Massachusetts has more the 27+ active Real Estate Agents. Given how important agents are to the transaction, here is a list of the Top Real Estate Brokerages and Brokers in Massachusetts you NEED to know!
Top Real Estate Brokers in Massachusetts: At a Glance
| Top Massachusetts Brokers | Best For | More Than 10 Years of Experience | More Than 100 sales in the last 12 months | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Saphire | 💲 Sellers looking for maximum savings 🌟 Sellers looking for Stellar Customer Reviews 📃 Sellers looking for Fast Listing Changes 🖥️ Sellers looking for Cutting-edge Technology | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (39 reviews) |
| Julie Etter | 🤝 Best for Negotiation Support | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (98 reviews) |
| Chris Doherty | 👍 Best for First-time Buyers | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (50 reviews) |
What Are Real Estate Brokers?
Real estate brokers and real estate agents are used interchangeably, but they vastly differ in definition. A real estate broker is a licensed real estate professional in their own right who’s also a licensed real estate agent. A real estate broker is differentiated by the fact that they can start their own firm and hire real estate agents to work with.
Average Real Estate Broker Commission in Massachusetts
The average Massachusetts Real Estate Agent Commission is 5% to 6%. This commission is split evenly between the listing and the buyer’s agent. Below is the breakdown of how the average real estate broker commission is divided:
6% Real Estate Commission
- 3% Listing Agent Commission
- 1.5% Listing Agent Commission
- 1.5% Listing Broker Commission
- 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission
- 1.5% Buyer’s Agent Commission
- 1.5% Buyer’s Broker Commission
So, effectively, the real estate broker commission in Massachusetts is lesser because it is split between the buyer’s agent and the broker. It is possible that the buyer’s agent may be a licensed real estate broker. In that case, they earn the full 2.5% to 3% broker commission.
How to become a licensed Real Estate Broker in Massachusetts?
To be eligible for a real estate broker license in MA, you must have had a Massachusetts real estate agent’s license AND have been affiliated with a Massachusetts real estate broker for at least three years. The state of Massachusetts requires that you complete 40 hours of education before applying for your license.
Reviews: Top Real Estate Brokers in Massachusetts
Jason Saphire
BEST OVERALL
Jason Saphire
- ⌛ 23 Years of Experience
5/5 (39 reviews)
5/5 (39 reviews)👨💼 About: Jason Saphire is the founder of EntryOnly.com, a licensed real estate firm in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. He basically works with sellers who want to sell their homes, investment properties, or land without paying a 5-6% commission to a traditional real estate agent. You can also opt only for their MLS Listing Service or avail their “Full-Service Support” packages.
🏆 Expertise: He specializes in Flat Fee Listing, For Sale By Owner, FSBO, and MLS listing.
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: Jason Saphire’s Annual Sales Volume in 2021 was $32M
🤝 Affiliations: Jason Saphire is a Houzeo Partner.
🏢 About Houzeo.com: A tech-centric company, Houzeo is building cutting-edge tools to simplify the home selling experience and make real estate convenient for homeowners. Founded in 2017, the company is disrupting the flat fee MLS model with world-class technology and aims to build “America’s Super Real Estate App.”
💰 Affordability: You can work with Jason Saphire at a flat fee, usually $349, and avoid paying the traditional 3% listing agent commission. You get access to great technology for finishing the comprehensive paperwork, while the listing broker handles the legalities.
» Learn More: How To Sell A House By Owner In Massachusetts
- Jason has conducted over 10,000 transactions
- Recognized by REAL Trends Rankings as one of the top 5 agents in the USA for 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- Featured in the Wall Street Journal, Boston.com, and various podcasts including Breakaway Agents and Broker Talk.
Jason Saphire is rated 4.8/ 5 ( out of 82 reviews) on Zillow
Jason Saphire is licensed to offer his services in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Julie Etter
Best for negotiation support
Julie Etter
- 16 years of experience
-
5/5 (98 reviews)
Julie Etter is a Broker based in Massachusetts and has been named Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices “Legend” for consistent performance. Etter for several years led the Julie Etter Team as a top-producing agent serving Wrentham and surrounding markets.
🏆 Expertise: Buying and Selling, Consulting, Relocation
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $49M from 117 transactions in 2021
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Evolution Properties
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Evolution Properties is a full-service real estate office located in Wrentham, MA. Their team of full-time agents has made them the #1 office in Wrentham for several years. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a downsized, or an expanding family, their Certified Buyers Representatives can guide you well.
🔍 Explore: Top Real Estate Websites
Accreditations:
- eCertified®
- Referral Channel rCertified
Julie Etter has a 5/5 rating on Zillow.
Bristol County, MA
Norfolk County, MA
Plymouth County, MA
Wrentham, MA
Chris Doherty
BEST FOR FIRST TIME SELLERS/BUYERS
Chris Doherty
- 25 years of experience
-
5/5 (50 reviews)
About: Chris Doherty is a REALTOR and Broker at Doherty Propeties LLC. Chris’ expansive network, unparalleled client service, and proven marketing strategies have made him and his company a leader in the real estate market.
🏆 Expertise: Buyer’s Agent, Listing Agent, Relocation, Luxury, Investment, Property Management
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $29M from 122 transactions in 2021
Doherty Properties
Doherty Properties LLC is a full-service real estate brokerage that offers a complete suite of services to ensure we meet our client’s every need. From rentals and sales, retail and commercial, investment, new development, and re-development and re-vitalization marketing, property management, and legal services, our agents and staff will advise you from the beginning to the end of your real estate transaction.
»Learn More: What are the Seller Closing Costs in Massachusetts?
- Realtor of the Year, Northeast Association of Realtors 2019
Chris Doherty has a 5/5 rating on Zillow.
North Chelmsford, Chelmsford, MA
Methuen, MA
Westford, MA
Lowell, MA
Tewksbury, MA
Bedford, MA
Dracut, MA
Tyngsboro, MA
Burlington, MA
Carlisle, MA
Chelmsford, MA
North Billerica, Billerica, MA
Billerica, MA
Haverhill, MA
Lawrence, MA
Pinehurst, Billerica, MA
Difference between a Broker, REALTOR®, and Real Estate Agent
A real estate broker is a licensed real estate agent with additional training and licenses to employ other real estate agents in their brokerage firms. In contrast, a real estate agent is only licensed to assist a real estate transaction, and cannot hire other agents or open a brokerage firm.
Realtors are real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR), the largest trade association in the U.S. Bound by the NAR’s Code of Ethics, Realtors promise to be transparent, honest and uphold their clients’ best interests in all transactions.
There are thousands of licensed real estate agents and brokers across the nation, with varying levels of service quality, so it is ideal to hire a local real estate broker to understand how to sell real estate in Massachusetts for the first time.
Selling a house by owner may seem like a daunting process but technology tools like Houzeo.com have digitized the contingencies like listing paperwork and made the process seamless.
The best part – is you don’t pay the traditional 6% real estate commission! You can use the 100% online platform to list your house, manage home showings, and counteroffers for a flat fee.
» Home Staging: Check out what is home staging and how is it useful for you
How to Find a Real Estate Brokers in Massachusetts?
By being methodical about it.
Consider the basics of real estate transactions and evaluate costs, time, and efforts.
National brands offer nationwide coverage but service quality may not be guaranteed in each office. You will be yet another lead in the marketing funnel while a Flat Fee Realtor is assigned for your listing.
In contrast, if you choose a local real estate broker, you could save on the time and effort substantially. Real estate commissions, however, still remain questionable and depend on the work done by the real estate broker.
If you are radical enough to adventure selling a house for sale by owner, then flat fee MLS listing services like Houzeo are a great way to save time, and the 100% online platform makes the comprehensive listing paperwork seamless.
🏡 FSBO SOUNDS INTERESTING? Check out our guide to selling your house as an owner.
Best Brokerages in Massachusetts: At a Glance
| Companies | Key Highlights | Customer Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Houzeo | 📱 Most Advanced Tech 💲 Maximum savings 🌟 Stellar Customer Reviews 📃 Fast Listing Changes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2,410 reviews) |
| Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty | ✨ Best for Luxury Properties | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (46 reviews) |
Reviews: Best Brokerages in Massachusetts
Houzeo
BEST ON TECHNOLOGY
Houzeo
- Listing Fee: $349
-
4.9/5 (2,410 reviews)
Houzeo is not a brokerage.
About: Houzeo is a tech company that thrives to ease the real estate transaction process for American home sellers. More than $ 3.5 billion worth of properties were listed on Houzeo.com in 2021.
Houzeo provides an unbeatable combination of maximum savings, cutting-edge technology, and 5-star customer support.
Houzeo is the most popular and competitive platform for sellers looking for full-service affordable real estate companies that will give maximum savings with minimum real estate agent interaction. Also, Houzeo is considered to be the best Flat Fee MLS and FSBO provider in the US real estate market.
💰 Save Thousands on Commission: Houzeo is an advanced tech platform that allows home sellers to list their homes on the MLS for a small flat fee, working with a listing agent who doesn’t typically charge a commission. This saves you almost 50% of the agent commissions right away.
⚡ Package Customization: You can customize the packages as per your requirements and even opt for services like contract review, pricing assistance, professional photography, and more as per the requirement.
📱 Enjoy Cutting Edge Technology: Home sellers, after registering, get access to an exclusive seller dashboard where they can receive, review, and compare offers. The platform also allows features like contract updates, counteroffers, home showings, lockbox, yard signs, and more.
⭐ 5 Star Reviews: With superior reviews on Google and Trustpilot, Houzeo is also the most advanced For Sale By Owner (FSBO) platform in the United States.
🎈 Coverage: Houzeo has a nationwide presence
🏆 Best For: Zero hidden fees, MLS exposure, 100% automated process, Listing within 8 business hours with Houzeo Concierge, Buyer leads directly shared with the seller, Counteroffer feature, and Affordable full-service packages` No other real estate company comes close to offering such features.
When home sellers list via Houzeo.com, they can leverage the Houzeo Advantage.
Let’s look at the “Houzeo Advantage”:
- IntelliList Listing Management System: Lets you manage your listing 100% online.
- Lightning Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online. Listing can happen in under 60 minutes and any MLS listing changes are updated quickly.
- Houzeo Showings: Manage showing appointments online.
- Houzeo Offers: All offers are summarized online. You can view and compare offers, or counter any offer. In a multiple-offer situation, you can also call for the highest and best offers.
- Buyer Search: Buyers can contact you directly on Houzeo.com instead of going through a real estate agent.
Houzeo Settlement Agent Platform: Guides you in ensuring the successful closing. - Digital Transaction Management
- Houzeo ID Secure
- Pro Directory
- Houzeo Buyer Lead Manager
- Houzeo Mobile App: All features are at your fingertips with Houzeo mobile apps for iOS and Android.
📲 Interested to list with Houzeo? Houzeo is 100% online so you can finish the paperwork in less than 60 mins with a few clicks. Start NOW!
Houzeo is available nationwide
Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty
Best for Luxury Properties
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
- Hyperlocal Agents
-
3.5/5 (46 reviews)
3.5/5 (46 reviews)About: Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty is Eastern Massachusetts’ premier real estate brokerage firm and an affiliate in the Sotheby’s International Realty network. Colleen Barry is a 15-year veteran of the real estate industry and is the CEO of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty.
📜 Features: They offer a heritage of hyperlocal expertise, white-glove service, exclusive media partnerships, global marketing reach, and access to a worldwide referral network consisting of approximately 1,000 offices in over 72 countries and territories. They have 24 offices and over 350 sales associates throughout Boston, Greater Boston, the North Shore, the South Shore, and Cape Cod.
🏆 Expertise: Home Staging, Buyer’s Agent Services, Closing Services, Virtual Consultations, Buyer Evaluation
🏡 Annual Sales Volume: $4.2B in 2021
- Photography and Videos: This also includes video, 3D tours, drone photography, and detailed floor plans
- Brochures & Print Media: Including custom property flyers, multi-page brochures, and direct mail postcards
- Digital Advertising: Targeted Facebook and Instagram campaigns
- Press Coverage: Leading media outlets to generate local, national, and international exposure for our listings
- Marketing
- Strategic Planning
- Email Marketing
Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty has a 3.5/5 rating on Yelp.
Boston, MA, USA
Cambridge, MA
Wellesley, MA
Weston, MA
Sudbury, MA
Needham, MA
Concord, MA
Hingham, MA
Cohasset, MA
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, MA
Orleans, MA
Brewster, MA
Harwich Port, MA
Chatham, MA
Provincetown, MA
Dennis, MA
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
Arlington, MA
Woburn, MA
Winchester, MA
Lexington, MA
Brookline, MA
Newton, MA
Charlestown, MA
Dorchester, MA
Plymouth, MA
Marion, MA
Mattapoisett, MA
Gloucester, MA
Beverly, MA
Natick, MA
Dover, MA
Wayland, MA
Lincoln, MA
Acton, MA
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Brokerage?
For Home Sellers
Approximately 89 percent of homeowners use the services of a real estate agent or broker when buying or selling a home, making the selection of the most qualified agent critical to a successful real estate transaction.
| Parameters | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Inquire | When choosing a real estate broker or agent, inquire about their knowledge of the local market and your property type. |
| 2. Marketing strategy | Question the marketing strategy, methods of communication, references, and connections a broker has with other real estate professionals before making a decision. |
| 3. Full-time Professional | Make certain to hire a professional who is available on a full-time basis. |
| 4. Guidance | Ideally, a realtor will be able to guide you through the process of searching for and purchasing a house. |
| 5. Local Realtor | Local realtors who work for themselves should not be dismissed. They may have more intimate knowledge of a community, than a large real estate company |
In addition to the questions listed above, there are several other factors to consider when hiring a real estate agent or brokerage.
Availability of Real Estate Agents or Brokerages: While there are competent part-time agents who sell properties, you must hire someone who can show your home at a time that is convenient for you.
Offer Suggestions: Other desirable features attract buyers in an area like pools, screened-in porches, etc. Pools, screened-in porches, and other desirable features are known to attract buyers to the area. They will advise on which rooms or features to emphasize or de-emphasize.
Similarly, ask the agent if there are any improvements you could make to the house to make it more desirable. The best agents will often make these suggestions without your input.
Local Real Estate Brokerages: Hire or retain a local expert. These agents will also be aware of the typical selling and listing prices in the area.
Other than that, ask a local brokerage or your friends and family if they know anyone who has sold many homes or businesses there. Also, other ideas include looking through local real estate publications to see which agents have the most listings.
For Home Buyers
In contrast, an inexperienced agent may make things more difficult for you (and your wallet) than they need to be during the home buying process. Therefore, Massachusetts Cash Home Buyers are also a relevant option to ease the process.
There is a specific set of abilities that distinguishes the best real estate agents from the rest when it comes time to buy a house. Is there a list of these abilities? Let’s find out
| Point to Remember | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Good Communication | Look for an agent who is a good communicator and can answer all of your questions about the home-buying process. |
| 2. Reliable Experience | When interviewing real estate agents, be sure to not only inquire about the length of time they have been in the business of buying and selling homes, but also inquire about their specific experience. |
| 3. Strong Local Market Knowledge | Each market is unique. In order to navigate the nuances of your local market, you'll need a real estate agent who is familiar with local market trends and patterns. Choose a real estate agent who has a track record of quickly placing buyers in homes (and getting them a great deal, too). |
| 4. Positive Reviews | Online reviews are a great resource when choosing a realtor. Read as many reviews as you can before choosing a real estate agent, and look for past clients who have only positive things to say about their experiences. |
| 5. Personal Rapport | Ultimately, you want a realtor you like. You'll be spending a lot of time together, so choose someone you enjoy being around and who truly understands your needs. |
Final Word
Selling or buying a house is a highly valued experience in every individual’s life. Choosing an inefficient brokerage or the broker may mar your overall experience and can cause grave financial losses.
Also, while selling your house you will have to shell out a 6% agent commission. But this still would not guarantee good customer service.
To save yourself from this problem you can choose Houzeo.
| 💻 Houzeo’s tech-centric broker partners charge just the upfront flat fee, and no commission for all DIY plans (except in minimum service states) |
| 👩🏻💻 Offers typically are routed to the brokers. Houzeo’s Offers Platform allows your broker to present the offer to you instantly |
| 💰 Houzeo Offers Platform allows sellers to Counter an Offer and Request Highest & Best Offers Online |
| 📱 Houzeo Showings is available both on Houzeo’s website and on the Houzeo mobile app (learn more) |
| 🕛 Available only on weekdays up to 1 pm, and only in select MLS’. After you’ve purchased the Gold or Platinum plans, email support@houzeo.com with the subject line “Expedited Listing Request: “. Service is free for Gold and Platinum plan customers |
Find Your New Home in Massachusetts With Houzeo
With thousands of property listings, Houzeo.com is one of the biggest property listing sites in the US. Find condos, townhouses, co-ops, and other types of homes for sale in Massachusetts on Houzeo.
» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
Check out the following video for all the details you need:
» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the top broker in Massachusetts?
The top brokers in Massachusetts are:
1. Jason Saphire
2. Julie Etter
3. Chris Doherty
Who are the biggest real estate brokerage in Massachusetts?
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty is the biggest real estate brokerage in Massachusetts
How much does a real estate broker make in Massachusetts?
The average salary for a Real Estate Agent is $89429 per year in Massachusetts, as per Indeed.com
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