Matthew Sharman, team leader of The Sharman Team at Real Broker NY LLC, has been named the 2026 RateMyAgent Agent of the Year for Livingston County and Conesus Lake, and also secured a spot among the Top 10 Agents in New York State. These accolades, announced on August 28, 2026, are notable because they are based on verified client reviews tied to completed transactions rather than on sales volume alone. This distinction places Sharman among the most highly reviewed real estate professionals in the state, reflecting a shift in how industry recognition is measured.
The RateMyAgent Awards, a brokerage-agnostic program launched in the U.S. in 2021, aim to celebrate agents who deliver exceptional client experiences. By relying on verified reviews, the awards offer a more transparent and customer-centric metric of an agent's performance. For consumers, this means that award winners like Sharman have demonstrated a consistent track record of client satisfaction, which is often a better indicator of service quality than the number of homes sold.
Sharman's practice focuses on waterfront and lake-access properties across Conesus Lake, Honeoye Lake, Silver Lake, and the wider western Finger Lakes region, in addition to serving the greater Rochester market and the GLOW area (Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and Wyoming counties). His approach is deeply technical, emphasizing details such as usable frontage, water depth, lake bottom condition, and easement arrangements—factors that can significantly impact the value and enjoyment of a waterfront property.
“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.”
Born and raised in the region, Sharman works alongside his father, who has been a licensed real estate professional in the area for five decades. This generational continuity gives the team a unique long-term perspective on the western Finger Lakes market, allowing them to understand how historical changes influence 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 significance of this recognition extends beyond individual achievement. It signals to homebuyers and sellers that reviews from past clients are becoming a powerful force in the real estate industry. As more consumers turn to online platforms to vet professionals, awards like RateMyAgent's provide a trustworthy resource for making informed decisions. For real estate agents, this trend underscores the importance of prioritizing client satisfaction and transparent communication throughout the transaction process.
According to RateMyAgent, the platform operates in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, offering a space for clients to leave verified reviews of their real estate agents. The annual Agent of the Year Awards are designed to highlight those who consistently excel in client service. Sharman's three 2026 awards—County Winner for Livingston County, City Winner for Conesus Lake, and State Winner as a Top 10 Agent in New York—are a testament to his team's dedication and expertise.
For those considering a real estate transaction in the Finger Lakes region, this recognition provides a clear indicator of an agent who is not only knowledgeable about the local market but also deeply committed to meeting client needs. As the real estate industry continues to evolve, client reviews are likely to play an even greater role in shaping reputations and guiding consumer choices.
