Jay Macklin

Start by getting crystal clear on your numbers, then build everything else around that. A buyer should know what they can comfortably afford monthly, get fully pre-approved with a solid lender, and understand all-in costs (down payment, closing costs, HOA, taxes, insurance, utilities) before they ever fall in love with a house. Next, they should focus as much on lifestyle and location as the house itself: drive the neighborhood at different times, think about commute, schools, amenities, noise, and future resale, and make a short list of “must-haves” versus “nice-to-haves” so they are making smart trade-offs instead of emotional ones. Finally, buyers should treat inspections and due diligence as non-negotiable—hire strong inspectors, read disclosures carefully, understand HOA/CC&Rs, and use the inspection period to deeply evaluate the property, not to rubber-stamp it, while leaning on an agent who will protect their interests in negotiations, contract timelines, and risk management

The best advice for a seller is to think like a buyer and remove as many objections as possible before you ever hit the market. Start by pricing the home right using a detailed market analysis, not just online estimates or what you “need” to get, because overpricing early almost always leads to sitting, chasing the market, and netting less in the end. Then focus on presentation: deep clean, declutter, neutralize where it makes sense, handle obvious repairs, and invest in great photography so the home looks incredible online and in person—first impressions are everything. Finally, be flexible and strategic once you’re listed: make showings easy, respond quickly to feedback and offers, and be willing to adjust price or terms based on real-time market signals so you don’t miss serious buyers while they’re still motivated

I’ve worked with a wide range of clients, from first-time homebuyers to high-end luxury sellers and everything in between. I represent both buyers and sellers in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area, with a strong focus on luxury homes, relocation clients, and move-up buyers and sellers in communities like Silverleaf, DC Ranch, Paradise Valley, and other premier neighborhoods. Over the course of my career, my team and I have served hundreds of families and closed well over $300M in residential real estate, including luxury estates, golf course properties, gated communities, and investment and second-home purchases.

One recent transaction that stands out was a luxury listing in Silverleaf where the seller had tried to sell before without success, and came to me feeling frustrated and skeptical. After walking the property and studying the numbers, I repositioned the home with a new pricing strategy, a stronger story, and a complete marketing overhaul—professional video, targeted digital campaigns, database marketing, and direct outreach to high-net-worth buyers already in my pipeline. Within a relatively short period, we generated significantly more qualified showings than they had seen in the previous attempt, created real urgency with multiple serious buyers, and ultimately negotiated a sale that met the seller’s price and timing goals, while keeping the process smooth and highly communication-driven from start to finish

Real estate came as a second career for me after spending many years in the automotive industry, where I ran a sales team, managed inventory, and learned how to negotiate and train at a high level. Over time, I realized I loved the strategic side of sales, marketing, and client service, and wanted a business where I could build something long-term and have a bigger impact on families and their wealth. That led me into real estate, where I started as an agent, then grew my own team and eventually built and led brokerages in Scottsdale, focusing on applying systems, marketing, and negotiation skills from my previous career to help clients buy and sell homes more effectively.? Currently, my wife and I run our small be very effective results driven marketing team designed around systems, sales skills and relationships.

Yes. My clients definitely benefit from the training and experience I’ve invested in over the years. After a 20 year career in the auto business learning high level negotiation strategies, i transitioned into real estate and now I’m a Certified Coach & Trainer with Craig Proctor Coaching, a program that focuses on advanced lead generation, conversion, direct-response marketing, and unique selling propositions—and I’ve spent years teaching those systems to other top agents across North America. I also bring over 25 years of high-level sales and business experience, including running large sales teams and multiple brokerages, and I use that background in marketing strategy, negotiation, and systems to help my clients buy and sell more effectively, especially in the luxury market.