Virginia’s Top 10 Most Trusted Agents, Who Built A Path On Sincerity, Experience, And Genuine Care

Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant decisions a person can make. It involves money, timing, family, and often a fair amount of stress. In markets as competitive as the DMV and Hampton Roads, having someone in your corner who genuinely cares can make all the difference.

The agents featured here have earned trust through years of consistent work. Some have moved more than a dozen times themselves and understand what that weight feels like. Others have built systems to guide seniors through difficult transitions or helped military families settle into unfamiliar communities. A few renovate properties alongside their clients, testing their own advice before offering it.

What ties them together is simple. They treat clients like family, not transactions. They show up, follow through, and stay long after closing day. In a business often driven by commissions, these professionals have chosen a different path built on sincerity, experience, and genuine care.

Building a Brokerage on Expertise and Genuine Care in Richmond

Todd Boyd never planned to become a real estate broker. In 2003, after leaving a role as director of a Microsoft training center in Tampa, he returned to Richmond with no clear direction. A friend suggested he try real estate, thinking his analytical mind and natural personality would be a good fit. Twenty three years later, Todd runs Boyd Realty Group with around 15 agents and a 5,000 square foot design showroom in Central Virginia.

Before real estate, Todd was always a teacher. He taught swimming, scuba diving, and tutored math. That instinct to explain things clearly became central to how he serves clients. "Buying or selling a house is, for most people, the biggest transaction they make in their life," he said. "They deserve an expert."

Todd holds an arts degree, and design has always been a passion. Three years ago, he moved into his current space, a full design showroom offering kitchens, baths, flooring, lighting, tile, and hardware. Any client working with Boyd Realty Group receives deep discounts on products sold through the showroom.

When Todd interviews agents, he makes one thing clear. If you are just here for the money, this is not the right fit. "You're getting ready to help somebody navigate through the biggest decision of their life financially," he explained. "You need to see that person as the person, as the family, not as a dollar sign."

After more than two decades, Todd has built something grounded in trust, consistency, and genuine care.

Maneja Ahmadzai Houchin: Two Decades of Trust in the DMV Market

In a real estate market as fast moving as the DMV, clients need someone who truly understands the weight of their decision. For Maneja Ahmadzai Houchin, that understanding comes from more than 23 years of experience and a personal journey that shapes how she serves every family she works with.

Maneja is a first generation immigrant who built her career from the ground up. She has established three businesses that work together to support her clients: a real estate sales business, a transaction coordination company, and a mortgage brokerage. "I don't see clients as commissions. I treat every person and every family as if they were my own," she explains.

Having moved more than 17 times in her own life, Maneja knows firsthand what the process feels like. The stress, the uncertainty, the emotional weight of starting over. That lived experience informs how she guides every client through their own transition.

Her work has earned recognition across the region, including multiple years as a Washingtonian Magazine top producer and NVAR Top Producer. She was also recently selected as a TV show host for The American Dream, an Emmy nominated national television series.

"This platform allows me to share that expertise more broadly while showcasing the stories behind our communities and the people who shape them," she said.

For families navigating one of life's biggest decisions, Maneja offers deep expertise paired with genuine care.

Jodie Snyder: Creativity and Care in Hampton Roads Real Estate

Jodie Snyder didn't follow a traditional path into real estate, and that's exactly what sets her apart. With a Fine Arts degree from Christopher Newport University and more than 15 years of award winning experience, she brings a rare combination of creativity, strategic negotiation, and integrity to every transaction. As co owner of Mission Realty Group, Jodie has earned a strong reputation throughout Hampton Roads as a trusted advisor who sees possibilities where others see obstacles.

She specializes in preparing properties for the market, particularly those most agents overlook. Drawing on her artistic background, Jodie collaborates closely with contractors to reimagine homes through thoughtful design. She develops realistic, cost effective plans and, when appropriate, helps coordinate or finance improvements that allow sellers to maximize their return.

Hampton Roads experiences a steady influx of military families relocating to the area. Many are unfamiliar with the neighborhoods or what to expect. Jodie finds it rewarding to guide them through the process, connecting them with the best lenders, inspectors, and contractors.

"I want my clients to stay my clients for life," she says. That kind of loyalty comes from showing up consistently and doing the work right.

Mission Realty Group was built during COVID with intention. The firm is faith based and selective about who joins because they want to protect the culture they've created. Outside of work, Jodie is a single mother to four kids. They're her why, and she brings that same care to every client she serves.

Jack Goodwyn: Hands On Experience That Clients Can Trust

Jack Goodwyn doesn't just talk about real estate. He buys, renovates, and sells properties himself, nearly ten times a year. That practical experience shapes every conversation he has with clients in Northern Virginia, where he has built a business that feels less like a transaction and more like a partnership.

At 37, Jack lives in Fairfax Station with his wife Jessica, his high school sweetheart, and their two sons. When he's not working with clients or flipping houses, he coaches Fairfax Little League baseball and serves as Director of Fields and Grounds.

His approach is straightforward. If you want to give good advice about renovations and pricing, you should be doing that work yourself. Jack purchases and renovates properties in the same market where his clients are buying and selling. "Any advice I'm offering to my clients about positioning and marketing their home is advice I'm actually testing and implementing myself," he said.

When clients need to prepare their home for sale, Jack brings in the same contractors he uses on his own projects. He manages everything personally and often fronts the renovation costs himself.

The numbers reflect the trust he has built. Jack closed $27.4 million in 2022, $28.4 million in 2023, and $29.5 million in 2024. Most of his business comes from referrals and repeat clients who remember how their first transaction went and come back when life changes.

Hermela Balcha: Empowering Families Through Education and Trust

Hermela Balcha didn't enter real estate by accident. Her father had asked her for years to educate their community and open doors to wealth building opportunities. She watched how owning a home changed lives and created stability for families starting fresh in a new country. She also saw how fear and misinformation held people back.

With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and extensive work supporting corporate relocation programs, Hermela brought a service mindset that most agents never reach. When she founded The Balcha Group, she built it around one principle: treat every client like family.

Many agents focus on closing deals. Hermela focuses on empowering people with knowledge. The Balcha Group offers free homebuyer workshops, community seminars on credit and budgeting, and transparent guidance every step of the way. "Most clients don't know where to start. Loan programs, down payments, market timing. It feels stressful and confusing," she said. "We simplify the entire process and answer every question."

The firm has become one of the most trusted real estate brands within the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities across the DMV. That trust came from cultural understanding, transparent education, and consistent follow through. The company has grown 53 percent year over year for the last five years.

"Choose someone who treats your purchase or sale like it's their own investment, not just their next commission," Hermela said. That philosophy guides everything she does.

Jada Turner: A Trusted Name at Smith Mountain Lake

Jada Turner has called Smith Mountain Lake home for over twenty six years. She didn't just build a career here. She raised her life in this community, learned its rhythms, and became part of its fabric. That kind of presence shows in every transaction she handles.

Her approach is straightforward. She treats every client with care and dignity, making the process as smooth as possible. Over the years, that consistency has earned her something rare in the industry: clients who return generation after generation. Many of them become friends along the way.

"On a scale from 1 to 10, Jada is a 100," one client said. "She is at the top of the realtor profession."

In 2025, Jada was voted Best Listing Agent at Smith Mountain Lake by Lake Life. She is also a consistent Top 1% Producer in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, holding certifications as a Luxury Collection Specialist and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.

Beyond listings and closings, Jada provides quarterly market reports, consumer guides, and free seminars on topics like wealth building through real estate. For her, success is not just about closing deals. It is about delivering peace of mind during one of the most significant decisions people will ever make.

Kristin Beran Krupp: Advocacy and Discretion in Every Transaction

In a marketplace often dominated by volume and self promotion, Kristin Beran Krupp has built a real estate practice rooted in something more enduring: advocacy. For more than 21 years, she has guided clients through meaningful, high stakes decisions with an approach designed around protection, positioning, and care.

As Managing Partner of The Beran Group at Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville Real Estate, Kristin leads the firm's top producing team and one of the highest performing teams in Virginia. Yet her approach remains intentionally understated.

"I've never believed this work is about me," Kristin says. "It's about creating an environment where clients feel protected, understood, and supported. The spotlight belongs to them."

Her clients are often successful, discerning individuals and families who value privacy, efficiency, and thoughtful guidance. They are not looking for spectacle. They are looking for a trusted advisor. From the first conversation to long after closing, every touchpoint is designed with intention.

Kristin's experience spans luxury homes, new construction, and complex transitions. She has served as one of the youngest Presidents of both the Richmond Association of REALTORS and CVR MLS, earned Richmond REALTOR of the Year, and works as a state licensed instructor.

"In this industry, volume is often confused with value," Kristin says. "I don't need to be loud to be effective. I need to be precise."

She lives in Richmond with her husband Bryan and their son Anders.

Helping Richmond Families Navigate Home Transitions with Clarity

John Thiel knows the Richmond area well. He was born and raised there, and for over twenty years, he has been helping people buy and sell homes across Central Virginia. His career began in 2003, and early on, he earned recognition as one of the top 50 agents in Virginia, working as a single agent. Today, he leads The Thiel Morris Team at Long & Foster and continues to work directly with buyers and sellers throughout the region.

What sets John apart is his straightforward philosophy. He treats clients like family. That simple approach has shaped his entire career and allowed him to build a business that runs almost entirely on referrals. Over the last two decades, he has been part of thousands of home sales, and most of that work has come from people who trusted him enough to recommend him to someone else.

One of the most common challenges John sees is the gap between selling one home and buying the next. He works with clients to identify the best options for their specific situation, whether they are upsizing, downsizing, or building something new. He also offers a guaranteed cash offer program for most home sellers, which gives them added flexibility and certainty during the process.

Beyond working directly with buyers and sellers, John also serves in a consulting role with multiple builders in Central Virginia. The Thiel Morris Team has been ranked in the top 20 teams in Virginia for several years running by RealTrends Verified.

Real Estate with Purpose in Virginia's Hampton Roads

Kathy Keene is a Virginia real estate professional serving clients across Hampton Roads, from the Virginia Beach coastline through Williamsburg and up to Richmond. With over 20 years in the industry, she has built her career on straightforward values: honest communication, local expertise, and a genuine commitment to the people she works with.

Kathy started her real estate career in 2002 after earning a degree in Small Business Management. Over the years, she has worked across resale homes, new construction, and brokerage leadership in multiple markets. For 12 years, she owned and operated her own boutique real estate firm, leading and training teams while navigating market shifts. "I've made intentional choices about where and how I work, always prioritizing integrity, balance, and service over scale or status," she explained.

What sets Kathy apart is her focus on connection over transactions. In 2025, she donated $15,250 to Paint Pink Inc., a nonprofit founded by her late sister to support local cancer fighters. This initiative, called Real Estate with Purpose, turns every one of her closings into an opportunity to help someone in need. She serves on the Board of Paint Pink Inc. and donates a portion of her commissions to support the organization's mission.

Kathy recently joined Charlotte Jones at CHJ Realty, a boutique brokerage focused on elevated service and strong community partnerships. She continues to serve clients with honesty, strategy, and a genuine investment in their long term success.

Marybeth Fraser: Guiding Clients Through Life's Biggest Transitions

Marybeth Fraser didn't set out to revolutionize real estate. She simply saw a gap between what clients needed and what the industry was offering. Operating through Magnificent Manors in Northern Virginia, she has built her practice around something most agents overlook: the complete picture.

Much of Marybeth's work centers on seniors transitioning into senior living or downsizing. These are people facing decisions about possessions accumulated over 30 years or more. The task can be paralyzing. She developed a methodical system to help clients navigate these choices without the emotional and financial burden of hiring multiple services.

Her team handles the logistics. Items go to charities or are sold through Facebook Marketplace, keeping money in the client's account for their next home. Marybeth doesn't stop at the sale. She also helps clients decorate and remodel their new space as part of her services.

"Our clients are dear friends. We do what friends do for each other throughout the entire transaction," she explains. It's not a tagline. It's how she structures her business.

This approach has earned her recognition across the industry. She holds the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation, an MBA, and has received awards from NVAR, Washingtonian Magazine, and Keller Williams Metro Center. She was named Rookie of the Year in 2015 and has served on the KW Metro Center Agent Leadership Council for years.

Marybeth's commitment also extends beyond transactions through community events supporting hospice care and local women artists.

Summary

Real estate moves fast. Markets shift, paperwork piles up, and the pressure to make the right decision can feel overwhelming. In moments like these, people don't just need an agent. They need someone who will be honest with them, protect their interests, and stick around when things get complicated.

The agents featured here understand that. They have guided families through major life changes, helped first time buyers find their footing, and walked alongside seniors navigating difficult transitions. Some have built entire businesses around education and transparency. Others test their own advice by investing in the same markets where their clients buy and sell.

What connects them is a shared belief that real estate should be personal. They answer the hard questions. They follow through on what they promise. And they measure success not by volume, but by the trust they have earned over time.