Samson Properties is a legitimate, full-service traditional brokerage that assists customers with buying, selling, and renting. The company has over 5,500 agents and offices in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. You have plenty of top agents to choose from, but it doesn’t offer commission savings like the best low commission companies do.
Our Samson Properties rating
| Overall score | 4.3 🟢 |
| Service value | 3.0 🟡 |
| Customer experience | 4.5 🟢 |
| Agent quality | 4.5 🟢 |
| Brand power | 5.0 🟢 |
Samson Real Estate has a strong brand presence, particularly in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. And it continues to grow, with new agents joining regularly. It's also currently ranked as the 7th largest independent brokerage in the nation.
Customers can choose from a variety of top agents at each location. The company also offers built-in training and mentorship opportunities to support its agents.[1] However, some customers have reported negative experiences, so agent quality can vary.
In the last 12 months, Samson Properties reviews have been positive overall. Most online reviewers were satisfied and described high-quality service with knowledgeable, responsive agents. However, agent quality and communication can vary by location. Samson Real Estate typically responds to negative reviews, offering the reviewer the opportunity to contact them so they can make things right when possible.
» See how our Samson Properties review breaks down.
Is Samson Properties right for you?
Samson Properties could be right for you if you’re looking for a comprehensive, full-service brokerage, particularly in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. Most Samson Properties reviews in the last 12 months suggest you’ll likely receive quality services and work with an experienced, knowledgeable agent (although not all reviews are positive).
But you may want to use an alternative company if you want to save on commission. While agents at Samson Real Estate are experienced, you’ll want to interview 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 Samson Properties. 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.
Samson Properties vs. top low-cost alternatives
We recommend these companies as top low-cost alternatives to Samson Properties. 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.
Samson Properties: Our in-depth review
Service value
📊 Our rating: 3/5
|
Samson Properties doesn’t provide a fully fledged list of services that it offers to buyers, sellers, and renters. Since the brokerage relies on recruiting agents from all over the states in which it’s licensed, the services provided will likely vary by agent. Both sellers and buyers should ask their local Samson agent up front about the services they provide.
» LEARN: What is a full-service realtor?
A listing agent should provide a professional home valuation (ideally with a CMA), an MLS listing and syndication, high-quality photography and staging, and assistance managing open houses, negotiations, and paperwork.
Likewise, a buyer's agent should be able to help you find homes on the MLS that you’re actually interested in, as well as give you tours, connect you with the seller, and stay with you until you close on a home.
Keep in mind if you hire an agent from Samson Properties to help you sell, you might pay full commission, no matter what local competitive rates are. To give you an idea of local rates, here are the state averages for the DC–Maryland-Virginia markets:
| State | Avg. listing fee | Avg. total commission | Avg. cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 2.76% | 5.34% | $22,300 |
| Virginia | 2.72% | 5.45% | $21,200 |
| Washington, DC | 2.83% | 5.49% | $34,100 |
» MORE: Average commission rates across the US
Customer experience
📊 Our rating: 4.5/5
|
Samson Properties reviews are mostly positive overall. Over 1,000 Google reviews across locations tend to range from 3.8 to 4.8 out of 5.
However, some locations haven't had any reviews in the last 12 months, so you’ll want to interview agents thoroughly in case of agent turnover or changes in how the office runs. Additionally, some locations had less than 10 reviews, making it difficult to judge the service and quality of those locations.
Positive reviews focused on the professionalism and expertise of the Samson Properties agents, especially their patience and help when facing difficult transactions or situations. However, dissatisfied customers focused on poor communication, delays in responding to queries, and poor agent quality. Again, given the number of agents at Samson Properties, you’ll need to vet agents carefully.
✅ Smooth process with positive service satisfaction overall
Most reviews in the last 12 months indicated satisfaction with Samson Properties' range of services, whether buying, selling, or renting. The company’s services seem in line with most other traditional real estate companies.
For example, Clair P. in April 2023 wrote, “[Our agent] was instrumental in helping us purchase our first home and years later selling our home. [Agent] is patient, knowledgeable, and caring. He seeks to help you achieve the goal of becoming a homeowner or seller.”
Bolivia S. in May 2024 wrote, “[My agent] was very responsive to all my concerns and made the whole selling process very easy and smooth.”
✅ Agents able to help with difficult situations or transactions
Several customers mentioned appreciating how well agents handled difficult transactions or situations, making the selling or buying process easier and less stressful.
For instance, Renee H. in May 2024 wrote, “Being a military family, house hunting brings so many challenges, and as our realtor, she kept us informed from before we even met. The market wasn’t easy but she helped us push through each step. Her virtual tours include how the place smelt, the flow of the home, and a quick recap at the end of each video.”
❌ Agent quality varies per location
Customer experience and the quality of the agents vary significantly, which isn’t surprising given the number of Samson Properties agents.
Customers working with experienced, top agents typically report having a smooth process. These agents are described as knowledgeable, patient, and responsive.
For instance, home buyer Candace H. in September 2023 wrote, “[Our agent] was responsive to our needs, professional, thorough, and during negotiations, she advocated for us in a way no other realtor has before. We will definitely use her expertise for future purchases!”
First time home buyer, Jennifer H. in May 2023 wrote that their agent was “direct, honest, and listened to my wants and needs. Not only did he find the perfect home for my family and I, but he sold my parent’s home that I inherited.”
However, dissatisfied customers typically describe their agents as incompetent, rude, and unresponsive.
For instance, Keiko Q. in May 2024 had a bad experience with their agent, stating, “Their agent discriminated against me and my family…She was very judgemental and did not give us good feedback.”
Emily H. in September 2023 also had a bad experience at a different location, writing, “[My agent] was extremely difficult to deal with. He was very unresponsive, including with our offer for several days. He also misled us on questions we asked about the home.”
❌ Quality of communication varies per agent and location
The type and responsiveness of communication vary by agent, so it’s important to discuss communication style and responsiveness with potential agents before working with them.
Satisfied customers described their agent’s communication style as responsive and felt agents were readily available to answer questions.
For instance, Haider A. in May 2024 wrote that their agent was “always available to answer my questions and address any concerns I had, making the entire experience smooth and stress-free.”
Dissatisfied customers felt communication with their agent or office staff was slow, difficult to contact, or provided conflicting information.
For instance, Tiara G. in May 2023 wrote, “Spoke with [agent] who kept changing her availability for a showing. We finally agreed on a day and time to tour a property just for [agent] not to show. Called multiple times and left messages to no avail.”
Agent quality
📊 Our rating: 4.5/5
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The real estate agents at Samson Properties appear to be very experienced, and the brokerage ranks 18th in the U.S. for sales volume, with $8.6 billion in sales in 2023.[2]
Based on 52 agents we have data on, the average Samson agent has 12.8 years of experience (higher than the industry median) and roughly four transactions per agent. As a whole, there are over 5,500 agents on staff and 20,240 transactions completed in one year. And Samson Properties continues to expand, with new locations and agents being added each year.
However, agent quality can vary, with some customers reporting very poor experience. So regardless of how experienced Samson agents are, we still recommend evaluating them on an individual basis. Interview your local agent before you decide to work with the brokerage. Ask your agent for sales numbers, references from past clients, their commission rate, and the services they provide.
» MORE: How to choose a good seller's agent | How to choose a good buyer's agent
Brand reach and visibility
📊 Our rating: 5/5
|
Samson Properties has a strong brand name that attracts new agents to its workforce and is the 7th largest independent brokerage in the nation.[3] That said, according to our analytics tool, traffic to its main website and listing pages is only slightly above average:
- 2,200+ active listings
- 5,800 visitors per month
- 6,500 Google searches per month
While these numbers aren’t terrible, they’re also lower than what we’ve seen on other brokerage websites.
Samson Properties' main strength is its local network, which is more likely to connect you with buyers and listings quickly. Its 37 offices are concentrated in the DC–Maryland–Virginia area — roughly 4,940 square miles. With 5,000+ agents on staff, the brokerage has about one agent per square mile. The company has also opened three offices in West Virginia, with the latest office opening in 2024.[4]
Samson Properties locations
Samson Properties is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, and is one of the fastest growing real estate brokerages in the eastern United States. It has 37 offices and 5,500+ agents located across Maryland, northern Virginia, and West Virginia. And it’s licensed in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.
Other Samson Properties services
In addition to its traditional real estate services, Samson Properties also provides real estate services for renters and commercial properties. Agents also can recommend title services through Cardinal Title Group, owned by Donny Samson, CEO of Samson Properties.[5] However, clients are not required to use Cardinal Title Group.
Samson Properties commission split with agents
According to the website, agents get to keep 100% of their commission but are responsible for a $495 transaction fee.[6] Agents performing well can achieve The Cardinal Club status and save on Samson Properties fees. Those agents do not pay the transaction fee for life.
However, there may be some cases when there is a Samson Properties commission split. For instance, out-of-office referrals may have a 90%/10% split. Also, commercial properties may have a Samson Properties commission split of 90%/10% but with no broker fee.[7]
Overall, Samson Properties is agent-centric, allowing agents to keep their commission. However, agents do have some Samson Properties fees.
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.