2026 Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA Agent Rankings

The Best Realtors in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Realtor Rankings
2026
Best Agents
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

We reviewed real estate agents working Carmel-by-the-Sea's one square mile of cypress-lined streets - a town so distinctive it still has no street addresses or home mail delivery - and ranked the 20 who back up their reputation with closed transactions and real client feedback. No paid placements, no submitted applications: just agents Carmel buyers and sellers actually hired.

Verified Transaction History
Real Client Reviews
Years of Local Experience
Brokerage & Specialties
Area Expertise
Direct Zillow Source Links
20 Realtors Ranked
~$3.9M Carmel-by-the-Sea Median Sale Price
2026 List Last Updated

Searching for who are the best realtors in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California isn't as simple as sorting by star rating - inventory here is famously thin, homes trade at some of the highest per-square-foot prices on the Central Coast, and identifying a lot by "the blue house two doors down from the gallery on Dolores" instead of a street number rewards an agent who's spent years walking these blocks. The list below ranks the 20 top-performing agents currently working Carmel-by-the-Sea, ordered by how many verified client reviews they've earned and how consistently they close. Every profile links straight back to its original review source, so you can read the unedited feedback yourself before you ever pick up the phone.

How We Built This List

Nobody on this page paid for a spot. Agents are placed using three factors we could actually verify:

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Verified Transaction History

Every agent on this list has a documented track record of closed sales in and around Carmel-by-the-Sea - not just active listings or a polished bio. We looked at actual completed transactions, not promises.

Real Client Reviews

Ranking order is driven by the volume and rating of authentic, platform-verified client reviews - real buyers and sellers describing their own experience, not testimonials handpicked by the agent.

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Years of Local Market Specialization

We weighted how long each agent has actively specialized in the Carmel-by-the-Sea and broader Monterey Peninsula market specifically, since a decade spent learning which off-market Carmel Point listings never hit the open market is worth more than years spent anywhere else.

This list is refreshed annually to reflect new reviews, new sales activity, and agents who've entered or left the Carmel market. Current version: 2026.

Carmel-by-the-Sea's Top 20 Realtors, Ranked

Tap the small Zillow icon on any card to read that agent's reviews straight from the source.

20 agents
1
Photo of the Bambace Peterson Team
Bambace Peterson Team #1 Ranked
REALTOR® · Dana Bambace & Mark Peterson, Lead of The Bambace Peterson Team
Compass · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (90 reviews, merged)
Sourced from Zillow - merged from the team profile, Dana Bambace's profile, and Mark Peterson's profile.
20 yrs experience

Dana Bambace is a dominant market leader on the Monterey Peninsula - the top producing individual female agent in the Carmel market in both 2016 and 2017, and a perennial top-10 producer in Carmel real estate. Together with Mark Peterson, the Bambace Peterson Team has closed 252 total sales at Compass with an average sale price of $2.7M and a price range spanning $245K to $11M, working across Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley, and the wider Monterey Peninsula. Clients consistently describe the team as organized, responsive, and deeply knowledgeable about local school districts, off-market opportunities, and the nuances of buying or selling in Carmel specifically.

Knowledgeable Professional Trustworthy Free Consultations Luxury Homes Relocation
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Investment Properties Luxury Homes Foreclosure
2
Photo of Peter Boggs
Peter Boggs
Real Estate Agent (3rd-generation California Realtor®)
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage · Pacific Grove, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (81 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
11 yrs experience

A third-generation California Realtor® with deep roots in Monterey Peninsula real estate, Peter grew up immersed in the family business, with hands-on experience in residential sales, investment properties, home renovations, and 1031 exchanges. Known for a calm, client-first approach, he's closed 146 sales with an average price of $1.2M across Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Marina, and Seaside.

Knowledgeable Professional Locally Owned & Operated Relocation
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Insurance Staging Investment Properties Military/Veterans
3
Photo of Ben Beesley
Ben Beesley (Team Beesley)
REALTOR® · Lead of Team Beesley
Keller Williams Coastal Estates · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (57 team reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
24 yrs experience

Team Beesley distinguishes itself by delivering a first-class, low-stress experience for buyers and sellers, anticipating the emotional challenges of a transaction and guiding clients through negotiations so they can actually enjoy the process. The team has closed 346 total sales with an average price of $1.3M, working across Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, and the wider Peninsula.

Professional Trustworthy Family Owned & Operated Relocation
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation
4
Photo of Michelle Russell
Michelle Russell (The Russell Group)
Realtor · Lead of The Russell Group
eXp Realty of California · Monterey, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (46 team reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
12 yrs experience

A second-generation native and lifelong resident of the Monterey Peninsula, Michelle continues her father's tradition in local real estate. She's a Top Producer for eXp Realty of California and for Monterey County overall, voted Best of Zillow for Outstanding Customer Service in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The Russell Group has closed 101 total sales with an average price of $1.1M.

Trustworthy Knowledgeable Free Consultations First Time Homebuyers
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Escrow First Time Homebuyers
5
Photo of Laura Ciucci
Laura Ciucci (The Ciucci's)
Real Estate Broker · Lead of The Ciucci's
Sotheby's International Realty · Carmel Valley, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (41 team reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
34 yrs experience

Born in Manchester, England and based in Carmel since 1988, Laura built her real estate career after earning a degree in geology and environmental chemistry and working in environmental affairs in the Bay Area. Clients repeatedly describe her as an early riser who's meticulous with paperwork and a strong negotiator, with 241 total sales and an average price of $1.6M across Carmel Valley, Carmel, and Monterey.

Knowledgeable Professional Locally Owned & Operated Lot/Land
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Lot/Land
6
Photo of Jan Wright Bessey
Jan Wright Bessey
Realtor · Lead of the Jan Wright Bessey team
Sotheby's International Realty · Carmel Valley, CA
★★★★★ 4.9 (29 team reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
33 yrs experience

The #1 top producer in Carmel Valley across all agents and brokerages in 2016, Jan grew up in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Palo Alto but calls Carmel Valley home and her area of deepest focus. She's closed 86 total sales, all within Carmel Valley, with clients praising her sharp, accurate pricing and innovative marketing.

Professional Trustworthy Family Owned & Operated Foreclosure
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Foreclosure
7
Photo of Jacqueline Adams
Jacqueline Adams
Real Estate Professional
Sotheby's International Realty, Carmel Rancho · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (27 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
21 yrs experience

Committed to excellence, Jacquie brings a dynamic background and thorough knowledge of the Monterey Peninsula to every transaction, with 125 total sales and an average price of $1.9M across Carmel, Pebble Beach, and Monterey. Clients highlight her responsiveness and strategic guidance, especially for out-of-area buyers navigating a purchase from a distance.

Trustworthy Knowledgeable Free Consultations Rentals
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Rentals
8
Photo of Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan
Realtor, Appraiser
Carmel Realty Company · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (26 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
23 yrs experience

Mark's family roots in Carmel-by-the-Sea go back to the 1930s, and he brings a deep, multigenerational love of the area to every transaction. With 173 total sales and an average price of $2M, clients describe him as combining sharp business acumen with genuine courtesy and integrity - a rare combination they trust through complex, high-stakes negotiations.

Knowledgeable Professional Locally Owned & Operated Appraisal
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Appraisal
9
Photo of Carol Crandall
Carol Crandall
Broker/Owner
Preferred Properties · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (25 team reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
36 yrs experience

Carol has practiced real estate in Carmel for decades, earning a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable brokers in the area. Clients consistently describe her as personable, calm under pressure, and deeply attuned to Carmel's market - she's closed 66 total sales with an average price of $2M and a price range up to $5.3M.

Professional Trustworthy Family Owned & Operated Foreclosure
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Foreclosure Rentals
10
Jana Bradford
Real Estate Broker
Jana Robinson Bradford Broker · Carmel Valley, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (25 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
44 yrs experience

With 44 years of experience in the Carmel Valley and greater Carmel market, Jana is described by clients as tenacious, thorough, and genuinely invested in every transaction. She's closed 55 total sales and is known for her sense of humor and hands-on guidance through both buying and selling.

Trustworthy Knowledgeable Free Consultations New Construction
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Investment Properties Rentals New Construction
11
Photo of Cameron Dermicek
Cameron Dermicek, CPA
Cameron Dermicek, CPA, REALTOR®
BIXBY Realty · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (24 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow

Born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula and a Carmel High School alumnus, Cameron brings a background as a licensed CPA and former Ernst & Young financial consultant to his real estate practice. Clients repeatedly praise his patience, thoroughness, and deep local knowledge of Carmel, Carmel Valley, and Monterey.

Knowledgeable Professional Locally Owned & Operated Foreclosure
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Foreclosure
12
Photo of Staples Gannaway Team
Staples Gannaway Team
REALTOR® · Lead of Staples Gannaway Group
Compass · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (24 team reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
23 yrs experience

The Staples Gannaway Group is a top-producing team with deep expertise across Monterey County's distinct neighborhoods, guiding clients through both public listings and discreetly marketed, off-market opportunities. The team has closed 131 total sales with an average price of $2.1M and a price range up to $7.3M, with particular strength in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Professional Trustworthy Family Owned & Operated Foreclosure
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Foreclosure
13
Photo of Bill Carmichael
Bill Carmichael
Realtor
Big Block Realty Inc · serving Carmel, Pebble Beach & Carmel Valley
★★★★★ 5.0 (22 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
25 yrs experience

Bill built his reputation on a commitment to excellence and personal service throughout every real estate transaction, with deep knowledge of Pebble Beach, Carmel, and Carmel Valley. He's closed 53 total sales, and clients frequently mention he stuck with them for years until the right home came along.

Trustworthy Knowledgeable Free Consultations Relocation
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation
14
Photo of Kathleen Hendricks
Kathleen Hendricks
Broker Associate
Sotheby's International Realty · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (20 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
23 yrs experience

Kathleen differentiates herself through a top level of professionalism, serving as a trusted advisor to discriminating buyers and sellers across the Monterey Peninsula. A B.S. in Finance and Investments backs her financial fluency, and clients highlight her savvy negotiation and deep market knowledge, with 37 total sales and an average price of $1.7M.

Knowledgeable Professional Locally Owned & Operated
15
Photo of Courtney Jones
Courtney Jones
Realtor
Carmel Realty · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (19 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
19 yrs experience

Born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, Courtney returned home in 2007 to raise her family and build a leading practice in the Carmel and Pebble Beach markets. She's ranked in the top 1% of agents nationally and was the third-highest performing individual agent on the Monterey Peninsula in 2023, with 129 total sales and an average price of $2.6M.

Professional Trustworthy Family Owned & Operated Luxury Homes
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Luxury Homes
16
Photo of Bobbie Ehrenpreis
Bobbie Ehrenpreis
Real Estate Agent
Carmel Realty Company · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 4.9 (19 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
34 yrs experience

Bobbie has lived and worked on the Monterey Peninsula for more than 30 years, bringing a personal, hands-on approach to every client relationship. She's closed 266 total sales with an average price of $1.7M, and clients particularly praise her handling of long-distance and out-of-state transactions.

Trustworthy Knowledgeable Free Consultations Rentals
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Rentals
17
Photo of Alex Brant
Alex Brant
Real Estate Advisor
Compass · Carmel, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (16 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
10 yrs experience

A Carmel and Carmel Valley native, Alex specializes in luxury homes, estate properties, acreage, and distinctive coastal real estate throughout Carmel, Pebble Beach, and the Monterey Peninsula. He's closed 66 total sales with an average price of $2.5M, bringing deep local knowledge of neighborhoods, microclimates, and land-use issues to every deal.

Knowledgeable Professional Locally Owned & Operated Luxury Homes
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation First Time Homebuyers Investment Properties Rentals Luxury Homes New Construction Senior Communities Lot/Land
18
Photo of Alexander Heisinger
Alexander Heisinger
Broker Associate
Compass · Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (10 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
14 yrs experience

A fifth-generation Carmel resident whose family settled on the Big Sur coast in the 1880s, Alex grew up around land speculation, development, construction, and real estate law. He's closed 92 total sales with an average price of $1.2M, and clients highlight his intimate, generational knowledge of the area.

Professional Trustworthy Family Owned & Operated Property Management
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Foreclosure Commercial Properties Property Management Vacation/Short-term Rentals Investment Properties Luxury Homes
19
Photo of Earl and Bonnie, Bliss By The Sea Realty
Bliss By The Sea Realty (Earl & Bonnie)
Broker · Bliss By The Sea Realty
Bliss By The Sea Realty · Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (5 team reviews)
Sourced from Zillow
43 yrs experience

Started in 2009 by Earl and Bonnie, Bliss By The Sea Realty is an independent, Carmel-by-the-Sea-based boutique brokerage built around personal service and strong marketing. Clients describe both agents as professional, trustworthy, and tough negotiators, with 34 total sales across the Monterey Peninsula.

Trustworthy Knowledgeable Free Consultations
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent
20
Photo of Chris Pryor
Chris Pryor
Realtor
Chris Pryor Properties (Carmel Realty Company) · Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
★★★★★ 5.0 (3 reviews)
Sourced from Zillow

After more than 20 years on the Monterey Peninsula and a prior career as Head Golf Professional at both Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Preserve Golf Club, Chris built a real estate practice on relationships grounded in trust. He's closed 122 total sales with an average price of $4.3M, concentrated in Pebble Beach and Carmel.

Knowledgeable Professional Locally Owned & Operated Luxury Homes
Specialties Buyer's Agent Listing Agent Relocation Luxury Homes

Carmel-by-the-Sea Areas We Cover

Carmel-by-the-Sea is barely one square mile, but its handful of pockets each have a distinct character - and the agents ranked above also regularly work the adjacent Peninsula communities buyers compare it against.

Downtown / Ocean Avenue Village

The walkable commercial heart of Carmel, lined with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants between Junipero and San Antonio.

Carmel Point

An oceanfront enclave at the mouth of the Carmel River, prized for direct beach access and unobstructed coastline views.

Scenic Road / Del Mar

Carmel's most iconic stretch, where cypress-shaded cottages sit steps from Carmel Beach and the Pacific.

Carmel Woods / The Golden Rectangle

A quieter residential pocket north of Ocean Avenue known for storybook cottage architecture and mature forest canopy.

Pebble Beach

Immediately south, home to the 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and some of the region's most significant luxury estates.

Carmel Valley

Inland from the fog belt, offering a warmer microclimate, vineyards, and larger parcels than the coastal village allows.

Carmel Highlands Pacific Grove Monterey Big Sur Mission Fields Hatton Fields

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Real Estate Market at a Glance

A quick read on conditions before you start interviewing agents:

~$3.9M Median Sale Price

Carmel-by-the-Sea has traded at some of the highest per-square-foot prices on the Monterey Peninsula through 2026, driven by extremely limited inventory.

~20-30 days Median Days on Market

Turnover varies sharply by season and price point; well-located cottages near the beach or downtown still move quickly.

~98% Sale-to-List Ratio

Homes are generally selling close to asking price, with well-priced listings in the most walkable pockets still drawing competitive offers.

~30-40 Active Listings

Inventory is naturally constrained by the town's one-square-mile footprint - agents with strong local relationships often know about opportunities before they're publicly listed.

Market figures are approximate, sourced from public MLS-aggregated data, and will shift throughout the year - ask any agent on this list for a current comparative market analysis specific to your street (or, in Carmel's case, your block).

Where Carmel-by-the-Sea Sits on the Monterey Peninsula

Carmel-by-the-Sea sits at the southern tip of Monterey Bay, roughly 120 miles south of San Francisco, bordered by Pebble Beach and Carmel Highlands to the south and Carmel Valley inland to the east.

Hiring a Realtor in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: FAQs

Who are the best realtors in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California right now?

Based on verified transaction history, real client reviews, and years of Carmel-specific market experience, the top-ranked team for 2026 is the Bambace Peterson Team of Compass, followed by the 19 other agents listed on this page. Rankings are reviewed annually to reflect new sales activity and new reviews.

How much does it cost to hire a realtor in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?

Most Carmel agents work on a commission basis, typically negotiated between 2% and 3% per side of the transaction - though luxury and off-market deals sometimes involve different structures. Since 2024's industry-wide changes to buyer-agent compensation rules, buyers now negotiate their agent's fee directly rather than assuming it's covered automatically - worth clarifying with any agent before signing a buyer's agreement.

Should I use a local Carmel agent instead of a Bay Area or statewide brokerage?

It depends on the transaction, but local specialization tends to matter more in Carmel than in most markets, since the town's lack of street addresses, thin inventory, and off-market listing culture reward an agent who's spent years building relationships block by block. An agent who works Carmel-by-the-Sea specifically, rather than California's coast broadly, is more likely to know about a listing before it's public.

What's the difference between a buyer's agent and a listing agent in Carmel?

A listing agent represents the seller - pricing the home, marketing it, and negotiating the best possible sale price. A buyer's agent represents the purchaser, helping them find the right property (including off-market opportunities) and negotiate favorable terms. Many Carmel agents, including several ranked on this page, work both sides depending on the client.

Which Carmel-by-the-Sea areas are in the highest demand?

Scenic Road and Carmel Point consistently draw the most competition for their direct ocean proximity, followed by the walkable Downtown/Ocean Avenue Village core. Carmel Woods and the Golden Rectangle offer more forested, storybook-cottage character a few blocks further from the beach.

How do I verify a realtor's reviews before hiring them in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Every agent ranked on this page links directly to their original Zillow profile, where you can read unedited client reviews straight from the source rather than a testimonial the agent selected themselves. It's worth cross-checking an agent's review count against their actual closed-transaction history, not just their star rating.

How often is this Carmel-by-the-Sea realtor ranking updated?

This list is refreshed annually. The current version reflects 2026 data - transaction history, review counts, and market activity are all re-checked each year, and agents are re-ranked or replaced accordingly.

About This List

This page is independently compiled and isn't affiliated with any Carmel brokerage. We're not paid by any agent to appear here, and nothing on this list is a submitted application - every profile was pulled from that agent's own public review history. If you're an agent and believe your information needs correcting, or you'd like to be considered for a future update, reach out to contact@carmelrealtorrankings.com.