Top Real Estate Agents in Washington (2026)

FastExpert ranks its agents based on their number of successful sales, real customer reviews, and years active. We collect each real estate agent’s transaction history to provide the most accurate data in our directory of top agents. We like to use the data of the last three years of closed sales as a reference point, as it shows how well the agent is doing now - not 10 years ago.

We only show true and accurate data, and our agents cannot buy their way into a higher ranking. At FastExpert, you’ll always see the most accurate and up-to-date rankings with our top real estate agents.

According to the Washington Department of Real Estate as of May 2020, there are a total of 23,233 licensed real estate agents.

Total real estate agent fees (including seller and buyer’s agents) range from 4-6% of the total home sale price.

This is split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. So if a home sells for $500,000 and the commission is 5%, the total fee is $25,000 with $12,500 for each agent.

The home seller usually pays for this fee, but that can vary depending on what both sides agree on.

If you want to see if a real estate agent is licensed in Washington you can visit the Washington Department of Real Estate website and look them up by name. This will give you their license number, type, and the cities they are active.

The seller commonly pays the realtor fee.

You will usually see the fee included in the final closing costs for the property sale. On average, total commissions are about 4-6% of the total house sale price, with half going to the seller’s agent and half to the buyer’s agent. This is negotiable and is something you should discuss with your agent before you decide to work with them.

When looking to hire a real estate agent in Washington, it’s essential to interview a few agents and choose the one that fits your needs best.

When interviewing, there are some questions to ask to ensure you get information that will help you with your decisions.

Be sure to ask about where they have worked in the past, what their average price point is, how they like to communicate, and how much they charge for commission. For a full list of recommended questions, see our blog post, Essential Interview Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent.

Washington real estate agents do much more than just put a sign in front of your house. A good Realtor will work with you from the moment you decide to sell your home to after you hand over the key.

This includes things like working with appraisers to set the right listing price, staging, having pictures taken, preparing the listing, online marketing, open houses, working with individual showings, answering questions, negotiating, closing paperwork, and so much more!

If you don’t think hiring a real estate agent is worth the money, think about this - according to the National Association of Realtors, in 2021 the average home sold FSBO (for sale by owner) sold for 32% less than the average home sold with a Realtor.

Hiring a top real estate agent for selling or buying a home in Washington will save you time and money. Here are four reasons you should consider hiring a real estate agent

1. It’s their job and they have the time and resources you likely don’t have to do it well. 2. They know the market. The best real estate agents live and work in the same area for years, they know it well and can help address your questions and concerns. 3. They are good at negotiating. They work as the middleperson between you and the other party so you can stay behind the scenes. 4. They do the hard work for you. They market your home, make phone calls between interested parties, handle documents, and negotiate the best deal for you.

When browsing through the top Washington real estate agents, you’ll need to know what makes a great real estate agent before making a decision. Here we’ve listed out the qualities that make a great agent to help you narrow it down!

Professionalism: A top real estate agent takes themselves seriously, and handles every situation with professionalism. Responsiveness: A top real estate agent is your go-to for any questions or concerns you may have when it comes to the purchase or sale of your home. Listens to you: A real estate agent is always personable with their clients. Knowledgeable: A professional real estate agent doesn’t live in the dark ages.

Home Buyers and Home Sellers need not worry about finding an agent in Washington. At FastExpert, we take the time to separate the professionals from the agents you should avoid.

I'm really struggling to save 20% for a home. I just watch home prices go up while I'm trying to get to that 20% mark. I can afford a mortage and am looking to stay within the amount that I'm comfortably paying for rent. It's just the 20% is such a big number and I'm looking at years to get there. So, how much can/should I put down on a house without putting myself in financial jeopardy?

Bill Snowdon: It is a common misconception that 20% is a "must-have" requirement. While that number is the traditional benchmark to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), waiting years to hit it can sometimes backfire if home prices appreciate faster than you can save.
Here is how to determine a down payment that balances your goals with your financial safety:
1. The Low Down Payment Options
You don't necessarily need $100,000 to buy a $500,000 home. There are several pathways that allow for much lower entry points:
Conventional Loans: Many lenders offer conventional loans with as little as 3% down.
FHA Loans: These require a minimum of 3.5% down and are often more flexible with credit scores.
VA or USDA Loans: If you qualify (based on military service or the home's location), these often allow for 0% down.
2. Calculating "Financial Jeopardy"
The danger isn't the size of the down payment; it’s the lack of liquidity afterward. To stay safe, ensure your plan covers these three areas:
The "Cash Left Over" Rule
Never drain your bank account to $0 to reach a down payment goal. You should aim to have an emergency fund (3–6 months of expenses) completely separate from your closing costs. Homes come with immediate "surprise" costs like broken appliances or maintenance.
The Closing Cost Factor
Remember that your down payment isn't your only upfront expense. You will typically need an additional 2% to 5% of the home's price to cover closing costs (taxes, title insurance, and lender fees).
The PMI Trade-off
If you put down less than 20%, you will likely pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). This is a monthly fee that protects the lender.
The Math: If your monthly rent is $2,500 and a mortgage (including PMI, taxes, and insurance) on a 3.5% down loan is also $2,500, you are effectively "renting" the 16.5% of the equity you don't have yet. Often, the appreciation of the home's value outweighs the cost of the PMI.
Verdict: If you can afford the monthly carry and have a solid emergency fund remaining, putting down 3.5% to 5% is often a smarter strategic move than waiting five years while prices climb. You can always "recast" your mortgage or refinance later once you have more equity.

Tiffany Drahonovsky: There are different loan products that do allow for less than 20% down. There are also down payment assistance programs (these are a 2nd loan) that help. Banks and Mortgage Brokers have different loans and programs. Some even have programs that may qualify for credits that you can use towards closing costs based on the house itself and it's location. What loan you end up using has to do with your current financial position, your goals and your credit score, in a nutshell.

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We have dropped out price 4 times in 5 months now. Is it bad to drop it to often?

Jessica Owen: Are you working with an agent? If so, their pricing strategy is likely your best bet. However, in my opinion, it sounds like it was over priced to begin with. The market is also shifting and houses are sitting longer and that in inevitable. I do not think it is bad to drop to often, to keep interest and to stay top of mind but it should not be the ONLY marketing strategy your agent is using to get your home sold.

Glenda X Bozett: Yes, Pricing a property right from the beginning is very important. Too many price drops makes the buyer wonder what is wrong with the place or want to give a low ball offer on the home.

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I have a native yard that looks great. My HOA said it's fine. Do I have to put it back to grass before I sell my house?

Tammy Allen: Get it in writing signed by the appropriate HOA representative so you have documentation that your yard was approved with the specific yard design. Just saying something isn’t enough proof- get it in writing.

Stacy Corrigan: Tammy makes a great point about getting the Native yard in writing. If you're concerned about the marketability of your property you could have your agent offer converting it back as an option if you're having trouble selling. It could be a question your agent asks each prospect to ascertain local preferences. Or post a poll on social media in your area to reach a consensus. You could have a buyer who also loves your native yard and the worst is hearing that they would have preferred it after you put back the way it was. It just depends. If you need a referral to a high quality local agent lmk as have a network of agents all over the country I could refer you someone amazing. Warmly Stacy Corrigan Real Estate Broker RI, Southeastern MA, Northeastern CT

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I had an open house and there seemed to be a lot of interest. I got an offer right away, but I'm wondering if i'll get another, better offer. I don't want to reject this offer and then have nothing, but I also don't want to lose out on a better offer. So, can I accept the current offer and then keep it open to the possibility of accepting more offers? If so, how do I do this?

Zoltan Peresztegi: Hi Kacie, the thread is right that once you sign, you are committed. But nobody has really answered the question behind your question: how do you capture a better buyer if one shows up? The legitimate tool for that is the backup offer.

Here is how it works. You accept the current offer and stay under contract, honestly and fully. Your agent keeps the listing visible in "pending, taking backups" status where the MLS allows it. If another buyer loves the home, they can sign a backup agreement that puts them formally in first position if your primary buyer walks. You cannot use the backup to evict your primary buyer, but you no longer fear their contingencies. If the inspection negotiation turns unreasonable or their financing wobbles, you say no with confidence, because a signed backup is waiting.

That is the real power: a backup offer converts "please don't cancel" into leverage during repair requests and appraisal talks.

One reframe worth sitting with: an offer that arrived immediately after a busy open house is usually a sign the home is priced right and the market agrees, not a sign you left money on the table. Fast first offers are very often the strongest one a listing ever sees. Chasing a hypothetical better buyer has cost more sellers real money than it has ever made them.

I'm Zoltan Peresztegi, a real estate professional in Los Angeles and the South Bay, and I'm glad to connect you with a strong Seattle agent from my network if you'd like a second opinion on strategy.

Zoltan

Keith Jean Pierre: You can technically always accept another offer during your sale process, but depending on the timeline, you open yourself up to legal recourse from the buyer. Typically, in most states, once you are under contract, accepting another offer can result in a breach of contract claim from the buyers. Speaking with a local real estate attorney to discuss your situation in greater detail.

Keith Jean-Pierre
Managing Principal
The Dapper Agents
Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

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My agent wants me to put an offer at 1.92mm with 150k earnest and waive contingencies for inspection and appraisal. The home has pre inspection in July 2025. Do you think this is too aggressive?

Adam Martin: Thats hard to say without knowing the particulars but ultimately its going to come down to what you feel comfortable with. Remember you are the star of the show not your agent. They are there to guide you and offer advice but do what feels right for you.

Chris Nevada: Waiving both inspection and appraisal contingencies and putting up that much earnest money is very aggressive and exposes you to real risk if anything is wrong with the home or the value comes in low.
Pre‑inspections help, but they’re a snapshot in time and don’t protect you if new or missed issues show up later and you’ve waived your right to renegotiate or walk away without losing your deposit.
Earnest money is often around 1–3% of the price in many markets, so 150k on 1.92mm is at the high end and would be a painful amount to lose if something goes sideways.

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