Clever's team of experts ranked the top realtors and real estate agents in San Diego, CA. Read on to find the best agent for your sale or purchase, or learn more about our methodology.
Best for
| • Sellers • Luxury homes • Discount fees |
• Buyers • First-time home buyers • Investors |
How we evaluated San Diego real estate agents
When we start looking at a new city, our first priority is to identify all the different buyers and sellers in an area. We then start screening agents for experience, recent reviews, transaction results, and specializations.
A combination of these factors help us determine whether or not an agent is good for buyers, sellers, or investors. It also lets us note any potential strengths like pricing, negotiating, or marketing. Finally, by comparing these agents to each other, we can identify any weaknesses and rank them across a variety of factors.
San Diego’s Top Listing Agents
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Alan Shafran Shafran Realty Group |
• Top producer in 2020 • 100 sales in 2020 • 32 years of experience • $98M+ in sales in 2020 |
• Website |
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Melissa Tucci Coldwell Banker |
• Highest rated by customers • 68 sales in 2020 • 23 years of experience • 250+ 5-star Zillow reviews |
• Website |
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Gregg Phillipson Keller Williams |
• Top listing specialist • 75 sales in 2020 • 27 years of experience • Represented sellers in 68% of sales |
• Website |
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Jim Carmichael Keller Williams |
• Most experienced • 31 sales in 2020 • 40 years of experience • $18M+ in sales in 2020 |
• Website |
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Melvina Selfani Century 21 |
• Best for selling and buying together • 30 sales in 2020 • 22 years of experience • Elite Centurion classification |
• Website |
As a seller, it pays to find an agent who has experience selling homes in your specific neighborhood and price range. Interview several agents to compare pricing opinions and marketing plans before you make a decision.
Clever’s Concierge Team will hand-pick the best agents for your situation — and negotiate lower rates on your behalf. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Best for luxury homes
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Adam Loew Keller Williams |
• $15M in sales in 2020 • 42 luxury sales • $3.2M highest sale price • Certified luxury home specialist |
• Website |
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Neda Nourani Compass |
• $37M in sales in 2020 • 50 luxury sales • $2.5M highest sale price • 15 years of experience |
• Website |
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Linda Daniels Willis Allen Real Estate |
• $45M in sales in 2020 • 31 luxury sales • $8.3M highest sale price • Top 1% of real estate agents worldwide |
• Website |
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Rande Turner Ranch and Coast Real Estate |
• $16M in sales in 2020 • 22 luxury sales • $5.3M highest sale price • 2019 Gold Circle of Excellence |
• Website |
Marketing high-end homes requires experience and relationships that typical agents might not have. Choosing the right agent could earn you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to data from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, there were 833 luxury homes for sale in San Diego in August. However, only 431 were sold and, on average, the sale price for luxury real estate was over $900,000 less than the list price.
If you have a luxury home (over $1.6M in San Diego), take the time to interview agents who specialize in handling more expensive listings.
Best for discount fees
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Justin Roberts Cal State Realty Services |
• 1.5% listing fee • 65 recent sales • 20 years of experience |
• Website |
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LJ Woodard One Percent Listing Group |
• 1% or lower listing fee • 55 recent sales • 16 years of experience |
• Website |
Sellers in California pay an average of 5.02% of the house's sale price in realtor commissions, which is lower than the national average, but still amounts to a lot of money. Considering the median home value in San Diego is $695,184, that amounts to $34,898 in fees.
Some agents (like those in the table above) advertise listing fees that are lower than the average in San Diego to attract customers with cost savings. Note that the listing fee is only half of what you pay — most sellers also pay a buyer’s agent commission of 2—3%.
But you can always negotiate realtor commissions. There is no fixed rate, and it’s left to you and your agent to agree on a price.
Clever negotiates low rates with top listing agents in Atlanta. Sell your house with a full-service agent from a major brokerage (Keller Williams, RE/MAX, etc.) for a 1.5% listing fee — that's half the usual rate.
Our matching service is 100% free to use with no obligation. Give us a try today!
San Diego’s Top Buyer’s Agents
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Jeffrey K. Brumfield Jeff Brumfield Real Estate Inc |
• Top buyer specialist • $242K-622K price range • 27 years of experience • Represents buyers in 65% of transactions |
• Website |
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Melissa Tucci Coldwell Banker |
• Highest rated by customers • $448K-807K price range • 23 years of experience • 250+ 5-star Zillow reviews |
• Website |
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Jesse Ibanez The Greenhouse Group Inc |
• Best for help with the lending process • $455K-801K price range • 19 years of experience • Best of Yelp for Real Estate and Mortgage Services |
• Website |
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Alan Shafran Shafran Realty Group |
• Top producer in 2020 • $550K-1.2M price range • 32 years of experience • 40 buyer-side transactions in 2020 |
• Website |
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Amy Green Corcoran Global Living |
• Best for buying luxury homes • $822K-1.9M price range • 18 years of experience • 22 luxury buyer-side transactions |
• Website |
As a buyer, your agent will help you find your next home and act as a guide through the entire home-buying process. Your agent will connect you with local professionals, like home inspectors and a title company, and coordinate with all parties to keep the sale on track.
Make sure to select an agent with the right experience for your home search. You want someone who will be knowledgeable about the neighborhoods you’re considering and have relationships with other agents active in those areas.
Clever’s Concierge Team will hand-pick the best agents for your home search. You'll be matched with agents who have experience in the neighborhoods and price range where you plan to buy.
Just answer a few questions to get your matches. Our service is 100% free with zero obligation. Give us a try today!
Best for first-time home buyers
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Jesse Ibanez The Greenhouse Group Inc |
• Best for help with the lending process • $455K-801K price range • 19 years of experience |
• Website |
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Alan Shafran Shafran Realty Group |
• Offers consultations on homeownership • $550K-1.2M price range • 32 years of experience |
• Website |
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Jeffrey K. Brumfield Jeff Brumfield Real Estate Inc |
• Top 10% for buyer deals • $242K-622K price range • 27 years of experience |
• Website |
We chose the agents in the list above because of their track record for great customer service and glowing reviews from first time home buyer clients.
If you’re looking for an agent to help buy your first home, look for agents who are strong communicators and will take extra time to explain the home-buying process in California.
As you interview agents, ask for their professional opinion on which areas have the best opportunity for appreciation and why. According to Zillow data, home values in San Diego are expected to rise by 4.5% in the next 12 months, but some neighborhoods will see more improvement than others.
Ask your agents about current mortgage rates too and see what mortgage lender they recommend to their clients. As of September 29, 2020 and according to Bankrate, in California, interest rates are 3.07% and 2.52% for a 30-year and 15-year mortgage, respectively.
Best for investors
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Ryan Branco Compass |
• Top rated by customers • 17 years of experience • Top producer 5 years in a row |
• Website |
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David Rudd Keller Williams |
• Best for flipping homes • 17 years of experience • Zillow highest customer satisfaction award |
• Website |
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Michi Suzuki Keller Williams |
• Best for international investors • 30 years of experience • Top producer 2012-2019 |
• Website |
As an investor, a great agent can help you find deals — including off market properties — and move fast when making offers.
Use a rental property calculator to model each property before you make an offer. An agent can help you manage the deal, but it’s up to you to know your numbers when you buy!
How to choose the best San Diego real estate agent for you
Top Agent lists like this are just the first stepping stone to finding the right agent for you. An agent can have won dozens of awards, hundreds of sales, and decades of experience, but if they don't meet your needs, you won't get the most out of your real estate transaction.
Once you have a short list of agents, identify your specific needs, so you can prepare a list of questions to ask realtors when you meet with them.
Advice for sellers in San Diego
When interviewing agents, make sure the agent has:
- Sufficient experience selling homes in your price range and neighborhood
- Previous clients who will provide references
- Connections with other service providers (appraisers, inspectors, escrow companies, etc.) that you may need during your sale
What to ask realtors
| If you need to... | Ask agents... | And know that... |
| Sell fast | How long do your listings typically stay on market? | In San Diego, the average number of days on market (DOM) is 35.* |
| Get the highest sale price possible | What is your pricing strategy to help me make more money? | San Diego is currently in a seller's market. By the end of the month, 57%* of listed homes will have accepted offers. |
| Sell as-is | Do you know real estate investors interested in as-is properties? | There are cash buyers in San Diego that may offer you a faster and more certain sale. |
| Also buy a house | Do you offer listing commission discounts for sellers that also buy with you? | 34%^ of realtors said they'll accept a lower commission rate for repeat customers. |
*Based on data from Realtor.com
^Based on data from Clever
Advice for buyers in San Diego
When interviewing agents, make sure the agent has:
- Sufficient experience selling homes in your price range and neighborhood
- Previous clients who will provide references
- An understanding of your priorities for a house
What to ask realtors
| If you need to... | Ask agents... | And know that... |
| Close by a certain date | How can they help keep the sale on track and ensure you close on time? | The typical closing process takes 30-45 days. |
| Buy in a certain area | What was the last transaction they completed in that neighborhood? | Local knowledge matters; just because an agent has experience doesn’t mean they’re the expert in your area. |
| Get a great deal | How do they plan to negotiate for a lower price? | On average, buyers in San Diego pay 27%* less than the list price. |
| Get preapproved for a mortgage | Do they have a reputable mortgage lender they recommend? | In California, the average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage is 3.07%^. |
*Based on data from Zillow
^Based on data from Bankrate
Market trends in San Diego
Aside from finding an agent who meets your needs, you also want one who can succeed in San Diego's current market.
Here's some information about trends in San Diego and what they mean for buyers and sellers.
| How this impacts sellers | How this impacts buyers | ||
| Days on market (DOM) | 35 days | This is 21 days faster than the national average. | Homes are selling quickly, so you’ll need to make an offer fast when you find a home you like. |
| Current inventory | 3,877 houses | There are 5% fewer homes on the market compared to last month. That's less competition for sellers. | Inventory is trending down, meaning buyers have fewer choices and more competition. |
| Pending sales ratio | 57% of total listings were pending by the end of the month | Most homes are getting offers, but that doesn't mean you can be too picky. | If you find a great house, don't wait too long to put in an offer. Chances are it won't be on the market for long. |
Based on data from Realtor.com
Methodology
Clever Real Estate’s rankings of the top real estate agents in San Diego are based on our evaluation of hundreds of local San Diego agents.
We evaluated agents based on three key areas: customer service, indicated by positive customer reviews and testimonials; track record, based on years of experience and history of successful past sales; and recent performance, based on the agent’s sales performance over the last 12 months.
We relied on publicly available information from the personal websites of agents included in these rankings, along with aggregate data from Zillow and, in some cases, first-party data provided directly by agents. In addition, our team of real estate experts evaluated a wide variety of qualitative factors about each agent, including marketing claims, awards, and career achievements to create the final rankings.
To ensure consistency, our rankings are reviewed by multiple people on the Clever editorial team and are updated regularly.