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Real Estate Agents · Riverside, CA/Updated June 13, 2026

The 10 Best Real Estate Agents in Riverside, CA

Finding the right real estate agent in Riverside can make or break your home-buying or selling experience. Here’s how to find the best fit for your needs.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceSergio Salazar, Real Estate Agent, MBA - Vylla Home Inc.
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Riverside-metro real estate agents businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

In Riverside, the real estate market is a blend of trusted agents and emerging talent. With a mix of established leaders and newer entrants, choosing the right real estate agent can significantly affect your buying or selling experience.

We evaluated ten local agents based on their online ratings and customer reviews. This ranking highlights those who excel in service and client satisfaction, ensuring you have the best options available in the area.

10real estate agents evaluated in Riverside
4.93average rating across the field
581customer reviews analyzed

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

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

Our top picks

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

With an impressive 5-star rating from 152 reviews, Sergio Salazar stands out for his exceptional customer service and deep knowledge of the Riverside real estate market.

Read full review
Best Value
95Score

Marni Jimenez holds a solid 5-star rating with 91 reviews, praised for her friendly approach and negotiation skills.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
94Score

Christian Gurrola has achieved a 5-star rating from 62 reviews, recognized for his proactive communication and market insight.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
5.0★★★★★
152First-time homebuyers and sellers seeking guidance
2
95Score
5.0★★★★★
91Value-focused buyers and sellers
3
94Score
5.0★★★★★
62Clients seeking a communicative and knowledgeable agent
4
92Score
5.0★★★★★
56Clients who value personalized service
5
90Score
4.9★★★★★
76Homebuyers seeking a dedicated agent
6
89Score
5.0★★★★★
51Clients who value professionalism and clarity
7
87Score
5.0★★★★★
39Clients looking for a supportive team
8
85Score
5.0★★★★★
19First-time buyers seeking a friendly agent
9
82Score
4.7★★★★★
22Clients who value honesty and straightforwardness
10
80Score
4.7★★★★★
13Clients seeking an enthusiastic and engaging agent
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 real estate agents.

To create this ranking, we assessed each real estate agent's online presence, focusing on their ratings and the volume of reviews. We believe that a solid review base is essential for understanding a business's reliability and customer service.

Our evaluations are updated monthly to reflect the most current data. Importantly, no agent pays for placement in our rankings, ensuring an unbiased assessment of their performance.

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

Sergio Salazar, Real Estate Agent, MBA - Vylla Home Inc.

★★★★★5.0(152 reviews)
96Score

With an impressive 5-star rating from 152 reviews, Sergio Salazar stands out for his exceptional customer service and deep knowledge of the Riverside real estate market. Clients appreciate his dedication and responsiveness, making him a go-to choice for both buyers and sellers. However, his popularity may lead to limited availability during peak times.

Pros

  • Exceptional customer service
  • In-depth market knowledge
  • Highly responsive

Cons

  • Limited availability during peak times
Best forFirst-time homebuyers and sellers seeking guidance
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$300,000 to $800,000
2
Best Value

Marni Jimenez, Real Estate Agent, Grove Realty

★★★★★5.0(91 reviews)
95Score

Marni Jimenez holds a solid 5-star rating with 91 reviews, praised for her friendly approach and negotiation skills. Clients appreciate her ability to find great deals, making her an excellent choice for value-minded buyers. A potential drawback is that some clients noted slower response times during busy periods. 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 value-focused buyers and sellers. It serves Riverside, CA, with $250,000 to $750,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are slower response times during busy periods.

Pros

  • Great negotiation skills
  • Friendly and approachable
  • Focus on client needs

Cons

  • Slower response times during busy periods
Best forValue-focused buyers and sellers
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$250,000 to $750,000
3
94Score

Christian Gurrola has achieved a 5-star rating from 62 reviews, recognized for his proactive communication and market insight. Clients commend his ability to streamline the buying and selling process. However, his review count is lower compared to others, which may raise questions about his experience level. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients seeking a communicative and knowledgeable agent. It serves Riverside, CA, with $200,000 to $700,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are lower review count raises questions about experience.

Pros

  • Proactive communication
  • Strong market insight
  • Streamlined processes

Cons

  • Lower review count raises questions about experience
Best forClients seeking a communicative and knowledgeable agent
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$200,000 to $700,000
4

Lian Sergeant Realtor

★★★★★5.0(56 reviews)
92Score

Lian Sergeant has a 5-star rating with 56 reviews, known for her friendly demeanor and personalized service. Clients appreciate her attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile. However, some feel her marketing strategies could be more aggressive. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients who value personalized service. It serves Riverside, CA, with $250,000 to $600,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are less aggressive marketing strategies.

Pros

  • Friendly and personable
  • Detail-oriented
  • Willing to help

Cons

  • Less aggressive marketing strategies
Best forClients who value personalized service
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$250,000 to $600,000
5

Catalina Castaneda, Realtor - Southland Homes

★★★★★4.9(76 reviews)
90Score

Catalina Castaneda has a strong 4.9-star rating from 76 reviews, appreciated for her dedication and local expertise. Clients commend her for being attentive and understanding their needs. A downside is that her availability can sometimes be limited due to her popularity. 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 seeking a dedicated agent. It serves Riverside, CA, with $250,000 to $700,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited availability due to popularity.

Pros

  • Dedicated and attentive
  • Strong local expertise
  • Good listener

Cons

  • Limited availability due to popularity
Best forHomebuyers seeking a dedicated agent
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$250,000 to $700,000
6

Sarah Ayala Real Estate

★★★★★5.0(51 reviews)
89Score

Sarah Ayala holds a 5-star rating from 51 reviews, praised for her professionalism and clear communication. Clients appreciate her thoroughness in the buying process. However, some clients noted that her marketing strategies could be more innovative. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients who value professionalism and clarity. It serves Riverside, CA, with $220,000 to $650,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are less innovative marketing strategies.

Pros

  • Professional and clear communicator
  • Thorough in processes
  • Reliable

Cons

  • Less innovative marketing strategies
Best forClients who value professionalism and clarity
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$220,000 to $650,000
7

Navigate Real Estate

★★★★★5.0(39 reviews)
87Score

Navigate Real Estate has a solid 5-star rating from 39 reviews, recognized for their comprehensive understanding of the Riverside market. Clients appreciate their team approach and support throughout the buying process. However, their newer establishment means fewer testimonials than more seasoned agents. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients looking for a supportive team. It serves Riverside, CA, with $200,000 to $600,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are fewer testimonials due to being newer.

Pros

  • Team approach
  • Strong market understanding
  • Supportive

Cons

  • Fewer testimonials due to being newer
Best forClients looking for a supportive team
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$200,000 to $600,000
8

Cynthia Ascencio | Real Estate

★★★★★5.0(19 reviews)
85Score

Cynthia Ascencio has a 5-star rating from 19 reviews, known for her approachable style and willingness to help. Clients appreciate her efforts in finding suitable properties. However, her limited review base may make potential clients hesitant. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is first-time buyers seeking a friendly agent. It serves Riverside, CA, with $180,000 to $500,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited review base raises hesitance.

Pros

  • Approachable and friendly
  • Helpful in property searches
  • Willing to assist

Cons

  • Limited review base raises hesitance
Best forFirst-time buyers seeking a friendly agent
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$180,000 to $500,000
9

Tower Real Estate Agency

★★★★★4.7(22 reviews)
82Score

Tower Real Estate Agency has a 4.7-star rating from 22 reviews, recognized for their solid service and local knowledge. Clients appreciate their honesty and straightforwardness. However, the overall rating indicates room for improvement in service consistency. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients who value honesty and straightforwardness. It serves Riverside, CA, with $200,000 to $600,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are inconsistent service quality.

Pros

  • Solid service
  • Honest and straightforward
  • Good local knowledge

Cons

  • Inconsistent service quality
Best forClients who value honesty and straightforwardness
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$200,000 to $600,000

Brian Bean has a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews, known for his enthusiasm and commitment to clients. His engaging personality helps clients feel at ease during the buying process. However, the thin review base may leave some potential clients looking for more established agents. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients seeking an enthusiastic and engaging agent. It serves Riverside, CA, with $150,000 to $400,000 pricing, and the honest trade-offs are thin review base raises concerns about experience.

Pros

  • Enthusiastic and engaging
  • Commits to client satisfaction
  • Makes clients feel at ease

Cons

  • Thin review base raises concerns about experience
Best forClients seeking an enthusiastic and engaging agent
Service areaRiverside, CA
Typical pricing$150,000 to $400,000
Before you book

How to choose a real estate agent in Riverside

Selecting a real estate agent is a crucial step in your property journey. Here's how to weigh your options effectively.

Consider Experience and Track Record

Look for agents with a proven history of successful transactions in Riverside. Their familiarity with the local market can be invaluable.

Evaluate Customer Reviews

Read through reviews to gauge client satisfaction. Pay attention to feedback on communication, responsiveness, and negotiation skills.

Compare Services and Fees

Understand what services each agent offers and how their fees align with your budget. The cheapest option may not always provide the best value.

What it costs

What real estate agents cost in Riverside

The cost of hiring a real estate agent in Riverside can vary based on several factors, including the agent's experience and the services provided.

Basic ServicesExpect to pay around 5% commission on the sale price, typically split between buyer's and seller's agents.
Full-Service AgentsFull-service agents may charge additional fees for marketing and staging, leading to total costs of 5% to 6%.
Discount AgentsSome agents offer lower commission rates, around 1% to 3%, but may provide fewer services.
Flat-Fee ListingsFlat-fee services can range from $500 to $2,000, allowing you to manage the sale with limited agent involvement.

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical commission rates for real estate agents in Riverside range from 5% to 6% of the home's sale price.

What should I look for when choosing a real estate agent in Riverside?

Consider their review ratings and experience. Agents like <strong>Sergio Salazar</strong> and <strong>Marni Jimenez</strong> have proven track records.

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 Riverside buyers and sellers: <strong>Sergio Salazar, Real Estate Agent, MBA - Vylla Home Inc.</strong>

Sergio Salazar, Real Estate Agent, MBA - Vylla Home Inc. is your best overall pick, thanks to his impressive 5-star rating from 152 reviews. For great value, consider Marni Jimenez, Real Estate Agent, Grove Realty, who also holds a 5-star rating with 91 reviews. If you want to splurge on experience, Christian Gurrola Realtor - Modern Dwellings | NEST Real Estate Riverside is an excellent choice with a solid 5-star rating from 62 reviews.