Let’s Get You Home.
Real Estate with a Craftsman’s Eye and a Marketer’s Edge.
Cody McKay | AZ DRE# SA719174000
As a proud homeowner here in the East Valley, I know firsthand what it takes to find a home that truly fits. Before real estate, I learned the carpentry trade on the job, working with a boutique custom homebuilder in Idaho throughout high school and college. That experience shaped how I see homes — not just as listings, but as living structures with potential, integrity, and soul.
Today, I use that construction background to educate my buyers as we explore properties together. I help them understand how a home is built, what can be modified to make it their own, and what features aren’t easy—or cost-effective—to change. My goal is to help clients buy with confidence, clarity, and a craftsman’s eye for quality.
My professional background in marketing and business consulting adds another dimension. I approach every deal with strategy: ensuring my buyers write competitive, well-positioned offers, and my sellers capture every dollar their property deserves. I rely on data-driven insights—not emotions—to help clients stay on offense, no matter what the market is doing.
When I represent sellers, I lean on both my construction knowledge and my interior design team to identify the smartest upgrades — the ones that drive maximum return and minimize time on market.
Above all, my goal is to make your experience an unforgettable one that sets you up for years of enjoyment and memories in your dream home. I put my heart and soul into my work, because “ghost agents” as I call them may get you to closing, but they’ll never help you land the deal of a lifetime.
Whether you’re buying or selling — first home or fifth — you deserve an agent who sees what others don’t, understands this market inside and out, and helps you lay claim to your own piece of the desert.
I cannot wait to serve you. Let’s get you home.
So, how does it work?
First time buying a house, or need a refresher? Although the East Valley and greater Phoenix markets are competitive - as you likely know! - with the right agent, it can be a fun, exciting experience. Here’s what you can expect when you reach out to me.
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We’ll get on a phone or Zoom call (your choice!) to discuss your vision for your new home, your ideal neighborhood, and your non-negotiable’s. Do you need a home office? A yard with a pool? A specific school? With that big lot you love because it’s got space for your family to grow? This is the time to lay out all your hopes and dreams, and we can narrow it down later. I’ll have input and ideas, and together we’ll outline a rough idea of the house we’re looking for.
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If you’re pre-approved, we’ll talk about the range of your budget to narrow in on the number that’s comfortable, realistic and still allows you to live a full life outside of mortgage payments. If you aren’t pre-approved yet, I’ll connect you with a few of the best local lenders. I refer them because they’re tactical, strategic and creative, and have excellent reputations - the kind of person you want in your corner on offer day.
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I’ll be thinking of you when I’m researching on the MLS and when I’m networking with other local Realtors to find exclusive off-market or coming-soon listings. Meanwhile, you can be checking Zillow and my proprietary brokerage-search app that I’ll tailor just for you. We’ll share potential properties with each other, and when you see on you like, we’ll tour it in person. While we tour I’ll be pointing out everything you hired me for; how’s the build quality? Does zoning allow for the ADU you’ve been thinking about? How’s the traffic? What ratings do the schools get? Along the way I’ll be teaching you what to look for in a house, and you’ll be teaching me what you like and don’t like.
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When you find “the one”, we’ll be ready. We’ll have reviewed all the paperwork included with the offer in advance, so there will be no surprises on offer day. Our goal will be to make the strongest offer possible, which doesn’t always mean the highest offer - we’ll try to remove any contingencies (something I’ll explain more on our call) by gathering as much information as possible about the property, ownership history and public tax records. In the days leading up to submitting an offer, I’ll research what comparable homes recently sold for in the area. I’ll advise on where I believe the sale will land and what I suggest you offer to be a strong contender. And of course, you will choose the final number before anything is submitted. When I submit, we’ll craft the narrative together of who you are and why you love the home, and then I’ll be your relentless advocate through negotiations. Every transaction and negotiation process is unique - that’s what makes this work so exciting - but what remains the same is that if you want the house, I’ll do everything in my power to make it yours.
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Once you’ve won your home and we’ve gone under contract, the next step is to celebrate! I’ll work with the title company to open escrow and we’ll begin the countdown. We’ll review this process in more detail, and will revisit this many times, but in short: we’ll enter the period of transferring funds and title between buyer and seller. I’ll be there to guide you through this phase - mostly a lot of e-signatures and emails - and answer all of your questions along the way. And finally, when the deed has recorded with the county, I’ll meet you to deliver the keys to your new home so you can begin the next incredible chapter.
Considering selling?
My approach when working with sellers is hands-on and streamlined, and always personally tailored to you. My practice is informed by a data-driven understanding of the ever-shifting local housing market, a professional background in marketing and over a decade of experience negotiating high-value contracts. With you and your goals at the center of it all, the process of putting your home on the market is simpler than ever.
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We’ll meet at your property or get on a call to talk about your needs regarding a sale. Are you buying a new house with the proceeds? Where will you live in the interim? Is there a minimum profit you need for a sale to make sense? How long have you been in the house and what upgrades, if any have you put into it? Is there anyone else on the title? Are you looking to maximize gains or close quickly? We’ll determine all the baseline facts so we both know all the details before starting this project together. If you aren’t in a hurry, I’ll suggest a target listing date to ensure your house hits the market at the best possible time.
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When you feel ready to move forward, we’ll sign a listing agreement. Then I’ll invite my lead designer in to consult on what renovations (updating kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, paint, refreshing the landscaping, etc) will raise the value of the home and get you the best return on your investment. I’ll collect the work we agree on, get your approval, and then manage the projects until they’re complete. We’ll simultaneously be getting inspections done on the home, I’ll be walking you through the necessary seller disclosures, and we’ll be creating your list of seller improvements. This process of creating a packet of materials for buyers - known as the disclosure packet - will help us begin to craft the narrative of this house and the story we’ll tell in marketing.
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When the house has been prepped, we’ll stage furniture and decor, arrange photos, craft a bespoke copy page to tell the unique story of the home, then go live on the MLS. I’ll share the home with my network, host it open on one or two weekends and facilitate private showings with qualified buyers.
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We’ll begin reviewing offers as they are submitted. I’ll be in your corner throughout the process consulting with you on which offers are strong and worth considering. Negotiations begin during this stage as we narrow down on the offer that appeals the most. When you choose the one to accept, we’ll sign and open escrow. You’re now under contract!
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Closing periods are typically 30 days and sometimes 45 (and occasionally, but rarely, longer). During this time we’ll be working on your moving plans as documents are signed and funds are gathered in escrow. On closing day, funds will be released to your account, I’ll deliver the keys to the buyer’s agent and you’ll be ready to celebrate the win and move on to your next incredible chapter!
Ready to plan your next move?
Get in touch
I’d love to work with you. Reach out any time to schedule a meeting or phone call to get started.
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