Realty Executives International (REI) is proud to announce that 46 of its Executives and teams across the United States have been recognized in the 2026 RealTrends Best Real Estate Agents rankings — one of the most prestigious performance-based distinctions in the residential real estate industry. Honorees span four competitive categories: Individual Agents, Small Teams, Medium Teams, and Large Teams, with rankings determined by closed sales volume and transaction sides.
Now in its second year under the RealTrends Verified banner, the Best Real Estate Agents program recognizes top-performing professionals who have demonstrated exceptional results on behalf of their clients. To earn inclusion, agents and teams must meet rigorous production thresholds verified through MLS data and brokerage reporting — making each recognition a true mark of distinction.
This year’s results reflect what has long been at the heart of Realty Executives International’s identity: a network of elite, independent professionals who consistently outperform for the clients and communities they serve.
“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible talent across our network,” said Patrick van den Bossche, President of Realty Executives International. “For 60 years, Realty Executives has attracted the most driven, client-focused professionals in real estate. These rankings confirm what we already know — our people are simply exceptional.”
Standout Performances
Among the standout performances this year, The Real Deal Real Estate Team of Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors in Sparta, New Jersey, earned a national sides ranking of #8 in the Medium Teams category — a top 10 achievement that places them among the most productive teams in the country. Young Marketing Group from Realty Executives Associates in Knoxville, Tennessee ranked #92 in national sides, followed by Team Tezak of Realty Executives Premier in Valparaiso, Indiana at #226. The Luxe Team of Realty Executives Elite in Lemont, Illinois ranked in the top 400 in both sales volume and transaction sides.
In the Large Teams category, VFL Real Estate Team Knoxville (now called SCH Real Estate Team) of Realty Executives Associates in Knoxville, Tennessee, claimed the #85 national ranking by sides and #308 by volume — a remarkable result in one of the most competitive categories in real estate.
In the Small Teams category, The Gheaja Group led Realty Executives in rankings for sides at #189, followed by The Energized Team at #333. Both teams operate under Realty Executives Premier of Indiana and Illinois.
Individual agent Debaran Hughes, also of Realty Executives Associates in Knoxville, led the network with a national volume ranking of #721. Raymond Megie of Realty Executives Main Street, LLC, in Lapeer, Michigan, led the network in sides by ranking #480.
A Culture of Excellence
The depth of representation across the REI network is equally impressive. Realty Executives Integrity, Realty Executives Associates, Realty Executives Main Street, LLC, Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors, Realty Executives Premier, and Realty Executives Elite all contributed honorees — a testament to the strength of the brand’s culture of excellence across diverse markets.
REI’s 2026 honorees represent markets stretching from Knoxville, Tennessee, and Maryville, Tennessee, to Lapeer, Michigan; Brookfield, Wisconsin; Lemont, Illinois; Sparta, New Jersey; Valparaiso, Indiana; Wheaton, Illinois; and beyond — proof that the Realty Executives standard of excellence is not geographic. It’s cultural.
