Matthew Sharman, team leader of The Sharman Team at Real Broker NY LLC, has been honored in three categories of the 2026 RateMyAgent Awards: County Winner for Livingston County, City Winner for Conesus Lake, and State Winner as a Top 10 Agent in New York. These awards, which are determined solely by verified client reviews tied to completed transactions, reflect Sharman's commitment to client satisfaction rather than mere sales volume. His recognition places him among the most highly rated real estate professionals in the state.
The RateMyAgent Awards, launched in the United States in 2021, are notable for their brokerage-agnostic approach. Unlike traditional industry accolades that often prioritize sales figures, this program measures the quality of the client experience as reported by the clients themselves. For Sharman, this distinction is significant. "These awards are decided by clients, not by a spreadsheet, and that is what makes them mean something to me," he said. "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."
Sharman's practice specializes in waterfront and lake-access properties across Conesus Lake, Honeoye Lake, Silver Lake, and the western Finger Lakes, as well as the greater Rochester market and the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and Wyoming counties). His expertise lies in the technical details that differentiate one waterfront property from another: usable frontage versus recorded frontage, water depth and lake bottom composition, lot orientation, dock and breakwater condition, and the shared-access and easement arrangements that govern neighboring property use. "Buyers on Conesus Lake are more selective than they have ever been," Sharman noted. "They deserve someone who can tell them exactly what they are buying, down to the foot of frontage."
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 has provided the team with a deep understanding of the western Finger Lakes market's evolution and how historical factors influence current property values. Such insight is invaluable in a market where waterfront properties carry unique complexities and high stakes.
The implications of Sharman's awards extend beyond personal recognition. They signal a growing trend in the real estate industry toward valuing client feedback as a primary metric of success. In an era where online reviews shape consumer decisions across industries, the RateMyAgent platform offers a transparent, verifiable way for homebuyers and sellers to identify agents who consistently deliver exceptional service. For the Livingston County and Conesus Lake communities, Sharman's achievements highlight the availability of top-tier real estate representation in their local market, potentially boosting confidence among prospective clients who may have previously looked to larger metropolitan areas for expertise.
Moreover, these awards underscore the importance of specialized knowledge in niche markets like waterfront real estate. As Sharman's success demonstrates, clients are not just looking for any agent; they are seeking professionals who can navigate the intricacies of lakefront transactions. By focusing on the fine points that matter most to waterfront property owners, Sharman has carved out a reputation that resonates with clients and translates into verified positive reviews.
In a broader context, the 2026 RateMyAgent Awards reflect a shift in how professional excellence is measured in real estate. As the industry continues to evolve, the emphasis on client satisfaction and ethical practice is likely to grow, benefiting both consumers and agents who prioritize service over sales. Sharman's triple win serves as a testament to the power of client-centric approaches and the enduring value of local expertise.
