With SOGO Homes’ flat-rate fee structure, sellers keep more of their profits and contribute to the dream of home ownership for someone else

By Laura Briedis

The newest real estate brokerage in town was founded not only to help homeowners and homebuyers but also the greater community.

SOGO Homes—which stands for Sell One, Give One—is based on the innovative business model that for every house the company sells or buyer it helps find a home, it will donate a portion of the commission.

“SOGO Homes is driven not by dollars and market share, but by impact,” says Aaron Peterson, company founder. “We want to make a positive impact in Northeast Ohio, so we donate a portion of our commission.”

“My parents taught me that we always should have a bucket for savings, a bucket for investing, a bucket for spending and a bucket for giving. And I want my bucket for giving to be abundantly filled and then abundantly emptied,” says Aaron, who volunteers in different capacities at The Chapel in Green.

The impetus for his new company came from his rental properties. “Many of my renters are single moms whose dream it is to own a home instead of renting, and while they may have good credit they don’t have money saved for a down payment,” he says. “With SOGO Homes, every time someone sells or buys a home with us, a portion of the proceeds will be matched by another donor and then gifted to someone in need in our community as a down payment toward home ownership.”

Just as important, homeowners also will benefit by saving money with the company’s flat-fee rate. Instead of paying a percentage of the sale in commission, SOGO Homes has a $4,800 flat fee that includes everything from helping homeowners set the most attractive listing price to photography and marketing to negotiating the final deal.

“My clients have been saving thousands of dollars with our flat fee,” says Aaron, who has a business degree from Liberty University. “There are few times in our lives when we can capture large chunks of money and selling a home is definitely one of those times. I love seeing people build generational wealth and I love even more seeing people keep that wealth when they go to sell.”

Aaron’s goal is to make the home selling and buying process stress free—and even fun.

“I go to great lengths to help my clients get top dollar for their property while saving them money and do so with the utmost integrity,” he says.

At a recent open house, caterer Tom Dungan hosted a cookout and there were a bounce house and DJ to generate extra excitement for the property. More than 60 people came through the open house and Aaron received an offer that day for $25,000 over asking price.

Aaron will do whatever it takes to serve his clients, as his dynamic, can-do persona parlays into all he does in life. When he is not helping clients buy and sell real estate, he enjoys boating, scuba diving, snowboarding and corralling horses. His real passion, though, is traveling. He has visited 35 countries with extended stays in Bali and the Philippines, and he currently is in the process of getting his pilot’s license.

An expert in the local real estate market, Aaron resides in Portage Lakes, where in the summer you can find him paddleboarding every morning on the lake, and at times speeding things up jet skiing or slowing it down relaxing on a pontoon boat.

“I am excited to offer a new option in the local real estate market,” Aaron says. “Go with your head, go with your heart, go with SOGO. It’s a win-win. You will save money while helping others.”

To list your house or for more information, call 330-984-0909. Follow Aaron’s adventures in real estate on Instagram @AaronAPeterson.