Matt Evans is a man who loves his job and loves his community. A Valparaiso native and realtor for REMAX Pace Realty, Evans is able to combine his love of real estate and his love of the Valpo community to help his clients and other members of the community.
"I started in real estate in 2006 and joined REMAX in 2012," says Evans." The firm I was previously working at was becoming a local firm and I wanted to stay at a larger firm. REMAX has one of the largest brand recognitions in the country, so they were an ideal place to go to."
REMAX is currently ranked as the number 1 real estate brand in Indiana as well as being the number 1 share of the market with one out of every five houses being sold belonging to a REMAX sale. It was this level of recognition as well as attractive working conditions that drew Evans to REMAX.
"They have a good technology offering, especially for tools in marketing," says Evans. "We also have very experienced agents so we always feel like we're making a difference."
Evan's day consists of a variety of duties including listing appointments, meeting with new buyers, attending showings, training events and closing with a client.
When Evans isn't performing his duties for REMAX, he takes on a large variety of other roles for his community. From his services with the Valparaiso Rotary Club, the rotary club youth committee or as a member on the board of Valparaiso Schools Foundation, Evans is heavily involved with the community of Valparaiso.
"I've also worked with Valpo Next and am a member of America's Best Communities, I love being able to contribute to the city of Valparaiso," says Evans.
One of the latest community projects that Evans is involved with is the formation of an art district for the city of Valparaiso.
"We're looking to place this district along Indiana Avenue and would make use of Memorial Opera House and the Porter County Museum," says Evans. "It's a great long-term way to a long term community and can only produce synergy through visual arts, culture, arts, and streetscape."
In addition to these duties to the community, he also serves young athletes as a tennis coach for boy's high school and boys and girls middle school tennis teams.
"I truly value the Valparaiso school system, it's a great school system that is getting even better," says Evans. "I see the struggle that teachers deal with on a daily basis when it comes to funding and we want to help out as much as possible."
His love for the Valparaiso community is what drives him to serve, and after spending a period away from the community, his appreciation has only continued to grow.
"I spent 14 years living in Ft. Collins Colorado and it was a great place to live with plenty of options and amenities available for its residents," says Evans. It was here that it really opened my eyes about giving back to the community you live in."
Evans and his wife eventually decided to move back to Valparaiso to be closer with their families. After moving back, they both discovered that many of the open areas and public amenities that were available to the public in Colorado were also available to Valpo residents.
"There is a lot to do here," says Evans. "We're 1 hour away from Chicago along with all of the culture, family attractions and amenities that it has to offer. "We have a great varied economy, agricultural economy, financial economy and transportation economy. We have low crime rates as well, Valpo is just a great place."
Satisfaction comes for Evans with his community, but he also appreciates the triumphs he achieves by helping others through his job.
"Closing a home is rewarding, to put someone in their home through your good guidance and education for them is great," says Evans. "Working with first time home buyers is also rewarding. I work with them every step of the way and want to guide them on the right path. Sometimes it's not about the number of agents or number of sales, but what you are selling that matters the most."
Evans is proud to help the community of Valparaiso whether through his job or as an active participant in the community. His professionalism and caring nature extends to all aspects of his life and still plans on learning and contributing even more as time goes on.
"I've been working with people in the Valparaiso community for a long time, I'm no fly-by-night, this is a very complicated business and there is always more experience to be learned," says Evans.
Because, at the end of the day, Evans loves the community he's in and wants to share that love with as many people as he can.
"I love talking to people about the community," says Evans. "I love Valpo. I love Northwest Indiana."