If you’re considering buying or selling a home in beautiful Gig Harbor, you’ll want a skilled realtor on your side. Because we write a lot about real estate here in Gig Harbor, we hear from many people who are looking for a really good local realtor. So, who are the top 10 realtors in Gig Harbor, WA right now?
We’ve taken a look at the data and housing activity for the area, as well as gleaned from our direct experiences with local realtors, to pull together the top contenders. Our top spot has gone to Darren Rivers. He was an easy pick because his exceptional customer service has placed him among the top 100 realtors in the nation, the past few years.
However, read on to learn about the full list of great Gig Harbor real estate agents.
Why Do You Need a Realtor?
Realtors and other real estate professionals ensure you have all of your bases covered. When it comes to real estate, you don’t want any surprises. Even if you’re not new to buying and selling homes, the market is always changing. That’s certainly true in Gig Harbor. Although the area still has a small town population, coming in at just under 13,000 residents, it’s highly desirable and continuously growing in popularity.
If you’re coming to Gig Harbor to find your dream home, the search is simpler with a realtor. They’ll see properties quickly and pair them up with your list of needs and wants so you don’t miss out on what could be a golden opportunity. Similarly, selling your home or property with a good realtor often nets a better financial outcome. Because they know the market so well, they know what buyers are looking for and can follow through with staging, setup, and marketing in your favor.
The good news is we’ve compiled ten fantastic professionals who can help you every step of the way.
#1 – Darren Rivers
Coming in at a hard-earned first place is Darren Rivers. This nationally-ranked agent has consistently proven himself to be a fantastic realtor, praised for his excellent customer service and Gig Harbor real estate knowledge.
Before making the move over to Keller Williams in 2023, he had previously secured a spot in the top 100 RE/MAX realtors in the nation for two years in a row. In 2021, he ranked #69 out of 140,000 realtors and worked his way up to #46 in 2022, proving just how dedicated he is to his customers and their experiences buying and selling homes.
From what his clients say, this Gig Harbor real estate agent‘s secret seems to be his exceptionally noteworthy customer service. His prompt communication and willingness to be available at the drop of a hat are usually some of the first things his clients mention.
“I’ve often told people they’d be amazed by the amount of clients [who have been referred]… by just being extremely responsive in my communication,” said Rivers.
Satisfied clients tout his quick responses, saying that he “immediately returned phone calls and answered all questions,” praising his honesty and positivity during their search for a home. Many return for future transactions saying things like, “He has our business for life, that is for sure.”
Darren’s quick responses and flexibility left Shang Tian humorously stating, “He was also very quick to respond to our texts and calls. I often wonder if he just sits in his office and hits ‘refresh’ on the MLS portal.”
Suffice it to say, with 25+ years of experience under his belt, he knows his way around the Gig Harbor market. Between 2021 and 2022, he landed 96 million in sales for his clients and moved 168 individual homes! Darren Rivers is a great choice for any one looking for an extremely responsive, loyal realtor who will fight for their clients at every turn.
Email Darren or call him at (253) 961-7788, if you’d like to setup a time to chat.
#2 – Jennie Wetter
Jennie Wetter is the founder of Infinity Real Estate and brings expertise, experience, and dedication as a broker. She comes highlyrecommended with hundreds of five-star reviews across different platforms. By working with her team, you’ll have access to everything you need to buy, sell, or stage your home.
Ms. Wetter has 18 years of experience and nearly 700 transactions to back that up, along with several specialties.
- Waterfront property
- Golf course property
- Luxury homes
- New Construction
- First-time buyers
- Retirement
- Vacation homes
- And more!
#3 – Michael Morrison
Michael Morrison handles luxury homes in Pierce County, specializing in waterfront and unique properties in the area. He’s a second-generation realtor with a great deal of experience working with high-end clients, professional athletes, celebrities, and more. If you’re looking to purchase (or sell) upscale property in the Gig Harbor area, Mr. Morrison may be the agent for you.
You can find him working at the Morrison House with Sotheby’s International Realty.
#4 – Paige Schulte
Paige Schulte is a Senior Real Estate Specialist who puts a great amount of care into learning the neighborhoods she works in. She’s been in the real estate business for six years and has been part of 235 transactions in just the last year. With a past range of $95k to $2.58 million, she has every base covered.
If you’re searching for a realtor who is savvy about the communities they serve, Paige Schulte may be a great fit. You can find her team with Neighborhood Experts Real Estate, and she handles homes in Gig Harbor, Bremerton, and Port Orchard, as well as being a neighborhood expert for the Canterwood community.
#5 – Nicole Burnett
Nicole Burnett is a star owner and broker with Keller Williams. As a Gig Harbor native, she’s highly familiar with the area, the local community, and the ups and downs of the market. To top things off, she has a decade of experience (and counting) to bring to the table and is dedicated to helping her clients reach their goals.
Ms. Burnett specializes in acreage properties, investments, waterfront homes, and more. Past clients commend her for being “positive and upbeat” even in difficult relocations.
#6 – Pat Mercado
Pat Mercado is another excellent realtor in the Gig Harbor area and currently serves as the owner and designated broker for his Properties NW of Gig Harbor business. Mr. Mercado has sold over 2000 properties since he began working in real estate back in 2001. He even earned the top spot for units sold in Washington State (in 2013). Properties NW of Gig Harbor is a family-owned business and past clients enjoy the attentive service and dedication the whole family offers.
#7 – Neil Bender
Neil Bender is a Gig Harbor native and broker with Properties of NW Gig Harbor. He’s been in the real estate business for 18 years and currently specializes in waterfront properties and relocation. Past clients commend Neil for being “prompt, professional, and courteous” in all his responses, and say that his honesty is “second to none.” That’s high praise in a this market!
#8 – Christina Fitzer
Christina Fitzer, currently a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Danforth, takes our #8 spot. Christina has secured 66 five-star reviews on Google Reviews alone, with satisfied clients saying she made the sale of their home “silky smooth.” Based on some fantastic reviews, Christina is a great choice for first-time buyers, and she currently works as part of a team with her mother to cover Gig Harbor and surrounding counties.
#9 – Kirk Lent
Kirk Lent is a realtor serving the Gig Harbor area with Windermere Real Estate. He comes highly recommended by past clients, with 88 reviews and a five-star rating on Realtor.com alone! We found him to be a passionate realtor with a love for the Gig Harbor area and an interest in what his clients are really searching for.
#10 – Marisa Merritt
Rounding out our list is Marisa Merritt, a realtor affiliated with Windermere Professional Partners. Marisa has been around the business since 2006, so she brings a wealth of experience to her clients. She specializes in residential real estate intending to learn (and meet) her clients’ needs. Marisa opened her own business in 2014, and you can find her working with buyers, sellers, new construction, and more, with typical sales averaging between $375K – $2.58M.
Final Thoughts
An excellent realtor or real estate professional is indispensable. Whether you’re looking to buy your dream home or sell your property and move on to the next thing, the process is easier with a licensed, knowledgeable realtor. Not only will you have someone familiar with the local community and area (which is particularly useful if you’re relocating from elsewhere), but they’ll be well-versed in the market. Real estate can be volatile, and there’s not always room for guesswork. When you need to act quickly and decisively, a solid realtor and real estate team make it happen and offer guidance.
Gig Harbor and Pierce County have a selection of commendable realtors and real estate agents. The top ten list above is merely a sample, but they represent the best of the best. Collectively, this list offers decades of real estate experience, hundreds of enthusiastic reviews and recommendations, and proven track records for sales. These realtors deal in residential and commercial properties, luxury homes, investments, and so much more. Whatever you’re hoping to find in Gig Harbor, any one of them can show you the way.