Find Top Real Estate Agents in Every State

The best real estate agents in the US combine deep, local expertise with higher-than-average performance. Here’s what that looks like in the US.

General

• High transaction volume: Does more than 7 sales per year (the national median)
• Well established: At least 3–5+ years of experience in the local market
• Good reputation: High total review count and average ratings

Sellers

• Pricing expertise: Few-to-no price drops
• High sale-to-list ratios: Typically sells near or above list price (median sale-to-list in the US is 100%)
• Strong marketing strategy: Beautiful photos, compelling listing descriptions, maximum visibility
• Faster-than-average sales: Gets homes under contract quickly (median sale timeline in the US is 58 days)

Buyers

• Strong negotiator: The best buyer’s agents in the US often save 5-10% off list price
• Local expertise: Know neighborhoods, schools, amenities, regulations
• Responsive and accessible: Reviews consistently call out these specific traits

Most likely, yes. The vast majority of home sellers will get the best outcome and most money selling with a top local real estate agent. That said, it really depends on your goals.

Consider listing with a realtor if:

• You're aiming for top dollar or need help navigating pricing and offers
• You want someone to handle the full process—marketing, showings, negotiation, paperwork
• Your property is typical for the area and priced at or above $200,000

Consider alternatives if:

• You want a faster sale and are open to a cash offer from a cash home buyer or iBuyer
• You’re cost-conscious and want to save on commission with a discount real estate broker
• You want to avoid realtor commission altogether and are comfortable trying FSBO (for sale by owner), knowing that FSBO sales usually net less and require a lot of work.

The national average real estate commission is about (5.57%).

• Typically, this gets split between the listing and buyer’s agents (2.82% and 2.75%, respectively).
• Rates are negotiable and may be lower for higher-priced homes or repeat clients.
• Following the NAR settlement, buyers may need to negotiate their agent's fee directly.

Sell with a top agent and save

With Clever, sellers can list with a top local agent for just 1.5% (or $3,000 flat) — up to 50% less than the typical rate in the US.

Whether you’re hiring a buyer’s or seller’s agent, you should ask about their past experience. You should find out their plan to market a property you’re selling or how they will help you find the perfect home to buy. You should also ask how often they’ve handled homes in the price point and neighborhood that you’re selling or purchasing in.

It’s a good idea to review at least three real estate agents, so you can compare their offerings. You’ll want to find an agent that’s the best fit, so focus on their communication skills, their professionalism, their pricing, and their familiarity with transactions similar to yours.

If you’re both selling a home and purchasing a new one, using the same agent can simplify the process. But you’ll need to find an agent with a successful track record as both a listing agent and a buyer’s agent. While some real estate agents do both, some of the best real estate professionals specialize in either representing buyers or listing properties

If a traditional agent isn’t the right fit, here are some alternatives:

Cash buyer services

• Get fast, no-obligation offers from investors, iBuyers, and bridge loan providers.
• Ideal for distressed homes, tight timelines, or sellers prioritizing speed over top price.

Discount brokerages

• Offer lower commissions (often 1–2%) while still providing MLS access and support.
• Good option if you want to save but still prefer professional help.

Flat-Fee MLS (FFMLS)

• Pay a one-time fee to list your home on the MLS.
• You'll handle pricing, showings, and negotiation yourself — best for experienced sellers.

For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

• No agent involvement, no commission—but you’ll do everything yourself.
• FSBO homes typically sell for less, so weigh potential savings vs. final sale price.

Pro tip: Even if you go non-traditional, consider services like Clever or local offer platforms — they help you compare your options and connect with agents or investors offering discounts, fast offers, or both.