How We Work
After three years watching how the industry operates, we built something different — a process that starts with your objective, not our commission.
The Industry Problem
After three years working in Arizona real estate, one thing became clear: agents are still pressing clients for a standard 3% commission regardless of the property, the location, or the complexity of the transaction. It's a number that benefits the agent — not you.
At JOW Realty, every conversation starts with your objective — buy or sell. From there, everything else is tailored to your specific situation. That includes what you pay us.
The standard 3% commission isn't based on what your transaction actually requires. It's based on habit.
We've replaced that habit with a process that determines fair compensation based on real factors — size, location, and what it actually takes to get you the best outcome.
Our Approach
If you're selling, we don't walk in with a rate already decided. We ask the two questions that actually matter, and we come back to you with a commission percentage built around your specific situation.
We ask your objective
Selling. That's the starting point. From there, the conversation shifts to your property — not our standard rate.
We ask about the property
Size and location are the two factors that most directly shape what a sale requires. A 1,200 sqft condo in Tempe is a different job than a 4,500 sqft home in north Scottsdale.
We come back with a number
Based on those two factors, we present you with a commission percentage that's fair, transparent, and tied to actual work — not industry inertia.
You negotiate if needed
We discuss it openly. If you have questions or want to push back, that's part of the process. No pressure, no take-it-or-leave-it.
If you're buying, we do something no other agent in this market is doing: we put our commission on the table as a negotiating tool on your behalf — up to an amount based on the home's value.
We ask your objective
Buying. From there, we want to understand your budget, what you're looking for, and where. That shapes the entire approach.
We find the right property
We search, show, and advise — the same as any agent. But when it comes time to make an offer, our approach to that offer is unlike anyone else's.
Our commission becomes your negotiating leverage
We use the buyer's agent commission — the fee the seller's side would pay us — as a negotiable tool in the purchase. Depending on the home's value, that can mean real savings on your purchase price or closing costs.
You get more from the deal
The result is a structure no other local agent is offering their buyers. We're not just finding you a home — we're maximizing what you get for your money.
For Sellers
Most agents charge the same commission whether a home needs three weeks of work or three months. We think that's wrong. These are the two factors that actually drive what it takes to sell your property well.
The industry standard
The same flat rate whether your home is a small condo or a large estate. Whether it sells in a week or takes months. Whether the market is hot or slow. That's not a strategy — that's a default.
The JOW approach
We look at the size of your home and where it's located, then determine a commission that reflects the real work involved in selling it right. Smaller, straightforward properties often come in well below 3%. Larger or more complex properties are priced fairly for the work they require.
What you get
We present the rate, we explain the reasoning, and we're open to discussing it. You shouldn't have to negotiate against a number pulled from habit — you should understand exactly what you're paying for.
Property Size
A larger home typically requires more preparation, more marketing, more showings, and more negotiation. A smaller property may move quickly with a leaner approach. The commission should reflect that difference.
Location
A home in a high-demand Scottsdale neighborhood sells differently than one in a quieter Phoenix suburb. Buyer pools, marketing channels, and pricing strategy all vary by location — and so does the work involved.
For Buyers
When you buy a home, the seller typically pays both agents — their own listing agent and yours. That buyer's agent commission (usually 2–3% of the purchase price) goes to us for representing you.
Most agents simply collect it. We don't. We put it to work for you.
Depending on the value of the home you're purchasing, we use some or all of that commission as a negotiating tool in the transaction — whether that's pushing for a lower purchase price, covering closing costs, or structuring a deal that puts more money back in your pocket.
The amount we're able to leverage scales with the home's value. We'll walk you through exactly what that looks like for your specific situation during the consultation.
How it works
In most transactions, the buyer's agent commission is invisible to the buyer — it's paid by the seller and goes directly to us. We bring that number into the open and use it as a tool to strengthen your position in the negotiation, rather than simply collecting it at closing.
Example
On a $450,000 home, a standard buyer's agent commission might be $9,000–$13,500. Rather than simply taking that at closing, we use some or all of it to negotiate a better deal for you — reducing your purchase price, covering inspections or closing costs, or building in concessions. You get more from the deal. No other agent in this market is offering this.
Tell us your property size and location. We'll come back with a commission percentage built around your home — not a 3% default.
Get My RateLet us show you exactly how we use the buyer's agent commission as leverage on your behalf — and what that means for your specific budget.
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