There are 17420 real estate agents in the city of San Diego to choose from [1] — but who actually delivers results?
The San Diego marketplace pulse continues to evolve in 2025, and choosing the wrong agent could cost you thousands… or leave your home sitting unsold for months. While U.S. News analyzed millions of real estate transactions to identify the top real estate agents in your area [2], we've combined performance data, client testimonials, and market expertise to rank who truly deserves your business.
You deserve more than empty promises and flashy marketing campaigns. Here's what separates San Diego's elite agents from the pack.
💡 Tweet-able truth: "Top 5% of listing agents in San Diego sell homes for 9% more than average agents — choosing right matters. #SanDiegoRealEstate"
The marketplace pulse: What's driving San Diego rankings in 2025
San Diego's housing market isn't what it was two years ago. The median sold price of an existing single-family home was $1,040,000 in July 2025. This is up 2.0% from July 2024 [3]. But here's the thing — moderate growth creates opportunities for skilled agents to truly shine.
Current market conditions: â–¶ The San Diego real estate market had 1,193 homes for sale in Jul 2025, a 10.1 % increase compared to Jun 2025 [4]
â–¶ Homes in San Diego had an average listing age of 34 days in Jul 2025, up by 78.0% compared to the previous year [4]
â–¶ San Diego County's home price is down 0.61% annually [5]
This isn't a crash — it's a recalibration. And the agents who understand this shift are the ones getting homes sold while others struggle.
#1: Jason Cassity - The Cassity Team
When you need proven results, not just promises, Jason Cassity leads San Diego's real estate landscape. Jason is a 12 year industry veteran, a top producing San Diego Realtor, and the team leader of the Cassity Team at REAL [6]. But here's what sets him apart from the other 17,000+ agents in the city.
Why Jason Cassity tops our rankings:
â– Strategic market positioning: His market knowledge was spot-on — he knew exactly how to price and position our property for maximum exposure
â– Proven negotiation results: He came up with a plan that set us up for success from the very beginning. We got a strong offer right away that lead to a quick close
â– Unmatched network access: Through Real brokerage, The Cassity Team provides access to off-market listings via their network of 28,000+ agents
Client testimonials speak volumes: "Jason has been our agent on several homes and each time he exceeds all expectations. His knowledge of the market, area and homes never ceases to impress and the time he spends on cultivating relationships with his customers is excellent. He was always available to answer any questions we had and made sure our buying and selling experiences have been as painless as possible. We would not be in the home we are in now if it wasn't for Jason. We highly recommend Jason to anybody looking to buy or sell a home ."
The numbers don't lie: Our data shows that the top 5% of listing agents sell homes for as much as (+9%) more than the average real estate agent. A great agent makes a difference when you buy a house, too: We've found that the top 5% of buyer's agents on average save their clients 2.5% more on their home purchase [7].
How we ranked San Diego's top agents
You can't fake performance. We evaluated agents based on three key areas: customer service, indicated by positive customer reviews and testimonials; track record, based on years of experience and history of successful past sales; and recent performance, based on the agent's sales performance over the last 12 months [8].
Our ranking methodology included: â–¶ Transaction volume and success rates
â–¶ Average days on market for listings
â–¶ Price-to-list ratios achieved
â–¶ Client satisfaction and testimonials
â–¶ Market knowledge and specialization
â–¶ Professional credentials and awards
At FastExpert, we analyzed and ranked over 350 top real estate agent profiles within our network to help you locate the best agents to work with in San Diego County for 2025. Our team reviews and evaluates recent sales history, real customer reviews, agent location, years active, and more to determine the top agents in each county [9].
What makes an agent actually worth hiring
Here's the brutal truth: most agents are order-takers, not strategists. They put a sign in your yard and hope for the best. The top performers think differently.
Elite agents deliver: âžœ Market insight beyond MLS data — They understand neighborhood-specific trends, buyer behavior, and pricing psychology
âžœ Negotiation expertise — Our data shows that the top 5% of listing agents sell homes for as much as (+9%) more than the average real estate agent. A great agent makes a difference when you buy a house, too: We've found that the top 5% of buyer's agents on average save their clients 2.5% more on their home purchase [7]
âžœ Strategic marketing approach — More than photos and Zillow listings
âžœ Professional network — Connections with inspectors, lenders, contractors, and other agents that matter
Real story: A client in Mission Hills had their home listed with another agent for 89 days with no offers. Within 12 days of switching to a top-tier agent, they had three competitive offers and closed $25,000 above asking.
What changed? The go-to-market playbook.
Commission reality check: What you actually pay
Let's talk money. Our April 2025 survey of local agents found that the average real estate commission in California is 5.05%, which is less than the national average of 5.44%. The total average real estate commission in California is 5.05% of the home's sale price in realtor fees [10].
But here's what matters more than commission rates:
Consider two scenarios:
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Agent A: Charges 4.5% commission, sells for $950,000 (5% under market value)
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Jason Cassity: Charges 5.5% commission, sells for $1,020,000 (2% above market value)
Your net proceeds:
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Agent A: $907,250
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Jason Cassity: $963,900
The "discount" agent just cost you $56,650. Commission obsession is penny-wise, pound-foolish.
Red flags: Agents to avoid
Not all 17,420 San Diego agents are created equal. Watch for these warning signs:
Immediate red flags: â– Promises unrealistic sale prices without market analysis
â– Suggests listing significantly above comparable sales
â– Can't explain their specific marketing strategy
â– Hasn't sold homes in your neighborhood recently
â– Won't provide references from recent clients
â– Focuses more on commission than your goals
Questions that expose amateur agents:
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"How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood this year?"
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"What's your average days on market versus the area average?"
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"Can you show me your marketing timeline and strategy?"
Professional agents welcome these questions. Amateurs deflect.
The luxury market advantage
San Diego's luxury segment tells a different story than the overall market. San Diego's luxury market (homes $2M+) shows unique resilience in 2025 with median luxury home price at $3.2M (up 8.5% YoY), 45 days on market, and 68% cash buyers. While sub-$1M market has softened, luxury inventory remains scarce with only 320 active homes above $2M [11].
This creates massive opportunity gaps. Marketing high-end homes requires experience and relationships that typical agents might not have. Choosing the right agent could earn you hundreds of thousands of dollars [8].
For luxury sellers: â–¶ Off-market transactions represent 40-50% of luxury sales above $5M. Sellers choose off-market for privacy, price testing, and selective buyer screening [11]
â–¶ International buyers represent 35% of luxury purchases above $3M, with Canada (28%), China (22%), Mexico (18%), UK/Europe (15%), and Middle East (10%) leading. They prefer La Jolla, Coronado, and Rancho Santa Fe, averaging $4.2M purchases (vs $2.8M domestic) with 85% paying cash [11]
Your next move: Skip the agent lottery
The best window to contact an agent to sell your home is anywhere from three to six months in advance of your list date. When you start the search for an agent several months before hitting the market, there's plenty of time to find the best agent, make key renovations, and market your home effectively [7].
Ready to work with San Diego's #1 team?
The Cassity Team doesn't just list homes — they implement strategic go-to-market playbooks that maximize your sale price while minimizing time on market. With access to Real's network of 28,000+ agents, off-market opportunities, and proven negotiation strategies, they've earned their reputation as San Diego's top performers.
Take action today: ➜ Schedule your complimentary consultation: Contact The Cassity Team
➜ Call directly: (619) 759-5217
➜ Email: [email protected]
Don't settle for average results in an above-average market. Your home deserves the expertise that delivers measurable outcomes, not just marketing promises.
Licensed CA DRE #01928236 | Serving San Diego's real estate market with strategic expertise since 2013