Merging meticulous design with high-end craftsmanship, Everton Homes is setting new standards in Seattle’s luxury real estate market
Bringing unparalleled design knowledge, judgment, and taste to the entire home building and buying experience, Everton Homes is quickly becoming one of Greater Seattle’s leading luxury home builders. The company was built from the ground up by Co-Founders, Iryna Sysenko and Igor Tsapenko, as Iryna herself begins: “Our journey began 17 years ago. Initially, I was researching the market to find a home for my family. After purchasing our first house, I developed a deep interest in real estate, and so I continued exploring market opportunities for potential investments. Without a real estate license at the time, I utilized online home listings to search for available units. I also immersed myself in literature about investing in distressed properties, and watched TV shows such as Flip That House on TLC.
“The local real estate market in Las Vegas, where we lived, got hit really hard by the collapse of the housing bubble in 2008. Through my research, I found out that
the city was holding foreclosure auctions. Every single day, dozens of properties were foreclosed and sold at auctions, where investors could buy them at their own risk. There was a lower up-front cost, but it was more of a gamble, as the properties were often in poor condition. That is where our investment journey began.
“Through extensive research and calculated risks, as well as some additional funds from family and friends, we successfully acquired, renovated, and sold our first couple of investment homes. We went from flipping two homes in the first year, to over 100 homes five years later. While many properties required only minor renovations, some demanded significant work, prompting me to make major decisions about the home’s design and structure. Notably, some projects involved high-end real estate, providing invaluable experience in luxury design and remodeling.
Business foundation
“In 2017, we expanded our operations to the Greater Seattle area. By 2018, we started our transition into new construction, driven by evolving market dynamics, and a desire to create beautiful and functional homes from scratch. This is how Everton Homes was founded.”
Having laid the foundations for success, Everton Homes now focuses its attention on large-scale luxury builds, alongside a small offering of affordable homes, as Igor details: “Our current operations are exclusively focused on spec home construction, which means the homes are not built for any particular client. We design and build homes first, then they are put on the market, and made available to potential buyers. Roughly 80 percent of the homes we build are 4000-to-5000 square feet luxury residences with high end finishes. The remaining 20 percent of our homes are smaller spaces of around 1200-to-1800 square feet.
“We started building these smaller homes in response to the recent zoning changes of local municipalities, aimed at addressing the housing shortage by enabling the development of more affordable housing options. Geographically, we concentrate our efforts on Seattle’s Eastside neighborhoods: a vibrant, technology-centric area within the Greater Seattle region.
“Due to the scarcity of vacant land in these established communities, our developments primarily occur on infill lots. This approach involves demolishing existing older homes to construct new ones. Occasionally, when a property is sufficiently large, we subdivide the lot to accommodate multiple new residences. However, developing on previously undeveloped land is virtually nonexistent in our area of operation, given the limited availability of such parcels.”
Premium features
With personal backgrounds in the academic world, both Igor and Iryna bring precision and analytical rigor to the homebuilding process. “Both my husband and I hold degrees in computer engineering, with my academic journey culminating in a Ph.D. from Ukraine before relocating to the United States. Our professional paths initially led us into the tech industry – however, as previously detailed, our passion for business and real estate gradually took precedence.
“While computer engineering and architectural design may seem disparate, the underlying principles of striving for perfection and devising effective solutions are intrinsic to both disciplines. When I approach the creation of efficient living spaces, I take the same analytical approach as I did when solving complex mathematical problems during my doctoral research. My strong foundation in mathematics and structured problem-solving has been instrumental in navigating the challenges of both business operations and architectural design,” Iryna affirms.
This unique approach, combined with an unparalleled focus on quality and service, sets Everton Homes apart from the competition, as Igor discusses: “At Everton Homes, we pride ourselves on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing residences, meticulously tailored to each unique lot. Our in-house design process begins from scratch, allowing us to craft homes that harmonize with their specific locations. We evolve through multiple design iterations, refining floor plans and elevations to achieve the perfect balance between form and function.
“Our design philosophy emphasizes efficient space utilization, ensuring rooms are neither too cramped nor excessively large. We prioritize occupant comfort by addressing factors such as optimal heating and cooling, minimizing noise from mechanical areas, laundry rooms, or children’s bedrooms. We pay attention to maximizing natural light which is a crucial consideration in the Pacific Northwest. Strategic window placement and room orientation enhance daylight exposure, while the use of high-performance windows maintains energy efficiency, even in our entry-level homes.
“We distinguish ourselves by incorporating premium materials and features across all home sizes. Our commitment to quality is evident in details such as noise-canceling insulation in walls and between floors, heated floors in all bathrooms, and luxurious master showers equipped with wall-mounted, rain, and handheld fixtures. Outdoor living is enhanced with amenities like fireplaces, ceiling heaters, speakers, and, when space allows, built-in barbecues. Given the favorable climate of the Pacific Northwest, we design these outdoor spaces to facilitate year-round enjoyment and entertainment.
“Our dedication to thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship ensures that each Everton home offers a harmonious blend of beauty, functionality, and comfort, tailored to the needs and desires of modern homeowners.”
The Everton Homes story is one of dedication and entrepreneurial excellence. As we step into 2025, Igor considers what the next chapter might hold: “For the coming year, our priorities are focused on navigating the challenges that come with our company’s rapid growth, while ensuring that we maintain the highest standards in design and construction. Scaling operations to support our expansion is a significant focus, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering exceptional quality in every home we produce.
“In 2024, we successfully designed and constructed ten luxury homes. Looking ahead, we anticipate tripling our annual volume within five years. Our immediate focus is on scaling our operations to accommodate this growth, while simultaneously raising the standard for building efficient, high-quality homes,” he concludes.