Top 10 Most Trusted Agents In Texas: Honest Guidance When the Stakes Are High

A real estate decision can look like paperwork from the outside. For the person making it, it can mean financing, inspections, negotiations, and a great deal of uncertainty. That is where trust begins to matter. Across Texas, from Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth to Austin and East Texas, these ten agents have built that trust by helping clients understand their options, navigate difficult decisions, and move forward with confidence.

Their paths into real estate are as varied as the communities they serve. Their experience ranges from four to thirty-seven years. One first encountered a set of construction blueprints at around 12, a moment that stayed with him. Another found her way into real estate after years of volunteering at her children’s schools. Two are military veterans whose approach to the profession was shaped by the discipline, responsibility, and service they learned in the military.

For these agents, listening comes first. One makes a point of listening twice before responding. They take the time to explain the details so clients can make informed decisions, and they are willing to speak up when something does not make sense. One would rather steer a client away from a weak purchase than push a sale. Another considers the future resale value of every purchase and tells clients when a deal may not serve them well. When a contract runs into trouble, an agent with nearly four decades of experience draws on that experience to help keep the transaction together.

That approach has translated into referrals and repeat business. One has never purchased a lead. Another credits a mentor who asked only that she extend the same kindness to others. Their commitment also reaches beyond individual transactions, from helping fellow veterans navigate their first VA loans to advocating for children in foster care.

For these agents, success is measured by more than the number of deals closed. It is reflected in the clients who return, the referrals that follow, and the people who trusted them to help make one of life’s most consequential decisions.

Amanda Hardy Measures Her Career by the People She Serves

Amanda Hardy has spent her whole life in the Dallas Fort Worth area. A mother of two, a newlywed, and a happy empty nester, she came to real estate later than most. For years she gave her time to her children's schools through executive PTA roles, then returned to full time work in 2018 as a real estate assistant. A year and a half later, she earned her license, and the direction of her life shifted.

She prioritizes relationships over chasing the next deal. "When I invest my time and energy into people rather than just the transaction, my interactions with clients and others in the industry become much more meaningful, sincere, and appreciated," she explained. Many of her clients are first time buyers or people returning to the market after years away, and she guides them with reassurance, clarity, and honest education.

Her results have grown steadily, from a first Top 10 ranking in Texas for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty TX in 2020 to Chairman's Circle Platinum in 2025, placing her in the top 1 percent. That year she also began leading the Hardy Team, recognized as the number one team for units sold. As a Team Lead, she always prioritizes educating, building up, and supporting her team members. Most importantly, she believes that as a leader, it's imperative to never stop learning and be humble.

Still, she points to her mentor, Jeanenne Kienle, who asked only that she pay it forward. "The true value lies in where I started, how far I've come, and the people who helped shape me along the way," she said. 

Ann Motheral Turns a Lifetime in Fort Worth Into Steady Results for Her Clients

Ann Motheral has spent her whole life in Fort Worth, and that long history shapes how she works. She knows the metroplex the way only a lifelong resident can, with a feel for how neighborhoods change, where value holds, and what buyers and sellers actually care about. A full-time and full-service Realtor, she is ranked among the top 5 percent of agents in the area and has been a top-producing agent for the past decade.

Her approach is plain and practical. "I add value to the real estate industry by combining local market expertise, strong negotiation skills, and exceptional customer service to help clients make informed decisions and achieve their real estate goals," she said. She wants clients to understand what is happening rather than simply follow her lead, and she treats every relationship as a real partnership built on communication and integrity.

Ann works with Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors, the number one woman-owned Coldwell Banker company in the United States. In 2025, no other brokerage in the NTREIS MLS sold more homes. That volume gives her clients resources and a respected brokerage standing behind every deal, so buyers and sellers are never relying on her alone.

Her record has grown year after year. In 2021, she ranked among the top 1,000 agents at Coldwell Banker Realty for the third quarter. In 2025, she ranked number 50 among 1,200 agents across Texas and Louisiana, and Fort Worth Magazine has named her a Top Producer consistently.

Steven Kjol Brings an Investor's Eye and a Veteran's Discipline to Houston Real Estate

Steven Kjol built his real estate career in Houston on a simple idea. Trust has to be earned through how you treat people and the decisions you help them make. After leaving the service, he was drawn to the independence Real Estate offered and started as an investor, handling his own flips and rentals before getting licensed to help others do the same.

That experience taught him how to read value and recognize when a deal is worth walking away from, and he would rather talk a client out of a weak purchase than push them into one that does not make sense. As a veteran, Steven found it natural to guide other vets through their first VA Loans, where 100 percent financing means the purchase has to be strong from the start. Along the way, he discovered a genuine love for helping first time buyers through the biggest purchase of their lives.

Licensed as both a Realtor and a Mortgage Loan Originator, he now works as a Loan Officer for Crebrid, a hard money lender that offers fix and flip, DSCR, and ground up construction loans. That range lets him stay with clients from qualifying and funding through listing and selling. "Treat them like you need them" is a mantra he lives by and teaches other realtors to adopt.

He also hosted Selling Houston on the ADTV Network, an experience he hopes to return to one day. Learn more at Thefidelisgrouptx.com.

Sharon Hodnett Stays Until the Deal Is Done After Thirty-Seven Years

Sharon Hodnett has spent thirty-seven years in real estate, most of it in the part of North Texas she knows by heart. Based with Keller Williams Southlake, she focuses on Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine, Trophy Club, and Flower Mound, though she has handled sales as far as Austin, San Antonio, and New Braunfels. She works across residential, land, and commercial property, which is unusual for one person.

Her foundation was laid early, watching her mother, a broker and trailblazer in the early 1970s. Her training in speech and drama shaped her too, and she compares the business to being on stage at all times. "I am an advisor, a counselor, and an expert in real estate," she said. She shines most when a deal is at risk, leaning on negotiating skills and trusted contacts when buyers try to push the price down after the contract. "Keeping a deal together is my specialty," she said.

Her marketing reaches further than most, with drone video, high-definition photography, placement on around three hundred sites, and international syndication through publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Robb Report. She spends about three hours writing a detailed amenities sheet for almost every property.

A twelve year winner of the Five Star Real Estate Agent award and recipient of the Forbes Five Star Legend Award, Sharon also appears on American Dream TV. Her advice to newer agents is plain. Put in the hours, answer your calls, and do not be afraid to fail.

Tara Anderson Builds Her Houston Real Estate Business on Trust

Tara Kordula Anderson has spent her life in the Houston area, and that local knowledge shapes how she works. A Luxury Real Estate Specialist with Keller Williams Metropolitan, she brings more than two decades of experience across homebuilding, land development, and residential real estate. She works with buyers and sellers of luxury homes, acreage properties, and new construction, with a particular focus on helping people through major life changes such as right-sizing.

Her approach grew out of hands-on work rather than a textbook. "I disrupt the real estate industry by challenging the idea that success is measured solely by transactions," she explained. In a market that rewards volume, she focuses instead on each client's goals, lifestyle, and long-term vision.

Tara describes her service as concierge-level. She prepares properties for market, coordinates trusted vendors, and manages complex negotiations so clients do not carry that weight alone. "Real estate is not just about property. It's about people, families, memories, and future goals," she said.

Recognition has followed. She was featured in Houston Real Producers Magazine, received Keller Williams' Eagle Award, serves as KW Luxury Director and Luxury Liaison, and sits on the Agent Leadership Council. She has consistently ranked in the top ten percent of agents in her office. Still, she measures success differently. Her proudest achievement is a business built on referrals, repeat clients, and lasting relationships, and becoming the person clients confidently recommend to family and friends.

Darci Piel: Where Experience Meets Trust in Southeast Texas Real Estate

Darci Piel, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Southern Homes, has spent nearly 20 years serving buyers and sellers across Southeast Texas. In that time, she has built a reputation that comes down to one thing. People trust her. Ranked among the top 7 percent of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide, she has guided hundreds of families through their transactions, and most of her new clients arrive through referrals from people who know her work.

Her specialties include residential real estate, HUD properties, first-time homebuyers, new construction, and investment opportunities. But she describes her work in terms of people rather than houses. "My goal has never been to simply close a transaction. I want my clients to feel informed, protected, and confident in every decision they make, because earning their trust is more important to me than any sale."

Many clients come to her feeling overwhelmed by financing, inspections, negotiations, or pricing. Darci responds by teaching. She educates clients through every step, builds a strategy around their goals, and stays accessible when questions come up. Her aim is for every client to walk away feeling supported, empowered, and excited about what comes next.

Her service extends past the office. She serves on the Board of Directors for CASA of the Sabine Neches Region, advocating for children in foster care, and holds leadership roles on professional and community boards. After nearly two decades, her approach remains the same. Clear communication, honest guidance, and relationships built on trust and results.

Cassidy Calman Treats Every Purchase as a Future Sale

Cassidy Calman has spent more than two decades working across marketing, real estate, finance, and brokerage leadership, and that range shapes how she serves the people who hire her. She is a Broker Associate, a loan officer, a real estate investor, and the founder of The C.A.R.E. Team, working with clients throughout the DFW Metroplex in North Texas and along Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast. Much of her business comes from repeat clients and referrals, which says something about how she operates.

Her approach rests on a simple idea. Every purchase is also a future sale. Nearly every property gets sold eventually, whether in two years, ten years, or after it passes to the next generation, so she weighs marketability, appreciation, and resale value before anyone signs anything. "I don't just want to help you buy this property," she said. "I want to know I can successfully sell it for you when the time comes."

When she reviews a property, she is not distracted by granite counters or fresh paint. She studies location trends, buyer demand, resale appeal, and financing. If a deal does not make sense, she says so. "My responsibility isn't to sell someone a house," she explained. "It's to help them make a decision they'll be grateful for years later."

A full-time agent in Texas since 2019, Cassidy expanded into Florida's Gulf Coast in 2020, taking on Broker Associate and Managing Broker roles. Her goal is to be the person clients keep calling, year after year.

Aminat Sodiq Puts Listening Before Selling After Twenty Years in Real Estate

For more than 20 years, Aminat Sodiq has built her real estate career around one guiding principle: real estate is not simply about properties, it is about people, families, and their futures.

A family-first professional, Aminat approaches every client with warmth, patience, and genuine care. Rather than beginning with a sales pitch, she begins by listening. She takes time to understand each client's needs, concerns, goals, and vision before recommending a property.

“I listen carefully to what my clients need and appreciate their perspective,” Aminat says.

When challenges arise, Aminat becomes a determined problem solver. “There is a solution to every problem. If I can't solve it, I will find someone who can.” Her goal is to make every transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible while helping clients make confident decisions they will appreciate for years.

Since joining OnDemand Realty in 2021, Aminat has watched the brokerage grow from approximately 50 agents to more than 250. She values its supportive, family-oriented culture.

For Aminat, success is not simply closing a transaction. It is earning trust, finding solutions, building lasting relationships, and helping people confidently open the door to their next chapter.

Vince Gonzalez Starts Every Deal With the End in Mind

Vince Gonzalez was born in Tyler, raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. He eventually settled in Central Texas, where he has raised his own family in the Austin area over the past 20 years. His pull toward real estate started early. He still remembers being about twelve years old when he first saw a set of construction blueprints. Something about the way it all fit together stayed with him.

That curiosity grew into a career built on roughly 3,000 transactions across Central Texas, where he has worked as a broker of record, an investor, an agent, and an advisor. He has held leadership roles and helped build teams recognized by The Austin Business Journal and the Inc. 5000 list, though he points to the work itself rather than the awards. Having sat on different sides of the closing table shapes how he advises the people who partner with him.

His approach goes back to those early blueprints. He likes to start with the end in mind, comparing his role to an architect working on someone else's vision. "I believe that all real estate is personal," he said. He describes a listen-first, then listen again approach, where understanding always comes before action.

Alongside brokerage work, Vince and The Novaterra Real Estate Company offer land planning and advisory services. These services guide landowners to determine the potential best use of their land and facilitate the permitting process. No matter the client, Vince always aims to add value at each stage of the process.

Sarah Johnston Builds Her East Texas Business One Relationship at a Time

Sarah Johnston has spent four years earning trust in East Texas real estate, and she has done it without buying a single lead. A REALTOR® and a proud United States Army veteran, every client she takes on either knows her, was referred by someone they trust, follows her online, or has worked with her before and chose to come back. In 2025, she closed more than 19.3 million dollars in sales, and as of June 2026, she has already passed 14 million dollars in production.

She credits her steadiness to the Army, where discipline, resilience, and accountability shaped how she runs her business. She sees real estate as a service, not a numbers game, and her focus is on solving problems, educating clients, and building trust that lasts beyond the closing table. Even skeptics come around. Nico Fourie of HFH Construction told her he had worked with realtors for over 25 years and trusted none of them. She replied, "Well, you haven't met me yet." They have worked together ever since.

Her results protect people. She brought a full-price offer on the first day for a home that nearly sold 75,000 dollars under value. One buyer gained 98,000 dollars in equity at appraisal. She helped a client connect with a credit specialist and another family recover from an undisclosed flood risk.

Recognized as a Top Producer and Circle of Excellence recipient, Sarah measures success by the families she helps.

Summary

For a first-time buyer, a home can be the biggest purchase of a lifetime. For others, the decision comes after years away from the market, or because life has changed and home needs to change with it. Either way, the process can feel overwhelming. That is why trust matters, and why these agents put it at the center of their work.

Their honesty is practical. One tells clients plainly when a deal does not make sense, keeping the focus on the decision they will still feel good about years later. Another teaches fellow Realtors to treat every client as though they genuinely need their help. When problems arise, one agent makes a simple promise: she will solve it or find someone who can.

That approach has protected clients in meaningful ways. One brought a full-price offer on the first day for a home that was close to selling for $75,000 less than it was worth. Another helped a family recover from an undisclosed flood risk. Others prepare properties carefully and take on complicated negotiations so clients do not have to carry every detail themselves.

Their experience spans four to thirty-seven years, and for several, referrals and repeat business remain central to their work. One builder, after more than 25 years of working with Realtors and trusting none of them, found an agent here he has continued to work with.

They listen first. They explain clearly. They answer their calls. They follow through. It is quiet work, but it leaves a lasting impression.