San Rafael's typical home sells for $1,250,000 (Zillow San Rafael) — with Redfin's median at $1.15M and Movoto's April 2026 list median at $1.28M. The March 2026 median pending time was 12 days (Team O'Brien Marin), and homes sold at 99.8% of list price (Redfin San Rafael). At those prices, traditional San Rafael agents charge 5–6% commission, costing sellers $62,500–$75,000 per sale at the citywide median — and $85K–$108K in the Dominican neighborhood ($1.42M–$1.80M).
This is the honest 2026 directory of who is actively selling homes in San Rafael — Thomas Henthorne at Golden Gate Sotheby's (#1 in Marin for 5+ years), Judy LeMarr ($1B+ in residential), Valerie Castellana, Own Marin (#1 brokerage in Marin since 2015), and Bay Area Modern. We also break down the commission math at $950K–$2.2M, and how a modern 2.5% seller-side commission with a dedicated, full-service brokerage compares to traditional 5–6% structures on a typical San Rafael home.
The Top Real Estate Agents in San Rafael in 2026
1. Thomas Henthorne — Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
Thomas Henthorne has been ranked the #1 individual agent in Marin County for 5+ years (Thomas Henthorne). 18+ years selling homes across Marin, San Francisco, and Sonoma County. He runs heavy in the $1.5M–$5M+ Marin band — Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, San Rafael Dominican / Peacock Gap. Commission is on the traditional 2.5–3% structure (per side).
At a $1.25M San Rafael citywide median, his side of the commission alone is $31,250 (2.5%) to $37,500 (3%). At a $1.42M Dominican median, it's $35,500–$42,600.
2. Judy LeMarr — Marin County Top 1% Producer
Judy LeMarr is a top-producing real estate expert specializing in Marin County with over two decades of experience and over $1 billion in residential real estate sold, consistently ranking among the top 1% of agents nationally. Heavy focus on luxury San Rafael (Dominican, Peacock Gap, Sun Valley higher end) and the rest of Marin.
On a $1.42M Dominican sale, a 2.5–3% side of traditional commission runs $35,500–$42,600.
3. Valerie Castellana — Golden Gate Sotheby's San Rafael
Valerie Castellana is a 15+ year San Rafael / Marin specialist at Golden Gate Sotheby's, focused on luxury residential with strategic marketing and comprehensive market analysis. Strong San Rafael Dominican and Terra Linda book of business. Traditional 2.5–3% structure per side.
At a $1.6M Terra Linda upper-tier sale, 2.5–3% per side is $40,000–$48,000.
4. Own Marin — The #1 Brokerage in Marin Since 2015
Own Marin is ranked No. 1 in Marin County since 2015 with over $3+ billion in total sales (Own Marin). Boutique team-based brokerage with deep San Rafael / Greenbrae / Tiburon / Mill Valley coverage. Commission structure runs traditional 2.5–3% per side, with internal commission splits across the team.
At a $2.2M Peacock Gap sale, 2.5–3% per side is $55,000–$66,000.
5. Bay Area Modern (Marin Modern Real Estate)
Bay Area Modern is ranked in the top 10 brokerages in Marin County, with a 4th Street San Rafael office and a tech-savvy approach to mid-century modern (Eichler) inventory in Terra Linda and the broader Marin Eichler corridor (Bay Area Modern Yelp). Strong fit for Eichler sellers in Terra Linda. Commission is on the traditional side.
At a $1.45M Terra Linda Eichler, 2.5–3% per side is $36,250–$43,500.
What Traditional San Rafael Agents Actually Cost — at Real Prices
| Home sale price | Listing side at Loqol's 2.5% | Total at a traditional 5% | Total at a traditional 6% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $950,000 | $23,750 | $47,500 | $57,000 |
| $1,250,000 | $31,250 | $62,500 | $75,000 |
| $1,420,000 | $35,500 | $71,000 | $85,200 |
| $1,800,000 | $45,000 | $90,000 | $108,000 |
| $2,200,000 | $55,000 | $110,000 | $132,000 |
Loqol (Sunday Real Estate Brokerage Inc. dba Loqol), CA DRE #02261474, is a full-service California brokerage with dedicated licensed agents. When you onboard through Loqol, we offer a 2.5% seller-side commission. This full-service offering includes a dedicated licensed agent reachable directly at any point in the transaction, a seller dashboard with full visibility into the deal, all documents and disclosures in one place with complete deal and document history, signage installation, and marketing run by Loqol's in-house marketing team.
Every Loqol agent is a licensed California agent we onboarded with prior transaction experience, and our roster has closed 100+ listings between them. Our agents work on software we built ourselves, so every disclosure, deadline, and document in your sale is tracked rather than remembered — and you can see all of it, and reach your agent, in one click. Charlie is Loqol's in-house AI. Our agents use it to run the transaction, and in your seller dashboard you can ask it what's happening with your sale at any point and get an answer grounded in your actual deal — with your agent one click away.
Which San Rafael Listing Path Fits Your Situation?
You have a $950K East San Rafael condo or townhome. At this price point, a traditional 5–6% total commission can consume a significant portion of your equity. With Loqol's 2.5% seller-side commission, you receive full-service representation from a dedicated licensed agent who manages the transaction, handles complex HOA disclosures, and coordinates condo title work. Our proprietary software tracks every deadline and document, ensuring a smooth transaction while preserving your hard-earned equity.
You have a $1.25M Terra Linda / Glenwood single-family home. On a typical $1.25M San Rafael home, a traditional 5–6% total commission can run up to $75,000. By choosing Loqol's 2.5% seller-side commission, you secure a dedicated licensed agent who manages your listing, coordinates professional marketing run by our in-house team, and handles signage installation. Whether your home is move-in ready or requires strategic preparation, our full-service model ensures professional execution, pricing accuracy, and expert negotiation to maximize your net proceeds.
You have a $1.42M+ Dominican home. In premium neighborhoods like Dominican, proper staging, high-end photography, and a curated marketing strategy are essential to attract the right buyer pool. While traditional agents often charge high percentage commissions that scale up dramatically at this price point, Loqol provides a comprehensive 2.5% seller-side commission. This includes professional marketing run by our in-house team and a dedicated agent who personally manages negotiations, buyer vetting, and disclosure compliance to protect your transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best real estate agent in San Rafael?
Thomas Henthorne at Golden Gate Sotheby's has been ranked the #1 individual agent in Marin County for 5+ consecutive years (Thomas Henthorne). Judy LeMarr ($1B+ in residential) and Valerie Castellana are also consistently in the Marin top tier. The right answer depends on price band and neighborhood — Bay Area Modern is the better fit for Terra Linda Eichlers; Own Marin runs the deepest team-based coverage in central San Rafael; Henthorne and LeMarr dominate Dominican / Peacock Gap luxury.
How much commission do San Rafael real estate agents charge?
5–6% of the sale price, split roughly 50/50 between the listing agent and the buyer's agent (Bestrealestateagentnear.me San Rafael). At the $1.25M citywide median, that's $62,500–$75,000 per sale. At the $1.42M Dominican median, $85,200. Some agents negotiate to 2% on the listing side for luxury inventory, but the buyer's side typically stays at 2.5%.
What does Loqol charge to sell a San Rafael home?
Loqol charges a 2.5% seller-side commission when you onboard through our platform. This is a full-service offering that includes a dedicated licensed California agent, a comprehensive seller dashboard, complete document and disclosure tracking, signage installation, and professional marketing managed by our in-house team.
How fast do homes sell in San Rafael in 2026?
The March 2026 median pending time was 12 days (Team O'Brien Marin). Redfin's longer-tail figure includes escrow time and shows 36 days from list-to-close. Priced product moves in two weeks at 99.8–100% of list — and that's exactly why the commission savings matter more than the marketing premium.
Is a 2.5% seller-side commission model effective for a $1.25M San Rafael home?
Yes. At the citywide median of $1,250,000, a traditional 5–6% total commission can cost up to $75,000. With Loqol's 2.5% seller-side commission, you receive full-service representation from a dedicated licensed agent (Loqol, CA DRE #02261474) who manages your listing, marketing, and negotiations. Our proprietary software tracks every disclosure, deadline, and document, ensuring complete compliance and transaction security while keeping your equity where it belongs.
Do I still pay the buyer's agent commission with Loqol?
In California, buyer-broker compensation is negotiable. Sellers often choose to offer a competitive rate (such as 2% to 2.5%) to the buyer's agent to attract qualified buyers. Because Loqol charges a 2.5% seller-side commission for full-service representation, your total commission expense is significantly more manageable than traditional 5% to 6% structures, allowing you to maximize your net proceeds while ensuring professional execution on both sides of the transaction.
Related San Rafael & Marin County Coverage
- Best Real Estate Agents in Marin County (2026)
- Marin County Housing Market 2026
- Best Real Estate Agents in Mill Valley (2026)
- Best Real Estate Agents in Novato (2026)
- Best Real Estate Agents in Larkspur (2026)
Selling in San Rafael?
Loqol is a full-service California brokerage working with sellers in San Rafael. Every Loqol agent is a licensed California agent we onboarded with prior transaction experience, and our roster has closed 100+ listings between them.
Talk to a Loqol agent about your San Rafael sale.
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