Here’s how The Incorvaia Team at Keller Williams Realty consistently sells more homes in the area
By Mimi Vanderhaven
As the son of esteemed real estate professionals, Mike and Sylvia Incorvaia, Mike Incorvaia Jr. literally grew up in the business. And it was to no one’s surprise that he pursued his license in 2006, joining his parents to form The Incorvaia Team.
Since then, they have put up some impressive numbers, which just keep skyrocketing. In 2018 alone, the team sold a whopping 579 homes ($136 million in volume), including the 100 Mike Jr. sold himself. The total also reflected the team’s commitment to helping both buyers and sellers: 341 were their own listings and 238 were assisting buyers of other agent listings.
So, is 579 a lot of homes? You bet. That number means The Incorvaia Team ranked number one in both units and volume sold in Strongsville and neighboring cities—including Berea, Columbia Station, Seven Hills, North Royalton, Parma and Brunswick—and in the top five in the state of Ohio.
In fact, they’ve sold more homes in Strongsville since 2005 than any agent with any brokerage.
Nationally, according The Wall Street Journal, Mike Jr. ranked in the top-selling 1,000 agents in the country. Impressive, considering there are 1.3 million Realtors in the U.S., a fact that places him squarely in the top 99.9%. Even HGTV’s hit show House Hunters took notice. When they were searching for an agent in our area, they called on Mike Jr. for a Strongsville episode. He did so well on his first appearance, they asked him to do a second episode.
And the hits keep coming: Though 2019 is just beginning, the team is already outpacing last year.
“For us, it’s a myth that business slows down during the winter months,” Mike Jr. says. “We had a killer December and January.”
Areas of expertise for the team include first-time home buyers, corporate relocation, luxury homes and new construction.
Rounding out The Incorvaia Team are four full-time administrative people, a listing manager, two transaction coordinators and a marketing/staging professional. The entire team works with both buyers and sellers.
Market Watch: Still Hot
“The market has shifted from what it was six months ago, but it’s still doing well,” Mike Jr. says. “Last summer we would see homes selling within the first day or two of coming on the market. That’s not happening as often now.”
He says the slow uptick in interest rates is most likely the cause.
“But homes in Strongsville particularly are selling quickly, and homeowners are getting 97-percent of their asking price,” he reports. “It’s an excellent time to sell, especially before rates rise any higher.”
He says pricing a home just right is both an art and a science, and that they rely on a specific set of metrics.
“The last place in the market you want to be right now is overpriced when you list,” he explains, “then find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to drop the price later after a potential buyer may have already been through the home, decided it was over their budget, and looked elsewhere.”
Standing Out on Social Media
Mike Jr. enjoys teaching about all the aspects of real estate to other Realtors in the area, and one of his favorite subjects is social media and its impact on promoting a home and building relationships. His passion for technology shows.
“Most agents say they specialize in social media, but they really don’t blanket the internet with ads about your home and get it in the eyes of the right people,” he says. “We create a competitive edge over others by employing listing tools and sponsoring targeted ads on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. I’d say in the past year, we’ve sold more than 50 homes off of Facebook alone. We don’t just put a sign in the yard and hope for the best.”
Just Say No to Zillow
The irony of the information age is that it has legitimized uninformed opinion, Mike Jr. adds. Many sites simply aggregate unconfirmed data or use general algorithms to draw specific conclusions, which can be hazardous. In fact, some sites list homes that aren’t even for sale. “Take Zillow, for example,” he says. “By their own admission they have a two-star rating on their home value estimates in the Cleveland market. Only 83% of homes here sell within 20% of Zillow’s estimate. On a $250,000 home, that’s a potential $50,000 miscue. That’s a lot of money. This is why you need a market analysis from a local, professional Realtor.”
The Incorvaia Team connects their clients with their own MLS search so they see accurate information immediately and are updated on the specific parameters related to just what they’re looking for.
Forging Lifelong Connections
Mike Jr. says he’s proud of his reputation as a strong communicator and as someone who connects with his clients and genuinely works to understand their unique needs—both buyers and sellers.
“People who work with us say the transaction runs seamlessly because we are totally transparent, upfront and knowledgeable,” he says. “With the systems we have in place, even if there is a little glitch in the process, we have the expertise to provide an immediate solution.”
He also mentions that once the transaction is over, the connections he and his parents have forged with the clients do not end.
“We are always a resource for our clients,” he says. “Everything we do is to help them reach their goals. We want clients for life.”
For the guy who readily admits to “eating, sleeping and breathing his business,” there’s isn’t a lot of time off. But when he’s not closing deals, you’re most likely to find Mike Jr. spending time with his wife, Cara, and adorable daughters, Natalia and Luciana, who will welcome a baby sister this summer.
The Incorvaia Team Keller Williams Realty is located at 16000, Suite 206, Pearl Road in Strongsville. They serve all of Northeast Ohio and can recommend an agent all across the globe. Call 440-454-2202 or email TheIncTeam@gmail.com to set up a free consultation with Mike, Sylvia or Mike Jr. to find out how well your home would fare in the current market. Visit SellWithMikeJr.com for more information and to get a market snapshot.