Top real estate agents in
San Jose
Looking for a top real estate agent in San Jose to sell your house? We've curated unique agent insights and critical criteria to help you find the best realtor for your needs. Explore top agent profiles, real estate agent reviews, essential tips, and more!
Compare top San Jose real estate agents
We know that finding an agent isn't easy -- so we compiled this list of the best real estate agents serving San Jose to make the search process a little easier. The criteria used to identify the top agents encompass a comprehensive evaluation of each agent's selling experience, customer reviews, key sales data, and the number of transactions they've completed in San Jose.
To find a top real estate agent near you, try our free online matching tool.
How we find the best San Jose real estate agents
To find the top realtors in San Jose, we first identify which professionals have selling experience in the city over the last three years. We then consider the following criteria for the qualifying agents:
Relevant selling experience
Possesses local market expertise through a history of successful home sales in San Jose.
Low dual agency
Demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing a seller's best interests by primarily representing the seller (and not the seller and buyer in the same transaction).
Top-rated
Reflects a proven track record of positive feedback from selling clients.
Total home sold
Indicates extensive experience and success in navigating the home selling process.
Why is finding a San Jose realtor with a low dual agency rate so important?
Selecting a real estate agent in San Jose who avoids acting as a dual agent significantly increases the likelihood that your agent will prioritize your best interests. Dual agency, which is legal in the California real estate sector, occurs when one agent represents both the buyer and seller in the same transaction. While some home sellers are comfortable with this arrangement, it can raise concerns about conflicts of interest, as it’s nearly impossible for the agent to secure the best deal for both parties. An agent’s dual agency rate not only signifies their commitment to their client's interests but also reflects their professional integrity and character.
For example, the transaction data we analyzed shows that over the last three years, 567 real estate agents have sold 797 homes in San Jose where they've represented both parties. 273 of those homes sold for an average $71,203 below the listing price, increasing the agent's commission but reducing the seller’s proceeds. The top real estate agents in San Jose who meet our screening requirements have a proven track record of helping their clients avoid situations like this.
Learn more about the risks of choosing an agent with a history of dual representation by reading our guide on dual agency.
Tips for choosing a San Jose realtor to sell your home
Selecting the right real estate agent is key to a quick, profitable sale versus a lengthy, frustrating experience.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you choose the best San Jose real estate agent to sell your house.
1. Be aware of an unrealistic list price
Setting the right price for your home is crucial. List your property too high and you’ll discourage serious buyers from wanting to see it. Price it too low and you could lose out on potential profit. The problem? Some listing agents will recommend an inflated price in order to secure your business –– or recommend a price well below market value so they can market themselves to other homeowners in San Jose after the property has sold above the asking price.
You can reduce the chances of this happening by inquiring about a realtors’ sold-to-list price ratio. Over the last three years, the best-performing real estate agents in San Jose have an average ratio of 109%. This figure is a reliable benchmark for the city’s recent housing market, reflecting a balance between realistic pricing and maximizing returns for sellers. So be cautious of San Jose listing agents you speak to whose ratios are significantly higher or lower than this number. Remember, the true value of your home is what buyers are prepared to pay. And if that price is high, then a great real estate agent will use their pricing expertise to secure it for you.
2. Don't get locked into a contract
In California, home sellers sign a listing agreement with the agent they hire. The agreement typically lasts about six months (negotiable), is exclusive between the homeowner and their realtor, and lacks a provision for a seller to hire another agent without owing any commissions. This essentially "guarantees" the listing agent’s commission, regardless of their performance. The consequence? Your home might stay on the market longer than necessary, or sell for less than its potential value.
That’s why it’s important to ensure that the San Jose agent you pick will allow you to cancel the contract at any time without owing any real estate commissions. Having the option to cancel will keep your realtor motivated because it’s a subtle reminder that they need to prioritize getting your house sold quickly and for the best price. Part of our screening process includes this flexibility, ensuring you partner with a trustworthy real estate agent who is committed to putting you first.
3. Avoid revealing your bottom-line price
Disclosing your minimum acceptable price to a realtor before hiring them can inadvertently limit your negotiation power. Your bottom-line price is a strategic piece of information that, if revealed too soon, may lead to a lower recommended asking price or weaker negotiations with potential buyers. By keeping this number private, you’ll get a more accurate opinion about the estimated value of your property and empower your agent to negotiate more effectively on your behalf. So if a prospective agent asks you if you have a minimum number you’d like to sell for, keep it to yourself and reply with something such as, “as high as possible.” For a more in-depth look at what information to withhold and why, check out our detailed blog post on what not to tell a realtor when selling .
Resources to pick the best realtors in San Jose, CA
Need more help deciding which San Jose real estate agent you should hire? Here are a few resources we’ve put together to help make the decision-making process easier.
Key qualities of top real estate agents in San Jose
The real estate agents above work with different types of clients, have different strategies, and possess a diverse range of personalities.
However, they all have three common qualities that we believe are critical:
1. Experience
4,822 real estate agents have sold a home in San Jose over the last three years. The typical agent has averaged 12 sales over that time frame, whereas the top-producing agents have averaged 54.
2. Low dual agency
The best San Jose realtors have only represented both seller and buyer in the same transaction 2% of the time, in contrast to 29% for other top-selling real estate agents.
3. Top rated
The agents listed above boast an average of 203 reviews with a stellar 4.94 rating, ranking them among San Jose’s top-rated real estate professionals.
Choosing an agent who possesses these qualities is important –– but it’s critical that you do your homework to identify a San Jose realtor who is a good fit for you.
Questions to ask a San Jose realtor before hiring them
Here are three of the best questions to ask when interviewing prospective San Jose real estate agents.
- What's your marketing strategy?
- How did you arrive at your suggested list price?
- Will you let me cancel the listing agreement at any time?
If they can’t answer the first two questions clearly and concisely, or if the answer to the third question
is, “no,” then you should end the meeting early.
And if you want more suggestions, here is a
list of the best questions to ask a realtor when selling
.
Finding a realtor (and hiring one!) is a major decision. Ask good questions, interview multiple professionals,
and take your time during the evaluation process to ensure you find the right agent for you.
Understanding San Jose's real estate market
Being aware of recent market activity can help you select the right agent by ensuring they possess the same knowledge. Below are some current trends in the San Jose real estate market:
Top agents by neighborhood in San Jose, CA
Top agents near San Jose
FAQs about finding a San Jose real estate agent
Here are some of the most common questions from buyers and sellers searching for a real estate agent in San Jose.