In the competitive real estate market of the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region, thousands of agents help clients buy and sell homes each year. Among the many recognitions available, one stands out because it is not based on sales figures but on the votes of clients and peers. Each year, Washingtonian magazine names its “100 Best Agents,” a list determined by a public vote. Daryl Judy of Washington Fine Properties, named to the 2026 list, views this recognition as a reflection of trust built steadily over time.
Washingtonian has long been the DC area’s leading guide, covering dining, culture, neighborhoods, and influential people. Its annual “Best of Washington” features are familiar, and the real estate list, published each July, is among the most closely watched. For buyers and sellers across the DMV, appearing on this list has served as a trusted signal when choosing an agent.
The “100 Best Agents” list is compiled from a survey of the magazine’s readership and the wider real estate community. Washingtonian sends the survey to roughly 50,000 subscribers, along with agents who appeared on previous lists, asking whom they have most enjoyed working with. Respondents weigh qualities such as market knowledge, integrity, communication, and preparation through closing. The magazine then vets the results with other industry professionals, including fellow agents, mortgage brokers, and inspectors.
This process is separate from Washingtonian’s production-based honors, which recognize sales volume. The two capture different aspects: volume honors reflect how much an agent sold in a year, while the public vote reflects how clients and peers experience working with an agent—a quality that accumulates over time. For a buyer or seller with no prior context, the significance is clear: out of thousands of agents in the region, being named among roughly 100, chosen by those who have worked alongside them, is a meaningful marker of trust. It cannot be bought with advertising and is difficult to earn from a single strong year.
Daryl Judy emphasized that the award is not based on an ad or pay-per-play. “It’s based on reputation, based on what the public perceives you to be as one of the 100 best agents out of 25,000,” he said. He noted that the recognition rewards consistency rather than a single moment. “This is not an award you can win by having one lucky sale or one good year,” he added. “It’s reputation, year after year after year. It takes a long time to build.”
Reputation in real estate runs on two tracks: how clients see an agent and how peers do. A public vote captures both. When multiple offers arrive on a listing, the listing agent’s read on each buyer’s agent can shape how a seller weighs competing bids. A track record of clear, reliable communication makes every transaction smoother for all parties. For buyers and sellers comparing agents, a recognition built on the experiences of clients and peers over many years offers insight into how an agent is likely to handle pricing, negotiation, and judgment calls—something a single year’s figures cannot provide.
Daryl Judy is an Associate Broker with Washington Fine Properties, specializing in luxury residential real estate across Washington, DC, McLean, Arlington, Alexandria, Chevy Chase, and Bethesda. He is consistently ranked among the top individual agents in the DC market by volume. This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above and is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice.
