Agent Spotlight: Greg Collins

We are proud of the team we have built at Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate. Our team is the cornerstone of our real estate agency, bringing a wealth of experience, expertise, and dedication to guide you through your journey.  

We are excited to share more about the team behind Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate. Keep reading to get to know Greg Collins.

Tell us a little bit about your path to becoming a realtor…Education background, work experience.

I earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Kentucky, and spent the next six years as a copywriter for various businesses and institutions such as Nationwide Insurance and Ohio Wesleyan University.

I joined the Vutech & Ruff team in 2018, originally in a logistics capacity, but have since expanded my role by becoming a licensed Realtor. I wear many hats, striving to add value with my flexibility and versatility.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Major League Baseball pitcher.

Why did you choose to become a realtor?

To make myself a more valuable asset to Jeff and Marilyn.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Central Ohio?

The people. I find the people of Columbus to be representative of the most reasonable sort of American. We benefit from the vast and diverse “marketplace of ideas” that exists within a city of this size that is also welded to a massive and excellent institution of higher education.

Columbus has been said to have an identity crisis ever since it became the capital in 1816. After having lived here for so many years, I believe that perception is due in large part to the attitude of its population; we’re balanced and measured rather than extreme. We’re proud but not self-aggrandizing. So, crafting a certain identity the rest of the state or country can use to more easily understand us simply isn’t a priority. People in Columbus tend to know how good they have it and that’s infectious.

What excites you the most about the Central Ohio housing market?

Growth is limitless, and so the opportunities are too. The presence of Ohio State means we will always be young. The recent investment our state (and country) has made in making Ohio a crucial global producer will mean there will be plenty of runway for that youth to grow and prosper. There are obstacles, but I’m excited by the rock-solid foundation and the potential.

Describe your typical day for us.

Typically, I drive around the city installing signs and lockboxes, collecting, and delivering checks, solving problems with our team’s various listings, and showing homes to Jeff’s and Marilyn’s clients when they would otherwise be double-booked. Days get very busy when I have all that to do in addition to serving my own clients.

What sets Vutech | Ruff, Cuter Real Estate apart from other brokerages?

I’ve not experienced any other teams, but I can’t imagine there are many made up of such skilled high producers who are all devoted to doing the right thing by their clients, teammates, and the public. The amount of attention and resources paid to various forms of philanthropy is especially inspiring.

What special skills or talents do you have that others may not know about?

I don’t always find enough time for it, but I enjoy storytelling in all its forms especially filmmaking. I’ve done a fair amount of screenwriting and acting ever since I was a kid, and I’ll always love that thrill of storytelling.

Tell us a little bit about your family.

Education is of great importance to my parents. Between the two of them they’ve become a valedictorian, graduated from the oldest and most prestigious high school in the country, and earned four college degrees including a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

Although my siblings and I didn’t live up to those achievements, our family remains very close because the one thing my parents valued more than academic success was instilling an unwavering commitment to kindness, empathy, and justice, and I feel we’re all bound by that foundation for how to live.

My sister is a published poet, an animal cruelty investigator, and a mother of two girls. My brother is a recent and decorated graduate of the police academy. I’m very proud of them both. My mother, Mary Collins is a private writing teacher, as well as an English professor at Columbus State University. My father, Neil Collins runs a business incubator called Innovate New Albany and teaches marketing at Dennison University.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I enjoy my fiancé and watching sports (like all the sports).

What are three things you can’t live without?

My fiancé, my family, and the works of my heroes, especially Vonnegut, Orwell, Hesse, Kubrick, and Paul Thomas Anderson.

Finding your dream home is one thing. Your dream experience is another. Contact us to discuss.  

 

What To Expect in the Central Ohio Housing Market: Fall 2023 

When we talk about the housing market in Central Ohio, the common theme is around interest rates – higher rates. Sellers only want to sell if necessary, and buyers continue to have difficulty finding homes due to low inventory.  

It can be hard to understand what is happening right now, as well as what to expect as we head into the final quarter of 2023. Based on our years of experience, here are three trends we expect to continue in the Central Ohio housing market this fall. 

Sellers will have a decision to make 

Sellers are deciding if they really “have” to move. The frenzy of record-high housing prices we have seen over the last few years is starting to cool down as the market is trending toward stabilization. 

Keep in mind that many homeowners have established equity in their homes and are sitting on a mortgage payment with a record low of 2-4% interest rate. In fact, the Columbus Board of Realtors recently reported that between January 1 and June 30, homes, on average, appreciated by over 20%. And they will continue to increase in value, contributing to higher home prices. 

The good news is that we are seeing an increase in inventory and fewer bidding wars.  

Buyers regain negotiating power 

Now that the buyers have more options, they have gained some leverage. While still contingent on factors including financial situation, property, neighborhood, etc., buyers are beginning to see opportunities such as:

  • • Opportunities for negotiation 
  • • The ability to offer under-asking if they have cash 
  • • Less money out of pocket 
  • • Less waiving of appraisals, contingencies, etc.

Less focus on interest rates 

Interest rates are higher; there is no way to avoid that. But there are other ways to save money when buying a new home in the current market. Remember those opportunities for negotiation that we mentioned?  

Our seasoned real estate expert Jacquie Goumas Fox notes, “People have grown accustomed to the higher interest rates. They have accepted them for what they are and factor that into their budget.”  

The bottom line 

The supply/demand imbalance will continue in Central Ohio. With the news of Intel, there are plenty of economic drivers for business, and entertainment opportunities are abundant. The fact is that while we have always known that Central Ohio is a great place to live, the rest of the world is figuring it out for themselves and the desire to live here will remain high.  

When you are ready to have a conversation about buying or selling, turn to our trusted team at Vutech | Ruff to help you navigate the complexities of the Central Ohio real estate market. We go beyond the standard practice and work collaboratively and creatively to help you reach your desired outcome.

It’s one thing to find your dream home, it’s another to have your dream experience. 

The Vutech | Ruff Way

The Vutech | Ruff Way

With the real estate market on a never-ending “rollercoaster” of highs (interest rate hikes) to lows (low inventory), it is no wonder why it is so challenging to navigate the complexities of buying and selling a home. This is why we have stood by our #1 goal, and that is to make the process as easy as possible for our customers.   

We were recently asked the question; how do you best describe an experience with Vutech | Ruff brokerage? We believe it is these six points that differentiate us from others in the industry.   

  • Simply put, we know Central Ohio. From the schools to the communities to all those “little things” you just would not know about Central Ohio unless you have lived and worked here your entire life. Marilyn Vutech and Jeff Ruff have been partners since 1993 and boast a team of fourteen licensed agents who specialize in all areas of real estate, including buying, selling, investing, and relocation to Central Ohio. Inside track? We think so!  

  • In this challenging market, experience is KEY. Not only has Vutech | Ruff been serving Columbus, Ohio for over three decades, but we recently joined the Cutler Real Estate brand which has been helping people buy and sell homes for 75 years. Their core values emulate ours and our combined experience and expertise are unparalleled in the market.   

  • We offer effective strategies and superior services. Buying and selling homes looks a lot different now than it did just a few years ago. Technology and digital spaces have never played such an integral role in real estate, which makes the access to tools and resources that we have since joining the Cutler Real Estate brand simply invaluable. And, frankly, they are tools that others in our industry do not have.   

  

“The technology and support from Vutech | Ruff, and the constant commitment to excellence, gives them a very boutique-like feel without feeling antiquated.”  

  

  • Our combined team approach works. From open houses to showings to just “having each other’s back”, our commitment to one another and our clients comes across in everything we do. When asking our clients for words to describe our team, we were given “professional, down-to-earth, and very reliable.”  

  • We personalize…everything. 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.   

  • Dream homes are one thing. Your dream experience with the process is another. We understand the emotional toll that listing and/or searching for your home can take on you and your family. We hope to make the process as easy as possible- from home inspectors and mortgage brokers to lawyers and contractors, we can connect you with the best in the business.   

The real estate process is complex, and our goal is to make it smooth and stress-free for you. Our “all-in” approach and out-of-the-box thinking, along with our years of experience and expertise allow us to deliver the highest quality of service to you. This is how we describe the Vutech | Ruff experience.