The Top 10 Most Trusted Michigan Realtors Clients Trust With Their Biggest Decision

For most people, a home is the largest investment they will ever make, and the process of buying or selling one can feel overwhelming. That is where the right agent matters. This list brings together agents from across Michigan, from the lakeshore to Metro Detroit to the northern lakes, who have earned their reputations the slow way: by telling the truth and putting people first.

Their paths into the work are worth noticing. One taught special needs children in New York City before bringing that patience to families facing overwhelming transitions. Another studied sculpture and worked in film before a year of community service, which showed her how hard it was for people to find suitable homes. Others came from home renovation, entrepreneurship, and decades of full-time work in the same communities where they live.

What they have in common is a refusal to sugarcoat. One steers sellers away from upgrades that drain money and bring little back. Another will tell a client it might not be the right time to move. Several say plainly that a client's financial security matters more than telling them what they want to hear. They listen before showing a single property, return phone calls, stay involved after the paperwork is signed, and treat every budget the same.

Their experience adds up to decades of work, thousands of closed transactions, and businesses that run largely on referrals and repeat clients. That loyalty is not an accident. It is what happens when honesty comes first. 

Michelle Davis: Building Trust in Michigan Real Estate Since Day One

Michelle M Davis has been a licensed Realtor since 2005, and the thing clients remember most is that she tells them the truth. She holds a BBA from Kennesaw State University and has worked in home renovation since around 1987, so she looks at a property and sees not only what it is but what it could become and what that change would actually cost.

That background shapes how she advises sellers. Many homeowners spend thousands on upgrades before listing without knowing which ones add value. Michelle asks clients to call her first, then steers them away from the projects that drain money and bring little back at closing.

She does not soften the numbers to make a sale easier. "Sellers don't always like what I have to say, but I feel that their financial security is more important than telling them what they want to hear," she explained.

The record backs it up. She has sold 49 homes in a single year, earned RE/MAX Platinum Agent three times, and ranked in the top 1.5 percent of agents in the US by Real Trends and Tom Ferry. As a Miracle Agent, she gives part of every commission to children's hospitals.

For sellers who want straight answers over flattery, Michelle is a steady choice.

Ken Brant:            Decades of Expertise, Driven by Integrity             - Michigan, Florida & Georgia -

With over 20 years of proven success across multiple states, Ken Brant is more than a real estate professional—he is a dedicated advocate for his clients. His career is built on a foundation of upfront honesty, deep industry knowledge, and an unwavering belief that real estate is always about people first and transactions second.

Ken’s journey reflects a lifetime of entrepreneurship and market mastery. He launched his career at Coldwell Banker in 2005, transitioned into office ownership just a year later, and went on to build, scale, and successfully sell his own independent firm, Brant & Associates Real Estate, twice. In 2022, he aligned his talents with Keller Williams Realty, bringing his extensive background to a premier global network.

While Ken initially built his powerhouse business in Fenton, Michigan, he has spent the last few years successfully expanding his relationships and operations into Citrus County, Florida, and Canton, Georgia. By actively maintaining his strong roots in Michigan while serving clients across the Southeast, Ken possesses a rare, tri-state market perspective that gives his clients a distinct competitive edge.

Ken credits his enduring success to the foundational support of family and the loyal, hardworking agents who have walked alongside him throughout his journey. He firmly believes that integrity and trust must be earned, which is why he refuses to sugarcoat the truth, whether he is assessing a volatile market, evaluating a home's true condition, or advising a client that it might not be the right time to move.

When you partner with Ken Brant and his crew, you are choosing a trusted advisor who values your long-term success above all else.

Need Help Selling or Buying? Contact:  Ken@thehouse4you.com
(Keller Williams First, 132 N. Leroy, Fenton MI…+) Google:   Ken Brant - KWRealtor

Sara Ston: A Real Estate Career Built on Care and Connection

Sara Ston did not begin in real estate. She started as a special needs teacher in New York City, a job that called for patience, structure, and the ability to stay calm when things felt uncertain. It taught her that some people need more guidance than others, and that those people deserve someone who shows up fully.

She carried that into her practice in Michigan. Over more than ten years, her business has run almost entirely on referrals, a testament to a deeply trusted reputation that means families receive genuine care and that she truly helps her agents develop businesses that don't rely only on cold calls or buying leads. The clients she works with are often seniors, families managing probate, and adult children helping aging parents downsize. "My ideal client is often facing a situation that feels much bigger than real estate," Sara explained. "They already are coming to us overwhelmed."

She treats those moments as transitions rather than transactions. Through the system and infrastructure she has established within her team at The Stonway Group, she builds individual roadmaps for each family, connecting them with trusted resources so nothing slips through the cracks. "I believe clients are better served when there is real, structured collaboration behind the scenes," she said.

Her structured approach has yielded major milestones; she was the number two producer at her brokerage in 2024, has made the Best of Hour Detroit list twice, and was recognized by Top Producer Magazine for her leadership. She later launched How to Help Mom, a platform sharing practical support for families facing new life stages. The care comes first.

The Stonway Group is built on agents who work this way, where the relationship outlasts the closing. Whether you are a family facing a difficult transition or an agent seeking more meaningful work, this team is built for the future and worth being part of. 

Bill Underdown: A Trusted Michigan Lakeshore Realtor Known for Exceptional Results

Bill Underdown has built one of the most trusted names in real estate along Michigan's lakeshore, working out of the Saugatuck area and specializing in the communities of Southwest Michigan.

Each buyer is unique with different needs, from a vacation retreat, investment property, finding a fresh start in retirement, or living and working remotely in a vibrant resort community. Bill offers a customized approach to creatively market and sell listings. Extensive community connections provide a network for both prospective buyers and sellers. Bill has the pulse on potential upcoming real estate listings.

Since joining Century 21 Affiliated in 2016, Bill has ranked as a Top Producer and reached the Centurion Award's Honor Society. In 2025, he marked five straight years of top sales performance. He also holds a Luxury Home Agent certification through Century 21 Fine Homes and Estates.

His team handles marketing in-house, using photography, video, and drone footage to give each property its own story. Sellers get weekly updates on how many views their listing is drawing and where, so they are never left guessing.

His roots run deep. Every buyer receives a membership to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, and he stays active with local organizations across the area.

For Bill, the work comes back to one idea. "The key is building relationships," he said. The referrals and repeat business prove it.

Erica Blair: Building trust and lasting relationships in Northern Michigan

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions a person makes in their lifetime. And Realtor® Erica Blair treats it that way.

Erica’s approach is simple: put people first, tell the truth, and stay involved long after the paperwork is signed.

A lifelong Michigan resident from Higgins Lake, Erica has been a real estate agent for more than eight years, with a primary focus on residential properties.

Erica's well-rounded career path brought her to the field of real estate, initially earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture at Northern Michigan University. She then spent time in California, working within the art and film industry, before returning to Northern Michigan.

Returning home, she spent a year of service with AmeriCorps and the Grayling Main Street program, which gave her an idea of just how hard it was for people to find suitable homes. As a result, she got her real estate license and has been matching people with the home of their dreams ever since.

Erica is known across the region for the detailed walkthrough videos she makes for buyers who cannot visit in person. As a result, some clients have closed without ever stepping inside. She also works closely to help veterans with their VA loan benefits, given her family history of military service.

"I know how much trust prospective homeowners have in me to make such a large purchase,” Erica said. “My focus is always on helping people.” 

Larry Martin: Delivering Trusted Guidance Across West Michigan for 34 Years

Larry Martin has spent more than three decades helping people buy and sell homes across West Michigan. Based in Grand Rapids, he and his team travel up to two hours to help families find the right fit. After 34 years, he still studies area sales and home values every week, treating each deal as one of the biggest decisions his clients will make.

"Buying or selling a home is one of the most important things you will ever do," Larry said. "I want to help make that experience as smooth and successful as possible."

His approach starts with listening. Before showing a single property, he and his team sit down with clients to understand their needs and long-term goals. That way, he avoids wasting anyone's time on homes that miss the mark.

He also solves a problem many families face. "Many homeowners struggle with how to sell their current home and purchase their next one without the hassle of moving twice," he explained. He times each step so clients move from one home to the next without the stress.

The record reflects his consistency. Larry has closed more than 2,750 units and reached $500 million in volume, earning a Lifetime Achievement Award, and he still closes over 100 transactions a year.

Rise Realty: Building a Community-Focused Real Estate Business in Genesee County

In Grand Blanc, Michigan, real estate is rarely just about square footage for Abby and Chris Gustafson. The co-founders of Rise Realty built their independent brokerage around the families behind the front door, the ones outgrowing a first home or finally ready to buy after years of renting. They have lived those moments too, and it shapes how they work.

Abby is the face of the brand, the voice clients hear online, and their first point of contact. Chris handles strategy, negotiations, and the systems that keep things running. They launched Rise Realty at the turn of 2026, a move that gave them full control over the client experience. "This allows us to build a business that is focused on long-term growth and stays in line with our core values," they explained.

Their work leans on relationships rather than volume. They answer the phone and tell clients the truth, even when it stings. "Clients always know what's happening, what's next, and how we are protecting their best interest," they said.

That advocacy comes from experience. They are active investors who renovate homes, so they know what to watch for. They help more than sixty families a year, strictly through referrals, repeat clients, and social media, and earned top production awards from 2022 through 2025.

Carol Lukity: Treating Every Client's Investment with Care and Integrity

Carol Lukity has been selling real estate in Michigan since 1998. She works across Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, Genesee, St. Clair, Gladwin, and several other counties as a full-time agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kee Realty. From the start, she decided to give the work everything she had, which meant being available, learning every market she served, and never cutting corners to close faster.

The record reflects that. She has produced millions in sales for over two decades and appeared on the Detroit Hour Top 200 Agents list every year since 2012. Within her own company of more than 500 agents, she has ranked number one in sales, and for the last four years, she has earned the Chairman's Circle designation across Berkshire Hathaway worldwide.

What she leads with, though, is simpler. She treats every client the same, no matter the budget, and approaches each deal as if the money at stake were her own. "By doing so, I can sleep well at night knowing I have truly done the best possible job for my clients," she explained.

Many of her clients are buying or selling for the first time, and she walks them through each step. "You need more than luck buying or selling a home," Carol said. "You need Lukity and her team."

Robert Coburn: A Relationship-Driven Approach to Real Estate Success

For more than three decades, Robert Coburn has quietly done the work that defines a lasting real estate career. A longtime resident of Royal Oak and a Southeast Michigan specialist, he was licensed in 1993 and has worked full-time since 1994. In that span, he has closed over 1,900 transactions and grown into one of Re/Max First's top agents.

His name shows up in the rankings, but it shows up more often when past clients pass his number to friends and family. He currently ranks number seven in transactions for 2025 across Southeast Metro Detroit for Re/Max individual agents, a spot he reached without noise.

His connection to the area is real. He knows the neighborhoods and the rhythms of the local market the way someone does when they live there, not just sell there.

He keeps his approach grounded. "One of the gifts that differentiates me from the average agent is my ability to help clients narrow their focus to achieve their real estate goals," he explained. He also starts with each client's situation rather than a script. "Every client of mine has unique circumstances," he said.

In 2025, he was the top Re/Max First contributor to the Children's Hospital of Michigan, an effort he treats as part of the job.

The Realtor Shelby Township Keeps Coming Back To: Kimberly Drescher

Buying or selling a home is stressful, and it is one of the largest investments most of us ever make. That is why the choice of agent matters so much. In Shelby Township, Michigan, and the surrounding area, that choice often leads people to Kimberly Drescher, an Associate Broker at Real Estate One Inc Shelby, Listing Specialist, and leader of The Macomb Home Team. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, ranks in the Top 1% of Realtors nationwide, and has been named a Real Estate All Star in Hour Magazine year after year.

Her credentials run deep, including Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert, Seller Representative Specialist, Accredited Staging Professional Realtor, Leading RE Sales Specialist, Commited2Excellence, and Senior Real Estate Specialist. Each reflects a habit of taking the profession seriously.

For sellers, Kimberly focuses on marketing homes effectively so they sell on time for the most money the market will bear. For buyers, she listens to what they actually want. Her personal goal is to provide a level of service that makes clients comfortable referring others, knowing they will receive the same care and attentiveness.

The habits behind her reputation are simple. She returns phone calls, delivers information on time, stays organized, and holds herself to high ethical standards. Kimberly shows up, does the work, and her clients know they can count on her. That is what trust looks like. 

Summary

What separates a good agent from a forgettable one is rarely the sales numbers. It is whether clients felt told the truth. In a market where a home is the largest investment most people ever make, trust is not a nice extra. It is the whole foundation. The Michigan agents gathered here have built their careers on it.

Honesty runs through everything they do. One warns sellers away from renovations that cost thousands and return little. Another refuses to sugarcoat a home's condition and will even advise a client that it might not be the right time to move. One treats every deal as if the money at stake were her own, saying it lets her sleep well at night. These are not slogans. They are habits, repeated across decades.

The kindness shows up in quieter ways. Detailed walkthrough videos for buyers who cannot visit in person. Individual roadmaps for seniors and families managing probate, so nothing slips through the cracks. Weekly updates for sellers so they are never left guessing. Timing a sale and purchase so a family never has to move twice.

Their experience is substantial: some have worked for more than three decades, others have closed thousands of transactions. Yet nearly all of them point to the same measure of success. Referrals. Repeat clients. Past clients hand their number to friends and family. Trust, earned and kept.