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Real Estate Agents · Columbia, SC/Updated June 13, 2026

The 10 Best Real Estate Agents in Columbia, SC

Finding a trusted real estate agent can make or break your home buying or selling experience. These top picks balance stellar reviews with value.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceKeller Williams The Downing Group
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Columbia-metro real estate agents businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

In Columbia, SC, the real estate market has a wide array of agents, ranging from well-reviewed leaders to smaller shops with fewer reviews. Choosing the right agent can significantly impact your buying or selling experience, making it essential to weigh trustworthiness against pricing.

We evaluated ten providers in the metro area, ranking them based on their Vetted Scores derived from customer reviews and ratings. Our list reflects a mix of established agents and promising newcomers to help you make an informed decision.

10real estate agents evaluated in Columbia
4.80average rating across the field
3.2Kcustomer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does real estate agents cost in Columbia? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
★ Editor's Choice
96Score

Keller Williams The Downing Group

★★★★★5.0(1,397 reviews)

With a perfect 5-star rating from 1,397 reviews, Keller Williams The Downing Group is a standout in Columbia's real estate market.

Read full review
Best Value
94Score

Olivia Cooley Real Estate

★★★★★4.9(958 reviews)

Olivia Cooley Real Estate holds an impressive 4.9-star rating based on 958 reviews.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
93Score

The Hunt Team - Coldwell Banker Realty

★★★★★5.0(147 reviews)

The Hunt Team at Coldwell Banker Realty boasts a perfect 5-star rating from 147 reviews.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
5.0★★★★★
1,397Buyers and sellers seeking top-tier service
2
94Score
4.9★★★★★
958First-time homebuyers and those seeking personalized attention
3
93Score
5.0★★★★★
147Homebuyers needing detailed market insights
4
89Score
4.9★★★★★
125Clients who value a personal touch
5
88Score
4.8★★★★★
228Investors looking for rental properties
6
87Score
4.9★★★★★
106Sellers wanting to maximize visibility
7
82Score
4.7★★★★★
117Homebuyers wanting local insights
8
81Score
4.7★★★★★
60Buyers seeking unique properties
9
80Score
5.0★★★★★
4Clients seeking personalized service
10
78Score
4.1★★★★★
16Clients seeking a small firm experience
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 real estate agents.

To create this ranking, we analyzed 3,158 reviews from ten real estate agents in Columbia. Each agent was assessed on their overall rating, the volume of reviews, and customer feedback.

We emphasize transparency in our evaluation process. No business pays for placement in our rankings, and we refresh our data monthly to ensure accuracy and relevance.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Keller Williams The Downing Group

★★★★★5.0(1,397 reviews)
96Score

With a perfect 5-star rating from 1,397 reviews, Keller Williams The Downing Group is a standout in Columbia's real estate market. Clients commend their professionalism and extensive market knowledge, making them ideal for both buyers and sellers. However, their popularity can lead to busy schedules, so it's wise to plan ahead.

Pros

  • Extensive experience
  • Highly rated by clients
  • Strong negotiation skills

Cons

  • Can be hard to reach during peak times
  • May have a high volume of clients
Best forBuyers and sellers seeking top-tier service
Service areaColumbia, SC and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$200,000 to $500,000
2
Best Value

Olivia Cooley Real Estate

★★★★★4.9(958 reviews)
94Score

Olivia Cooley Real Estate holds an impressive 4.9-star rating based on 958 reviews. Clients often highlight her dedication and personalized service, making her a great choice for first-time homebuyers. One drawback is that her team may not have as many resources as larger firms, but the level of attention you receive is exceptional.

Pros

  • Personalized service
  • Strong communication skills
  • Great for first-time buyers

Cons

  • Limited resources compared to larger firms
  • May have fewer listings
Best forFirst-time homebuyers and those seeking personalized attention
Service areaColumbia, SC and nearby communities
Typical pricing$150,000 to $400,000
3
Most Reviewed

The Hunt Team - Coldwell Banker Realty

★★★★★5.0(147 reviews)
93Score

The Hunt Team at Coldwell Banker Realty boasts a perfect 5-star rating from 147 reviews. Clients appreciate their thorough approach and local market expertise, making them particularly beneficial for buyers looking for nuanced insights. However, with fewer reviews than some competitors, their service is promising but unproven for larger transactions.

Pros

  • Local market expertise
  • Thorough and detail-oriented
  • Responsive communication

Cons

  • Fewer reviews than top competitors
  • Less experience in high-end markets
Best forHomebuyers needing detailed market insights
Service areaColumbia, SC and surrounding neighborhoods
Typical pricing$180,000 to $450,000
4

Wendy Weeden at Coldwell Banker Realty Midtown

★★★★★4.9(125 reviews)
89Score

Wendy Weeden at Coldwell Banker Realty Midtown has a strong 4.9-star rating from 125 reviews. Clients often praise her for being approachable and knowledgeable, making the buying or selling process feel less daunting. However, her smaller client base may limit her availability during peak times. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients who value a personal touch. It serves Midtown Columbia, SC, with $200,000 to $400,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited client base and availability can be an issue at times.

Pros

  • Approachable and friendly
  • Knowledgeable about local market
  • Good negotiation skills

Cons

  • Limited client base
  • Availability can be an issue at times
Best forClients who value a personal touch
Service areaMidtown Columbia, SC
Typical pricing$200,000 to $400,000
5

Yip Premier Real Estate, LLC

★★★★★4.8(228 reviews)
88Score

Yip Premier Real Estate, LLC holds a solid 4.8-star rating from 228 reviews. Clients appreciate their thoroughness and dedication to finding the right fit. This firm is especially good for those looking to invest in rental properties. However, their focus on investment may not appeal to traditional homebuyers. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Most of what reviewers hire it for is investors looking for rental properties. It serves Columbia, SC and nearby areas, with $150,000 to $350,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are not ideal for first-time homebuyers and limited focus on traditional sales.

Pros

  • Strong focus on investment properties
  • Dedicated agents
  • Thorough market analysis

Cons

  • Not ideal for first-time homebuyers
  • Limited focus on traditional sales
Best forInvestors looking for rental properties
Service areaColumbia, SC and nearby areas
Typical pricing$150,000 to $350,000
6

Blueprint Real Estate

★★★★★4.9(106 reviews)
87Score

Blueprint Real Estate has a strong 4.9-star rating from 106 reviews. Clients appreciate the team's innovative marketing strategies and dedication to client satisfaction. They are particularly effective for sellers looking to stand out in a competitive market. However, their limited reviews suggest they may still be building a reputation. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is sellers wanting to maximize visibility. It serves Columbia, SC and surrounding areas, with $200,000 to $450,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited number of reviews and still building a reputation.

Pros

  • Innovative marketing strategies
  • Client-focused approach
  • Responsive team

Cons

  • Limited number of reviews
  • Still building a reputation
Best forSellers wanting to maximize visibility
Service areaColumbia, SC and surrounding areas
Typical pricing$200,000 to $450,000
7

Home Advantage Realty - Devine

★★★★★4.7(117 reviews)
82Score

Home Advantage Realty - Devine holds a 4.7-star rating from 117 reviews. Clients praise their friendly service and local knowledge, which is beneficial for navigating Columbia's neighborhoods. However, some clients report a less proactive approach to marketing listings, which could be a drawback for sellers. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is homebuyers wanting local insights. It serves Columbia, SC and nearby communities, with $180,000 to $400,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are less proactive marketing and somewhat limited inventory.

Pros

  • Friendly and approachable staff
  • Good local knowledge
  • Supports community initiatives

Cons

  • Less proactive marketing
  • Somewhat limited inventory
Best forHomebuyers wanting local insights
Service areaColumbia, SC and nearby communities
Typical pricing$180,000 to $400,000
8

The ART of Real Estate Team at eXp Realty

★★★★★4.7(60 reviews)
81Score

The ART of Real Estate Team at eXp Realty has a respectable 4.7-star rating from 60 reviews. Clients appreciate their creativity and modern approach to real estate. This team is excellent for buyers looking for unique properties. However, their smaller client base means they might lack experience with high-demand areas.

Pros

  • Creative and modern approach
  • Good for unique properties
  • Responsive agents

Cons

  • Smaller client base
  • Less experience in high-demand areas
Best forBuyers seeking unique properties
Service areaColumbia, SC and surrounding neighborhoods
Typical pricing$150,000 to $350,000
9

David Marshall, Realtor

★★★★★5.0(4 reviews)
80Score

David Marshall, Realtor has a perfect 5-star rating from just 4 reviews. Clients commend his personalized service and attention to detail. While he has a strong approach, his limited number of reviews makes it hard to assess his overall performance in the market. This is promising but unproven for larger transactions.

Pros

  • Personalized attention
  • Detail-oriented service

Cons

  • Very limited reviews
  • Unproven for larger transactions
Best forClients seeking personalized service
Service areaColumbia, SC
Typical pricing$180,000 to $400,000
10

Veranda Homes, LLC

★★★★★4.1(16 reviews)
78Score

Veranda Homes, LLC has a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews. While some clients appreciate their approach, the limited number of reviews raises concerns about their experience and reliability. This firm may be suitable for those looking for a smaller, more intimate experience, but caution is advised due to the thin review base.

Pros

  • Intimate, personalized service
  • Friendly agents

Cons

  • Limited reviews raise concerns
  • Less established in the market
Best forClients seeking a small firm experience
Service areaColumbia, SC
Typical pricing$200,000 to $350,000
Before you book

How to choose a real estate agent in Columbia

Selecting a real estate agent involves more than just looking at ratings. Consider your specific needs and preferences to find the right fit for you.

Assess Experience and Specialization

Look for agents with experience in your desired neighborhood or type of property.

Evaluate Reviews and Ratings

Read through customer feedback to gauge the agent's reliability and service quality.

Compare Fees and Services

Understand the commission structure and any additional fees before making a decision.

What it costs

What real estate agents cost in Columbia

Basic Service1% to 2% commission for minimal service or less experienced agents.
Standard Service2.5% to 3% commission for full-service representation with established agents.
Premium Service3% to 4% commission for top-performing agents with extensive market knowledge.
Flat Fee OptionsFlat fees ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 for specific services like listing only.

Frequently asked questions

How much does hiring a real estate agent cost in Columbia?

Real estate agent commissions in Columbia typically range from 5% to 6% of the home's sale price.

What is the average rating of real estate agents in Columbia?

The average rating among the evaluated real estate agents in Columbia is 4.6 stars.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Columbia home buyers and sellers: <strong>Keller Williams The Downing Group</strong>

Keller Williams The Downing Group is the best overall choice with its perfect 5-star rating from 1,397 reviews. For great value, consider Olivia Cooley Real Estate, offering a 4.9-star rating on 958 reviews. If you're looking to splurge, The Hunt Team - Coldwell Banker Realty also holds a 5-star rating, though with a smaller review base of 147.