Full-service real estate broker. $10,000 flat fee.
I’m Joe Lee, CPA, CFA. I represent buyers and sellers in Seattle, Mercer Island and the Eastside for a fee that matches the work, not a percentage of the price.
On a $3,000,000 home, a typical 2.5% commission is $75,000. My fee is $10,000, buying or selling.
2026, through November 11: 28 clients, $47.4M bought and sold.
Call 206.402.8291 · Email joe@verraterra.com
I paid $73,020 for about 20 hours of work.
In February 2020 my family bought our first home, on Mercer Island. The buyer-side commission was 3% on a $2.43M house. So I got my broker’s license that year with one rule: a flat fee that matches the work, whether I’m selling your home or helping you buy one.
How I work
I’m dedicated to being a trusted advocate for my clients. I believe real estate commissions should reflect the quality of representation and effort, not simply the price of a property. That’s why I’ve embraced a flat-fee model—transparent, fair, and aligned with your best interests.
Unlike most brokers, my goal isn’t just to make transactions happen. My mission is to educate buyers and sellers so they don’t buy or sell when it isn’t necessary. I earn my living primarily through my other professional work and investments, which allows me to focus on what truly matters—helping people make sound, well-informed real estate decisions while receiving fair and reasonable compensation for my service.
I take pride in providing honest, data-driven advice. For buyers, I highlight potential drawbacks and red flags so you can make fully informed decisions. For sellers, I take the time to understand your unique circumstances and offer tailored guidance grounded in my experience as both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
My ultimate goal is to help reshape the real estate industry—where fair, transparent compensation becomes the standard of professionalism, not the pursuit of oversized commissions.
If you’d like to learn how my approach can help you save tens of thousands of dollars while receiving full-service representation, please read on or reach out directly at joe@verraterra.com or call 206.402.8291.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeleerealty/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Joeleemercerisland