Ovi’s love of the real estate business began as he worked alongside his father, a building contractor, while earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from George Baritiu University. After graduation, Ovi came to the United States to work as a crewmember for Celebrity Cruises, where he spent five years honing his customer service skills. While working on the ship, fate stepped in, and he met his wi
fe, Pittsburgh native Sara Botkin. “She was living in New York City at the time,” Ovi recalls. “A few months after we met, we traveled to Pittsburgh together to meet her family. I immediately fell in love with this town: the beautiful rolling hills, the friendliness of the people, and - as I was thinking about our future together - the affordable cost of living, particularly in the housing market! I asked her, ‘Why did you ever leave!?’” At Ovi’s urging, the pair moved back to Pittsburgh one month before their wedding. Ovi became a proud United States citizen in 2005. He says, “My dream was to become an American, because I knew that in this country, anything is possible for any person who is willing to work hard.” Indeed, shortly after arriving in Pittsburgh, he won a position in the title insurance department of National Real Estate Information Services in Crafton, eventually advancing to the accounting division of that firm. In 2008 he joined the Peters Township office of Howard Hanna as a licensed sales associate, and he was named "Rookie of the Year" after his first year with the company. Other honors include his election to the 2010 Board of Directors of the Washington-Greene Association of Realtors (WGAR), the 2010, 2011 and 2012 "Circle of Excellence" award from the WGAR with special recognition for top volume, Howard Hanna's Peters Township Office's "Residential Sale Unit Leader" award, and inclusion in the company's prestigious "Champion's Club." In addition, Ovi has been named Site Coordinator of The Overlook, an elite new home development in Peters Township.
“I love working for Howard Hanna,” he asserts. “This company has so many advantages for me to pass onto my clients [see below], and I believe it is by far the best real estate company in Pittsburgh. What I love most about Howard Hanna is the people: my manager has worked closely with my buyers, sellers, and me to ensure smooth, timely transactions, and the agents here are supportive of each other, working together to connect buyers and sellers and to help all parties reach their goals quickly and effectively. I also am proud to work for a company with a firm charitable commitment to our local community.”
Call Ovi today (direct: 724-263-4102) to discuss your home buying or selling needs, and check out the "Buyers & Sellers" tab for more information about how he can help. In Ovi, you will have a passionate advocate with the drive to help you find the right home, or the right buyer, for you.
