Best Realtors in Clearlake, CA (2026 Guide)
By Matthew Martinez
Clearlake is Lake County’s largest city, with about 16,700 residents on the southeast shore of Clear Lake along Lakeshore Drive and Highway 53. Census figures put its median home value well below the county’s, which draws first-time buyers, retirees and investors, and lot size, water and sewer service vary from block to block.
This guide is published by Diamond Real Estate Group, one of the brokerages listed. Our broker is listed first; other agents are in alphabetical order. The order is not a ranking, and inclusion is not an endorsement.
How we chose the agents in this guide
Each agent below met three checks in October 2026:
- A current California license. We opened each agent’s record on the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) public lookup and confirmed the name, license type (salesperson or broker) and a "Licensed" status with a current broker affiliation.
- A named brokerage. Each agent’s DRE record shows the brokerage they work under.
- A public profile that names Clearlake. We opened each agent’s brokerage or listing-site profile, or the brokerage’s Clearlake office roster, and confirmed it names Clearlake.
We did not rank agents, and we did not consider sales volume, reviews or awards. Licenses and affiliations change, so check the license yourself before you sign anything, and interview more than one agent.
Clearlake housing in numbers
| Census measure (ACS 2024 5-year) | Clearlake city |
|---|---|
| Population | 16,659 |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes | $214,200 |
| Median household income | $41,867 |
| Persons per household | 2.7 |
| Median age | 38.8 |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.1 minutes |
| Housing units | 7,709 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates, as presented by Census Reporter. The Census QuickFacts page did not load when we checked. Figures are estimates with margins of error.
Clearlake’s median owner-occupied value is about two-thirds of the Lake County figure of $324,300 reported by QuickFacts, and household incomes are lower too. The mean commute of 33 minutes reflects how many residents drive to jobs elsewhere. These are five-year survey figures, not current sale prices; ask an agent for recent sales of similar homes nearby.
A city of small lots around the south shore
Clearlake is incorporated, so the City of Clearlake handles zoning and permits inside city limits, while neighboring Lower Lake and Clearlake Riviera are unincorporated and fall under Lake County. Much of the north and east shore was subdivided early in the 20th century into small lots, and the County’s Shoreline Communities Area Plan names limited water and sewer as a constraint on growth in the lakeside towns. In Clearlake itself, ask which water and sewer providers serve a lot before you buy vacant land or plan to build.
For neighborhoods and listings, see our Clearlake real estate guide.
Costs and rules specific to a Clearlake purchase
- Transfer tax. The Lake County Assessor-Recorder fee schedule lists the documentary transfer tax at $1.10 per $1,000 and shows no city transfer tax, so a Clearlake sale pays the county rate only: about $236 on a $214,200 sale. See our California transfer tax guide.
- City permits. Additions, ADUs and new homes in city limits go through the City of Clearlake. Ask the seller for permit records and final inspections on any improvement.
- Vacant lots and utilities. For a lot, confirm water and sewer availability, connection fees, and any liens or unpaid assessments before you close.
- Fire hazard and insurance. Look up the address on the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, read the natural hazard disclosure report and get an insurance quote early.
- Flood zone. Lakeshore parcels can sit in mapped flood zones; check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
- Special taxes. Sellers must make a good-faith effort to disclose special tax districts under Civil Code section 1102.6b.
Clearlake agents with verified licenses
Matthew Martinez, Diamond Real Estate Group (publisher of this guide)
Matthew Martinez is the Founder, CEO and Managing Broker of Diamond Real Estate Group. He is based in Sonoma County; contact him to discuss a purchase or sale in Clearlake. Contact Matthew · Broker #01869679 · Diamond Group Estates Inc DBA Diamond Real Estate Group, DRE #02163490
| Agent | Brokerage | License | Areas named on profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Davis | CENTURY 21 Epic, Clearlake | Broker #00569283 | Clearlake office |
| Gregory Delane | CENTURY 21 Epic, Clearlake | Salesperson #02021965 | Clearlake office |
| Magen Estep | CENTURY 21 Epic, Clearlake | Salesperson #02356784 | Clearlake office |
| Danielle Grimm (licensed as Reba Danielle Grimm) | CENTURY 21 Epic, Clearlake | Salesperson #02099063 | Clearlake office |
| Ray Hellgren | CENTURY 21 Epic, Clearlake | Salesperson #00960337 | Clearlake office |
| Brittney Horn | CENTURY 21 Kobetz Realty, Ukiah | Salesperson #02236306 | Clearlake, Hidden Valley Lake, Clearlake Oaks, Lucerne, Nice |
| David Lucido | CENTURY 21 Epic, Lakeport | Salesperson #02053274 | Clearlake, Lakeport, Kelseyville, Clearlake Oaks |
| Jen Mullin (licensed as Jennifer Mullin) | RE/MAX Gold, Lakeport | Salesperson #01299223 | Clearlake, Lakeport, Middletown, Hidden Valley, Cobb |
| Kimberly Rupp | Navigate RE Co. | Salesperson #01480439 | Clearlake, Lower Lake, Lakeport, Kelseyville, Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, Cobb |
| Diane Sutton | Navigate RE Co. | Salesperson #01313634 | Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Lower Lake, Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake |
"Clearlake office" means the agent appears on the roster of CENTURY 21 Epic’s office at 14330 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake. On the DRE record, CENTURY 21 Epic agents are licensed under Century 21 Select Wine Country, Inc., CENTURY 21 Kobetz Realty agents under Kobetz Realty, Inc., Jen Mullin (RE/MAX Gold) under Norcal Gold Inc, and Kimberly Rupp and Diane Sutton (profiles on nexthome.com) under Navigate RE Co. Robert Davis is a broker associate; his DRE record shows a license term ending November 18, 2026, so check its renewal status on the lookup.
How to vet a Clearlake agent
- Ask how much of their work is in Clearlake. The city, Clearlake Riviera, Lower Lake and the north shore are separate markets.
- For a lot, ask about water, sewer and buildability. Small older lots may not support the home you plan.
- Ask for comparable sales on your street. Values vary widely between blocks near the lake and those uphill.
- Get an insurance quote early. Build the premium into your monthly budget before you write an offer.
- Order a full set of inspections. Older homes and manufactured homes may need roof, foundation, electrical and sewer-line checks.
- Check the license yourself. Confirm a "Licensed" status with a current broker on the DRE lookup.
Clearlake questions we hear
Does Clearlake have a city transfer tax?
The Lake County Assessor-Recorder’s fee schedule shows no city transfer tax, so a Clearlake sale pays the county rate of $1.10 per $1,000.
Why are Clearlake home values lower than elsewhere in Lake County?
Census estimates show a $214,200 median owner-occupied value for 2020–2024, versus $324,300 countywide. Older housing stock, small lots and lower local incomes all play a part; ask an agent about the specific street.
Is Clearlake a good place to buy a vacant lot?
It can be, but check water and sewer service, connection costs and any unpaid assessments first, and confirm with the City what you can build.
Which agents work both Clearlake and the north shore?
Several profiles in the table also name Clearlake Oaks, Lucerne or Nice. See our Lake County agents guide for more.
Sources & notes
- California DRE public license lookup (individual records linked in the table)
- Census Reporter, Clearlake city profile (ACS 2024 5-year)
- U.S. Census QuickFacts, Lake County
- Lake County Assessor-Recorder, Schedule of Fees
- Shoreline Communities Area Plan (Lake County)
- CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal, Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- CENTURY 21 Epic, Clearlake office roster; agent profiles linked in the table
- License records checked October 2026 on the California DRE public lookup. Last reviewed October 2026 by Matthew Martinez.
Related: Clearlake real estate guide · Clearlake home valuation · Lake County agents guide · 20 tips for choosing a real estate agent
License-status update: the linked California DRE public records were checked November 2, 2026 and showed "Licensed." Public profile research retains the dates stated above. Names on DRE records may differ from public profile names; verify status and brokerage before selecting an agent.
