By: William Jones
Dustin Way is a real estate broker with John L. Scott in Ashland, Oregon. He was born and raised in Southern Oregon and has spent most of his life serving the people who live there. Before entering real estate, he owned a coffee shop in Ashland for over 16 years. That business taught him how to listen, build relationships, and treat people honestly. He sold the cafe two years ago and has been working full-time as an agent since 2021.
Dustin is the father of two teenagers, Gavin and Elise. His wife, Aimee, is a school teacher and a local business owner. Between raising a family and running his coffee shop, he became deeply rooted in the Ashland community. He has served on various Chamber of Commerce boards and nonprofit boards over the years. Today, he sits on the board of the Ashland Schools Foundation, is a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Ashland, and works as a certified small business mentor through SCORE. These commitments reflect his belief in giving back to the place that raised him.
A Client First Philosophy
His approach to real estate is simple. He puts the client first. “I have a very client-forward approach to real estate,” he says. “Honesty, integrity, and a selfless approach to business are how I operate.” He hears other agents say things like “I really need this closing,” but that mindset has never felt right to him. He does not view transactions as a path to a commission check. Each client is a person with specific needs, and Dustin believes his job is to serve those needs above all else. That principle guided him through 16 years of running a cafe, and it guides him now in every home sale.
Learning to Communicate
Over his years in customer service, including hiring and training more than 150 people at his cafe, Dustin learned something important. Everyone learns differently. “Common sense isn’t common,” he explains. “What makes easy sense to me doesn’t for someone else, and vice versa.” This insight shapes how he communicates with buyers and sellers. He assumes nothing about what a client already knows. No matter how experienced someone might be, he treats every transaction as if they still have gaps in their understanding of real estate. He would rather explain too much than leave someone confused or anxious.
Home buying and selling is stressful. Dustin accepts that. But he believes the stress can be reduced through clear guidance and overcommunication. “I err on the side of overcommunication and explanation in an effort to help dispel any fears or concerns throughout the process,” he says. “I do what I can to minimize it as much as possible by being a great guide and teacher.”
A Region Worth Bragging About
As a lifelong resident of Southern Oregon, Dustin loves talking about the region. From mountain lakes to rivers, a ski resort, downhill mountain biking trails, and more than 100 wineries, the area has a lot to offer. Crater Lake and the Oregon Coast are within easy reach. He considers it a privilege to share all of this with his clients, especially those moving to the area for the first time. His enthusiasm for the place he calls home comes through naturally, and it helps buyers feel confident about the life waiting for them in Southern Oregon.
Recognition and Results
John L. Scott may be a regional brokerage with offices primarily in Oregon and Washington, but it ranks in the top 20 nationwide by volume. Dustin works out of the Ashland office, which is part of a larger operation that includes a Medford location. Together, these two offices are the top-producing offices in the entire company. With roughly 175 agents across Ashland and Medford, and more than 3,000 agents company-wide, that is no small achievement.
In his first year with John L. Scott, Dustin received the Rising Star award for Best New Agent in his office. That award is given to agents with fewer than three years in the business. He also received a production award during that same period. These accomplishments speak to how quickly he has established himself, but for Dustin, the real measure of success is in the relationships he builds. “I love the deep connections I build with my clients,” he says.
There is nothing flashy about the way Dustin works. He listens. He explains. He guides. He treats people the way he would want to be treated if he were on the other side of the transaction. That approach has served him well in every chapter of his career, and it continues to serve his clients in Southern Oregon today.
