The 2026 RateMyAgent Awards have recognized Matthew Sharman, team leader of The Sharman Team at Real Broker NY LLC, with three distinct honors: Agent of the Year for Livingston County, Agent of the Year for Conesus Lake, and a Top 10 Agent in New York State. These awards are notable because they are based on verified client reviews tied to completed transactions, rather than on the volume of sales closed. This methodology, which has been in place since the program's U.S. launch in 2021, is designed to reflect the quality of the client experience as directly reported by those who have worked with the agent.
Sharman's recognition places him among the most highly reviewed real estate professionals in New York, a distinction that carries significant weight in an industry often measured by transactional metrics. The awards are brokerage-agnostic, meaning they are open to all agents regardless of their affiliation, and they rely on authenticated feedback from clients. This approach shifts the focus from how many properties an agent sells to how well they serve their clients, offering a more nuanced view of professional performance.
Sharman's practice is deeply rooted in the western Finger Lakes region, where he specializes in waterfront and lake-access properties across Conesus Lake, Honeoye Lake, Silver Lake, and the greater Rochester and GLOW areas. His expertise lies in the technical details that differentiate waterfront properties, such as usable frontage, water depth, lot orientation, and easement arrangements. This granular knowledge is critical for buyers and sellers navigating the complexities of lakefront real estate.
"These awards are decided by clients, not by a spreadsheet, and that is what makes them mean something to me," Sharman said. He emphasized the trust clients place in his team during significant life decisions, whether buying a first lakeside home or selling a long-held family cottage. His local background, having been born and raised in the region and working alongside his father who has been licensed for five decades, provides a historical perspective that informs his advice on property values and market trends.
The significance of these awards extends beyond individual recognition. They highlight a trend in the real estate industry toward prioritizing client satisfaction as a key performance indicator. For consumers, this means that ratings platforms like RateMyAgent offer a transparent way to evaluate agents based on the experiences of their peers. As the market becomes increasingly competitive, particularly in sought-after areas like Conesus Lake, such verified reviews can be a decisive factor for clients choosing representation.
Sharman's focus on the nuances of waterfront property is particularly timely. "Buyers on Conesus Lake are more selective than they have ever been," he noted, stressing the need for agents who can provide precise details about a property's attributes. The awards serve as a testament to his team's commitment to this level of service, and they underscore the value of local expertise in a specialized market segment. As the real estate landscape evolves, the emphasis on client reviews is likely to grow, making recognitions like these increasingly influential in shaping professional reputations and consumer choices.
