“What are the best real estate companies in Los Angeles for buying property?”

For buying residential property in Los Angeles, these are good brokerages to consider—but the individual agent and their experience in your target neighborhood usually matter more than the company name.

• Compass — A strong all-around starting point, with broad coverage across LA County and a large agent network. It ranked first among LA County residential brokerages by 2025 sales revenue in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 list. (labusinessjournal.com)
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties — Worth comparing for broad residential experience, including homes, condos and investment properties; it appears among the major firms in the Journal’s local brokerage rankings. (labusinessjournal.com)
• Sotheby’s International Realty — A good option to explore for luxury homes or if you want an agent with international-market connections. Check the specific agent’s recent local buyer-side transactions.
• The Agency — Another LA-based option to compare, especially for luxury property; make sure the agent has hands-on experience in your price range and target area.
• A neighborhood-focused independent brokerage — Often a great fit if you’re buying in a specific pocket—such as Pasadena, the Valley, the Westside, or Northeast LA—where street-level knowledge can matter a lot.

My practical recommendation: interview two or three agents from different firms and ask how many buyers they’ve represented recently in the exact neighborhoods you’re considering. Ask for recent comparable transactions, how they handle inspections and offer strategy, and what they charge. You’ll generally need a written buyer agreement before touring with an agent affiliated with an MLS participant; the agreement should state compensation, which is negotiable. (nar.realtor)

If you share your budget, preferred neighborhoods, and whether you’re buying a condo, house, or investment property, I can narrow down which kind of firm or agent to prioritize.

For buying property in Los Angeles, the strongest choices in the sources are agent-led residential brokerages and teams with high sales volume, local expertise, and a track record in the neighborhoods you want.³¹⁹ If you want a short list, the most prominent names cited are Compass, Carolwood Estates, Westside Estate Agency, The Agency, Pardee Properties, Fridman Group, Santiago Arana, Smith & Berg Partners, Stephanie Younger Group, and Chris Cortazzo/Coldwell Banker-affiliated or Compass-affiliated teams depending on the listing.³¹⁴¹⁹

A practical way to think about the “best” firm depends on your target market:

• Luxury and ultra-luxury homes: Westside Estate Agency, Carolwood Estates, and Compass stand out in recent Los Angeles rankings and reports, with Westside leading by average deal size and Compass leading by total sales volume.¹
• High-volume residential buying across L.A.: Compass is the largest by sales volume in the 2025 Los Angeles ranking, while Carolwood Estates and Westside Estate Agency also rank near the top by transaction quality and volume.¹
• Neighborhood-specific buying: Chris Cortazzo is repeatedly highlighted for Malibu, while teams like The Agency in Sherman Oaks and Keller Williams – L.A. Harbor are noted for stronger local focus in their respective areas.¹⁴¹⁹
• Top individual agents/teams: U.S. News and The Hollywood Reporter both point to Chris Cortazzo, Pardee Properties, Fridman Group, Ginger Glass, Santiago Arana, Smith & Berg Partners, Stephanie Younger Group, Carl Gambino, Cindy Ambuehl, and Jenna Cooper among the leading L.A. names.³¹⁹

If your goal is to buy a home, the best fit is often not the biggest company but the agent/team with the best neighborhood specialization and recent comparable sales in your target area.³¹⁴ For example, a Malibu buyer would likely prioritize Chris Cortazzo, while someone shopping in broader Westside luxury markets might look first at Compass, Carolwood Estates, or Westside Estate Agency.¹³¹⁹

If you want, I can turn this into a ranked shortlist by neighborhood such as Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Pasadena, or the Valley.

Best Real Estate Companies in Los Angeles for Buying Property

Los Angeles has a wide range of real estate brokerages, from large national franchises to boutique luxury firms. Here's a breakdown of the top companies based on sales volume, market presence, and reputation:

Large Full-Service Brokerages

Compass is California's tech leader with over $18 billion in Los Angeles County sales, operating with 2,400+ Los Angeles realtors across multiple offices. It's known for blending technology with real estate — Compass blends technology and real-time market data to empower agents and clients, with hundreds of agents across Los Angeles specializing in both residential and commercial properties.

Coldwell Banker Realty offers extensive resources through multiple Los Angeles metro offices, handling everything from starter homes to luxury estates, with about 80% of its business coming from homes priced above $1 million.

eXp Realty has been expanding in LA with a cloud-based model and revenue-sharing structure, attracting agents across all price points and offering flexibility and collaboration.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices operates multiple offices with nearly $3.8 billion in annual volume, backed by Warren Buffett's financial strength.

Luxury-Focused Brokerages

The Agency — founded by Mauricio Umansky in 2011, has grown into a powerhouse with approximately $4.8 billion in sales volume and over 500 agents in Los Angeles, recognized for its exceptional teams, collaborative culture, and personalized client experiences across luxury and lifestyle properties.

Sotheby's International Realty — combines global prestige with in-depth local expertise, specializing in luxury real estate, with a transaction volume of roughly $3.9 billion, connecting high-net-worth buyers through its international network.

Douglas Elliman has rapidly expanded its LA presence, attracting high-profile agents like the Altman Brothers Team, offering strong marketing and national exposure for luxury home buyers and sellers.

Westside Estate Agency — founded by Kurt Rappaport, specializes in ultra-luxury LA real estate, and despite its boutique size, consistently delivers record-breaking sales that often surpass much larger competitors.

Notable Individual Agents/Teams (by sales volume)

If you're interested in top-performing individual agents rather than firms:

• Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency ranked #1 by sales volume with $1.597 billion in 2024, with Aaron Kirman ranking #2 with $1.405 billion
• The Altman Brothers team (Josh Altman, Matthew Altman, Heather Altman and Jacob Greene) with Douglas Elliman closed more than $1.3 billion in sales in the first half of 2025 alone
• Other top agents include Chris Cortazzo, affiliated with Compass, who has amassed more than $8 billion in career sales, with sales of $809 million in 2023

Boutique & Specialized Firms

Pardee Properties — since 2004, has accrued more than $6 billion in sales, with $656 million in 2023, led by founder Tami Pardee, with a team of more than 40 serving communities including Malibu, La Verne and El Monte.

Keller Williams has multiple strong LA offices — Keller Williams Beverly Hills is noted for exceptional communication, organization, and a mentoring-from-the-best approach to training agents.

How to Choose the Right One for You

Since buying property is personal, consider these factors:

• Scale vs. boutique service: Some home buyers prefer smaller firms that spend more time catering to their specific needs, while others lean toward larger real estate agencies that have the resources and network to get the best price.
• Neighborhood specialization: Different firms excel in different areas — for example, Pardee Properties focuses on Malibu and surrounding areas, while firms like Keller Williams Larchmont specialize in different micro-markets.
• Price point: Luxury-focused firms like The Agency, Sotheby's, and Westside Estate Agency cater to high-end buyers, while firms like Coldwell Banker and Keller Williams serve a broader range of budgets.

My recommendation: Rather than picking a single "best" company, interview 2-3 agents from different firms (one large brokerage like Compass or Coldwell Banker, one luxury specialist if relevant to your budget, and one boutique local firm) to compare their neighborhood expertise and approach before committing.

When buying property in Los Angeles, the right real estate company often depends on your budget, target neighborhood, and the type of property you are seeking. Because LA’s market relies heavily on off-market ("pocket") listings, working with a well-connected brokerage—and more importantly, a top agent within that brokerage—is critical.

Here are the best and most reputable real estate brokerages in Los Angeles, broken down by their strengths:

1. The Premier Luxury & High-End Brokerages

Best for: Luxury estates, architectural properties, and the Westside/Platinum Triangle (Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Brentwood, Malibu, Hollywood Hills).

• Compass
• Overview: Currently holding one of the largest market shares in Southern California, Compass has recruited many of the city's top-producing agents.
• Why it’s great for buyers: Their proprietary digital platform and massive internal network give buyers early or exclusive access to “Compass Private Exclusives” (off-market listings) before they hit the open MLS.
• Strongholds: Westside, Valley, South Bay, and Eastside.

• The Agency
• Overview: Founded by Mauricio Umansky and Billy Rose, The Agency is a boutique luxury powerhouse known for high-octane branding, luxury lifestyle marketing, and high-net-worth clientele.
• Why it’s great for buyers: They excel in cutting-edge modern homes, celebrity estates, and luxury new developments. Their collaborative internal culture means agents frequently cross-match buyer needs before properties go public.
• Strongholds: Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Pacific Palisades, and Encino/Studio City.

• Douglas Elliman
• Overview: A nationwide luxury titan with deep roots in New York that has become an elite player in Southern California.
• Why it’s great for buyers: Home to mega-teams like The Altman Brothers and Josh Flagg, Elliman has direct access to some of the most expensive and exclusive inventory in LA, as well as connections to bi-coastal and international buyers.
• Strongholds: Sunset Strip, Malibu, Beverly Hills, and coastal enclaves.

• Sotheby’s International Realty
• Overview: One of the most storied names in luxury real estate, known for discretion, historical properties, and architecturally significant homes.
• Why it’s great for buyers: If you are shopping for mid-century moderns, historic craftsman homes, or legacy estates, Sotheby's agents typically represent a disproportionate share of architect-designed properties.
• Strongholds: Pasadena/San Marino, Los Feliz/Silver Lake, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica.

• Carolwood Estates
• Overview: A boutique firm founded by top luxury agents (including Drew Fenton) formerly with Hilton & Hyland, operating primarily out of Beverly Hills.
• Why it’s great for buyers: Highly specialized in ultra-prime residential real estate ($10M+). If your budget is in the ultra-luxury tier, Carolwood holds keys to many of the city’s quietest, most private transactions.

2. Established Regional Powerhouses

Best for: Diverse price points, broad geographical coverage, and deep local neighborhood expertise.

• Coldwell Banker Realty (Global Luxury)
• Overview: Coldwell Banker’s Beverly Hills and Westside offices have historically been among the highest-volume residential real estate offices in the United States.
• Why it’s great for buyers: Massive legacy network with veteran agents who have decades of neighborhood-level tenure. They represent everything from $1M starter homes to $50M estates.
• Strongholds: Greater LA, San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills.

• Rodeo Realty
• Overview: One of the largest independent real estate brokerages in Southern California, founded by Syd Leibovitch.
• Why it’s great for buyers: Extremely dominant across the San Fernando Valley and Calabasas, with strong footholds in Beverly Hills and mid-city. Excellent for buyers looking for sprawling suburban estates or family homes in top school districts.
• Strongholds: Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Calabasas, and Woodland Hills.

• Keller Williams (KW)
• Overview: A massive, agent-centric franchise network with market centers strategically placed throughout every corner of LA.
• Why it’s great for buyers: Outstanding for entry-to-mid-tier buyers, multi-family investors, and first-time home purchases. Key branches like KW Santa Monica, KW Westside/Beverly Hills, and KW Larchmont boast top-tier local buyer specialists.
• Strongholds: Downtown LA (DTLA), Culver City, Mid-Wilshire, Hollywood, and Long Beach.

3. Tech-Forward / Streamlined Platforms

Best for: Direct digital search, self-guided tours, and mid-tier single-family homes or condos.

• Redfin
• Overview: A technology-first brokerage utilizing salaried agents and an integrated app.
• Why it’s great for buyers: If you prefer browsing on your own schedule, booking tours with a click, and buying at or around the median price point without traditional boutique brokerage pressure, Redfin offers a streamlined, lower-friction experience.

Tips for Choosing the Right Company as a Buyer in LA

• 1.Pick the Neighborhood Specialist, Not Just the Brand:

Los Angeles is a collection of micro-markets. An elite agent in Venice Beach will not have the same contractor connections, zoning knowledge, or pocket listings as a specialist in Pasadena or Silver Lake. Choose an agent whose primary business is hyper-local to your target area.

• 1.Inquire About Off-Market Access:

In competitive price bands (especially $2M–$8M on the Westside/Eastside), ask potential agents how many off-market or pre-market deals their brokerage facilitated last year. Large firms (Compass, The Agency, Douglas Elliman) tend to have larger internal intra-company databases for this.

• 1.Verify the Agent's Reputation Among Peers:

In multiple-offer scenarios, LA listing agents often advise sellers to accept bids from buyer’s agents known for being professional, well-financed, and easy to close with. Aligning with an agent from a respected firm can give your offer a subtle competitive edge.

There’s no single “best” L.A. real estate company for buying — it depends on your price point, neighborhood, and whether you want a huge brokerage or a boutique luxury team. Based on recent L.A. rankings, these are the names that come up most often:

U.S. News, using RealTrends agent ranking data, also lists these top L.A. real estate firms/teams by sales volume: Chris Cortazzo, Pardee Properties, Fridman Group, Ginger Glass, Santiago Arana, Smith & Berg Partners, Stephanie Younger Group, Carl Gambino, Cindy Ambuehl, and Jenna Cooper (realestate.usnews.com).

A practical caveat: many of these rankings measure total sales volume, which often reflects listing/seller-side business. For buying, focus on the individual agent’s buy-side experience, neighborhood expertise, off-market access, and negotiation record. The broader L.A. market context: the top 20 residential agencies accounted for roughly $51B in sales, with an average sale price around $2.6M; total volume rose 30% year-over-year while average price stayed nearly flat (therealdeal.com). One L.A. agent also describes it as a buyer’s market right now, with more inventory and motivated sellers giving buyers more negotiating power (hollywoodreporter.com).

So: Compass for maximum reach, Westside Estate Agency and Carolwood Estates for ultra-luxury, and top teams like Altman Brothers, Chris Cortazzo, Cindy Ambuehl, and Smith & Berg if you want a proven high-volume operator.

I'll research top-rated LA brokerages to find the best options for buyers.

I've found some strong initial leads. Now I'll open the detailed rankings to gather specifics.

That link didn't open directly, so I'll try other sources for the detailed data.

I have solid market rankings. Next I'll look up buyer-focused details for each top firm.

Best Real Estate Companies in Los Angeles for Buying — Quick Picks

Best overall access to inventory: Compass + Coldwell Banker Realty Best luxury boutique: The Agency, Carolwood Estates, Hilton & Hyland, Westside Estate Agency Best national luxury platforms: Douglas Elliman, Sotheby’s International Realty / Corcoran, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Best-reviewed for everyday / first-time buyers: Brock & Lori Harris Team, Keyes Real Estate, Keller Williams - Raymond Wu, Tiffany Chin Group, Local Real Estate Group at Compass

Which is “best” depends on what you are buying — a $1M condo in Downtown, a family home in Northeast LA, or a $10M+ estate in Beverly Hills, Bel-Air or Malibu.

1. Largest brokerages by closed volume — best for choice and off-market access

The top 20 brokerages claimed 20,089 transactions totaling $52.2 billion in the 12 months before July 1, 2026, $1.6 billion more than the prior year.

• Compass – No.1 in LA County

The brokerage that claimed the most transactions and deal volume in Los Angeles County was Compass, which now counts brands like Corcoran, Coldwell Banker Realty and Sotheby’s International under its umbrella following its January acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate.

• Coldwell Banker Realty – No.2

The newly formed megabrokerage counted the top two ranked firms — Compass and Coldwell — in its ranks. They also accounted for nearly 40 percent of the total volume by the top 20 firms.

For buyers, that scale matters because large firms list the most homes. Compass is described as a national brokerage with offices across Los Angeles. Coldwell Banker’s Beverly Hills offices are tied to its Global Luxury programme.

• Carolwood Estates – largest independent riser

Carolwood, founded in 2022, narrowly ousted The Agency, which had previously held firm behind Compass and Coldwell since 2023. Carolwood ranked third on this year’s list of the largest brokerages in Los Angeles County, with $3.3 billion in sales across 583 deals for the July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026 research period.

Carolwood is a boutique luxury brokerage on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, with a Montecito office.

• Other high-volume independents on TRD’s list include:
• The Beverly Hills Estates — No.9 with close to $2 billion in deal volume
• Rodeo Realty — No.14 with $1.4 billion in volume

Rodeo Realty is a Los Angeles brokerage with its Beverly Hills office on Wilshire Boulevard.

2. Best for luxury / Westside / coastal buying

• The Agency

Named L.A.’s #1 boutique residential brokerage by the Los Angeles Business Journal and ranked #3 among all brokerages in Los Angeles for successful closings on homes priced over $10 million, according to MLS data 2021-2025. Over the past five years, its L.A. teams have averaged more than 490 transactions annually in the $10M+ segment, while maintaining an average sale price north of $16 million.

Founded in Beverly Hills in 2011, The Agency now operates 11 offices across iconic, in-demand L.A. markets. Those markets range from Studio City and Calabasas to Pasadena, Brentwood, Venice, Malibu, and beyond. The firm is described as a luxury brokerage founded in Beverly Hills, with offices across Los Angeles including Malibu.

• Hilton & Hyland

A Los Angeles luxury brokerage with offices on Sunset Boulevard and in Beverly Hills. Listed at 9000 W Sunset Blvd, Suite 850, West Hollywood. One of the insider top-3 picks for prime Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica and Malibu homes.

• Westside Estate Agency

The luxury brokerage, co-founded by Kurt Rappaport and Stephen Shapiro, averaged $12.3 million across 66 deals during a 12-month span, the high-water mark among the top 20 firms.

• Douglas Elliman

Douglas Elliman’s Beverly Hills office on El Camino Drive, home of the Altman Brothers team. Douglas Elliman’s Malibu office is on Civic Center Way. The Altman Brothers team is Josh and Matt Altman’s team at Douglas Elliman in Beverly Hills.

• Keller Williams, Nourmand, PLG Estates, Smith & Berg

Keller Williams’ Beverly Hills market centre is listed as its Beverly Hills presence. Nourmand & Associates is a family-run brokerage on North Beverly Drive, with offices in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. PLG Estates is a Los Angeles brokerage with offices on the Westside and in Pasadena. Smith & Berg Partners is a luxury brokerage with offices in Beverly Hills and Brentwood.

Recent MLS data spanning the last five years (2021-2025) shows that when L.A. buyers and sellers are making decisions at the highest levels of the market, they trust The Agency to lead the way.

3. Best-reviewed for regular buyers, first-time buyers and investors

Based on Google-rating comparison of 19 Los Angeles agents, where the teams on the page logged 675 Google reviews.

• Brock & Lori Harris Real Estate Team – best overall rating + volume

Tops the list with a perfect 5.0 across 250 reviews, the strongest combination of volume and score. Listed as 5.0 stars, 250 reviews, best for Overall / Los Feliz and Silver Lake. Operates as a full team rather than a solo agent, with additional named team members handling different parts of a deal.

• Keyes Real Estate – best for multi-family / investment

Follows close behind at 4.9 with 212 reviews and a specialty in multi-family properties. Listed as 4.9 stars, 212 reviews, best for multi-family and investment properties. A full-service brokerage headquartered in Eagle Rock, covering Los Angeles from Pasadena to the Palisades. Works with first-time buyers as well as owners of larger investment properties.

• Keller Williams Downtown Los Angeles - Raymond Wu – best for first-time / Downtown buyers

Both hold 4.9 with smaller, newer review bases. Listed as 4.9 stars, 74 reviews, best for first-time buyers, downtown LA. Reviews describe him coordinating virtual meetings for out-of-town or first-time buyers before an in-person showing.

• The Tiffany Chin Group (Keller Williams Larchmont) – best for high-touch / co-ops

Listed as 4.9 stars, 69 reviews, best for first-time buyers, Larchmont area. Handles both standard home purchases and more complex sales like cooperative apartments.

• The Local Real Estate Group (formerly C+K) | Compass – best for Northeast LA

Listed as 4.7 stars, 70 reviews, Northeast LA specialists. Works under Compass and specializes in Northeast Los Angeles, including Atwater Village, Silver Lake, and Highland Park.

First-time buyers appear in reviews of Keller Williams Downtown Los Angeles - Raymond Wu, Keyes Real Estate with Brad, The Tiffany Chin Group with Rachel, and The Local Real Estate Group | Compass with Mark Grimes.

What buyers in LA should ask before choosing

• 1.Neighborhood proof: How many transactions have you closed in this specific neighborhood?
• 2.Fees in writing: Real estate commissions in California are negotiable and vary by agent, brokerage, and deal structure. Ask any agent you’re considering to lay out their fee structure in writing before you sign.
• 3.Insurance / fire zones: The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection expanded its designated high-severity fire zones, deeming an additional 15,000 to 20,000 properties in L.A. County at risk. Buyers don’t always research insurance viability before being in escrow and recent increases could mean the home they’re in contract to buy may no longer be insurable.
• 4.Luxury transfer tax: Measure ULA — Los Angeles city’s 4 to 5.5 percent property transfer tax on deals over $5.4 million.

If you tell me budget, neighborhoods, and property type (condo vs. single-family vs. multi-family vs. $5M+ luxury), I can narrow this to 2-3 best-fit firms/teams.

The strongest real estate companies for buying property in Los Angeles are the high-volume residential brokerages with deep local market share, broad agent networks, and access to both on- and off-market listings. Rankings from industry sources such as The Real Deal (MLS-based deals, typically over $1 million) and the Los Angeles Business Journal (self-reported 2025 volume) consistently place a handful of firms at the top.

Leading Brokerages by Volume and Reputation

• Compass — Consistently No. 1 by sales volume and market share across most of Los Angeles County. Recent figures include roughly $14.5–15.7 billion and nearly 6,000+ higher-end deals in one recent 12-month period tracked by The Real Deal, and about $21 billion with over 16,000 units in the LA Business Journal’s 2025 ranking. It has strong technology tools, a large agent base, and (following its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate) broader reach that includes affiliated brands. It leads volume share in many neighborhoods from the city of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to Santa Monica, Malibu, and the South Bay.
• Coldwell Banker Realty — Long-established No. 2 or near the top, with several billion in annual volume and a wide geographic footprint plus a global referral network. Solid choice across price points and submarkets.
• The Agency — Frequently ranks in the top 3–5 overall and is often cited as a leading private/boutique firm (around $3.6–5.3 billion in recent periods). Known for strong local expertise, luxury and celebrity work, and full-service representation while still handling a range of properties.
• Carolwood Estates — Fast-rising luxury firm that has ranked near the top (including around $3–5 billion ranges in recent data) with high average transaction sizes and emphasis on private/off-market opportunities.
• Other notable firms:
• Douglas Elliman — Strong luxury presence with high-producing teams (e.g., the Altman Brothers).
• Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California (Aaron Kirman and team) — Focus on architecturally significant and high-value homes.
• The Beverly Hills Estates — Competitive luxury volume and well-known teams.
• Westside Estate Agency — Ultra-luxury specialist with some of the highest average sale prices (often in the multi-million to tens-of-millions range).
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Sotheby’s International Realty, Rodeo Realty, and various Keller Williams and RE/MAX offices — Reliable options depending on neighborhood and price range. Local specialists such as Pardee Properties also stand out in specific areas (e.g., Venice/Westside).

These rankings draw from closed residential transactions and reflect production strength rather than buyer-specific satisfaction scores. Compass (and its broader network) currently dominates market share in most high-volume LA County cities and neighborhoods.

What Matters Most for Buyers

The individual agent or team usually matters more than the brokerage brand. Top firms give agents better tools, marketing support, and listing access, but results depend on the agent’s recent buyer-side experience, neighborhood expertise, negotiation record, and responsiveness.

Practical tips:

• Target agents who regularly close deals in your specific neighborhoods and price range (LA is highly hyper-local—Westside, Valley, South Bay, Eastside, and beach communities differ sharply).
• Interview 2–3 candidates. Ask about recent buyer transactions, how they handle competitive offers, insurance and fire-zone issues, and local factors such as Measure ULA (the city’s transfer tax on higher-priced sales).
• Clarify buyer-agent compensation upfront. After industry settlement changes, these fees are negotiable; discuss representation agreements and any rebates or alternative models carefully.
• Verify active licenses through the California Department of Real Estate.
• For luxury or complex purchases, firms and teams with strong off-market networks (Carolwood, Westside Estate Agency, top Compass/The Agency/Christie’s agents) can be advantageous. For more mainstream purchases, high-volume agents at Compass, Coldwell Banker, or Keller Williams often provide efficient full service.

Market conditions (interest rates, insurance availability in fire-prone areas, and inventory) continue to influence strategy, so local, current advice from an active agent is essential. Start by searching recent closed sales in your target areas on major listing sites and noting which brokerages and agents appear most frequently on the buy side.