John L. Scott Real Estate is a family-owned, traditional brokerage and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. The company provides legitimate, full-service real estate services for buying and selling and employs over 3,000 experienced agents. You have plenty of top agents to choose from at John L. Scott, but the company doesn’t offer commission savings like the best low commission companies do.
Our John L. Scott Real Estate rating
| Overall score | 4.3 🟢 |
| Service value | 4.0 🟢 |
| Customer experience | 4.5 🟢 |
| Agent quality | 4.5 🟢 |
| Brand power | 4.0 🟢 |
The company scored well across all ratings, earning a 4.3 overall score. It is a respected full-service brokerage with over 3,000 residential real estate specialists and an established track record. For instance, the company reported closing over 35,000 transactions and $20 billion in sales volume in 2021.[1]
John L. Scott Real Estate has a particularly strong brand presence in the Pacific Northwest, with reviews often focusing on how well agents understand the area’s current market conditions.
In the last 12 months, John L. Scott Real Estate reviews were largely positive, with most reviewers expressing high levels of satisfaction with their agents and the company’s services.
While some locations had a number of negative reviews, a closer look revealed many of those reviews were from several years ago. More recent reviews tended to be more positive overall. Additionally, the company does provide a response to some reviews — both positive and negative.
» See how our John L. Scott Real Estate review breaks down.
Is John L. Scott Real Estate right for you?
John L. Scott Real Estate could be right for you if you’re looking for comprehensive real estate services in the Pacific Northwest area. This well-known company provides high-quality services, and the agents are experienced and knowledgeable overall.
However, you may want to use an alternative company if you want to save on commission by going with a discount broker that offers similar service for less. We recommend interviewing any agent thoroughly before making your decision because it’s more important to choose an agent that fits you than a brand.
If you want to save on commissions, you can explore discount brokerages that offer full services similar to John L. Scott Real Estate. You can compare options on your own or with a free service like Clever Real Estate. Clever vets partner agents, many from name-brand brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. Plus, it offers a low listing fee of 1.5%, which can lead to thousands of dollars in savings.
» Compare vetted realtors in your zip code who work for just a 1.5% listing fee.
John L. Scott Real Estate vs. top low-cost alternatives
We recommend these companies as top low-cost alternatives to John L. Scott Real Estate. All three can connect you with full-service agents and help you save on commission compared to the standard 2.5–3% listing fee.
Listing Fee
Availability
Editor's take
Overview
Clever Real Estate is the best option for most sellers looking for an agent. The company matches you with multiple experienced, full-service agents so you can find the right fit, and it offers a low 1.5% listing fee no matter which agent you choose. Read our full Clever Real Estate review.
Pros
- 1.5% listing fee (half the usual rate)
- Guaranteed matches with top local agents
- Large agent network; great selection compared to competitors
Cons
- No guarantee you’ll get matched with a specific agent or brokerage
- Add-ons like professional home staging and drone photography may cost extra
Listing Fee
Availability
Editor's take
Overview
Ideal Agent is a solid option if you’re looking for a top agent. The company vets its realtors thoroughly, so you’ll likely get a quality agent. But you won't save as much on realtor fees as you could with other companies. Read our full Ideal Agent review.
Pros
- Easy way to connect with top agents
- Discounted 2% listing fee
- Customer service has excellent reviews
Cons
- You likely won't choose which agent you work with
- Limited savings for sellers, none for buyers
- Limited ability to manage listing online
Listing Fee
Availability
Editor's take
Overview
UpNest lets you choose from multiple vetted agents, so there’s a good chance you’ll find a realtor that fits your needs. But it falls short on savings and customer service. Read our full UpNest review.
Pros
- User-friendly dashboard
- You can choose from multiple agents
- Agents bid for your business, which may lead to lower realtor fees
Cons
- No guaranteed savings on realtor fees
- Customers report problems with customer service
- No clear agent vetting requirements
» MORE: Want to compare more options? Check out our guide to the best low commission realtors and companies.
John L. Scott Real Estate: Our in-depth review
Service value
📊 Our rating: 4/5
|
John L. Scott seems like a good value. As a full-service real estate company, agents at John L. Scott offer services buyers and sellers need, such as home valuations and walk-throughs, as well as some neat features to serve clients' best interests.
Buyers get:
- A customizable mobile app for a unique home-search experience
- Free property tracking with new-listing alerts for targeted markets
- A free guide to jump-start the buying process (access it here)
Sellers get:
- A free home valuation assessment provided by a residential specialist, so you receive a true comparative market analysis
- A free guide to pricing strategies (access it here)
Sellers should keep in mind that John L. Scott agents will charge fixed real estate commission rates — no matter what the local rates are. To give you a frame of reference, here are the state averages for the markets in which John L. Scott operates:
| State | Avg. listing fee | Avg. total commission | Avg. total cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2.69% | 5.11% | $40,100 |
| Idaho | 2.75% | 5.50% | $25,000 |
| Oregon | 2.61% | 5.03% | $25,100 |
| Washington | 2.75% | 5.25% | $31,300 |
Customer experience
📊 Our rating: 4.5/5
|
John L. Scott Real Estate reviews are positive overall. Google reviews across locations tend to average about 4.5 out of 5. However, ratings for locations varied, with some scoring below 4.0. A closer inspection revealed that many negative reviews (but not all) were from several years ago. Lastly, some locations had less than 10 reviews and were not considered in the weighted average range.
Most John L. Scott reviews focused on the customer’s experience with their specific agent, as opposed to the company as a whole. Some locations did not have reviews from within the last 12 months. If you’re looking for a John L. Scott agent, we recommend focusing more on recent reviews about the specific agent you’re considering.
Positive reviews highlighted the professionalism and knowledge of the customer’s agent and ease of the process. Sellers often expressed being satisfied with the selling price, and buyers were excited for their new home.
✅ Stress-free selling and buying process
Many positive reviews highlighted that their experience and the overall process was easy and stress-free. Additionally, these reviews often attributed this to the dedication and skill of their agent.
Marcus T. in March 2024 wrote, “I bought my home in 2019 with [agent] and sold my home in 2023 with [same agent]. Both times, I was very impressed by how smooth [agent] made the process. It couldn’t have been a much smoother process. This was my first home purchase and sell, and I would recommend [agent] and would use his services again. He worked hard to get me what I was seeking.”
✅ Sellers often reported satisfaction with the selling price
Several home sellers commented specifically on being happy with the price their home sold for. Some mentioned it sold for what they wanted, while a few others mentioned getting more than they expected.
Tanya F. in May 2024 wrote, “I had the best experience. My house sold for what we hoped for, more than listed, the very next day after it was listed, with a cash buyer. So quick and easy.”
✅ Agent quality was largely positive across agents and locations in the last 12 months
Customers' experience regarding interactions with agents was largely positive in the last 12 months. That said, there were a few negative reviews, which isn’t surprising given the number of agents and locations. However, many of the negative reviews were from several years ago.
Satisfied customers typically described their agent as dedicated, knowledgeable, patient, and responsive.
For instance, Elaine and John S. in December 2023 wrote, “[Our agent] was knowledgeable, professional, and was there for us each step of the way. We had lived in our house for 25 years, so we hadn’t sold a house in that many years. That, coupled with the market being so unpredictable and high interest rates, we were nervous about listing right now. [Our agent’s] knowledge of the market allowed him to price our house for the best results. We are thrilled that our house sold so quickly and for well over list.”
Frances B. in September 2023 wrote, “[Our agent] not only helped us sell our home, her approach to selling with integrity made it as easy as possible for us. [Our agent] was there for each step without over stepping…We really appreciate her knowledge.”
Dissatisfied customers within the last 12 months focused on problems with communication, and in some cases, unprofessional behavior.
For instance, Katie M. in May 2023 wrote, “Bad experience buying a piece of property through John L. Scott. Lack of communication, leaving out pertinent information, and unfriendly.”
❌ Customers were dissatisfied with how problems and complaints were handled
A few negative reviews focused on dissatisfaction with how the company and others handled situations when the customer had a complaint or problem.
For instance, K.W. in April 2024 spoke with an admin at their local John L. Scott office who assured K.W. that their issue would be handled. However, when the issue was forwarded to a “higher-level” broker, K.W. was unhappy with how they were treated and the problem dealt with. “I was forwarded to [person] who was extremely defensive, rude, and hung up on me. He completely disregarded the issue at hand…He contradicted himself, raised his tone, and I would not work with this agency.”
Agent quality
📊 Our rating: 4.5/5
|
Compared with similar brokerages in the Pacific Northwest, the quality of agents at John L. Scott is remarkably high.
For one, agents have an average of 16 years of experience, which is double the industry median of eight years (based on 198 agents who listed their experience on Realtor.com). Agents also complete around 11.3 transactions per year, which is pretty standard.
John L. Scott reviews of specific agents are largely positive, although there are some negative reviews. Clients typically appreciate the thoroughness and professionalism of John L. Scott, but a few regret not shopping around for a lower agent commission.
Because these reviews aren’t necessarily representative of the entire company, you should still evaluate individual John L. Scott agents before enlisting their services. Ask the listing agent thorough questions, and request sales numbers and references from past clients.
» MORE: How to choose a good seller's agent | How to choose a good buyer's agent
Brand reach and visibility
📊 Our rating: 4/5
|
As one of the longest-standing real estate brokerages in the Pacific Northwest, John L. Scott has certainly cemented a reputation of excellence.
It has good brand reach and visibility online, especially for a regional company, with 35,000 monthly searches for "John L. Scott realty" and other branded terms. According to our analytics, John L. Scott’s website receives over 49,000 monthly visits, which is above average for a company of this size.
Although the company claims to operate in four states, most of its offices are divided between Portland and Seattle, with a smaller number representing cities in Oregon and Washington. The company has four offices in Idaho and only two in northern California.
Buyers and sellers looking for homes in rural areas might be better served by a local real estate company rather than John L. Scott, which mostly covers metropolitan areas. That's because brokerages with strong local networks can connect you with buyers and listings faster.
What is John L. Scott Real Estate?
John L. Scott is a family-owned real estate brokerage and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. First founded in 1931, the company now operates 104 offices with over 3,000 agents across California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It’s recognized as one of the top 20 residential real estate brands in the country.[2]
| General contact info (corporate office) | |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address | 11040 Main St., Suite 280 Bellevue, WA 98004 |
| ☎️ Phone | (253) 245-9194 |
| 📱 Social media | Facebook X (Twitter) |
John L. Scott local offices and contact information
The website provides a helpful search tool to filter through dozens of John L. Scott offices. We've also listed the locations that get the most searches on Google, indicating they're probably popular or in a highly populated area.
| Office location | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Medford 871 Medford Center Medford, OR 97504 | (541) 779-3611 |
| Bellingham 2930 Newmarket St., Suite 111 Bellingham, WA 98226 | (360) 671-9640 |
| Ocean Shores 711 Point Brown Ave. NWPO Box 444 Ocean Shores, WA 98569 | (800) 562-6670 |
| Port Orchard 1954 SE Lund Ave. Port Orchard, WA 98366 | (360) 876-7600 |
| Puyallup South Hill 10223 132nd St. E, Suite 101 Puyallup, WA 98374 | (253) 268-3500 |
| Snohomish 108 Union Ave. Snohomish, WA 98290 | (360) 217-8670 |
| Spokane 1500 W. Fourth Ave., Suite 202 Spokane, WA 99201 | (509) 455-8600 |
| Vashon 13401 Vashon Hwy. SW Vashon, WA 98070 | (206) 567-1600 |
Other John L. Scott Real Estate services
While the company is known for its full-service, traditional real estate services, John L. Scott Real Estate also offers additional services, including:
- Home valuation: Get an estimate of your home’s current market value and view the buyer demand in your market
- Relocation services: Personalized support to help with your relocation, whether across the state, country, or globe
- Exceptional Homes program: Real estate services providing local and global exposure to your luxury property
John L. Scott commission split with agents
The commission structure for agents is not publicized on the company’s website or available materials, unlike some other real estate companies like Samson Properties.
Reviews on websites like Glassdoor and Indeed indicate that the John L. Scott commission split may be higher than average, especially for new agents.[3] A Glassdoor review by an employee indicates the John L. Scott commission split may be 50/50 until agents reach $24,000. However, this was not confirmed by the company.
Additionally, experienced agents may be able to negotiate a different commission split, and it’s unclear if the John L. Scott commission structure is the same across locations.
Next step: Start interviewing agents
We recommend interviewing multiple agents (ideally 2–3) to ensure you get the best fit and value.
You can start comparing top local agents here. These agents are vetted for experience, successful transactions, and customer reviews. They also provide full service for a 1.5% listing fee instead of the typical 3%.
- Answer 5 simple questions about your sale
- Get matched with 2 to 3 top local agents in minutes
- Choose the best fit and save up to 50% on listing fees
Methodology
We create a score for each traditional real estate brokerage based on four core criteria:
- Service value
- Customer experience
- Agent quality
- Brand power
Service value
Service: We evaluate whether the company provides standard full service, including a home valuation, staging advice, professional photography, MLS listing, open house management, negotiations, and help with paperwork. We also look at the quality of active and past listings (photos, listing descriptions, etc.) to see whether the company follows established best practices.
Cost: We determine whether the company charges market rates for commission (~2.5–3% listing fees) and whether customers get little or a lot of value for the fee.
Customer experience
Customer review analysis: We perform an in-depth analysis of recent customer reviews to determine trends and filter out spam reviews.
Agent quality
Overall agent team: We evaluate the chances of getting a solid realtor who will meet different needs, preferences, and availability.
Experience: We examine the entire team's average experience based on public agent data on sites like Realtor.com and Zillow. We also compare the average annual transactions per agent, sourced from RealTrends or brokerage-provided data, with the industry average.
Selection: We determine the total number of agents versus offices to gauge how wide the selection is.
Brand power
We evaluate overall brand power to see if the company can get more eyes on your listings, more showings, and quicker offers.
Social media presence: We consider the company's presence across all major consumer-facing social platforms (Facebook, X, and Instagram).
Online audience size: We determine the size of the company's online audience through web traffic volume and monthly Google searches for the brand name.
Marketing reach: We look at the company's listings on all major MLSs and populator listing sites like Zillow and Realtor.com.