Martin Signature Properties Offers Full Real Estate Services

Growing up in Maumee, brothers Derek (D.J.) and Nick Martin learned firsthand about rental property management.

“Our parents owned properties,” said D.J. “That was back in the days of landlines, so calls would come to the house. As a sixth-grader, I learned how to talk about the properties when I answered the phone.”

As owners of Martin Signature Properties, D.J. and Nick handle more than 150 properties valued over $10 million in both residential and commercial sectors. The Martins work closely with investors, buyers and sellers.

The St. John’s Jesuit High School graduates both have degrees in business marketing – D.J. from Bowling Green State University and Nick from University of Dayton. Both earned their real estate licenses after studying with Hondros Business College. 

Nick worked as an account manager for Angie’s List before moving back to Toledo and is a professional real estate investor. He and D.J. have worked closely for the past 10 years in their real estate investment company, and joined forces to start Martin Signature Properties in January. 

After over eight years as a real estate agent with Re/Max and Danberry Realtors, D.J. obtained his broker’s license, enabling him to open a full-service real estate brokerage.

In addition to helping buyers and sellers, Martin Signature Properties offers full-service property management, home staging and professional photography, local real estate market expertise and leasing of commercial, industrial, retail and residential space – thanks to two other Martin family members.

Sisters Kelly (Martin) Phillips and Katie Martin are both Notre Dame Academy graduates and licensed realtors who work for the family firm.

“We have the ability to offer a more robust suite of real estate services for investors in addition to helping buyers and sellers,” D.J. said.

While the multifamily inventory is tight right now, plenty of opportunities exist for investing in real estate, D.J. said. 

“Real estate is a great in-vestment because of the five ways it pays you,” he said. 

“Appreciation, cash flow after expenses, loan pay-down, tax benefits and inflation hedging. You can put down $40,000 and control a $200,000 asset, and the tenants are paying it down for you,” he explained. “We work with investors to run the numbers and project the cash flow and potential appreciation, and equity over a number of years.”

A focus on providing customers exactly what meets their needs is a priority, D.J. said. He pointed to some of the reviews by customers on Zillow. 

Bryan New, for example, was looking for properties as he moved to the area from Texas. D.J. showed him numerous homes.

“In the end, I bought a foreclosure through an auction site with his help,” New said. “I had many questions and he worked around the clock to help me. I would recommend D.J. to anyone. He even helped me with tradesmen that I need for repairs.”

Derek Eddings said D.J.’s communication skills made the process of home shopping painless – so much that he invited the realtor to his baby shower. 

Andraya Bunton agreed. “He was always fast to respond to any messages and got us in to look at properties very quickly,” she said. “I would recommend him to anyone.”

Clear communication, real-time transparency and maintaining the highest potential cash flow and property value are the missions for Martin Signature Properties, D.J. said.

“We aim to provide the best quality property management for investors seeking local expertise,” he said.

For more information, visit www.martin-property.com or call D.J. at (419) 290-6676.