many, your home will be your largest investment. Along with other factors like income, savings, and investments, equity in your home plays a significant role in your financial growth.
In the world of real estate, equity isn’t just a number – it’s a game-changer when it comes to buying and selling homes. It provides homeowners peace of mind and can open doors to new opportunities. The more equity you have, the more options you have. It can help you upgrade to a bigger place, fund a child’s education, or even start a business.
Additionally, when it’s time to sell, a home with solid equity is often more appealing to buyers. They see it as a sign of a well-maintained property and a smart investment. So, whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, understanding and building equity is key to making the most of your real estate journey.
What is Equity?
Put simply, equity is the difference between what your home is worth on the market and what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your home is valued at $450,000 and you owe $300,000 on your mortgage, you have $150,000 in equity. For homeowners, this value can represent a significant portion of their net worth and financial leverage. The more equity you have, the stronger your financial position.
How Equity Builds Over Time
Equity can also grow or shrink depending on various factors. Property value appreciation, for instance, can further boost your equity. Home improvements, if done strategically, can also contribute to growing equity. On the other hand, market downturns or declining property values can reduce your equity, impacting your financial flexibility.
Why Equity Matters for Homeowners
For sellers, equity means profit. If you’ve built up substantial equity, you can leverage it when selling your home to move up to a larger property, reinvest in other real estate, or save it for future needs like paying for a renovation or your child’s education. For buyers, understanding equity helps in making offers and planning for future financial stability. It’s not just about the purchase price; it’s about seeing a property as a long-term investment that builds wealth over time.
At Vutech | Ruff, we understand the importance of building and leveraging equity in your home-buying or selling journey. Our experienced team of agents keeps an eye on market trends, helping you to determine the best time to sell.
More than that, we believe that listening to your needs first is what builds a strong partnership in which we can work best together. Things like requirements, budget, and lifestyle must be at the forefront of our goals. The best time to buy or sell is different for everyone and Vutech | Ruff is ready to help you start to build your equity.
Tell us a little bit about your path to becoming a realtor.
I started out in architecture college prep in high school and went to the University of Denver for a Business major and a leadership minor. After school, I worked for Lowes Hotels management training program, then moved to Chicago and worked for US Chrome in outside sales for their racing division. I moved back to Columbus in 2013 to get into real estate, I worked at Lindey’s across the street from V&R while getting my license and starting my business. For the first 5 years of my Real Estate Career, I built my business while assisting Jeff and Marilyn in being their third Realtor for showings, writing contracts, etc. Learning the business from the two best in town working with them on a daily basis taking what I could from each mentor something that I could apply to my own business and building my knowledge and expertise rapidly. I got thrown directly into the fire on a daily basis.
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
An architect. I loved building Legos without the instructions, being creative. I also liked electronics and technology, playing with the old computers as/and before the internet became a household staple with AOL.
Why did you choose to become a realtor?
I have a passion for communication, meeting people, and relating to anyone. My business is about building quality relationships and I really enjoy that piece. Real Estate is a people business as much or more than a home business. I worked in service or sales since I was 15 years old and never had a real 9-5 job. For me, being in a job where the effort you put in affects the income you get out was ideal because I knew I could outwork most and hold myself to a high standard.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Central Ohio?
I think it’s the quality of living most. Affordable, easy to get around, amazingly friendly people. Somewhere no matter that we are the 14th biggest city in the country I run into someone, or lots of people I know at every Crew Game, Cosi with my kids, a local restaurant, or at the grocery store. I moved back here to Columbus to be closer to family because after living in Denver and Chicago during the first decade of the 2000s, Columbus was growing and had a lot of things to offer now that I had gone out and searched for in those bigger cities.
What excites you the most about the Central Ohio housing market?
We are really going through a sort of adolescence or growth spurt. There are so many shifts that are happening. People moving from out of state in mass. There is a shift towards local neighborhood centers like Bridge Park, Downtown Hillard, Creekside Gahanna, Main Street Bexley, Astor Park(around the new Crew Stadium) etc, that is adding exciting amenities to each individual neighborhood, there’s always something new and cool to explore in each pocket of Columbus. The appreciation over the last 10 years has been really extraordinary and I expect that to continue and provide equity for home Buyers and opportunities for home sellers as interest rates settle post-COVID.
Describe your typical day for us.
Get my two boys off to school, often start my day with a workout or studying the recent news or equity markets, and learn something new. Then before lunch start diving into growth pieces of my business and marketing. After Lunch is client follow-up, showings, and phone calls. If I’m not in appointments late afternoon, I’m always with my boys, playing outside with them or goofing around in their toy room. Then I cook dinner for my family 4-6 nights a week, cooking is the way I express creativity on a daily basis and take a deep breath from busy days. Get the boys to bed and then 3-5 nights during the work week I am back in my home office for a few hours to dive into a little bit more work while things are quiet and I’m not getting that many phone calls or emails.
What sets Vutech | Ruff, Cuter Real Estate apart from other brokerages?
I think the collaboration in a team of experts is what is the most important piece. We are a team of experts teaching each other, helping each other be better every single day. That makes us powerful, knowledgeable, and ahead of the market and provides more opportunities for us and our clients. We have agents in almost every market around town and therefore insights everywhere. Because of this I can sell and help my clients in every market, not just one small zip code.
What special skills or talents do you have that others may not know about?
Cooking. I love to learn new things and skills across the board but that translates to cooking especially because on top of that is a level of creativity. I rarely cook with recipes and I seek opportunities to learn new skills in the kitchen, experiment, and provide for others new food or meals. Get’s 1 or 2 new recipes a week, for better or worse lol.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I have a beautiful wife and two young boys. My kids are turning 2 and 5 in October. We live in New Albany. We enjoy playground time, playing with neighborhood friends, sports inside and outside the house, going to COSI and The Franklin Park Conservatory. My wife is from New Orleans and we often go there for holidays including Mardi Gras every year to enjoy the culture and spend time with our friends and family down there. My wife and I have been married since 2016, as a couple we enjoy traveling, outdoor walks, trying new restaurants and dishes.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy family time, cooking, watching lots of sports(Soccer, football, F1, basketball).
What are three things you can’t live without?
My family, a sporting event to be excited about, and something new to get excited about (technology, food, something new to learn). If we are talking about physical items: My iPhone (to explore the world and stay in contact), a pair of Jordans, and a car to get somewhere out of the house.
What do you love about your job?
I love the opportunities to work with all sorts of people and help them navigate one of the most challenging transactions of their lives, I get to make so many new clients/friends per year. My office is the city of Columbus, not just our German Village location or my home office, it changes every day and can be wherever I want. There is always something new to learn, every single day. It’s a constant new challenge that I wake up and attack every day. There is nothing boring, normal or consistent. I get to be all over the city weekly. I also enjoy owning my own business, working on the growth of a small business and everything that goes along with that, above and beyond showing houses, I have to know how to be a great marketer, investor, communicator, digital/print advertiser, deep knowledge about conditions of homes and sociological predictions.
Tell us a little bit about your path to becoming a realtor.
I was born in German Village but my family moved out to Delaware when I was three years old. After graduating from Columbus School for Girls, I got my undergraduate degree at Miami of Ohio.
After spending a few years in hospitality and sales in Chicago, I knew I was meant to be in a business in which I could ultimately make my own path. My parents both started their own businesses in their early 30’s which instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in me from a young age.
I got my license in 2015 and was a broker on a top producing team in Chicago from 2015-2022. When we moved back to Columbus, I joined Vutech | Ruff of Cutler Real Estate.
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I have always been drawn to beautiful things and spaces. I think I would have said something in the fashion world at that age. I did an internship with Victoria’s Secret in Columbus and various retail experiences in Chicago after college. Ultimately, I found real estate to be the perfect marriage of design and being able to help people find the home and lifestyle that suits their personal needs.
Why did you choose to become a realtor?
I grew up listening to my mom, Marilyn, on the phone with clients as we made the drive from our house to CSG, which was a trek! Real estate was part of the dinner conversation, and I learned a lot about the business through listening and observing at a young age.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Central Ohio?
I love the people and how easily accessible everything is. I grew up in a family that was always driving all over town for various reasons. We have our favorite baker in Worthington, market in Upper Arlington, coffee in German Village…the list goes on. I love that it’s easy to be anywhere I need to be in a reasonable amount of time. With that said, I also welcome the growth we are experiencing and expecting in central Ohio. Having OSU as a hub here brings together a mixture of diverse thinkers and educators. I truly feel lucky to call Columbus home.
What excites you the most about the Central Ohio housing market?
Columbus is full of unique subdivisions and “mini markets” that all have their own flavors and offerings. I love helping clients navigate what feels right to them. The housing market is dynamic and it’s exciting that every day and client experience is unique.
Describe your typical day for us.
The only thing typical about my days is that there is nothing typical about them! A typical week would consist of any combination of popping in and out of the Athletic Club of Columbus, our office in German Village, Pistacia Vera for a coffee, or meeting a client for a showing or a trade for an inspection. My son Will and I also go on various adventures around town. He’s a very active little guy and the more activities for him the better.
What sets Vutech | Ruff, Cuter Real Estate apart from other brokerages?
Experience. Network. Reputation.
What special skills or talents do you have that others may not know about?
I have a real passion for decorating and design. I think my eye for it allows me to help clients envision spaces and see themselves in them.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I have a son, William, who just turned two years old. My husband Danny is a Chicago native who is a managing partner at Capital Heathcare Properties. My mom, dad, and sister Anna are all real estate agents on the Vutech | Ruff team.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
We often jump in the car for “adventure walks” and drive somewhere new to explore and walk around. We love to check out new places, parks, and things to do. We spend time with friends and family and enjoy going to the Athletic Club of Columbus, Franklin Park Conservatory, and the Zoo.
What are three things you can’t live without?
My family, pets, and coffee.
What do you love about your job?
I love getting to help and meet new people. The ability to be part of someone’s real estate journey is a privilege. The process is completely different from deal to deal. Different personalities, different homes…I thrive in the challenge of helping the process move as smoothly as possible. I’m also passionate about matching buyers with properties and helping them visualize themselves in the space. On the flip side, there are so many layers to maximizing a home’s value to get a seller top dollar. Helping people make informed, educated decisions is the foundation of what I love about my work.
Tell Us a little bit about your path to becoming a Realtor:
My parents moved to Ohio when I was a senior in high school. When they were on their house hunting trip I came along and as upset as I was about moving, leaving my friends, etc. That trip stayed with me. I was fascinated with the agent and the process of looking at homes as I had never moved before. I went off to college and after I came home (without a clue as to what I was going to do) I had a conversation with my parents and my father reached out to his Realtor and asked her to give me a shot. Little did I know at the time that they had no desire to take a chance on a 22-year-old kid, as at that time the industry was made up of older people, retirees, and part-time agents. I became licensed at 22 years old and haven’t looked back since.
I have worked in residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, and for 15 years I owned a Title Agency, but came back to residential sales, as that is where my heart has always been.
Flashbackas a 10-year-old kid. What did you want to become?
A Nurse, as I always wanted to help people. Little did I know then that is exactly what I get to do every day, just in a different capacity.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Central Ohio?
The seasons. Ohio is beautiful all of the time! Each season brings its own beauty.
What excites you most about the Central Ohio Housing Market?
The growth and the direction we are going. It literally changes every day. It continues to grow and improve; the appreciation values are incredible, and we don’t see it slowing down. It’s a great place to invest.
Typical Day:
There is nothing typical about my days as no 2 are the same the only consistency is my mornings and evenings:
Wake up between 5 and 6 am, take care of my cats and plants, meditate and exercise, in the shower, and be ready for the day coffee in hand by 8:00 am. My typical day morning consists of Social Media posting/film/editing, database work for my past, present, and future clients, and Client outreach or preparation work. The middle of the day varies depending on what is going on but showing homes, attending inspections, closings, walk-throughs, listing appointments, working with agents in the office, marketing, and the list goes on! My evenings usually consist of cooking dinner, volunteer work, and time with friends and family.
What sets Vutech Ruff apart from other brokerages:
The people. Our team is an amazing group of individuals who are collaborative, humble professional, and hardworking. Always willing to lend a hand to help. We also have a lot of fun together; weekly office meetings always involve a lot of laughter. It’s amazing when you can work and laugh with the same group of people.
Special Skills and Talents:
I love to cook and bake. I’m known to bring a great from-scratch cake or throw a wonderful dinner party.
Tell us a little about your family:
I’m lucky enough to have a blended family. I have 1 amazing son and 3 stepkids and 1 daughter in law.
Although they are all grown and on their own, my favorite times are when we are together.
I have amazing parents who are in great health and that I love to spend time with and a wonderful brother and his family. Our family gatherings are some of the highlights of my life.
In the fall my brother and I go away for a week with my parents every year, just the 4 of us like when we were kids. Spouses and Kids are not invited. We head to the beach and just spend quality time with each other. This year will be our 10th anniversary trip and we cherish every moment of it. I consider my family my greatest accomplishment.
In my spare time:
I honestly don’t get a lot of spare time but (Don’t laugh)I love to clean! There is just something so satisfying about working on a great home project and completing it.
Tell us a little bit about your path to becoming a realtor…Education background, work experience.
I went to college both at Kent State University and The Ohio State University. I spent years in the hospitality industry and in Business to Business sales before becoming a licensed agent in 2015.
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
The President of The United States of America
Why did you choose to become a realtor?
In 2014, I was looking for a career change and a friend said to me, “You are such a champion of this city, and you love helping people who are new to Columbus in finding the best neighborhoods, restaurants, etc. You should look into selling real estate”. I decided to research the industry, met with a few brokers, and took about a year to think it through before deciding to take the plunge and get my license in 2015.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Central Ohio?
I live downtown and I love that there is always something to do in my free time whether it be taking a scenic walk down the Scioto Mile, meeting friends for dinner and drinks in the Short North, or spending a relaxing afternoon in Goodale or Schiller Park.
What excites you the most about the Central Ohio housing market?
Columbus has a very strong housing market and local economy. I am excited to see my city continue to grow and bring in talented professionals from around the country who are looking for an affordable city that has a lot to offer in the way of diversity, the arts, and business opportunities.
Describe your typical day for us.
I am a firm believer in having a morning ritual to start your day off right. I like to begin with a cup of coffee and one of my favorite podcasts. I am mindful not to look at my emails or social media first thing in the morning so that I have time instead to set intentions for the day and start my workday with a good attitude. I work throughout the day, taking time for a midday workout and often work throughout the evening – whether that be out on listing appointments, showings, or writing/negotiating an offer. No matter how busy my day is, I always end the day by writing down something I’m grateful for and adding it to my gratitude jar and reading before bed.
What sets Vutech | Ruff, Cuter Real Estate apart from other brokerages?
Our team is a true family of top-tier agents who value each other and our clients. We truly care about the work we do and we spend a lot of time learning how to grow as real estate experts in an ever-changing market to best serve our Seller and Buyer clients.
What special skills or talents do you have that others may not know about?
Albert Einstein once said, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious”
Instead, I’ll tell you a fun fact that most people don’t know: I am obsessed with Jeopardy! and my dream is to one day be a contestant on the show.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I have two elderly cats. That’s it lol
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to travel, hike, play golf, go to concerts, art exhibits, festivals and plays. I spend time volunteering in my community and run a fundraiser every year to provide both foster children and children in domestic violence shelters with Christmas gifts.
We are proud of the team we have built at Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate. Our team of qualified agents stands as the cornerstone of our real estate agency, bringing a wealth of experience, expertise, and dedication to guide you through your real estate journey.
We are excited to share more about the team behind Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate. Keep reading to get to know Emily Knoppe.
Tell us a little bit about your path to becoming a realtor…Education background, work experience
I graduated from OSU with a Degree in Design. I always loved all things that had to do with houses. I worked as a designer for a number of years and in 2008 started working sales. I have been able to combine my love for homes and my competitive nature for sales to create my dream job.
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I absolutely wanted to be a Veterinarian. I have such a passion for animals and I always want to be helping them. When I was little I would help all of the animals out of the window wells so that they had a chance of survival. I could never leave a hurt animal without helping it and I hated to see them scared. I always tried to make sure they felt they were safe with me.
Why did you choose to become a realtor?
I believe because I am highly competitive, I like working with people, I don’t ever want a desk job, and mainly because of my passion for design.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Central Ohio?
It’s easy and it feels like home. There is never too much traffic, it’s never really too hot or too cold (I have to live somewhere where there is a change in seasons), it’s affordable, and it’s where my family is.
What excites you the most about the Central Ohio housing market?
I want to say the challenge but what I find really hard these days is getting Buyers and Sellers to not believe the “news” and understand that we live in a bit of a bubble here. What excites me is being able to talk with clients, friends and family about the knowledge that we have as Realtors and what we really provide to Buyers and Sellers. I find it exciting when a client of mine really sees my “value”.
Describe your typical day for us
I get to set the alarm the night before based on my day, meaning, I don’t have a set schedule. Everyday is different. Some days I don’t leave my house and some days I leave at 8AM and don’t get home until 8PM. I guess my typical day would involve, dropping my son off at school, working a bit, working out, working a bit more, picking up my son, working a bit, and then hanging out with the family.
What sets Vutech | Ruff, Cuter Real Estate apart from other brokerages?
I can’t speak for other Teams but what I can say is that we are a group of people that love to have fun and laugh. We support each other, we are each others cheerleaders, and we are healthy competitors. I look at my teammates for the drive to be better and to get better at what I do. Jeff and Marilyn have been in this business a long time and even they will admit that they don’t always have the answers. We have our own little family and it feels good to be a part of this group.
What special skills or talents do you have that others may not know about?
I am really good with color. I think it goes hand in hand with my design background but I can see colors in other colors so I believe I do a good job helping people make good choices. I have a passion for design and I am consistent wanting to change things in our home. The easiest and least expensive way I have figured out to do this is with pillows, paint, and fixtures. Updating a home with paint and fixtures like plumbing and lighting can go a long way in Real Estate.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I live in Worthington with my husband and 8 year old son. My husband is a Real Estate Investor and people always ask if we talk work a lot. The answer is yes, we both love what we do so we both find it interesting to hear about the other’s day. We bounce ideas off each other and respect each others knowledge in the business. I grew up in Worthington and my husband grew up in Powell yet our paths never crossed until we were both out of college even though we knew a lot of the same people. Our son is a busy body, he is very social and loves to be around people. His teacher called him the “mayor” of the classroom this year. He is into baseball and hockey right now and also plays soccer, basketball, and football. My parents still live in the house I grew up at in Worthington. They have a beautiful lot on the Olentangy River. We live 5 minutes apart which has been amazing for our son to have quality time with them.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I started to enjoying working in the yard. When my husband and I bought our home it was in need of a lot of work. I had a love hate relationship with our yard for a long time because there were a lot of weeds and overgrowth. If its warm and I can put on music and get outside I will. I love the transformation.
What are three things you can’t live without? Besides the obvious of Family and Friends.
Animals – We recently lost our Dog of 12 years and thankfully we have a cat. I don’t think I could live in a home with no animals. They are so amazing.
Starbucks – I love my coffee in the morning. I love the smell and the taste. You can almost always catch me with a Starbucks in my hand.
Fall – I love all things Fall. The crisp in the air, Halloween, scary movies, outdoor fires, the changing leaves. There is nothing better then a chill in the air, watching a scary movie with a blanket, and a good/drink snack.
Finding your dream home is one thing. Your dream experience is another. Contact us to discuss.
We are proud of the team we have built at Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate. Our team of qualified agents stands as the cornerstone of our real estate agency, bringing a wealth of experience, expertise, and dedication to guide you through your real estate journey.
We are excited to share more about the team behind Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate. Keep reading to get to know Kate Giller.
Tell us a little bit about your path to becoming a realtor
After graduating from college, I returned to Columbus and worked in private banking with Bank One, now JP Morgan Chase, before deciding to stay home with my three young children. By the time the youngest was in grade school, I knew I wanted to go back to work. I worked in a few different fields before electing to go into residential real estate.
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I truly had no idea. I would have been inclined for a career in business.
Why did you choose to become a realtor?
My husband and I had renovated two homes and I loved real estate. Our habit of renovating continues today.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Central Ohio?
The people and the energy. Certainly not the weather!
What excites you the most about the Central Ohio housing market?
The Central Ohio housing market can be a real challenge for Buyers, and as of the past few months it is now a challenge for Sellers as well. I have the diligence to stick with clients for years until they find the right home. I do like data and the Central Ohio housing market is always providing interesting data because our housing demand consistently outpaces our supply.
What sets Vutech | Ruff, Cuter Real Estate apart from other brokerages?
Experience and Connections
Experience – we have a team of experienced realtors always discussing new strategies.
Connections – We are connected with other top realtors and our client base serves as a tremendous benefit to both our Sellers and our Buyers.
What special skills or talents do you have that others may not know about?
I don’t have any superpowers, but I am long on diligence and drive.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I have three grown children. The eldest daughter lives in Austin, Texas, my son lives in NYC and my youngest daughter is a junior in college at Boston College.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to work out. It actually helps keeps my mind organized.
What are three things you can’t live without?
A good outdoor space, some quiet in my day, and exercise
Finding your dream home is one thing. Your dream experience is another. Contact us to discuss.
