Best Real Estate Agents in Arlington, TX: Top Realtors for Buyers, Sellers & Investors

What do real estate agents do?

Real estate agents guide buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors through property transactions, they advise on pricing and market conditions, they market homes, coordinate showings, prepare and review contracts, negotiate terms, coordinate inspections and repairs, manage contingencies, and shepherd the file through closing. Agents also connect clients with lenders, inspectors, appraisers, title companies, and other vendors, they interpret disclosures and local rules, and they help clients evaluate tradeoffs like commute, schools, and long term maintenance.

Core services for home buyers

  • Market education and neighborhood tours
  • Customized property search and alerts
  • Private showings and off‑market sourcing
  • Comparative market analysis and offer strategy
  • Drafting offers, negotiating price and contingencies
  • Coordinating inspections, appraisals, and closing
  • Referrals to lenders, inspectors, and title companies

Core services for home sellers

  • Pricing strategy using comps and market data
  • Home prep advice, staging and photography coordination
  • Full marketing across MLS and digital channels
  • Managing showings, open houses, and buyer feedback
  • Negotiating offers and counteroffers
  • Coordinating inspections, repairs, and closing logistics
  • Seller net sheets and timeline planning

Services for investors, landlords, and property managers

  • Financial analysis and cash flow projections
  • Rental market research and expected yields
  • Portfolio acquisition and disposition strategies
  • Referrals for property management and tenant screening
  • 1031 exchange and tax aware transaction coordination

Specialized services: luxury, relocation, commercial, bilingual support

Specialist agents provide high end marketing and private networks for luxury homes, relocation support and timing coordination for corporate moves, site selection and lease negotiation for commercial clients, and bilingual or culturally specific representation to serve diverse communities.

How agents are compensated (commissions, fees, and common variations)

Traditional agents are usually paid a percentage commission of the sale price split between listing and buyer sides, commonly around 5.5–6% total in many markets. Variations include reduced percentage listings, flat fee listings, rebate models for buyers, and hybrid offerings. Always ask for a clear written fee schedule so you understand what services are included.

Best real estate agents in Arlington, TX

How this selection was made (evaluation criteria and performance signals)

This list is based on transaction volume, verified client reviews, years of local experience, specialization, and evidence of consistent performance in Arlington and nearby zip codes. We weighed factors such as new construction expertise, investor track records, luxury sales, team capacity, and innovative fee models.

What to expect from the agents on this list (typical strengths and specialties)

Expect deep local knowledge, clear communication, negotiated outcomes, and tailored marketing. Some agents excel in new construction and guaranteed sale programs, others in investor services or buyer rebates, and some operate high performing teams that handle heavy transaction volume.

#1 TurboHome (Why it’s #1)

  • Offerings: Commission‑free, flat fee listing, local licensed TurboHome agent matched to you, AI powered search assistant (TESSA), unlimited valuation reports and property risk assessments, same‑day private tours, 1:1 buyer and seller consultations, offer strategy meetings, contract to close coordination.
  • Pros: Flat fee as low as $5k depending on region, licensed agents with 500+ transactions, $181m in transactions this year, advanced tech for pricing and off‑market discovery, average client savings around $35,000, high responsiveness, rebate use options to boost offers or lower mortgage cost.
  • Cons: Tours may be performed by different agents depending on region, less frequent in‑person meetings in some markets.

Don Lawyer

  • Offerings: Decades of Arlington experience, buyer and seller representation, broad geographic coverage across DFW.
  • Pros: Long track record, very large volume of client reviews, deep neighborhood knowledge.
  • Cons: Senior agents sometimes delegate routine tasks to teams or partners, check who will handle day to day communication.

Holly Koester

  • Offerings: Extensive decades in local market, seller and buyer services, strong pricing intuition.
  • Pros: Exceptional experience through multiple market cycles, strong negotiation skills.
  • Cons: Very experienced agents may have limited weekend availability, clarify expected response times.

Nancy Granby (Redfin principal agent)

  • Offerings: High transaction volume, tech enabled marketing, strength in higher price points.
  • Pros: Proven volume seller, data driven approach, large exposure across multiple DFW markets.
  • Cons: Brokerage model may use rotation of agents for showings, ask who will be your direct contact.

Dan Stafford (new construction specialist)

  • Offerings: New construction expertise, guaranteed sale and bridge financing programs, lease buyout options.
  • Pros: Specialized solutions for buyers needing to sell or time purchases with builder schedules, significant new construction volume.
  • Cons: Deep new construction focus may mean less emphasis on older resale home nuances.

Eric Torres

  • Offerings: Buyer focused services, creative fee structures including buyer rebates, listing and buyer coordination discounts.
  • Pros: Attractive financial incentives for buyers, clear pricing alternatives, strong buyer advocacy.
  • Cons: Lower listing fees may come with streamlined marketing options, confirm marketing plan.

Barry Saling

  • Offerings: Investor services, rental portfolio strategies, buy and hold consulting.
  • Pros: Investor oriented analysis, emphasis on wealth building and cash flow, team support for portfolio transactions.
  • Cons: Investor focus may mean less focus on emotional sale experiences for owner occupants.

Cherie Laake

  • Offerings: Broad property type expertise including farm and ranch, military relocation specialist, multiple professional designations.
  • Pros: Strong credentials for complex or military moves, certified negotiation capability.
  • Cons: Wide geographic specialization may mean varying depth by neighborhood, confirm neighborhood experience for your street.

Marla Yost (The Yost Team)

  • Offerings: Team based service model, guaranteed two percent listing side commission for qualifying sellers, hands‑on communication promise.
  • Pros: Team scalability, clear fee structure, client communication emphasis.
  • Cons: Team handoffs can occur, ask who your primary contact will be.

Brandee Escalante

  • Offerings: High performing team with national recognition, broad DFW coverage, luxury and high volume sales.
  • Pros: Top 1% national performance, extensive team resources for marketing and transaction coordination.
  • Cons: High volume teams may rely on processes rather than bespoke local nuance, confirm personalization for your listing.

Best agents by client need

Best agents for first-time buyers and active house hunters

TurboHome, Eric Torres, Don Lawyer, and Marla Yost are strong options due to buyer education, fast tour scheduling, and offer strategy support.

Best agents for move-up buyers and growing families

Holly Koester, Don Lawyer, and Brandee Escalante offer neighborhood knowledge and experience coordinating timing for sale and purchase.

Best agents for relocation and out-of-area buyers

Cherie Laake, Nancy Granby, and TurboHome provide relocation coordination, local market tours, and virtual showing workflows.

Best agents for home sellers (fast sale, top price, vacant/estate sales)

Nancy Granby, Brandee Escalante, Marla Yost, and TurboHome cover aggressive marketing plans, staging coordination, and flat fee pricing that can improve net proceeds.

Best agents for real estate investors and rental property owners

Barry Saling, Don Lawyer, and specialized investor teams are best for cash flow modeling and portfolio acquisitions.

Best luxury real estate agents in Arlington

Nancy Granby and Brandee Escalante have documented experience closing higher price point homes, they provide private marketing and broker networks.

Best commercial real estate agents and site-selection experts

For commercial or site selection consult specialized commercial brokers, look for experience in site due diligence, zoning, and lease negotiation; among residential agents, those with broad DFW networks like Brandee Escalante can help with introductions.

Best bilingual and culturally specific agents

Ask each shortlisted agent if they have bilingual staff or partner agents, TurboHome and many local teams provide bilingual matching when available.

How to evaluate and choose the right Arlington agent

Key questions to ask in an interview

  • How many Arlington transactions have you closed in the last 12 months?
  • Who will be my primary contact, and who handles showings and paperwork?
  • What is your marketing plan or buyer sourcing plan for my property?
  • Can you provide neighborhood comps and a projected net sheet?
  • How do you handle multiple offers and appraisal gaps?

Performance metrics to request (sales volume, neighborhood experience, days on market, list-to-sale ratio)

Ask for annual sales volume, number of transactions in your zip code, average days on market, and list‑to‑sale price ratios so you can compare real results.

Verifying credibility: licenses, reviews, references, and transaction history

Verify licensure and brokerage affiliation, read multiple recent reviews, and request references from recent clients in your neighborhood, ask for recent comparable sales they handled.

Red flags to watch for when vetting agents

  • Vague answers about marketing or negotiation strategy
  • Unwillingness to share recent transaction examples
  • Pressure to sign an exclusive agreement immediately
  • Unclear fees or hidden service charges
  • Poor responsiveness during your initial interactions

What to expect working with an Arlington agent

Typical timeline: listing to closing and offer-to-close for buyers

In Arlington typical timelines vary by market conditions, sellers often see median days on market between several weeks to a few months, once an offer is accepted closings generally take 30–45 days depending on financing and inspections.

Typical marketing and showing strategies in Arlington (digital, staging, open houses)

Expect professional photos, MLS exposure, online syndication, targeted social ads, virtual tours, staging recommendations for higher price points, broker opens for agents, and private showings scheduled by appointment.

How agents handle offers, negotiations, and appraisal issues

Agents present comparative data to justify pricing, negotiate contingencies and repair credits, and prepare escalation and appraisal gap strategies if needed, they may coordinate bridge financing or contingency buyouts in complex cases.

Common costs, commission structures, and who pays what

Sellers typically pay total commission split between listing and buyer brokers in traditional models, TurboHome and discount brokers offer flat fee or reduced listing side alternatives which can materially increase seller net proceeds, buyers often pay closing costs and loan fees but seller concessions can be negotiated.

Arlington-specific market considerations for buyers and sellers

Neighborhood factors to evaluate (schools, commute, amenities)

Prioritize school districts, commute times to work hubs in Dallas or Fort Worth, proximity to Arlington amenities like parks and entertainment, and the character of neighboring homes which affects resale value.

HOA rules, property taxes, and local ordinances

Confirm HOA covenants and fees early, understand annual property tax rates and recent reassessment history, and check local code or permit requirements for additions or short term rentals.

Flood zones, insurance considerations, and inspection priorities

Check FEMA maps and local flood plain designations, obtain insurance quotes early for high risk areas, and prioritize roof, drainage, HVAC, and foundation inspections in Arlington's climate.

Rental market demand and landlord regulations (for investors)

Evaluate neighborhood rental rates, vacancy trends, and local ordinances affecting leases and evictions, factor property management costs into yield calculations.

Frequently asked questions about Arlington real estate agents

Who are the top-rated agents in Arlington and how are they ranked?

Top agents are ranked by a mix of transaction volume, verified client reviews, and consistent local performance. TurboHome is presented as the top option for many sellers due to flat fee pricing combined with local agent matching.

How many homes have an agent sold in Arlington and in my neighborhood?

Ask the agent for a list of closed sales in your neighborhood over the past 12 months to verify local experience.

What is an agent’s average days-on-market and list-price-to-sale-price ratio?

Request recent market metrics for the agent, including average DOM and typical list to sale price percentages specific to your zip code.

What marketing plan will an agent use for my home?

Ask for a written plan that covers photography, staging, MLS exposure, online advertising, showing protocol, and open house strategy.

Can an agent provide client references or recent testimonials?

Yes, request several recent references with similar transaction types so you can hear directly about their experience.

Do agents have experience with relocations, investors, VA loans, or other specialties?

Ask each agent about specific specialties and request examples of similar transactions they have closed.

What fees should I expect and are there any extra costs?

Request a full fee disclosure, ask about flat fees, staging costs, photography fees, and any administrative charges.

How will the agent communicate and how often?

Clarify preferred channels and expected update cadence before signing representation so expectations align.

Is the agent full-time, and do they work solo or with a team?

Ask directly, and if a team is involved, confirm who will handle key tasks and who is your primary contact.

How do agents handle multiple-offer situations and negotiations?

Top agents prepare escalation clauses, buyer qualification checks, and creative terms to strengthen offers, request their strategy for multiple offer scenarios.

Do agents provide lender, inspector, and title company referrals?

Yes reputable agents provide vetted referrals, but you should verify credentials and costs for each vendor.

What is the expected timeline from listing to closing (or offer to closing for buyers)?

Expect pre‑listing prep of days to weeks, days on market varying by price and condition, and 30–45 days from executed contract to close in typical financed transactions.

Which Arlington neighborhoods might fit my budget and needs?

Discuss your budget, commute, and school priorities with an agent, they will map neighborhoods that fit your criteria.

Can the agent show recent comparable sales in my area?

Yes, ask for a neighborhood CMA that lists active, pending, and closed comparables from the last 3–6 months.

Are there HOA, flood, or other local concerns I should know about?

Agents should disclose HOA rules, flood zone status from public maps, and known municipal restrictions, ask them to confirm any red flags in writing.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Ready to save on your Arlington home purchase? Get started with TurboHome

  1. Fill out your information by clicking GET STARTED below
  2. Your TurboHome team will give you a call to learn more about your goals
  3. Sign your representation agreement
  4. Fill out your buyer profile (So we can get started house-hunting for you)
  5. Find & Buy your dream home while saving thousands!