“Which real estate agents should I work with to find houses for sale in Los Angeles, California?”

Los Angeles is a big, varied market, so I’d choose a buyer’s agent who regularly works in the neighborhoods and price range you’re targeting—not just someone with a citywide “top agent” ranking.

A few starting points to interview:

• Stephanie Younger — Realtor.com lists her as a buyer’s agent and highlights West Side and relocation experience. Consider her if you’re looking on the Westside. (realtor.com)
• Keri White — Appears near the top of HomeLight’s LA-area ranking, which weighs sales, sale-to-list performance, and reviews. Ask how much of her work is buyer representation in your target neighborhoods. (homelight.com)
• Jagger Kroener — Also listed by HomeLight and affiliated with Compass; worth interviewing if their recent buyer-side activity matches your area and budget. (homelight.com)
• A neighborhood-focused agent from Realtor.com’s directory — Filter for buyer representation, relevant experience, and the specific areas you’re considering; this can be a better fit than a high-volume luxury agent. (realtor.com)

These are leads to vet, not endorsements: rankings can reflect different criteria and don’t tell you whether an agent fits your needs. Interview at least three and ask:

• 1.How many buyers have you represented recently in these specific neighborhoods and my price range?
• 2.Can you share recent buyer-side transactions and references?
• 3.Who will I work with day to day, and how quickly do you respond?
• 4.What does your written buyer-agency agreement require, including its length and compensation?

Before signing, verify the agent’s California license and any disciplinary history through the state’s license lookup. If you share your budget, preferred neighborhoods, and whether you’re a first-time buyer, I can narrow the shortlist.

I can't recommend specific real estate agents, since I don't have access to current reviews, licensing status, or personal reputations that would let me responsibly vouch for individuals. Recommending a specific person for a major financial decision like buying a home could also steer you toward someone who isn't a good fit for your needs or situation. However, I can give you practical guidance on how to find a great agent in Los Angeles yourself.

How to Find a Good LA Real Estate Agent

1. Use reputable search platforms

• Zillow and Redfin let you filter agents by neighborhood, number of transactions, and client ratings.
• Realtor.com has an agent finder tied to MLS data.
• Yelp can surface agents with detailed client reviews specific to LA.

2. Check credentials

• Verify they're licensed through the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) license lookup.
• Look for a Realtor® designation (member of the National Association of Realtors, bound by a code of ethics).
• Bonus credentials: CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative), or local specialists with the GRI designation.

3. Get referrals

• Ask friends, coworkers, or family who've recently bought in LA.
• Mortgage brokers and local lenders often know which agents close deals smoothly.

4. Look for neighborhood specialists LA is huge and hyper-local—an agent great in Silver Lake may not know Pacific Palisades well. Search for agents who specifically advertise expertise in the neighborhood(s) you're targeting.

5. Interview 2–3 agents before choosing Ask about:

• Their experience with your target neighborhoods/price range
• Recent closed sales (ask for addresses/examples)
• Their availability and communication style
• Whether they primarily represent buyers or sellers (you want a strong buyer's agent)

6. Consider going independent-friendly If you want unbiased listing access, buyer's agents are compensated by commission splits already built into most deals, so using one typically costs you nothing extra as a buyer in most transactions.

Would you like tips on specific LA neighborhoods, current market conditions, or questions to ask when interviewing agents?

I'll research top-rated Los Angeles agents to find the best options for you.

I found several highly-rated agents. Now I'll gather detailed profiles on the leading candidates.

If you are buying a house in Los Angeles, work with an agent who specializes in your neighborhood and price-type — LA is too pocket-specific for a one-size-fits-all pick.

Here are well-reviewed options to interview, based on 2026 rankings:

1. Best overall - high volume + rating

Brock & Lori Harris Real Estate Team

• Tops one Los Angeles ranking with 5.0 across 250 reviews, described as the “strongest combination of volume and score” on that list
• Listed as 5.0 ★ | 250 reviews | Best for: Overall / Los Feliz and Silver Lake
• Described as a husband-and-wife-led brokerage based in Sunset Blvd, with Brock working as agent and broker for decades and closing hundreds of transactions
• Operates as a full team rather than a solo agent, covering marketing, listing prep, staging guidance, and coordination with lenders and escrow

Good default if you want an established buyer team in central / Eastside LA.

Address: 3020 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

2. For multi-family / investment houses

Keyes Real Estate - Brad and Josh

• Rated 4.9 ★ | 212 reviews | Best for: Multi-family and investment properties
• Full-service brokerage headquartered in Eagle Rock, covering Los Angeles from Pasadena to the Palisades, handling both residential purchases and multi-family property sales
• Reviewers specifically credit the team's handling of multi-family property nuances
• Called the strongest pick if your deal involves a multi-family or investment property rather than a standard single-family purchase

3. For first-time buyers

Raymond Wu - Keller Williams Downtown Los Angeles

• Rated 4.9 ★ | 74 reviews | Best for: First-time buyers, downtown LA
• Works with buyers, sellers, and landlords, coordinating virtual meetings for out-of-town or first-time buyers before in-person showings
• Praised for staying calm and reassuring through difficult negotiations or inspection issues
• Summarized as a strong choice for first-time buyers specifically, with many reviews mentioning patience walking newcomers through the process

The Tiffany Chin Group - Keller Williams Larchmont - Rachel Bigio

• Rated 4.9 ★ | 69 reviews | Best for: First-time buyers, Larchmont area
• Operates out of Larchmont Boulevard, with agent Rachel Bigio frequently named as primary contact for buyers and sellers
• Handles both standard home purchases and more complex sales like cooperative apartments
• Reviewers consistently describe the process as transparent, with no pressure to rush decisions

4. For Northeast LA: Highland Park, Atwater Village, Silver Lake

The Local Real Estate Group (formerly Courtney + Kurt) | Compass

• Rated 4.7 ★ | 70 reviews | Northeast LA specialists
• Specializes in Northeast Los Angeles, including Atwater Village, Silver Lake, and Highland Park
• Agents credited with deep knowledge of specific Northeast LA neighborhoods
• Described as the pick if you're specifically buying or selling in Northeast LA, where local focus shows up repeatedly in reviews

5. High-volume independent teams

These three were selected as the 3 Best in Los Angeles by a reviewer using a 50-point inspection on reviews, reputation, history, complaints and cost:

Sierus Erdelyi - TruLine Realty

• Founder and sole owner of TruLine Realty, mixing legal expertise and deep-rooted local knowledge
• TruLine has grown to include over 175 real estate agents with well over $150,000,000 in sales every year
• 2026 Highlights: 100 sales in the last 12 months and 810 total sales, price range $25K–$6.6M with average $1M

Stephanie Younger Group

• Results-driven approach with over 1,000 clients trusting her when selling, and 2,400 homes sold
• 2026 Highlights: 227 sales in the last 12 months and 2,270 total sales, range $261K–$7.7M with average $1.5M
• Office at 7296 West Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045, in business since 2009

Richard Schulman - Keller Williams Realty

• Involved in sale of over 2,000 homes valued at more than $2,000,000,000
• Heads one of the top Keller Williams teams worldwide, and consistently ranks in the top 0.1% of all Realtors nationwide
• 2026 Highlights: 114 sales in the last 12 months and 1,894 total sales, range $12K–$11M with average $1.2M

6. For luxury / Westside / coastal

From Expertise.com's 16-best list, scored on more than 25 variables across five categories:

• Tami Pardee - Pardee Properties, Venice: Founder and CEO, creator of a cutting-edge concierge brokerage model, using specialized teams

• Hilton & Hyland, Beverly Hills: Privately-held, independent boutique brokerage founded in 1993, serving sellers, local and international buyers, investors and developers searching for luxury single-family residences, condominiums, land and commercial properties

• Jennie Martin, Keller Williams Beverly Hills: Luxury real estate partner serving LA buyers and sellers, in the industry for over 16 years with extensive transaction experience

• Sherri Noel, Keller Williams - Santa Monica: Serving the metro since 2000, most listings residential properties and rentals in the multimillion-dollar range, primary areas include Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Mar Vista, West Los Angeles, Venice, and Culver City

• True Line Real Estate by Sierus Erdelyi: Group of more than 130 agents assisting buyers and sellers, helping clients find residential properties including Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Marina Del Rey

What to ask before you hire

Real estate commissions in California are negotiable and vary by agent, brokerage, and deal structure — ask any agent to lay out fee structure in writing before you sign.

Ask:

• How many transactions have you closed in this specific neighborhood?
• What’s your commission rate, and is any of it negotiable?
• Who handles escrow and paperwork, you directly or a separate team member?
• Can you walk me through your process for a competitive multiple-offer situation?

My suggestion: Interview 2-3 from above — e.g. Brock & Lori Harris for central LA, Keyes if investment/multi-family, and one neighborhood specialist like Local Real Estate Group for Northeast LA or Sherri Noel / Pardee for Westside — and pick the one with most recent closings in your target zip code.

There isn’t one best real estate agent for all of Los Angeles—the right choice depends heavily on your target neighborhood, budget, and whether you want a high-volume local specialist or a luxury-focused broker. LA’s market varies sharply by area (Westside, Valley, Northeast LA, South Bay, etc.), and median prices are often around $1 million, with far higher figures in prestige neighborhoods.

Strong options for typical home searches (roughly mid-six to low-eight figures)

These teams stand out in volume-based rankings, recent sales activity, and client reviews, especially on the Westside and nearby areas:

• Stephanie Younger Group (Compass): Frequently ranked among the top teams in Los Angeles by sales volume and units (including RealTrends recognition). Strong focus on Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Culver City, Venice, and surrounding Westside/South Bay areas. High transaction counts, solid reviews, and experience with a range of price points (often averaging in the $1–2 million range, with higher-end deals as well).
• Richard Schulman / Schulman Team (Keller Williams): Tops or ranks very highly in transaction-volume analyses (such as EffectiveAgents). Handles a broad price range (commonly cited from the mid-six figures into the multi-millions), with hundreds of closed deals and strong review volume (often 4.9–5.0). Active across the Westside and broader LA for buyers, sellers, and some investment properties.
• Tami Pardee / Pardee Properties: Longtime Venice and Westside specialist with billions in career volume and top rankings from sources like RealTrends/The Wall Street Journal for Westside production. Team-based “concierge” model, extensive reviews, and deep local knowledge in Venice, Mar Vista, and adjacent areas. Price range spans mid-market to higher-end homes.

Ultra-luxury and high-profile specialists

For multi-million-dollar estates, off-market opportunities, or celebrity-level properties (often $5 million+), agents and teams repeatedly recognized by The Hollywood Reporter and high-volume rankings include:

• The Altman Brothers (Douglas Elliman)
• Kurt Rappaport (Westside Estate Agency)
• Aaron Kirman (Christie’s International Real Estate)
• Branden and Rayni Williams (The Beverly Hills Estates)
• Chris Cortazzo (Compass, especially known for Malibu)
• Agents affiliated with Carolwood Estates, The Agency, and similar luxury firms

These brokers often focus on the very top of the market and may be selective about new clients.

How to choose and move forward

• 1.Narrow your search by neighborhood and budget first—hyper-local expertise usually matters more than citywide fame.
• 2.Check recent closed sales (buyer and listing sides) in your target area on Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com, then review those agents’ profiles, reviews, and communication style.
• 3.Interview 2–3 agents. Ask about their recent buyer successes in your specific micro-market, off-market access, offer strategy in competitive situations, and availability.
• 4.Verify active licenses through the California Department of Real Estate.
• 5.Note that California requires a buyer representation agreement before offers (and often before showings). Discuss compensation expectations upfront—buyer’s agents are typically paid from the transaction, but terms vary after industry changes.

Major brokerages with deep LA presence include Compass (frequently leading in overall volume), Coldwell Banker, The Agency, Douglas Elliman, Keller Williams, Sotheby’s, and Christie’s. Local referrals and neighborhood specialists can also outperform big names for more everyday searches.

If you share a preferred neighborhood, approximate budget, or other priorities (first-time buyer, specific home style, etc.), I can help refine this further.

LA Buyer's Agent Options

A few things worth flagging before the names: these "top agent" lists measure listing-side production (how many homes an agent sold, usually as the listing agent), not how well someone will represent you as a buyer. A high-volume listing agent may not be the best fit if you need someone to tour 20 houses with you on weekends. Treat the lists as a starting shortlist, then interview 2–3 agents.

Market snapshot

Per RealTrends' 2026 LA rankings, the market has roughly 1,000+ single-family homes on the market, with a median price around $1,389,000. Inventory has since increased to about 1,319 homes (+31%), with the median at $1,498,000 (+8%) and an average of $927/sq ft (+3%) — meaning more choice but still rising prices. realtrends.com

Highest-volume agents (U.S. News rankings)

Based on sales in the last 12 months in LA:

Jesse Weinberg's profile specifically lists investment properties, waterfront/beach/lake properties, and new construction as specialties. realestate.usnews.com

Stephanie Younger's 101.91% sale-to-list ratio is notable — she's closing above asking on average, which reflects strong pricing/seller-side work. For a buyer, the more relevant question is whether she or her team takes buyer clients.

Agents by LA sub-market (Redfin)

If you already know which part of the city you want, a neighborhood specialist beats a generalist. Redfin's LA agent roster includes:

West Los Angeles

• Arto Poladian — $523.3M sales volume, 645 deals, 4.9 rating (Cal DRE#01779642)
• Amy Black — $375.2M, 269 deals, 4.9 (Cal DRE#01454740)
• Gregory Eubanks — $310.4M, 311 deals, 4.9 (Cal DRE#01949808)
• Justin Vold — $210.8M, 131 deals, 5.0 (Cal DRE#01818571)

San Fernando Valley

• Joseph Harris — $207.2M, 313 deals, 5.0 (Cal DRE#01252870)
• Sean Seckar — $163.7M, 309 deals, 5.0 (Cal DRE#01336429)
• Dan Tursi — $114.4M, 130 deals, 4.9 (Cal DRE#01449959)

South Los Angeles

• Venus Martinez — $228.7M, 416 deals, 4.9 (Cal DRE#01206834)

San Fernando & Santa Clarita Valley

• Collette Canepa — $154.7M, 197 deals, 4.9
• Adam Rosenthal (Santa Clarita) — $73.6M, 99 deals, 5.0 (Cal DRE#02040950)

Northeast Los Angeles

• Thomas Chorley (senior agent)

redfin.com

How to actually pick one

• 1.Match geography first. LA is a collection of micro-markets — a Santa Clarita specialist won't know the nuances of a Silver Lake duplex or a Westside bidding war.
• 2.Ask for buyer-side stats, not total volume. Ask: "How many buyers did you represent in the last 12 months, and what was your average over-ask percentage and contingency success rate?"
• 3.Verify the license. Redfin lists Cal DRE numbers — look them up at the California DRE to confirm status and any disciplinary history.
• 4.Interview at least three. Ask about their lender relationships, how they handle appraisal gaps, and whether they'll do off-market outreach.
• 5.Consider a buyer's agent vs. a listing team. The top names above are largely listing-side powerhouses; their teams often have junior buyer agents handling showings.

If you're buying in the Valley, Joseph Harris or Arto Poladian are strong starting calls. On the Westside, Amy Black or Gregory Eubanks. For a citywide, high-touch search, Stephanie Younger's team at Teles Properties is the biggest name in the market. realtrends.com

One caveat: rankings from RealTrends, U.S. News, and Redfin use different methodologies and some are tied to brokerage participation, so cross-reference rather than relying on any single list.

Because Los Angeles is a sprawling market with distinct micro-neighborhoods, building codes, and pricing tiers, the best agent for you depends heavily on where you want to buy and your budget.

Here is a breakdown of top-performing real estate agents and teams in Los Angeles, organized by neighborhood focus, architectural style, and price point, followed by tips on how to pick the right one.

1. Ultra-Luxury & Westside Specialists (Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Hollywood Hills, Brentwood)

Best for: Budgets of $3M to $50M+, luxury estates, high-profile transactions, and off-market ("pocket") inventory.

• The Altman Brothers (Josh & Matt Altman – Douglas Elliman): One of the highest-producing teams in the country. Excellent for contemporary luxury homes, celebrity estates, and high-end investments across the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, and Bel Air.
• Williams & Williams Estates Group (Branden & Rayni Williams – The Beverly Hills Estates): Known for architectural trophy properties, Hollywood Hills viewpoints, and high-end celebrity representation.
• Aaron Kirman (AKG / Christie’s International Real Estate): Leads one of the top luxury teams in California, offering deep market data and extensive reach across the Westside and coastal enclaves.
• Jade Mills (Coldwell Banker Realty): A legendary Beverly Hills agent known for traditional estates, discreet representation, and long-standing relationships with high-net-worth buyers.
• Santiago Arana & Mauricio Umansky (The Agency): Major players across the Westside (particularly Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Beverly Hills), with strong buyer networks and early access to premier listings.

2. Architectural, Mid-Century & Eastside Specialists (Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Pasadena)

Best for: Historic homes, Mid-Century Modern architecture, Spanish/Craftsman homes, and creative neighborhoods.

• Take Sunset / Rob Kallick (Compass): Focused heavily on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, and Mount Washington. Specializes in architecturally significant homes, hillside properties, and mid-century designs.
• Courtney Poulos (Acme Real Estate): Well-known for character homes, renovated mid-century bungalows, and properties across the Eastside, West Adams, and Mid-City. Particularly good for design-focused buyers in the $1M–$3M range.
• Bryant \ Reichling (Compass): Specializes in historic estates, Spanish Revivals, and architectural homes in Hancock Park, Los Feliz, and surrounding central LA neighborhoods.

3. Coastal & Beach Communities (Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, South Bay)

Best for: Oceanfront living, walk-street properties, and coastal regulations (Coastal Commission rules, geotech considerations).

• Chris Cortazzo (Compass): Widely considered the leading agent in Malibu. If you are specifically looking for Malibu beachfront, bluffs, or canyon compounds, his inventory access is unmatched.
• Tami Pardee (Pardee Properties): Dominant force in Venice, Mar Vista, and Santa Monica. Great for modern architectural homes, beach bungalows, and walkable Westside pockets.
• The Kaminsky Real Estate Group / Ed Kaminsky (eXp Realty): A premier team for the South Bay (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Palos Verdes).

4. San Fernando Valley Specialists (Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Calabasas)

Best for: Larger lots, family-friendly suburban neighborhoods, gated communities, and luxury new builds.

• Craig Knizek (The Agency): Focuses heavily on Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Encino, with deep expertise in hillside properties and luxury new construction.
• Rodeo Realty Agents (Valley Offices): Rodeo Realty is an independent brokerage with deep historic ties and market share in the San Fernando Valley, making their local agents great resources for suburban estates.

How to Choose the Right Agent for You

• 1.Prioritize Hyper-Local Experience: Los Angeles has wildly different conditions across town. A hillside property in the Hollywood Hills has different geological, fire insurance, and foundation requirements than a flat-lot property in Hancock Park or a home subject to the California Coastal Commission in Malibu. Hire someone who regularly closes deals in your target zip codes.
• 2.Clarify Who You Will Actually Work With: Top "celebrity" agents often lead large teams. If you hire a mega-team, ask upfront whether the principal agent will handle your showings and negotiations, or if you will be paired with a junior buyer’s agent. (A junior agent isn't necessarily bad—they often have more time to devote to your search—but you should know in advance.)
• 3.Ask About Off-Market Access: In competitive LA markets, many of the best homes sell as "pocket listings" before hitting the MLS. Inquire how many off-market deals the agent has sourced for buyers recently.
• 4.Interview 2–3 Candidates: Meet with a couple of agents to compare their communication style, responsiveness, and their candid assessment of what your budget can achieve in today's market.

If you want strong options for finding houses for sale in Los Angeles, start with Stephanie Younger, Richard Schulman, Ron Wynn, Aaron Kirman, and Jon Grauman; they appear repeatedly across multiple rankings and are among the most established agents in the market.²³⁹¹²

A practical short list, based on the search results, would be:

• Stephanie Younger — #1 on U.S. News for Los Angeles by 12-month sales, with 1,004 sales and a 101.91% sale-to-list ratio.²
• Richard Schulman — ranked at the top by EffectiveAgents methodology, with very high verified transaction volume and all-time sales volume.³
• Ron Wynn — listed among West Los Angeles top agents and highlighted by EffectiveAgents for the area.⁴
• Aaron Kirman — recognized in Los Angeles luxury rankings and singled out in LABJ/Christie’s coverage for major Westside and Beverly Hills territory.¹²
• Jon Grauman — included among top Los Angeles luxury agents in market rankings.³
• Jesse Weinberg — strong U.S. News performance with 226 sales in the last 12 months.²
• Stephanie Vitacco — highly active in Agent Pronto’s Los Angeles rankings, with 484 recent sales and 373 in Los Angeles.⁸
• The Dinsky Team — also prominent in Agent Pronto’s rankings, with 168 recent sales and 156 in Los Angeles.⁸

If you want a broader set of options, these sources also highlight additional strong performers such as Miguel Soler, Larry Watson, Jagger Kroener, and Grace Fogg in Homelight’s Los Angeles rankings.¹

If you tell me your budget, neighborhood, and whether you want a luxury specialist or a general buyer’s agent, I can narrow this to the best 3–5 agents for your situation.