Real Estate Showcase NEWS!

By BOBBY WARREN

Staff Writer

WOOSTER -- The real estate agency landscape in Wayne and surrounding counties is changing a little, even though it might still have the same feel.

Joseph Mast purchased Real Estate Showcase from Tom Davis, and he plans to continue with "business as usual."

The agency still will be locally owned, Mast said, and is not going to become a franchise. "We're not going in that direction," he said.

Many of the real estate agents remained with the agency.

While the Wooster office was not included in the change in ownership, Mast said he is opening a Wooster branch next to Tractor Supply Co. in the city's north end.

"Nothing has changed except the location," Mast said.

Mast joined Real Estate Showcase about nine years ago as an auctioneer. He became a real estate agent five years ago and became a partner more than a year ago.

The real estate market has been tough, but Mast said the auction portion of the business has doubled in the past year.

"Along with auctions, we need to have traditional real estate listings," Mast said. "Real Estate Showcase is one of the most established and trusted real estate companies in the area. I think it has a good name."

Part of the vision for the company is expanding in the Wooster market because it would be difficult to maintain a presence without an office, Mast added.

Fred Troyer, who had been with Bob Miller Realty for the past 12 years, will be the broker and manager of the new Wooster office, which was tentatively scheduled to open Jan. 18.

Four years ago, Troyer earned his broker's license, and it has been a goal of his to manage an office and serve as a broker.

"When this opportunity became available, it seemed like the perfect fit," Troyer said. "I get to stay in Wooster with a job I like."

When Mast purchased the company,
he said, "There was one name we decided we wanted to go after."

And that was Fred Troyer.

Troyer has been active in the Wayne-Holmes Realtors Association and has a good reputation in the industry, Mast said.

"He has all the qualities you want in an agent, broker or office manager," he added. "Whoever you talk to (about Troyer), it's always positive."

Troyer, who has been a million-dollar producer, will still continue to sell, "but my role will require less of that," he said.

Troyer is optimistic about the real estate market in 2010.

"We always think it is going to get better," Troyer said. "We feel better times are ahead. It is the only attitude we can have."

"If banks start lending, the local residential market will pick up," Mast said. "It's a great buying opportunity."

"There seems to be a pent-up demand, but the jobs need to come back," Troyer said. With the federal government extending its $8,000 tax credit to first-time homebuyers, Troyer said it might help to avoid the doldrums in January and February.

Mast said the third and fourth quarters of 2009 were a "huge rebound for the company," and he is looking for better times in 2010.

For more information about the Wooster office, call 330-264-6888.