Oh Hey there, fellow Property Lover!
If you're thinking of buying or selling a property, let me tell you, it is currently an adventure. It can be exciting, stressful, and everything in between. Don't worry though, that's where a real estate agent comes in. They're like your trusty sidekick, ready to help you conquer the world of real estate.

So, let's scrape the surface and explore the top 3 services they provide during the purchase or sale of a property.

1. Market Mastery
Real Estate Agents are like walking encyclopedias of Real Estate knowledge. We honestly know everything about the market; from the latest trends, to pricing, and inventory. We can give you the inside scoop on what's hot and what's not. This way, you can make the most informed decision. Plus, we can guide you through the entire process: from budgeting all the way to closing. We become your personal GPS, helping you navigate the twists and turns of the market and solving all the problems that come up along the way, so you don't have to! 

2. Marketing Magic
When it comes to marketing and advertising, real estate agents are like magicians. We can make your property shine like a beautiful diamond. We have gathered all the "tricks of the trade", from creating professional brochures/flyers to hosting open houses as well as virtual tours! We also have an extensive network of contacts and relationships to find potential buyers or sellers, even before your property hits the market or you start looking on REALTOR.ca. Essentially, you have an entire team of marketing dedicated to your listing. 

3. Exceptional Client Care 
Real Estate Agents are like your personal cheerleaders. Representing your best interests throughout the entire buying or selling process. Our team will make sure everyone involved in the transaction is playing fair and square. If any issues or disputes arise, they'll be there to help you solve them. They have a deep understanding of the legal and financial aspects of real estate transactions, so you can rest assured that you're in good hands. 

We like to say that our team of Real Estate Agents will be like the Robin to your Batman, the Hermione to your Harry or Ron, the Han to your Chewie. They're there to help you conquer the world of real estate. From market mastery to marketing magic to client care, we provide a range of valuable services. So, if you're ready to embark on your real estate adventure, consider working with a real estate agent, better yet work with the whole Evoy Real Estate Team!

Buying a home is a thrilling and life-changing experience. It's a journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and discovery.
So, let's break down the steps involved in purchasing a home and make it sound exciting and fun, which is honestly exactly what it is 99% of the time!

Step 1: Dream Big

The first step in the home buying process is to dream big! Think about what you want in a home. Do you want a big backyard for your dog to run around in? A cozy fireplace for those chilly winter nights? A chef's kitchen to whip up your favourite dishes? The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run wild during this stage!

Step 2: Get Pre-Approved

Once you've dreamt big, it's time to get pre-approved. This step can seem daunting, but it's actually a lot of fun! It's like getting a financial makeover. You'll learn about your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and how much you can afford. Plus, you'll get to shop around for the best mortgage rates and lenders. It's like a treasure hunt for the perfect loan!

Step 3: House Hunting

Now it's time for the most exciting part: house hunting!
This step is like a real-life scavenger hunt. You'll get to explore the different neighbourhoods, see unique and quirky houses, and discover hidden gems. Plus, you'll get to work with a real estate agent who will help you find the perfect home that meets your needs and budget. It's like having your own personal tour guide! We have a team full of highly trained agents that will guide you through this process!

Step 4: Making an Offer

Once you and your Evoy Real Estate Agent has found the perfect home, it's time to make an offer. This step is like playing the ultimate game of negotiation. You'll work with your real estate agent to craft an offer that's attractive to the seller while still staying within your budget. It's like putting together the perfect puzzle, something that our team is incredibly skilled at!

Step 5: Closing

The final step in the home buying process is closing. This step is like throwing a housewarming party! You'll sign a mountain of paperwork, get the keys to your new dream home, and celebrate with your friends and family! Oh and us too, we love to celebrate our clients' big day with them! It's a new beginning, a fresh start, and a chance to make new memories in your dream home.

Buying a home is like embarking on an exciting adventure. From dreaming big to house hunting to closing, every step of the process is filled with excitement and discovery. If you're thinking of purchasing a home, don't be afraid to jump in and start exploring! It's an adventure you won't want to miss.

The Evoy Real Estate Team is here for you every step of the way making sure that your dreams become a reality. Whether it is up-sizing, down-sizing, buying your first investment property or your very first home, we have a strategy for it! You are going to love working with us! Reach out to get started today by sending us an email, here!

While being a homeowner comes with many benefits, most homeowners don’t particularly like paying too much for property taxes. Over the past few years, many homeowners have seen their property taxes increase and have continued paying them. Did you know that you don’t have to accept your property taxes as they are. If they don’t seem right to you, you can appeal them.

Here are the steps you need to take to appeal your property taxes:

 1) Gather the information about how much your home has been assessed for by your tax assessor’s office. Your assessment information might be sent to you through the mail each year with your property taxes. You can also get the information from the tax assessor’s office. If the amount your home has been assessed for seems too high, then you should prepare to appeal your assessment and property taxes.

 2) Get your property’s record from your assessor’s office and ensure that it is correct. Once you have the property record, ensure that the information is correct, particularly when it comes to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, your square footage, and how many cars your garage can hold. You’ll also want to check to make sure that your home’s assessed value aligns with what comparable homes are selling for in your neighbourhood. If any of the numbers are off, you can appeal the assessment because there are errors.

3) File the appeal with the assessor’s office and ask for a new assessment. The way to do this will depend on your local tax assessor’s office, and there will typically be a fee associated with the new assessment. If the assessment comes back with the correct numbers, your home will likely be assessed for a lower rate. If the assessment doesn’t reflect what you think it should, you can work with a lawyer.

For more information click here to view MPAC's website, where you will be guided on how to move forward should you need to appeal or have any other questions related to your property taxes.

If you have any questions about about your home value, just reply comment below, and we will get your questions answered.

Right now is the perfect time to lower your electric bill, and I’m sending you the best tips on how to do just that! As energy costs just keep rising this year, it’s smart to conserve that energy and save those dollars. It’s a win-win situation for the environment and your wallet!

Tip 1. Install dimmer switches: Not only do dimmer switches add a more cozy ambience to a room, but they also conserve energy by decreasing the amount of electricity used. As an added bonus, buyers love to see dimmer switches, and they can help your home feel more updated.

Tip 2. Install ceiling fans: Ceiling fans increase air circulation in a room, which is obviously great for the summer to get some much needed breeze going. Did you know that ceiling fans can reduce heating costs in the winter, too? If you switch the way that the fan turns, it will push the hot air down into the occupiable space, making the room feel warmer. As a result, ceiling fans are definitely worth the cost and time to install.

Tip 3. Change filters regularly: If you have central air, this is a big one. When your filters get old and full of dust and debris, they make the mechanism in your return vent work harder to get the same amount of air into the system. As a result, more energy is used. Avoid this by setting a reminder in your phone or your calendar to change your filters regularly! You may have already noticed that smart home thermostats remind you when to change them!

Tip 4. Schedule yearly HVAC maintenance: Keep your system working at its best and most energy-efficient by having maintenance done on an annual basis. In addition to keeping things running smoothly, you’ll also extend the life of your HVAC system and catch any problems early on.

Tip 5. Switch to LEDs: LEDs last forever, reducing the amount you spend on lightbulbs, and also use way less energy than incandescent or CFL bulbs. You can also get them in many different light temperatures so you can customize the look of your rooms when the lights are on. Win-win!

Tip 6. Add landscaping for shade: Increasing the shade around your home can save you a surprising amount of cash in the summer months in addition to upgrading your curb appeal.

It only takes a little time and effort to lower your electric bill and save energy as these tips have shown. Making small changes like these definitely adds up over time and will help you save money on your electric bill!

If you have already implemented all of the above tips and have saved some extra money for that new home of yours, we'd love to connect with you! Let's have a coffee and talk about your next big move! You can always pop into our office at 250 Bride Street, in Carleton Place!

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!
With these secret real estate agent tips, 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!

 By now, you should have your holiday decor away... If you don't, this is your sign to box it up! You want the focus to be on your home, not the fact that you still have Christmas items still up.

 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.