Sandra LawsBuying or selling a home in San Diego can feel like navigating a car blindfolded. I speak from experience, because my first home purchase left me juggling inspections, financing, and an endless bunch of paperwork.
A great real estate agent isn’t just someone who shows you houses. They’re your guide and negotiator, helping you understand escrow specifics and navigate competitive markets.
Having the right professional can make a big difference. That’s why I made a list of the top real estate agents in San Diego to help you buy or sell houses, minus the headache.
How much does a real estate agent charge in San Diego?
A real estate agent in San Diego typically charges 5% to 6% of the sale price, usually split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents. Commission rates depend on property type, transaction, complexity of cases, and agent experience.
1. Whissel Realty Group
Address: 3180 University Ave, Suite 600
Contact: +1 619 473 4440
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Whissel Realty Group impressed me from the very first meeting. They provided a detailed market analysis and guided the entire sale process with remarkable efficiency.
My home received seven offers in three days, closing escrow in just three weeks. Their transparent communication and proactive negotiations ensured the final sale price exceeded our original listing, which was a major win.
Beyond the numbers, their agents took the time to explain to me each step of escrow, inspection, and closing. They even accommodated my busy schedule just so I could catch up with my house’s sale progress.
The only downside during the scheduling process was that I wasn’t able to immediately secure slots with the top agents, especially during busy days. I had to wait.
Nonetheless, Whissel’s dedication can be seen in their awards. They were ranked “#1 Team in San Diego County” by The Wall Street Journal for 7 straight years.
The final sale price was higher than our original listing price
“I found Whissel Realty Group through their website and was fortunate to have Jen Dejulio in San Diego county as my agent. From the very first meeting, she came fully prepared with market comparisons and pricing insights, and she took my request to sell within a few months very seriously. She also worked closely with her team to come up with the best and fastest strategy to get my home sold.
Thanks to her efforts, I received 7 offers in just 3 days, which was unbelievable in this buyer’s market. Even when unexpected issues came up, Jen handled negotiations with the buyer’s agent proactively, and we were able to close escrow in only 3 weeks. On top of that, the final sale price was higher than our original listing price, which I am extremely happy about.
When friends or family are ready to buy or sell a home, I will not hesitate to recommend Jen Dejulio. Thank you so much for your hard work!”
- Hideo Honjo, Google Review
She explained the different steps of escrow in an easy-to-understand manner
“Katie Lussier is everything you would want in a real estate agent. She is kind, patient and personable. She really does care about getting you in a home that you would be happy in. We are first time buyers with a relatively limited budget and she the took the effort to find houses for us as well as offer advice and look deeper into costs of repairs and what living in each property would be like. My husband and I have difficult schedules and she accommodated us on multiple occasions, going above and beyond for us. Buying a home, especially in San Diego, is such a scary process but she made it so much lighter and I would recommend her to anyone! She explained the different steps of escrow in an easy to understand manner and guided us throughout the process. We are so grateful to have met her. I never write reviews, but she is special. Use Katie as your realtor!”
- Breanna Hannon, Google Review
2. PorchLight Realty
Address: 3825 32nd Street, CA 92104
Contact: +1 619 704 7170
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: By appointment
PorchLight Realty stood out for its personalised attention and guidance. My neighbour tried them out, and they felt confident enough to make big decisions, thanks to the firm’s support.
The team blends deep market knowledge with genuine care, making each deal like a partnership more than a business deal. Communication is always prompt, thorough, and reassuring.
PorchLight has also been recognized multiple times. The team was named “Top Producing Team” by the LGBTQ+Real Estate Alliance in 2022, achieving ＄431.6 million in team sales volume.
Also, they’ve been acknowledged by eXp Realty as a top-producing team. My neighbour was extremely satisfied with how established and well-known the company is.
However, some clients have reported receiving lots of follow-up calls even after expressing that they are no longer interested, which can feel overwhelming.
Our journey to becoming first-time home owners was made much easier
“Hello I would like to comment on the excellent and professional service that we received from Justin Crumlish. This was our first experience in buying a home, and our journey to becoming first time home owners was made much easier by the great expertise of our realtor. He wasn’t just doing a job, instead he genuinely cared about making his client happy. He has an eye for detail and is always one step ahead. He guided us and was at our disposal for any questions and concerns. Justin is amazing and we are so fortunate to have had him on our journey. He helped us to find the perfect home, and I would recommend him to anyone who is searching for a new home. Thanks Justin!”
- Lydia Atherley, Google Review
We ended up getting an amazing deal on a condo in North Park
“We moved from Portland to San Diego for better opportunities within our companies. Even with better jobs we didn’t think we could afford to buy a home in San Diego. But after meeting Kyle we realized it was entirely possible. Kyle is very knowledgeable about the entire home buying process and understands how to advocate for his clients. We ended up getting an amazing deal on a condo in North Park because Kyle found us credits to help with closing costs. We love the condo and its proximity to everything in SD. The home buying experience could not have been better, and we highly recommend letting Kyle find you a great home if you are looking to buy in San Diego.”
- Wesley Atwood, Google Review
3. I Buy SD
Address: 7480 Miramar Rd, Suite 210
Contact: +1 858 923 4757
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
I Buy SD specializes in quick, stress-free home sales. A friend of mine recently used their services, and they appreciated how the team made the process easy and manageable.
They didn’t have to worry about repairs, staging, or complicated paperwork. Communication remained consistent and client-focused, which is important in crucial decision-making.
I also learned that the company is a family-owned business that has purchased over 3,000 homes since 2014. They follow a simple three-step process: contact them, receive a no-obligation cash offer, and close your timeline.
With no commissions, fees, or repairs required, they provided my friend with a straightforward solution for a variety of situations.
The only downside here is that some sellers have noted initial cash offers by check to be lower than the true market value. So it may be best to adjust expectations or negotiate to get a fair price.
Their understanding and care made a stressful situation so much easier
“We recently needed to sell a home quickly for an elderly man we care for who had to move into assisted living. From the beginning, the team at I Buy SD was incredibly helpful and compassionate. We first spoke with Seth, who was kind, informative, and made the process feel much less overwhelming. Danielle then helped us through the rest of the process, and she was just as supportive, responsive, and professional.
Their understanding and care made a stressful situation so much easier. We’re truly grateful and would highly recommend I Buy SD to anyone needing to sell a home quickly and with confidence.”
- Georgette Rubio, Google Review
The offer we received was excellent
“My wife and I recently sold our home in Oceanside CA. that we had owned for over 44 years. We had already found our retirement home and needed a 30 day escrow. Nik and Seth of I Buy San Diego made it happen. The Offer we received was excellent and As Is. There was no need for repairs, staging or open houses and showings.
The service Nik provided during Escrow was outstanding and always timely. He made the process easy with no stress.”
- Warren Schmitt, Google Review
4. Wolf Real Estate Team
Address: 410 Kalmia St.
Contact: +1 858 722 6847
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
The Wolf Real Estate Team combines strategic expertise with personalized care. Mike and Jessica Wolf guide their clients through every step of buying, selling, or handling unexpected events like emergency repairs or flood damage.
It’s amazing to know that they have been in business since 2006, with over $500 million in closed sales.
Their network of contractors and service providers ensures homes are presented at their peak value, often resulting in sales above market expectations. What stood out to me was their calm, reassuring guidance for clients.
Also, they’ve earned recognition as San Diego’s top-performing agents, praised for strategic marketing, negotiation skills, and consistently delivering above-market results.
What I particularly value is that they leverage advanced market analytics and innovative marketing strategies to help clients achieve the best possible outcome.
But there’s a hiccup: I noticed that when I tried calling, scheduling with Mike and Jessica was a bit difficult, as they are highly sought after.
Even in a challenging buyer’s market, he successfully sold my condo
“I had a fantastic experience working with Mike on the recent sale of my condo. From start to finish, he was highly professional, responsive, and genuinely committed to achieving the best outcome. Even in a challenging buyer’s market, he successfully sold my condo at a reasonable price.
What stood out most was his constant communication—he kept me informed every step of the way and was always available to answer any questions I had, no matter how big or small. His knowledge of the market, strategic approach, and calm guidance made the entire process smooth and stress-free.
I truly appreciate his hard work and would confidently recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell real estate.”
- Kasra Ete, Google Review
A beautifully renovated unit that sold for significantly more than it would
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike and Jessica Wolf on three separate real estate transactions—purchasing two homes and selling one—and each experience has exceeded our expectations. Mike was our primary agent, and he and his team have consistently demonstrated responsiveness, professionalism, and a truly personal touch throughout every step of the process. Most recently, while preparing to list our condo for sale, an unexpected leak caused significant flooding in the unit just before it was scheduled to go on the market. Mike immediately stepped in—he was available that same evening and quickly connected us with a trusted flood restoration company that showed up right away. Their swift action helped contain the damage and begin the drying process, which was critical in preserving the unit. Beyond just handling the emergency, Mike helped us coordinate a full remodel of the condo. He connected us with a contractor and offered invaluable design insight that kept us within budget while still elevating the space. The end result was a beautifully renovated unit that sold for significantly more than it would have in its original condition. Mike and Jessica bring not just experience and skill, but genuine care and dedication to their clients. We are incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done for us and would enthusiastically recommend them to anyone buying or selling a home.”
- Joshua Mondloch, Google Review
5. David Demangos
Address: 3860 Valley Centre Dr, UNIT 409
Contact: +1 858 232 8410
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
David Demangos impressed me from the moment I inquired about selling my home. He walked me through every step of the process and was very responsive throughout.
I was genuinely impressed by his track record. On average, his listings sell for 101.1% of the asking price, which is well above the MLS average of 96.2%. The properties also sell 51% faster, averaging only 19 days.
David’s credentials are also hard to miss. He’s a Certified Luxury Home Specialist, Certified Global Property Specialist, and Certified Green Specialist. I also learned he‘s a member of the Luxury Million Dollar Guild, which is quite impressive.
As we spoke, David made me feel confident that my home would reach the right buyers quickly. He also answered all my questions without ever making me feel rushed.
With almost no negative reviews, the only snag I noticed is that his schedule is almost always fully booked. Finalizing a meeting can be hard, so it’s best to plan ahead.
He got me about $300,000 more than what I was expecting to get
“I sincerely believe Dave to be the best real estate agent in San Diego and ranked amongst the best in the nation. Not only was he able to sell my home in a short period of time, he got me about $300,000 more than what I was expecting to get. His execution of the sale was flawless and his commitment and help walking me thru and understanding the process was of the highest professionalism. I cannot recommend Dave enough and if you are fortunate enough to work with him and would highly recommend doing so. Your bank account will thank you.”
- Matt Crossland, Google Review
Has an amazing network of people and services that he can connect you with
“I recently closed on my first home, and I have to give a huge shoutout to David for helping me survive the stressful and complicated process! David’s experience is so reassuring, and I truly appreciate his willingness to help and answer all my questions. He really went above and beyond to make sure I understood every step of the process. Plus, David has an amazing network of people and services that he can connect you with, which is super valuable and gave me so much peace of mind. I’m just so grateful for his positive attitude throughout the whole experience!”
- Raquel Martinez Ayon, Google Review
