In an industry often measured by sales volume, the 2026 RateMyAgent Awards have recognized Matthew Sharman, team leader of The Sharman Team at Real Broker NY LLC, for excellence based on a different metric: verified client reviews tied to completed transactions. Sharman has been named Agent of the Year for Livingston County and Conesus Lake, and a Top 10 Agent in New York State, according to an announcement made on August 28, 2026.
The RateMyAgent Awards, a brokerage-agnostic program launched in the United States in 2021, rely on client feedback rather than the number of properties sold. This means Sharman's honors reflect the quality of service he provided to clients, as evidenced by their reviews. His three 2026 awards place him among the most highly reviewed real estate professionals in New York State, underscoring a trend where customer experience is becoming a key differentiator in the industry.
Sharman leads a team that specializes in waterfront and lake-access properties across Conesus Lake, Honeoye Lake, Silver Lake, and the western Finger Lakes, as well as the greater Rochester market and the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and Wyoming counties). His practice focuses on the intricate details that distinguish waterfront properties, such as usable frontage, water depth, lake bottom quality, lot orientation, dock and breakwater condition, and shared-access agreements. This technical expertise is critical for buyers seeking to understand exactly what they are purchasing.
“These awards are decided by clients, not by a spreadsheet, and that is what makes them mean something to me,” said Sharman. “Every review behind them came from someone who trusted our team with a decision that mattered – a family buying their first place on the water, or a seller letting go of a cottage that has been in the family for forty years. Getting that right takes local knowledge and a lot of homework.”
Sharman's deep roots in the region, having been born and raised there, and working alongside his father who has been a licensed agent for five decades, provide a long-term perspective on market changes. This continuity helps the team understand how historical trends impact current property values. “Buyers on Conesus Lake are more selective than they have ever been,” Sharman added. “They deserve someone who can tell them exactly what they are buying, down to the foot of frontage.”
The implications of this recognition extend beyond personal achievement. It signals a shift in how real estate agents are evaluated, with a growing emphasis on client satisfaction and transparent feedback mechanisms. For consumers, awards like these offer a reliable indicator of an agent's performance, as they are based on actual experiences rather than self-reported sales figures. This can lead to more informed decisions when choosing a real estate professional.
As the real estate industry evolves, the RateMyAgent Awards serve as a model for integrating client voice into professional recognition, potentially influencing how other awards and rankings are structured. For Sharman, the honors reinforce his commitment to meticulous service, particularly in the niche market of waterfront properties where precision is paramount. His team's focus on detailed property analysis and client education positions them well in a competitive market.
For more information about the RateMyAgent Awards and the methodology behind them, visit RateMyAgent.
