This spring, you may be faced with a choice:
Do you renew for another year at an increased rent or do you jump into real estate and finally become a homeowner?

If you think you’ll stay in your area for 5+ years and have a steady income, now could be the perfect time for you to start your real estate journey.
Once you’ve decided that you want to buy a home, you can begin the home buying process.

Here’s how you should plan to spend the next few months!

First Things First: This is the time to start learning about the home buying process! Go look up some resources for homebuyers, ask your family and friends how they bought their first home, and start getting into the real estate state of mind. We have tons of insight and connections of the mortgage and lawyer side of things as well, so you will be well taken care of with us!

Next: Once you have a handle on how buying a home works, it’s time to get pre-approved. Research lenders, get recommendations, and shop around for a lender you like that has the best rates for you. Your lender will look at your finances and tell you how much of a mortgage you’re likely to qualify for. You’ll get a shiny pre-approval letter that you can show to sellers to put you ahead of other buyers. Not sure where to start with this, again we can help you 100%. We work with some amazing local mortgage brokers and have connections at many major financial institutions as well!

March/April: This is when the spring home buying season is in full force, which means that it’s time to start looking at homes! Your Evoy agent will help you find homes to see, set up showings, and walk you through each home to show you the pros and cons of each property. We will help you find the best property for your lifestyle and you will have our team to guide you through the entire buying process.

Imagine that in just a couple months you could be well on your way to being in your own home. Sounds way better than paying another year of astronomical rent, doesn’t it?

To be aligned with this timeline and ready for this spring real estate rush, you need to connect with your real estate agent today. If you don’t have an agent yet, send us a message! We have a team of agents who love to house hunt! 

Many people think that selling in the winter is a bad move. With all the holidays and the cold, it might not be your first choice in timing. Buyers still need houses, even in the winter! In fact, we have seen that Buyers this time of the year are a LOT more serious. 
With this in mind, let’s get you ready so that you’ll know how to get your house ready to sell for top dollar this winter.

Keep your Pathway and Entrance free from snow.
Make it easy for buyers to get into your home. Additionally, you don’t want to make it seem like it’s hard to maintain your outdoor spaces in the winter, so a clear entrance is key!

Brighten up Every Room.
It gets dark early during these winter months, so add some ambient lighting to keep your rooms feeling light and bright. Floor lamps are your best friend. During an Open House, make sure to keep the temp warm. No one wants to walk into a cold house in the dead of winter, so make sure your space feels welcoming by keeping it warm and cozy. At the end of the day, it’s worth spending the extra money on heating costs for your open house and showings.

Make your Home feel Cozy.
Some throw blankets, nice but subtle winter smells, and good lighting go the extra mile to make your home feel like somewhere buyers will want to stay around for a while.

Keep Great Curb Appeal.
Even though you don’t need to mow your lawn, make sure the outside of your home looks well-kept. Cleaning your windows and washing any siding can help your home look fresh and move-in ready. Now is a great time to dust those cobwebs, too!

 Winter gets a bad rap in real estate but it can actually be a great time to sell, especially when you have these tips.
The key is to make your home feel warm, cozy, and bright, so that buyers feel like it’s somewhere they can call "home". Although we appreciate the love you have for your home and maybe if you are one who likes to have your tree up until Valentine's Day, it's important to remember that while your home is on the market, we focus on the future buyer.

Want some help getting your home sold this winter? Just drop a comment below or send us an email here and we can help sell your home for top dollar in today's market.

As the cost of everything increases and the condition of our planet becomes more of a concern for homeowners, the demand for “green” or environmentally responsible, home features are in pique demand.

If you are considering purchasing or building a home, these have been voted some of the most sought-after "Green" home features that can be incorporated, according to the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.  

• Solar Energy – This can include solar roof tiles, solar panels, solar windows. These items all convert sunlight into usable energy to reduce your environmental impact, as well as energy costs.

• Tankless Water Heaters  - Used to heat only the water that is required, when it is required. Traditional water heaters constantly heat and store the water, resulting in higher energy usage and costs. A tankless units can reduce energy use by 24-34%.

• Air Filtration Systems - Airborne diseases such as the common cold and flu are spread through tiny pathogens floating around. These can be captured by systems with HEPA filters. These appliances are designed to be highly efficient; therefore, reducing the use of fossil fuels and at the same time allowing the home occupants to breathe cleaner air.

• Green Irrigation Systems - Designed and incorporated with the reduced usage of water in mind. It all starts with choosing the right drought-resistant plants and grass. Although a well thought-out system can include natural water sources such as: ponds or rivers, or even a drip irrigation system where the water is delivered underground by pipes to the roots of the plants through water dripping into the soil surrounding the plants. This is claimed to be one of the best forms of green-irrigation as it drastically reduces water usage,  and delivering it directly where it is needed.  

• Smart Environmental Controls - Such as remote Thermostats or Pre-Programming. By setting the temperature and humidity levels in the home, you can prevent the excessive use of heating and cooling, resulting in more energy efficiency. 

• Electric Vehicle Charging -  Quickly becoming a standard in new homes, as the demand for Electric Vehicles continues to increase.

You can learn more about the benefits of green features here, or how to incorporate them into your new build here.