The Empire State has a lot to offer — from the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and the Catskills Mountains, to Broadway and the museums and culture of New York City. The real estate market reflects that. According to Zillow data, the current median home value is $419,708. Home values have risen about 3.56% over the past year.
New York has over 60,000 realtors and dozens of real estate companies to choose from. Whether you're buying or selling a house, finding the right service can be daunting.
Our team of experts has found the top real estate companies in New York to help you find the best service for your situation:
Best for saving money: Discount brokers
Discount brokers charge a reduced commission to home sellers and often provide home buyers with cash back or credits at closing. These companies are a great option if you don't want to break the bank to buy or sell your home but still want to work with a real estate agent.
Warning
Some discount services in New York, like Redfin, hire agents who are expected to manage a higher volume of transactions — which could diminish their ability to provide personalized service.
Other services, like Clever Real Estate, can match you with a full-service agent and help you save money at the same time by pre-negotiating lower fees.
Clever Real Estate
Get Started💲 Listing Fee
1.5% (min. $3,000)
💰 Avg. Savings
$5,625
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
4.9/5 (1,995 reviews)
Clever is a quick, easy, and free way to find a top-rated local agent. And, unlike many similar companies, Clever pre-negotiates big discounts on your behalf, so you can save thousands without sacrificing on service.
- Clever offers a free, nationwide agent-matching service that partners with full-service local agents from conventional brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.
- You get multiple agent matches so you can interview, compare marketing plans, and choose the best fit.
- Clever pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf — you get full service for a low 1.5% listing fee.
- If you buy with Clever, you could get cash back after closing.
- You may not get matched with an agent from your preferred real estate brokerage.
- Agents may not provide premium services like drone photography and professional home staging.
Clever has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on 1,844 reviews.
Clever has pre-negotiated low commission rates with top agents in all 50 states and Washington, DC.
Redfin
Full Review💲 Listing Fee
1.5% (min. fees vary)
💰 Avg. Savings
$5,550
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
3.7/5 (301 reviews)
Redfin offers real savings and is a proven brand. But sellers could compromise on service — especially agent experience and availability.
- If you buy and sell with Redfin, you'll get a 0.5% listing fee discount.
- Redfin gives its listings premium placement in its popular home search app.
- If finding the right agent is a top priority, you'll have limited options — Redfin only has a few agents in each of its markets.
- Redfin agents handle more customers at once than the average realtor, so they may not be able to provide as much personalized service.
Redfin has a 3.7 out of 5 rating (301 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Yelp.
Redfin is available in 80+ U.S. markets (see all locations).
Ideal Agent
💲 Listing Fee
2% ($3k minimum fee)
💰 Buyer Savings
None
⚡ Avg. Customer Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ideal Agent can match you with a local realtor who sells a lot of homes. But although it pre-negotiates discounted listing fees, you can save twice as much with competitors like Clever.
- Agents in network must meet strict quality standards
- Pre-negotiated listing fees of 2% (or $3k for homes under $150,000)
- 2% listing fee is less than the national average, but it's not the best rate out there
- No built-in savings for buyers
- Only matches you with a single agent
As of 10/21/2022, Ideal Agent has an average customer rating of 4.9, based on 5,842 reviews across Google and Trustpilot.
Prevu Real Estate
Full Review💲 Listing Fee
1.5% (min. fees vary)
💰 Avg. Savings
$2,450
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
5.0/5 (449 reviews)
Prevu offers solid commission savings for buyers and sellers. But at certain price points, other discount brands may offer better value.
- Prevu's 1.5% listing fee saves sellers an average of $2,450 compared to a standard 3% commission rate.
- Eligible buyers get a commission rebate worth up to 2% of the home price.
- High minimum fees may limit your savings if you're selling a lower-priced home.
- Prevu has a small team, which limits your options if you don't hit it off with the first agent it sends you.
Prevu has a 5.0 out of 5 rating (449 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Yelp.
Prevu is available in the following areas: CA, CO, CT, MA, NY, PA, TX, WA.
Sell Now Homebuyers
WebsitePhone Number
(914) 559-2579
Time to Offer
24 hours
Time to Sale
21 days
We picked Sell Now Homebuyers because it's a local buyer with excellent reviews on Google.
Sell Now Homebuyers is a group of local, New York property investors that buys homes for cash in the New York tri-state area. To sell your home to Sell Now Homebuyers, expect to:
- Fill out their online form with home details
- Set up a call to discuss your offer, and accept or decline immediately
- Close in less than a month
Sell Now Homebuyers primarily operates in:
- New York City
- Hudson Valley
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- And more - check the website for a complete list of locations.
Sell Now Homebuyers received an average of 4.9 stars from 31 customer reviews.
Google: 4.9 stars/36 reviews
Facebook: 1 star/1 review
Best for a fast sale: iBuyers and cash buyers
In New York, the median selling time for a home is 95 days. But if you need to sell your home quickly — in two weeks or less! — there are companies in New York that will make a cash offer and close on your timeline.
iBuyers pay almost as much as you'd get on the open market, and you won't have to spend time or money preparing, listing, and marketing your home. In some cases, you can move out when you want, even after closing.
» FIND: The Best 6 iBuyer Companies Ranked & Reviewed
The downside is that iBuyers usually only purchase houses that are in good condition and require minimal repairs. If you're trying to sell a distressed property, you're better off working with a cash buyer. In New York, those companies include Fair Offer NY, Express Homebuyers, and Sell Now Homebuyers.
To make a profit in New York, We Buy Houses for Cash companies make offers well under fair market value — about 30% less. On a $250,000 home, that means you'd lose out on around $75,000. But you'll pay for the convenience.
» FIND: 5 New York We Buy Houses for Cash Companies & Alternatives
A cash buyer might be your only option if you need to unload a property that's in bad shape and may not even qualify for traditional financing when a new buyer comes along.
Opendoor
Full reviewService fee
5%
Closing date window
14–60 days
Average rating
4.3 (3,322 reviews)
Opendoor is a good option for home sellers who need a fast, predictable sale with minimal hassle. While the price that Opendoor pays might be slightly below the value of comparable homes on the open market, the difference might be worth it for people who value convenience and speed.
Pros
- The 5% service fee is lower than some competitors.
- Many customer reviews rate the company highly.
Cons
- Offer prices may vary by market.
- You have a limited ability to negotiate.
- Buyers may find Opendoor's repairs insufficient.
Opendoor is currently purchasing homes in 47 locations, including:
- AZ: Phoenix, Tucson
- CA: Los Angeles, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego
- CO: Denver
- FL: Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa
- GA: Atlanta
- MN: Minneapolis–St. Paul
- NV: Las Vegas
- NC: Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham
- OR: Portland
- TN: Nashville
- TX: Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio
- UT: Salt Lake City
As of 8/17/2022, Opendoor's weighted average is 4.3 based on 3,322 reviews.
- Reviews.io: 4.4 (2965 reviews)
- Better Business Bureau: 3.21 (274 reviews)
- Website: opendoor.com
- Phone: (888) 352-7075
- Email: contact@opendoor.com
Fair Offer NY
WebsitePhone Number
(347) 685-9317
Time to Offer
24 hours
Time to Sale
7 days
We picked Fair Offer NY as one of our top New York "we buy houses" companies due to its strong customer reviews.
Fair Offer NY is a local, New York property investor that buys homes for cash in select cities across the state. To sell your home to Fair Offer NY you can:
- Reach out over the phone or through their online form to schedule an appointment
- Receive your cash offer at your appointment
- Close on your own schedule, as soon or late as is convenient
Fair Offer NY primarily buys homes in NYC, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam County & Long Island.
Fair Offer NY received an average of 5 stars from 10 customer reviews. It's not accredited by the Better Business Bureau but it has an A+ rating.
Google: 5 stars/7 reviews
Facebook: 5 stars/3 reviews
Express Homebuyers
WebsitePhone Number
877-804-5252
Time to Offer
7 minutes
Time to Sale
7 days
Express Homebuyers is really fast: it provides offers in just minutes and can close in just a week in many circumstances. Plus, the company has mostly positive reviews on Google.
Express Homebuyers is a national service that has partnered with local investors across the country to buy houses for cash.
Steps to sell with Express Homebuyers:
- Submit your home's information to receive an initial "as is" offer
- Meet with the local investor to assess your property and answer any questions
- Discuss the local investor's final cash offer and, if you're willing to sell, sign a sales agreement then and there
- Choose a closing day on your schedule
- Show up on the day of the sale to sign the paperwork and receive cash within hours
Express Homebuyers has partnered with local investors in the following states:
Express Home Buyers received an average of 3.7 stars from 261 customer reviews. It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and it has a B+ rating.
Google: 4.2 stars/122 reviews
Facebook: 4.6 stars/113 reviews
Yelp: 2.5 stars/26 reviews
Sell Now Homebuyers
WebsitePhone Number
(914) 559-2579
Time to Offer
24 hours
Time to Sale
21 days
We picked Sell Now Homebuyers because it's a local buyer with excellent reviews on Google.
Sell Now Homebuyers is a group of local, New York property investors that buys homes for cash in the New York tri-state area. To sell your home to Sell Now Homebuyers, expect to:
- Fill out their online form with home details
- Set up a call to discuss your offer, and accept or decline immediately
- Close in less than a month
Sell Now Homebuyers primarily operates in:
- New York City
- Hudson Valley
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- And more - check the website for a complete list of locations.
Sell Now Homebuyers received an average of 4.9 stars from 31 customer reviews.
Google: 4.9 stars/36 reviews
Facebook: 1 star/1 review
We Buy Ugly Houses
Full reviewTime to offer
Varies
Minimum closing time
3 weeks
Closing costs
No cost for seller
We Buy Ugly Houses has a better reputation than most individual cash buyers, but your experience can vary based on the quality of the local franchise. While We Buy Ugly Houses can close in as little as three weeks, it pays far less than fair market value.
Pros
- Trusted, nationally recognized brand
- No need to worry about repairs
- Close in just three weeks
Cons
- Quality of service may vary between franchises
- Pays far less than fair market value
We Buy Ugly Houses has over 800 independently owned and operated franchises across 47 states and Washington, DC.
As of October 2022, We Buy Ugly Houses's parent company, Homevestors, has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau. No other third-party reviews are available at this time.
This rating is based on overall national data. Research local franchises for specific reviews that reflect their quality of service.
- Website: webuyuglyhouses.com
- Phone: (866) 288-9516
Best for finding top agents: Agent-matching services
If you want to work with a realtor, agent-matching services can help you find top agents in your area quickly. They are free to use and provide a pre-vetted local agent from well known brokerages like Coldwell Banker and REMAX.
Some agent-matching services provide names of several agents that you can interview until you find one that you feel comfortable with. Others, like Clever Real Estate and Upnest, even help you get a reduced commission so you can work with a full-service agent without paying full price.
Clever is our top pick in New York because with a listing fee of just $3,000 (or 1.5% if your home sells for more than $350,000) you'll save the most money.
Clever Real Estate
Full Review💲 Listing Fee
1.5%
💰 Buyer Savings
Up to $500 cash back
⚡ Avg. Customer Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clever is a quick, easy, and free way to find a top-rated local agent. And, unlike many similar companies, Clever pre-negotiates big discounts on your behalf, so you can save thousands without sacrificing on service.
Learn how Clever helps you find the perfect agent and save thousands
- Free, nationwide agent-matching service that partners with full-service local agents from conventional brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX
- Provides multiple agent matches so you can interview, compare marketing plans, and choose the best fit
- Pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf — you get full service for 1.5% with a $3,000 minimum
- If you buy with Clever, you may get up to $500 cash back if you qualify
- You may not get matched with an agent from your preferred real estate brokerage.
- Like other agent matching services, Clever may have fewer agents in rural areas.
- Agents may not provide premium services like drone photography and professional home staging.
As of 10/21/2022, Clever has an average customer rating of 4.9 on Trustpilot, based on 1,844 reviews.
UpNest
💲 Listing Fee
Varies
💰 Buyer Savings
Varies
⚡ Avg. Customer Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
UpNest has agents compete for your business, which often results in you getting a discounted rate. But savings aren't guaranteed and you will usually find a better rate with competitors like Clever.
- Agents compete for customers, which often results in slightly discounted rates
- Customer dashboard is easy to use and provides lots of each information about each agent
- Savings are not guaranteed and are often only a little better than the national average
- Agent quality and coverage varies, with smaller markets having fewer options than big cities
As of 10/21/2022, UpNest has an average customer rating of 4.6, based on 5,093 reviews across Better Business Bureau, Google, Facebook, and Shopper Approved.
Ideal Agent
💲 Listing Fee
2% ($3k minimum fee)
💰 Buyer Savings
None
⚡ Avg. Customer Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ideal Agent can match you with a local realtor who sells a lot of homes. But although it pre-negotiates discounted listing fees, you can save twice as much with competitors like Clever.
- Agents in network must meet strict quality standards
- Pre-negotiated listing fees of 2% (or $3k for homes under $150,000)
- 2% listing fee is less than the national average, but it's not the best rate out there
- No built-in savings for buyers
- Only matches you with a single agent
As of 10/21/2022, Ideal Agent has an average customer rating of 4.9, based on 5,842 reviews across Google and Trustpilot.
Best by transaction volume
A more objective metric to measure the best real estate companies in New York is the total dollar value (or transaction volume) of all deals that passed through a local real estate brokerage.
This data doesn't necessarily tell you which company in the state offers the best customer experience — just who's earning the most business.
Below are the top real estate teams in New York based on total transaction volume and team size (small, medium, or large).
🏆 Best small teams
Team | Brokerage | City | Transaction volume (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
Shaun Osher | CORE Group Real Estate | New York City | $328,688,779 |
The Cathy Franklin Team | Corcoran | New York City | $195,533,520 |
Janice Chang Team | Douglas Elliman | New York City | $171,406,623 |
The Hedgerow Team | Hedgerow Exclusive Properties | Bridgehampton | $162,655,000 |
The Lesser Kantha Team | Leslie J. Garfield & Co. Real Estate | New York City | $158,250,000 |
🏆 Best medium teams
Team | Brokerage | City | Transaction volume (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
The Petrie Team | Compass | East Hampton | $247,961,700 |
The Carrie Chiang Team | Corcoran | New York City | $209,765,555 |
The Enzo Morabito Team | Douglas Elliman | Westhampton Beach | $184,744,702 |
The Atlantic Team | Douglas Elliman | East Hampton | $171,593,625 |
The Hustis Jovanovic Team | Compass | New York City | $163,377,000 |
🏆 Best large teams
Team | Brokerage | City | Transaction volume (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
Alexander Team | Douglas Elliman | New York City | $563,931,015 |
The Hudson Advisory Team | Compass | New York City | $425,549,512 |
The Aguayo Team | Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing | New York City | $267,521,020 |
The Holly Parker Team | Douglas Elliman | New York City | $210,736,497 |
The Heather Harrison Team | Compass | Scarsdale | $198,722,919 |
Source: RealTrends | |||
Fast facts about real estate in New York
🏠 Average home sale price (March 2023) | $411,300 |
💰 Average realtor commission | 4.97% |
🕑 Average days on market | 66 |
FAQs about the best real estate companies in New York
It depends on your situation. If you need to sell your house quickly, one of the best solutions in New York is to work with an iBuyer like Offerpad. If you want to go the traditional route and list with an agent but still save money, agent-matching services like Clever Real Estate and UpNest are the best solution.
Based on transaction volume data, The Alexander Team (Douglas Elliman), The Hudson Advisory Team (Compass), and Shaun Osher (CORE Group Real Estate) are the largest real estate brokers in New York.
Methodology
Our New York real estate company categories and rankings are based on hundreds of hours of collective research by Clever's editorial team. Our research included:
- Interviews with local real estate agents
- Mystery shopping real estate companies to learn more about how their services work
- Comparing each company based on categories like fees, overall customer satisfaction, and additional services
Transaction volume data for brokerages in New York was sourced from RealTrends' state rankings.