Connecticut’s property market continues to attract national and international attention, from luxury estates along the shoreline to vibrant family neighborhoods inland. Buyers and sellers alike are turning to trusted agents with proven track records, transparent client relationships, and measurable results. The following ten real estate professionals have distinguished themselves in 2025 through consistent performance, credibility, and client trust.
Rob Johnson – Brown Harris Stevens
Rob Johnson is recognized for his specialization in high-value estates across Greenwich and Fairfield County. His career has been closely followed by major media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, where he has provided insights on Connecticut’s luxury market. His portfolio includes record-setting transactions and high-profile waterfront properties that have drawn attention from both U.S. and international buyers.
Johnson is also known for raising the profile of real estate marketing by using media exposure as part of his sales strategy. Rather than focusing solely on traditional channels, he consistently integrates press visibility into his listings, enhancing credibility and reach. This blend of brokerage and public presence has helped solidify him as one of the most trusted luxury agents in the state.
Matt Hyde – The Hyde Homes Team, William Raveis Real Estate
With over 250 clients served and more than $150 million in sales, Matt Hyde has established himself as a versatile figure in Fairfield County real estate. He brings an extensive background in construction and remodeling, which gives buyers confidence in evaluating properties and sellers valuable guidance on maximizing their home’s value through renovations. Hyde’s business has become a trusted resource for first-time buyers, relocating families, and investors alike.
His geographic focus spans Fairfield, Westport, and Trumbull, as well as parts of lower New Haven County. Hyde’s ability to merge construction insight with negotiation skills has made him stand out in a crowded market. Clients often credit him with helping reduce stress in the buying or selling process by ensuring they are well-prepared and fully informed.
Danielle Claroni – “I Love Greenwich” Team, Sotheby’s International Realty
Danielle Claroni has gained recognition for her distinctive and theatrical marketing style. Whether jumping into a pool in a full suit or staging bold lifestyle-driven content, she has made property promotion in Greenwich memorable and engaging. Her approach goes beyond listing homes – it turns them into narratives that resonate with audiences online and offline.
This strategy has given her team a viral reputation, transforming social media engagement into measurable results. Claroni has pioneered a style that resonates with modern buyers, positioning her as one of the most recognizable figures in luxury real estate marketing in Connecticut. By blending creativity with professionalism, she has created a blueprint that other agents have begun to emulate.
Derek Spencer – Scalzo Real Estate
Derek Spencer’s career path reflects resilience, beginning as a garbage truck driver before transitioning into real estate. Today, he is recognized across Fairfield County for his personable style, treating clients as if they were family. His focus on listening and problem-solving has earned him five-star reviews across Google and Facebook, underscoring a consistent track record of reliability.
Clients value Derek for his ability to guide them through every step of the process, often helping navigate unexpected challenges. His commitment to detail and communication has positioned him as a trusted advisor in his community. In an industry where credibility matters, Derek has built his reputation on transparency and care for the people he serves.
Kevin Green – Berkshire Hathaway
Kevin Green has been a consistent top performer within Berkshire Hathaway’s Connecticut network. Ranked among the Top 10 out of 1,500 agents statewide from 2018 to 2023, he has averaged between 35 and 55 transactions annually. This consistency reflects both his sales ability and his capacity to maintain long-term client relationships through a large email and mailing database.
His achievements include repeated recognition for top sales and listings within his Wallingford office, along with placement in the top 5 percent of Berkshire Hathaway agents nationwide. Green is praised for his responsiveness and for going beyond basic transactions, offering steady guidance across all stages of the process. His reputation has made him a recognizable name across the state’s residential market.
Erin Giguiere – Regall Realty
In 2024, Erin Giguiere launched Regall Realty as a new brokerage in Connecticut. As principal broker, she has quickly gained recognition for her focus on long-term client relationships and referrals-driven business growth. Backed by more than 15 years of experience as a Realtor, Giguiere brings added credibility to her new agency, drawing on her established reputation for professionalism and trust. Her model emphasizes building relationships through transparency, allowing her to compete with larger, more established firms despite her company’s recent founding.
Based in the Farmington Valley, Giguiere serves clients across the state. Her early milestones include establishing her firm as a trusted option in a competitive environment, with reviews highlighting her reliability and clear communication. Regall Realty is now on track to expand its presence in 2025 as Giguiere continues to grow her brokerage.
Amy Rio – Executive Real Estate
As broker and owner of Executive Real Estate, Amy Rio has built one of Connecticut’s most established independent firms. With more than 38 years of experience, she closes more than 250 transactions each year and is widely regarded for her strategic ability to market homes for top-dollar results. Her approach involves detailed staging advice, competitive pricing, and marketing campaigns that reach both traditional and digital audiences.
Beyond her client work, Rio has shaped the industry as a mentor, team leader, and educator. She launched a real estate school to train new agents and has played an important role in elevating professional standards across the state. Her career has been marked by referrals and repeat clients, reflecting the trust she has built over decades.
Haysebell Cuadrado – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Gaetano Marra Homes
Since beginning her career, Haysebell Cuadrado has worked with more than 150 clients across Fairfield and New Haven Counties. She has been recognized with multiple Better Homes and Gardens awards, including Agent of the Year, Gold, and Platinum distinctions. Cuadrado emphasizes honesty and communication, focusing on helping clients navigate both simple and complex transactions.
Her reputation is supported by a five-star rating on Zillow, where clients highlight her empathy and persistence. Cuadrado also contributes to the professional community by supporting colleagues and sharing knowledge. For her, real estate is not only about transactions but about long-term relationships and trust within her community.
Maria Ruggeberg – William Raveis Real Estate
Maria Ruggeberg has served clients across Greenwich, Darien, and Wilton, building her reputation over 34 years as a Five Star Professional. Fluent in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English, she works with an international client base, which has added dimension to her practice in Connecticut’s diverse property market.
Ruggeberg also contributed to the industry through her six-year role on the Greenwich Association of Realtors’ Board of Directors, where she helped shape local policies. Known for her work ethic and integrity, she guides clients through competitive markets by balancing strategic pricing with negotiation skills. Her reputation has made her a respected figure among both clients and peers.
Jillian Klaff – Coldwell Banker Realty, Westport
With more than 31 years of experience, Jillian Klaff has sold over $600 million in property volume across lower Fairfield County. Her career spans a wide range of properties, from condominiums and starter homes to multimillion-dollar estates. As a Luxury Property Specialist with GRI and ABR certifications, she has built a reputation for strong negotiation and a client-centered process.
Klaff has also worked closely with builders early in her career, adding depth to her understanding of the construction side of real estate. She has earned memberships in Coldwell Banker’s International President’s Premier and President’s Elite groups, alongside repeated recognition in Real Trends and The Wall Street Journal. Her career reflects both longevity and adaptability to a changing market.
A Trusted Group of Professionals
Connecticut’s top agents in 2025 represent different career paths and personal stories, from independent brokers to luxury specialists within international firms. What unites them is measurable trust: consistent sales records, repeat clients, and reputations built on clarity and accountability. Together, they reflect the standards that buyers and sellers increasingly expect in one of the Northeast’s most competitive real estate markets.
