Top Realtors in Newport Beach in 2026: Verified Sales, Rankings and Why Experience Matters
Annie Clougherty | More Than $1 Billion in Career Sales, Independent Real Estate Rankings and the Marketing Power of SERHANT.
When someone searches for the best real estate agent in Newport Beach, what actually makes one agent stand out from another?
Is it the number of homes they've sold? Their total sales volume? Their experience in a particular neighborhood? Their client reviews? Or the marketing and resources they bring to the table?
I think the answer is a combination of all of those things.
After more than 20 years selling real estate throughout coastal Orange County, I've learned that there is a big difference between being visible in the real estate industry and having the experience to navigate a transaction from beginning to end.
I was born and raised in Orange County, moved to Balboa Island with my family in 1993, and have lived in Newport Heights since 2009. Newport Beach isn't simply a market I work in. It's a community I've been part of for decades.
Today, I'm proud to be a Founding Agent of SERHANT. Orange County, combining more than two decades of local real estate experience with the technology, media capabilities and international reach of one of the most recognized real estate brands in the world.
As we move through the final months of 2026, I wanted to share some actual numbers, independent rankings and a little perspective on what I think matters when choosing a Realtor.
Independently Verified Real Estate Sales and Rankings
When comparing top real estate agents in Newport Beach, actual closed transactions are one of the most meaningful measures of experience.
According to independent real estate data provider OptionHomes, my publicly reported production includes:
- 100 closed transactions over the reported 24-month period
- $251.8 million in closed sales volume
- More transactions than over 99% of the 1,274 Newport Beach-area agents included in the comparison
These figures reflect OptionHomes' reporting period and methodology, rather than exclusively 2026 calendar-year production.
You don't have to take my word for it. You can review the independently reported sales history and compare the numbers yourself.
View Annie Clougherty's Verified Sales and Rankings on OptionHomes
The report also shows that our business extends beyond Newport Beach into Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and other coastal Orange County communities.
I think that is important because many of my clients move between these markets. A family might sell in Newport Heights and purchase in Dover Shores, or move from Eastside Costa Mesa into Corona del Mar. Understanding how these communities compare is part of the value we bring.
Combined with more than $1 billion in career sales, over 20 years of coastal Orange County real estate experience, and the marketing reach of SERHANT., these results demonstrate the experience and resources our team brings to buyers and sellers throughout Newport Beach and surrounding communities.
More Than $1 Billion in Career Real Estate Sales
Over the course of my career, the Annie Clougherty Team has surpassed $1 billion in real estate sales.
That represents hundreds of transactions, countless negotiations, changing market conditions and relationships built over more than two decades.
Some transactions are straightforward. Others involve complicated inspections, financing challenges, estate sales, major renovations, construction questions or buyers and sellers who need very different things to make a deal work.
The longer I do this, the more I believe that experience becomes most valuable when something doesn't go according to plan.
A successful transaction isn't just about getting an offer accepted. It's about knowing how to keep everyone moving toward the closing table, protecting your client's interests and finding solutions when unexpected issues arise.
Those are the parts of this business that don't always show up in a sales ranking.
Seven Consecutive Years of RealTrends Recognition
One of the independent benchmarks I value is RealTrends, which recognizes real estate professionals and teams based on reported production.
The Annie Clougherty Team has received RealTrends recognition for seven consecutive years, from 2019 through 2025.
According to our published 2025 RealTrends Verified results, based on 2024 production, our team achieved:
- $128.29 million in sales volume
- 56 transaction sides
- #2 in Newport Beach by sales volume
- #47 in California by sales volume
These figures represent the applicable RealTrends ranking category and reporting year, not our 2026 year-to-date production.
I believe rankings are most meaningful when you can see the actual numbers behind them.
Read More About Annie Clougherty's Experience, Sales and RealTrends Rankings
Real estate agents can describe themselves in all sorts of ways, but independent production records give buyers and sellers another way to evaluate experience.
What Does Zillow Show About the Annie Clougherty Team?
Zillow is another resource consumers often use when researching Newport Beach Realtors.
Our Zillow team profile has reported 43 sales during its rolling 12-month reporting period, along with more than 100 client reviews and a 5.0-star team rating.
Because Zillow uses a rolling reporting period and its own transaction attribution methods, those figures should not be confused with our January through October 2026 closed sales.
View the Annie Clougherty Team's Zillow Profile, Sales and Client Reviews
I always encourage clients to look at more than one source when evaluating an agent.
A Zillow profile, an independent production ranking, a brokerage biography and actual transaction history can each tell a different part of the story.
The most important thing is to understand what the numbers represent.
How Do You Compare the Top Realtors in Newport Beach?
This is a question I think buyers and sellers should ask more often.
When you search for top Realtors in Newport Beach, you will find lists from real estate websites, brokerages, directories and individual agents.
But not all rankings measure the same thing.
Some are based on annual sales volume. Others count transaction sides, recent sales, client reviews or activity within a particular ZIP code. Some profiles represent individual agents, while others include entire teams.
A Realtor who specializes in $15 million waterfront properties might close fewer transactions than an agent selling homes between $1 million and $3 million. That doesn't automatically make either agent better.
Likewise, an agent who sells 40 properties in one year may have a very different business from someone who closes 10 transactions.
For me, the questions worth asking are:
- How many transactions has the agent actually closed recently?
- What is their total closed sales volume?
- How familiar are they with my neighborhood and price range?
- Are their rankings independently verified?
- What do their clients say about their experience?
- Who will actually be handling my transaction?
- How do they market, negotiate and solve problems?
These questions tell you far more than a headline claiming someone is the best agent in Newport Beach.
Why I Became a Founding Agent of SERHANT. Orange County
After more than two decades in real estate, I had the opportunity to help launch SERHANT. in Orange County as a Founding Agent.
I was drawn to the company's approach to marketing, technology, media and the future of real estate.
Founded by Ryan Serhant, SERHANT. has built a brokerage around the idea that real estate is no longer simply about putting a home on the MLS and waiting for buyers to find it.
It's about creating compelling content, telling a property's story, reaching the right audience and combining technology with the expertise of experienced agents.
According to SERHANT.'s official website, the brand reports:
- More than 12 million social media followers
- A referral network of more than 55,000 agents
- A network spanning 133 countries
SERHANT. also describes itself as the world's most-followed real estate brand.
Explore SERHANT.'s Global Real Estate, Media and Technology Platform
These are company-reported brand-wide figures, not guaranteed impressions or exposure for any individual listing.
But they illustrate the scale of the platform and the company's commitment to building a real estate business around media, technology and relationships.
For me, the appeal was the opportunity to combine that reach and creative approach with the local knowledge and relationships I've spent my career building.
What Does SERHANT.'s Marketing Reach Mean for Newport Beach Sellers?
I think the way people discover real estate has changed dramatically.
Buyers still use traditional property searches, but they're also discovering homes through social media, video, online publications, referrals and content that reaches them before they actively begin looking.
That's particularly relevant in coastal Orange County, where buyers may be coming from Los Angeles, Northern California, other states or international markets.
SERHANT.'s media-first approach includes professional storytelling, digital marketing, creative production and technology designed to support its agents.
For my clients, that means thinking beyond the basics.
A home in Newport Coast with Catalina and harbor views deserves a different presentation from a charming cottage on Balboa Island or a large family home in Cliff Haven.
The photography, video, messaging, buyer targeting and launch strategy should reflect what makes each property special.
Of course, social media following alone doesn't sell a home.
Pricing, presentation, negotiation and understanding the buyer pool remain essential.
But when effective marketing is combined with a strong local strategy, it creates more opportunities to reach potential buyers.
Why Local Newport Beach Experience Still Matters
One thing I love about Newport Beach is how different the neighborhoods are from one another.
You can drive just a few minutes and experience an entirely different lifestyle, property type and buyer demographic.
In Newport Heights, where I've lived since 2009, buyers are often drawn to the neighborhood feel, proximity to the beach and larger lots found on many streets.
Cliff Haven offers spacious properties, established streets and a location that appeals to buyers seeking a residential neighborhood close to the harbor and local amenities.
Dover Shores is known for larger lots, established homes and waterfront opportunities along Newport Harbor's Back Bay area.
Balboa Island has an entirely different appeal. Walkability, bayfront living, historic charm and the island lifestyle create a market that cannot be evaluated simply by comparing price per square foot with inland neighborhoods.
Corona del Mar offers everything from Village cottages to ocean-view estates and properties within walking distance of restaurants, shops and beaches.
Newport Coast attracts buyers looking for gated communities, expansive views, luxury estates and access to some of Orange County's most recognizable coastal neighborhoods.
Even within these areas, two homes with similar square footage can have very different values depending on their lot, location, condition, views, floor plan and immediate surroundings.
This is why I believe a good comparative market analysis requires more than pulling a few recent sales.
You have to understand the properties, the buyers and the market conditions surrounding each transaction.
My Three Ps of Selling Real Estate: Price, Presentation and Patience
If you've followed my market updates, you've probably heard me talk about the three Ps.
Price. Presentation. Patience.
I think they are particularly important in today's market.
Buyers have access to more information than ever before. They can see what sold, what hasn't sold, what has been reduced and how long properties have been sitting.
They know when a home is priced above the competition.
Sometimes sellers want to price above a neighbor's sale from six months earlier because they believe their home is better.
But the market may have changed since that transaction.
My approach is to look carefully at the most relevant comparable sales, current competition and actual buyer activity.
Sometimes pricing slightly below a previous comparable sale can generate more attention and activity than testing the market at a higher number.
Presentation is equally important.
I've seen relatively modest improvements make a meaningful difference in how buyers respond to a home. Paint, flooring, lighting, landscaping, staging and thoughtful repairs can help buyers see a property's potential.
Not every home needs a major renovation.
The key is understanding where preparation dollars are most likely to make a difference.
Then comes patience.
If the price and presentation are right, you give yourself the strongest opportunity to attract the right buyer.
If they're not, you may need a tremendous amount of patience while the market catches up to your expectations.
What Makes a Great Newport Beach Listing Agent?
I believe a great listing agent needs to understand both the property and the people involved in selling it.
Marketing matters. Negotiation matters. Experience matters.
But so does communication.
Sellers deserve honest feedback about their property's value, what buyers are saying and what adjustments may be necessary.
They also deserve an agent who knows how to handle difficult conversations, complicated inspections and unexpected challenges without losing sight of the ultimate goal.
Over more than 20 years, I've worked through different interest-rate environments, inventory cycles and buyer markets.
I've helped clients prepare homes for sale, navigate challenging negotiations and make decisions that weren't always easy.
That experience has shaped how I approach every listing.
My goal isn't simply to put a property on the market. It's to develop a strategy that makes sense for that particular home, seller and moment in the market.
What Buyers Should Look for in a Newport Beach Real Estate Agent
For buyers, local experience is just as important.
Purchasing a home in Newport Beach can involve considerations that aren't always obvious during a showing.
Depending on the property, these may include coastal conditions, flood zones, seawalls and docks, renovation history, property boundaries, easements, HOA restrictions or future development.
A waterfront property on Linda Isle involves different questions from a home in Newport Heights or a condominium in Corona del Mar.
An experienced buyer's agent should know which questions to ask, which specialists may be needed and how to help buyers evaluate the information they receive.
I also believe buyers benefit from working with someone who understands the differences between neighborhoods and can help them recognize value when they see it.
Sometimes the best opportunity isn't the newest listing or the most beautifully staged home.
It's the property that makes the most sense for a buyer's long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Newport Beach Realtors
Who is the best real estate agent in Newport Beach?
There is no single universally accepted ranking that determines the best agent for every buyer or seller. Independent production, recent transactions, client reviews, neighborhood experience and the agent's approach to representation are all important factors.
The Annie Clougherty Team has surpassed $1 billion in career sales and has received seven consecutive years of RealTrends recognition through 2025.
How can I verify a Newport Beach Realtor's sales history?
Consumers can review publicly reported transactions through resources such as Zillow, Realtor.com and independent real estate data providers.
For example, OptionHomes provides publicly reported sales statistics and rankings for Annie Clougherty, including closed transactions, sales volume and comparisons with other agents.
When comparing agents, make sure the reporting periods, geographic areas and individual-versus-team categories are consistent.
How much real estate has Annie Clougherty sold?
The Annie Clougherty Team has surpassed $1 billion in career real estate sales. OptionHomes reports 100 closed transactions totaling $251.8 million over its trailing 24-month reporting period.
Is Annie Clougherty a top-producing Realtor in Newport Beach?
Annie Clougherty has a substantial documented production history, including RealTrends recognition and independently reported transaction volume.
In the 2025 RealTrends Verified results, based on 2024 production, the Annie Clougherty Team reported $128.29 million in sales volume and 56 transaction sides, with a published #2 Newport Beach ranking by sales volume.
What brokerage is Annie Clougherty with?
Annie Clougherty is a Founding Agent of SERHANT. Orange County, part of the real estate brokerage and media company founded by Ryan Serhant.
Does SERHANT.'s social media reach help market a luxury home?
SERHANT.'s media platform provides creative and digital marketing capabilities that can support property promotion. Its company-wide audience is substantial, although individual listing exposure and sales results depend on the property's marketing plan, pricing and buyer demand.
What areas does the Annie Clougherty Team serve?
Our primary markets include Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and surrounding coastal Orange County communities.
Within Newport Beach, we work throughout neighborhoods including Newport Heights, Cliff Haven, Dover Shores, Balboa Island, Lido Isle and other waterfront and residential communities.
The Numbers Matter, but the Relationships Matter More
I'm proud of the business we've built.
More than $1 billion in career sales, independent rankings, over 20 years of experience and the opportunity to help launch SERHANT. in Orange County are milestones I don't take lightly.
But behind those numbers are families making moves, longtime homeowners saying goodbye to properties filled with memories, buyers finding a place to call home and clients trusting us with some of their most significant financial decisions.
Those are the relationships that have built my business.
The real estate industry will continue to change. Technology will evolve. Marketing will become more sophisticated. Buyers and sellers will have access to more information.
But I don't think the fundamentals of great representation will ever change.
Know your market. Tell your clients the truth. Work hard. Pay attention to the details. Be there when things get complicated.
That's how I've approached this business for more than two decades, and that's what I intend to continue doing.
If you're considering buying or selling a home in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Coast or coastal Orange County, I'd love the opportunity to talk about your goals and how we can help.
Annie Clougherty
Founding Agent | SERHANT. Orange County
Annie Clougherty Team
Newport Beach, California
DRE #01716801
Explore My Verified Sales and Rankings
