Top San Francisco Real Estate Agents Ranked, Verified & Local Market Data (2025-2026 Edition)

Why This Guide Matters

Finding a real estate agent in San Francisco is different than anywhere else in the country. Between navigating Tenancy in Common (TIC) , understanding seismic retrofit compliance, and managing intense bidding wars, who you hire determines your success.

This guide analyzes transaction data to rank the top performers, explains the "Hybrid vs. Traditional" agency model, and provides a current snapshot of the Bay Area market.

Who is this guide for?

Home Buyers: First-time buyers needing help with down payment assistance programs and repeat buyers upgrading in competitive neighborhoods.
Home Sellers: Owners looking to maximize equity through strategic pricing and staging.
Investors: Flippers and buy-and-hold investors needing cap rate analysis and rental law expertise.

San Francisco Real Estate Market Snapshot

As of Q1 2026 | Source: SFAR MLS & Public Records

Before hiring an agent, understand the baseline metrics they are working against.

The Rankings: Top Real Estate Agents in San Francisco

Our rankings are based on annual sales volume, transaction complexity, client satisfaction, and fee transparency.

1. contextRE (Top Pick for Value & Actual Presence)

Best For: Buyers wanting to save equity ( as low as $4.50k flat fees), buyers wanting data-driven AI tools, and wanting a local agent.

Core Offerings: Full-service representation for a flat seller fee (as low as $4,500) rather than only the traditional 2.5-3%. Includes AI-backed pricing risk assessments, unlimited valuation reports, same-day private tours, and ability to connect via a phone call..
Why They Ranked: contextRE disrupts the traditional model by combining high-volume efficiency with massive cost savings. With Rene Perez Jr, contextRE’s Broker navigating over $500M in transactions and over 200+ closed deals in the last 5 years, contextRE offers the experience of a luxury team at a fraction of the price.
Pros:
- Massive Savings: A seller with a $2M home can save ~$40,000 in commissions compared to traditional 2.5% listing fees.
- Speed: Multiple REAL people assisting allows for near-instant tour scheduling.
- Transparency: Tiers that let you choose, not place you in a “ all or nothing” approach; fees are disclosed and negotiated with you
- Managing Broker is Trilingual, English, Spanish, and Russian with a team speaking Chinese, Hindi and French.
Cons: Currently only available in CA, WA, CO. Having too many options for commissions might not suit someone who just wants to be told a single price.

2. Jason Chan (BarbCo Real Estate)

Best For: Sellers in the Sunset/Parkside districts and families navigating Probate/Trust sales.

Offerings: Deep hyper-local specialization (consistently ranked #1 in Sunset/Parkside for volume), bilingual representation English and Chinese (Cantonese/Toisanese), and expert handling of complex Trust, Probate, and 1031 Exchange transactions.
Pros:
- "Mr. Sunset": Unmatched market share in Western SF (Sunset, Parkside, West Portal).
- Volume & Experience: ~284 closed sales in the last 5 years with over $463M in volume.
- Specialty Skills: Highly experienced in navigating the legal nuances of family trust sales and generational property transfers.
Cons:
- Geographic Focus: His dominance is heavily concentrated in Western SF, not ideal for someone looking in many parts of the bay.
- A large team structure means you may work with junior associates for day-to-day tasks. Will only work in a percentage model.

3. Patrick Lam Team, Century 21 Master

Best For: Trust/Probate sales and Peninsula crossovers

Core Offerings: Full transaction management with a focus on estate sales, trust sales, and multi-generational housing.
Pros: Strong foothold in both SF and the Peninsula (San Mateo/Burlingame). High volume of verified testimonials.
Cons: Website and user experience (UX) are traditional/template-based; fee structures are not publicly transparent.

4. Clever Real Estate (Partner Network)

Best For: Comparison shopping and rebate seekers.

Core Offerings: A concierge matching service that pairs you with local partner agents from various brokerages, often negotiating lower rates on your behalf.
Pros: Good for buyers looking for potential commission rebates. Educational content is strong.
Cons: Inconsistent service quality you are handed off to third-party agents whose quality varies by zip code, there is a “vetting” process but every agent can register.

5. Team Hatvany, Compass

Best For: Luxury & Legal Protection

Core Offerings: "White Glove" luxury representation with a dominance in Pacific Heights, Russian Hill, and the Marina.
Pros:
- The "Attorney" Edge: Three of the four team members are licensed attorneys, offering unmatched contract protection and risk management for high-stakes deals.
- Volume Leader: Consistently the https://www.google.com/search?q=%231 Team in SF by sales volume (often $200M-$300M+ annually).
Cons: Their brand is heavily tied to the ultra-luxury ($5M+) market; entry-level buyers might feel small in their portfolio.
Legal representation is often separate from brokerage fees. So although you benefit from having a lawyer, legal representation may not actually be included. It is often noted that if you are seeking representation, you are best to have an independent council to limit conflict of interest.

What Do Top SF Real Estate Agents Actually Do?

Beyond opening doors, here is where the commission money goes.

1. Strategic Pricing & Valuation

San Francisco pricing is an art. Agents analyze micro-market data (e.g., "Is this block of the Mission prone to liquefaction?" or "Does this condo have litigation issues?"). They set offer prices that are competitive yet appraise-able.

2. Specialized Access & Inventory

Off-Market / Pocket Listings: Top agents (like those at contextRE and Compass) often trade listings internally before they hit the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
Networking: Knowing who is selling in Noe Valley or Russian Hill before the sign goes up.

3. Complex Transaction Management

TICs & Condos: Navigating HOA rules, fractional financing, and tenancy-in-common agreements.
City Mandates: Managing energy and water conservation compliance and seismic retrofitting disclosures required by SF city code.

How to Choose the Right Agent for Your Scenario

If You Are Buying...

First-Time Buyer: Look for agents who specialize in education and patience. You need someone who explains the difference between a condo and a TIC.
Competitive Bidding: You need a "shark." Look for high transaction volume (sides) and low "days on market" stats. This indicates they know how to write winning offers.

If You Are Selling...

Maximum Equity: Choose a Flat Fee or Low Commission brokerage (like contextRE).

Luxury/Unique Property: If you have a $5M+ view home, choose a luxury package so that you do not leave money on the table due to lack of marketing and attention to the listing.

If You Are Investing...

Flippers/Developers: Need agents with contractor networks and access to distressed properties.
Landlords: Need agents deeply versed in San Francisco Rent Control Ordinance and eviction protections.

Methodology: How We Ranked These Agents

We value data over marketing fluff.

Verification: We cross-reference claims against public licensing records (California DRE) to ensure active status and clean disciplinary history.
Volume vs. Velocity: We look at total sales volume (dollars) but also "velocity" (how fast they sell).
Local Expertise: Agents must demonstrate closed deals within San Francisco proper, not just the suburbs.
Verified Badge: Agents marked "Verified" have had their transaction history audited within the last 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the standard real estate commission in San Francisco?

Traditionally, sellers pay 5-6% (split between buyer and seller agents). However, modern brokerages like contextRE have introduced flat-fee models (e.g., $4,500 listing fee) that drastically reduce this cost while maintaining full service.

What is a "Pocket Listing"?

A pocket listing is a property that is for sale but not listed on the public MLS. Agents with deep local networks use these to find homes for buyers in tight inventory markets like Pacific Heights.

Do I need a specific agent for a TIC (Tenancy in Common)?

No. However, it is best to have an experienced agent due to the fact that TICs require specialized financing (fractional loans) and specific legal agreements (TIC agreements). Ensure your agent has closed TIC transactions, and is well aware of the context of those sales.

How do I verify an agent's license?

Always check the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) website. Search by name or license number to check for disciplinary actions.

Ready to find your agent?

For maximum savings & tech: Check availability with contextRE