Best Real Estate Agents in Rochester NY 2026
Best Real Estate Agents in Rochester NY 2026
Rochester’s real estate market has picked up speed. The median home price hit $215,000 in early 2026 — up from $145,000 in 2020. Inventory remains tight across the metro area, with well-priced homes in Brighton, Pittsford, and the South Wedge selling within days. That makes agent selection more important than ever: the right agent gets you in front of properties before they hit the open market, and prices your listing to maximize competing offers.
We evaluated Rochester-area agents on transaction volume, pricing accuracy, neighborhood expertise, and client feedback. Here are the 8 best real estate agents in Rochester for 2026.
1. Christine Bellavia — Howard Hanna
Specialty: Park Avenue, South Wedge, and Upper Monroe
Avg. sale price: $240K
Years active: 13
Transactions (2025): 68
Avg. days on market: 18
Christine Bellavia owns the most desirable city neighborhoods in Rochester — Park Avenue, the South Wedge, Upper Monroe, and the Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA). Her transaction volume of 68 puts her well above the typical Rochester agent, and her 18-day average days on market confirms she prices listings accurately from the start.
These neighborhoods attract young professionals, remote workers, and University of Rochester employees who want walkable, urban living. Bellavia knows the specific character of each block — which streets have the best tree canopy, which buildings have been well-maintained, and where new restaurants and shops are opening. This level of detail matters when comparable sales might show identical prices but very different livability.
Her listing marketing includes professional photography with neighborhood context shots, virtual tours, and targeted advertising reaching the out-of-state buyer pool that has grown steadily since 2020. For buyers, she maintains a pre-market notification system that gives her clients early access to homes before they appear on the MLS.
Best for: Buyers and sellers in Rochester’s walkable city neighborhoods. Particularly effective for out-of-state buyers who need guidance on which specific blocks within these neighborhoods are worth the premium. Start with our affordability calculator to set a realistic budget.
2. David Garritano — RE/MAX Realty Group
Specialty: Pittsford, Mendon, and Victor
Avg. sale price: $395K
Years active: 17
Transactions (2025): 52
Avg. days on market: 32
David Garritano is the dominant agent in Rochester’s eastern suburbs — Pittsford, Mendon, and Victor. These communities command the highest prices in the metro area, driven by the Pittsford Central School District (consistently top-rated in Monroe County) and the rural-suburban character that families find attractive.
His 17 years in the market give him an advantage in pricing that newer agents can’t match. He knows which Pittsford subdivisions hold value best, which streets have traffic issues during school hours, and which properties will face HOA assessment increases. His sellers benefit from a consistently accurate pricing strategy — his listings average 99% of asking price, avoiding the costly mistake of overpricing and sitting on the market.
Garritano also handles a significant volume of new construction in the Victor and Mendon areas, where several developments are active. He advises buyers on builder reputations, option packages, and the timing advantages of buying during different construction phases.
Best for: Families buying in the Pittsford/Mendon/Victor corridor, especially those prioritizing school districts. Also strong for sellers of higher-end properties who need targeted marketing beyond the standard MLS listing.
3. Maria Gonzalez — Nothnagle Realtors
Specialty: First-time buyers, city of Rochester and inner suburbs
Avg. sale price: $165K
Years active: 7
Transactions (2025): 61
Avg. days on market: 16
Maria Gonzalez focuses on the most active segment of the Rochester market: first-time buyers purchasing homes under $225K in the city and nearby suburbs. Her transaction count of 61 reflects the high volume and quick pace of this price range, and her 16-day average days on market is the lowest in the Rochester market.
Gonzalez runs a structured buyer program: initial consultation, mortgage pre-approval coordination (she works with 6 local lenders), a neighborhood tour, and then targeted home showings. She’s fluent in English and Spanish, which has made her the preferred agent for Rochester’s growing Hispanic community.
She’s especially knowledgeable about first-time buyer programs in the Rochester area: SONYMA loans with below-market rates, the City of Rochester Home Rochester program (down payment assistance for city purchases), and employer-assisted housing programs at the University of Rochester, RIT, and Wegmans.
Best for: First-time buyers in the city of Rochester and inner suburbs under $225K. Also effective for anyone needing bilingual service. Check out first-time buyer assistance programs before you start looking.
4. Kevin Walsh — Keller Williams Realty
Specialty: Greece, Gates, and Chili (northwest suburbs)
Avg. sale price: $205K
Years active: 10
Transactions (2025): 55
Avg. days on market: 21
Kevin Walsh covers Rochester’s northwest suburbs — Greece, Gates, and Chili — the metro’s most populous suburbs and its most affordable. Greece alone has more residents than many Upstate New York cities, and its housing market is a mix of mid-century ranch homes, newer subdivisions, and lakefront properties along Lake Ontario.
Walsh’s local knowledge is specific and practical. He knows which sections of Greece have municipal sewer versus septic systems (a major maintenance consideration), which subdivisions have well water versus public supply, and which areas are within the improved Greece school zones versus Hilton or Spencerport districts. These details directly affect property values and daily life but don’t show up on most listing sites.
His buyer clients range from first-time purchasers to retirees downsizing from larger suburban homes. His seller side benefits from strong volume — he consistently has the most listings in the Greece/Gates area, which creates a network effect: buyers looking for Greece homes find Walsh’s listings first, and sellers want the agent who buyers are already working with.
Best for: Buyers and sellers in Greece, Gates, and Chili. Good option for anyone seeking Rochester’s most affordable suburbs with practical guidance on infrastructure specifics.
5. Sarah Lindquist — Coldwell Banker Custom Realty
Specialty: Brighton and East Rochester
Avg. sale price: $295K
Years active: 11
Transactions (2025): 47
Avg. days on market: 24
Sarah Lindquist is the leading agent in Brighton — Rochester’s most consistently desirable suburb. Brighton attracts families for the Brighton Central School District and proximity to both the University of Rochester and downtown. Housing ranges from $180K ranch homes to $700K+ estates, and Lindquist handles the full range.
Her market approach is data-driven. Each listing presentation includes a detailed comparative market analysis with adjustments for condition, updates, lot size, and specific street location. Brighton is a neighborhood where being on the right block can mean a $30K–$50K difference in value, and Lindquist’s pricing reflects those micro-market differences.
She also has strong connections to the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital relocation programs, which generate a steady stream of incoming buyers who need to purchase quickly. For sellers, this means Lindquist often has pre-qualified buyers before a listing goes public.
Best for: Brighton buyers and sellers at all price points. Especially effective for families where school district is the primary factor and for homeowners selling in connection with a job relocation.
6. Anthony Russo — Hunt Real Estate
Specialty: Investment properties and multi-family
Avg. sale price: $175K
Years active: 9
Transactions (2025): 43
Avg. days on market: 27
Anthony Russo is Rochester’s leading investment property specialist. He focuses on 2–4 unit multi-family buildings in the city of Rochester and inner suburbs, where rental demand is strong and purchase prices still allow positive cash flow — something increasingly rare in coastal markets.
For every property, Russo provides a full investment analysis: realistic rental income (based on current market rents, not landlord claims), expense ratios (taxes, insurance, maintenance reserves, vacancies), cap rate calculations, and cash-on-cash return projections. He factors in Rochester-specific variables like high heating costs, lead paint remediation requirements (mandatory for Rochester rental certificates of occupancy), and the strong seasonal rental demand from university students.
He also works with house-hacking buyers — first-time purchasers who buy a duplex or triplex and live in one unit. Rochester’s multi-family prices make this strategy particularly effective: a $175K–$225K duplex with $1,200–$1,600 in monthly rental income from the second unit covers a significant portion of the mortgage.
Best for: Real estate investors targeting Rochester’s rental market, and house-hacking first-time buyers. Run the numbers with our mortgage calculator to see how rental income affects your payment.
7. Jennifer Hartwell — Nothnagle Realtors
Specialty: Webster, Penfield, and Fairport
Avg. sale price: $320K
Years active: 14
Transactions (2025): 49
Avg. days on market: 26
Jennifer Hartwell covers the eastern suburbs of Webster, Penfield, and Fairport — communities popular with families for their school districts and with outdoor enthusiasts for their access to Lake Ontario, Irondequoit Bay, and the Erie Canal trail system.
Her 14-year track record in these communities gives her an encyclopedic knowledge of subdivisions, builders, and neighborhood trends. She knows which Webster developments have the best construction quality, which Penfield streets back up during school drop-off, and which Fairport neighborhoods are within walking distance of the village’s restaurants and canal-side shops.
Hartwell’s listing marketing emphasizes lifestyle — her property videos feature neighborhood amenities, trail access, and school facilities alongside the standard interior walk-through. This approach connects with families relocating from other cities who are buying the community as much as the house.
Best for: Families buying or selling in Webster, Penfield, and Fairport. Particularly useful for relocating families who need an agent who can sell the neighborhood, not just the property. Check closing costs for your budget planning.
8. Mark Tremont — eXp Realty
Specialty: Henrietta, Rush, and southern suburbs
Avg. sale price: $225K
Years active: 8
Transactions (2025): 44
Avg. days on market: 23
Mark Tremont focuses on Rochester’s southern suburbs — Henrietta, Rush, and the communities along the I-390 corridor. Henrietta is the commercial hub of Rochester’s suburbs (home to Marketplace Mall and major retail), but its residential areas offer solid housing stock at more moderate prices than the eastern suburbs.
Tremont’s expertise extends into the more rural southern communities — Rush, Avon, and Lima — where buyers find larger lots and hobby farms at prices well below suburban rates. He handles the nuances of semi-rural purchasing: well and septic inspections, agricultural district considerations, easement issues, and the practical realities of maintaining a property on a dirt road through Rochester’s snowy winters.
His tech-forward approach includes 3D home tours, drone photography for properties with acreage, and a strong email alert system that notifies his buyer clients of new listings within minutes of MLS entry — important in a market where desirable properties go under contract in days.
Best for: Buyers looking in Henrietta and the southern suburbs, especially those wanting more land or a semi-rural setting within commuting distance of Rochester. Good for sellers of unique properties that need creative marketing.
Rochester Market Snapshot: 2026
Key numbers for the Rochester real estate market heading into spring 2026:
Median home price: $215,000 (up 9% year-over-year). Rochester remains one of the most affordable mid-size metros in the Northeast.
Inventory: 2.1 months of supply. Below the 4–6 months considered balanced. Competitive under $300K; more balanced above $400K.
Average days on market: 24 days across the metro (down from 34 days in 2024). Properties priced under $250K in desirable neighborhoods sell in under two weeks.
Top employers driving demand: University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital (33,000 employees), RIT (4,000), Wegmans (5,000+ locally), Xerox, and L3Harris Technologies. Healthcare and education anchor the job market.
Property taxes: Monroe County’s combined tax rates (county, town/city, school) range from 2.5% to 3.4% of assessed value — among the highest in the country. A $215K home may have a $5,000–$7,000 annual tax bill. Factor this into your monthly payment using our mortgage calculator.
If you’re relocating to Rochester, also explore home service costs and our maintenance calculator to budget for the ongoing costs of homeownership in this climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the real estate commission rate in Rochester?
Standard total commission is 5–6% of the sale price in the Rochester market, split between listing and buyer’s agents. On a $215K home, that’s $10,750–$12,900. Some agents negotiate rates on higher-priced properties. Discount brokerages operate in the market but typically offer reduced service levels. Buyer’s agents are generally paid from the seller’s commission.
How fast do homes sell in Rochester in 2026?
The metro average is 24 days on market, but well-priced homes under $250K in neighborhoods like South Wedge, Park Avenue, Brighton, and Pittsford sell in 7–14 days with multiple offers. Higher-priced properties ($400K+) take 45–60 days. Cash offers and escalation clauses are common in competitive situations.
What Rochester neighborhoods have the best appreciation potential?
The city neighborhoods with the strongest recent appreciation are the South Wedge, NOTA (Neighborhood of the Arts), and the Upper Monroe area — all have seen 40–60% price gains since 2020. Beechwood and the 19th Ward are earlier in the revitalization curve and offer lower entry prices with higher risk. In the suburbs, Fairport and Webster are appreciating steadily, driven by school district reputation and canal-side development.
Should I buy in the city of Rochester or the suburbs?
It depends on priorities. The city offers lower purchase prices ($150K–$300K), walkability, and cultural proximity but comes with higher property tax rates and older housing stock requiring more maintenance. Suburbs offer newer homes, top-rated school districts (especially Pittsford, Brighton, and Penfield), and lower maintenance costs but at prices 30–80% above city equivalents and with car-dependent lifestyles. First-time buyers should run the numbers on both — our affordability calculator factors in taxes and maintenance, not just mortgage payments.
Do I need a buyer’s agent in Rochester?
Not legally required, but strongly recommended. Rochester’s market moves fast enough that unrepresented buyers regularly lose out on properties. A buyer’s agent provides access to pre-market listings, negotiation strategy, and guidance on Rochester-specific issues (property tax protests, lead paint requirements, heating cost estimates). Since the seller typically pays the buyer’s agent commission, representation costs the buyer nothing directly.