Robert Ott

Start with clarity, not chaos. The Seattle market moves fast, but the smartest buyers are the ones who slow down long enough to build a strategy. My advice? Talk to a lender early (even if you're 6 months out), know your walk-away number, and don’t get caught chasing homes outside your comfort zone. Your first offer doesn’t have to be your forever home—but it should be a smart one. Also, don’t try to do it all on your own. You need a guide who can help you navigate the contracts, the emotions, the “should-we-or-shouldn’t-we” panic—and I’m that guy. We'll build a clear plan together so you're not guessing your way through the biggest purchase of your life.

Selling your home is a business decision—and it should be treated like one. My advice? Be open to honest feedback. That’s how we price it right the first time, prep it to shine, and make sure it doesn’t just sit there while the market passes it by. Too many sellers get stuck trying to hit a fantasy number instead of trusting the data and timing. My job is to protect your equity and your sanity. That means professional photos, strategic marketing, and negotiating like it’s my own house on the line—because in a way, it is. You only get one shot at your “day one” on the market. I will make sure you don’t waste it.

-First-time buyers who thought homeownership was out of reach until we proved otherwise. -Diverse families and individuals who wanted an agent who gets them, advocates for them, and makes the process feel safe and affirming. -Self-employed creatives and entrepreneurs who needed a lender and a Realtor who understand that not everyone gets paid every two weeks. -Sellers who were downsizing, relocating, or just ready for a change and wanted a smooth, stress-free process from start to finish. -Investors and flippers looking for properties with potential and smart data behind the purchase. What all my clients have in common? They want someone they can trust, who will tell it like it is, and who’s going to fight for them at every stage. That’s how I roll.

One of my favorite transactions involved a first-time buyer who was self-employed, single, and had been told by multiple agents (and lenders) that she “wasn’t ready.” She was exhausted, discouraged, and almost gave up entirely. We met, put together a real plan, connected her with a lender who got it, and within 45 days she was under contract on a sweet home in South Seattle with room for her daughter, a garden, and a home studio. We negotiated seller credits, nailed the appraisal, and got her keys without drama. Watching her walk into her own home for the first time? That was everything. Those are the wins that remind me why I do this work—and why no one should ever be made to feel like homeownership isn’t for them.

Beyond the standard licensing, my real education came from hands-on mentorship, high-volume experience, and training. I’ve completed: -Advanced negotiation training through Tom Ferry programs. -Multiple continuing ed courses focused on fair housing, and first-time buyer program navigation, lending practices, etc. But more than anything, I’ve learned through experience: real clients, real contracts, real deals. I’ve seen what works, what backfires, and how to move fast without rushing. That’s what I bring to the table.

After working in the service industry for a decade, I wanted to find a career where I could put my passion for people in high gear. Also, being self-employed was important to me. I found an insurance salesman and a real estate agent and asked to follow them around for a week. After careful examination of what they did and how they worked, I realized that insurance was more about sickness and death and real estate was more about goals and dreams. Therefore, I picked being an agent. For over 30 years I have been very happy about the decision I made. I can never see myself doing anything else!