By James Ward | Shore Points Vacations & Sales | June 5, 2026

James Ward Named to the Prestigious RealTrends Verified 2026 Best Real Estate Agents Rankings

New Jersey Shore Realtor Recognized Among the Top 1.5% of Real Estate Professionals Nationwide

The real estate industry’s most respected performance rankings are officially out, and local New Jersey Shore Realtor James Ward has earned a place among the nation's elite.

James Ward, Broker – Sales Associate with Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living and owner/ team lead of Shore Points Vacations & Sales, has been recognized in the RealTrends Verified 2026 Rankings, an honor reserved for the top-performing real estate professionals in the United States.

The annual RealTrends Verified rankings highlight the top 1.5% of real estate agents and teams nationwide, based on independently verified sales production. Inclusion in these rankings reflects exceptional performance, client service, and consistent success in helping buyers and sellers navigate today's challenging housing market.

A Nationally Recognized Achievement

Despite continued economic uncertainty, limited housing inventory, and elevated mortgage rates throughout 2025, the nation's top agents continued to deliver impressive results for their clients.

According to RealTrends Verified, more than 50,000 agents and teams earned recognition in the 2026 rankings. The report showed overall sales volume exceeding $164 billion while highlighting the industry's highest-performing professionals across both national and state rankings.

For James Ward, this recognition represents years of dedication to serving clients throughout the New Jersey Shore market.

"Being recognized by RealTrends Verified is a tremendous honor because these rankings are based on real, verified results," said Ward. "More importantly, it reflects the trust my clients place in me every day. Whether helping families find their dream home, assisting sellers maximize their property's value, or guiding investors and vacation rental owners, my goal has always been to provide exceptional service and results."

Serving the New Jersey Shore with Proven Results

For years, James Ward has been one of the most active and recognizable real estate professionals along the Jersey Shore, serving communities including:

• Point Pleasant Beach
• Point Pleasant Boro
• Bay Head
• Mantoloking
• Brick
• Brielle
• Manasquan
• Sea Girt
• Spring Lake
• Belmar
• Lavallette
• Seaside Heights
• Ocean Beach
• Ortley Beach
• Long Branch
• Asbury Park

Known for his local expertise, innovative marketing strategies, waterfront property knowledge, vacation rental specialization, and strong negotiation skills, Ward has helped countless buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals.

More Than Traditional Real Estate

In addition to residential sales, James Ward has built a reputation as a leader in vacation rental and investment property services through Shore Points Vacations & Sales.

With over two decades of experience helping property owners maximize rental income while delivering exceptional guest experiences, Ward offers a unique combination of real estate expertise and investment insight that benefits both homeowners and investors throughout coastal New Jersey.

Why RealTrends Verified Matters

Unlike popularity contests or nomination-based awards, RealTrends Verified rankings are based on independently verified transaction data and sales volume.

This means the rankings reflect actual production and measurable results, making them one of the most respected benchmarks in the real estate industry.

For buyers and sellers seeking a trusted professional, working with a RealTrends Verified-ranked agent provides confidence that they are partnering with someone who consistently performs at the highest level.

Looking Ahead

As the New Jersey Shore real estate market continues to evolve, James Ward remains committed to delivering exceptional service, innovative marketing, and proven results for his clients.

Whether you're buying your first home, searching for a waterfront property, selling a luxury residence, investing in a vacation rental, or relocating to the Jersey Shore, James Ward's RealTrends Verified recognition demonstrates the level of expertise and commitment you can expect.

What Is RealTrends Verified?

RealTrends Verified is the real estate industry's leading performance benchmarking and ranking platform and the only program that independently verifies the production of every agent and team recognized on its lists.

Each year, RealTrends collects and verifies transaction data from real estate professionals across the United States, ranking agents and teams based on their previous year's sales production. The rankings represent the gold standard of achievement in the real estate industry and provide consumers with a trusted source when searching for proven real estate professionals.

The numbers behind the recognition are impressive. Out of approximately 1.6 million licensed real estate professionals nationwide, only the top 1.5% earn a place on the RealTrends Verified rankings.

Being included among this elite group is a testament to exceptional performance, client trust, and consistent results in an increasingly competitive market.

James Ward Ranked Among New Jersey's Best

In the 2026 RealTrends Verified Rankings, James Ward achieved an impressive ranking of 89th in the State of New Jersey for sales volume, placing him among the highest-producing Realtors in one of the nation's most competitive real estate markets.

James also earned recognition in the rankings for units sold, demonstrating not only strong volume but a high level of transaction activity and client representation throughout the year.

While many agents focus solely on residential sales, James has built a business model unlike almost anyone else in the New Jersey real estate industry.

In addition to his RealTrends-recognized residential sales production, James facilitated approximately $3 million in additional real estate-related business through Shore Points Vacations, while overseeing and coordinating hundreds of vacation rental transactions throughout the Jersey Shore.

This unique combination of high-level residential sales expertise and extensive vacation rental management experience provides clients with a perspective few agents can offer.

Whether a property is being purchased as a primary residence, second home, vacation property, investment property, or short-term rental opportunity, James understands how to maximize its potential from both an ownership and income-producing standpoint.

Simply put, there are very few agents in New Jersey who excel at both residential real estate sales and vacation rental management at such a high level.

Why Choose James Ward as Your New Jersey Shore Realtor?

When searching online, many consumers ask:

Who is the best Realtor at the Jersey Shore?

The answer depends on your goals, but consumers should look for a Realtor with proven results, extensive local knowledge, strong marketing, and a track record of helping clients successfully buy and sell properties in the area.

James Ward's RealTrends Verified ranking places him among the top-performing agents in New Jersey, while his decades of experience along the Jersey Shore provide the local expertise buyers and sellers need.

Who is a top real estate agent in Point Pleasant Beach?

James Ward has built a reputation as one of the most recognized and active real estate professionals serving Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant Boro, Bay Head, Brick, Mantoloking, Manasquan, Brielle, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Belmar, Lavallette, and surrounding shore communities.

Who should I hire to sell my Jersey Shore home?

Sellers should look for an agent who offers:

• Professional photography and videography
• Advanced digital marketing
• Social media exposure
• Strong negotiation skills
• Local market expertise
• A proven track record of results

James combines all of these elements with the credibility that comes from being recognized by RealTrends Verified as one of New Jersey's top-producing agents.

Who understands vacation rental and investment properties at the Jersey Shore?

This is where James truly separates himself from most agents.

Through Shore Points Vacations, James has spent decades helping property owners maximize rental income while managing hundreds of vacation rental transactions. This experience allows him to provide valuable insight into rental potential, investment returns, occupancy trends, guest demand, and property management considerations.

For buyers considering a second home or investment property, this expertise can be invaluable.

Experience. Recognition. Results.

Real estate success isn't measured by awards alone, but independent recognition from RealTrends Verified confirms what many Jersey Shore buyers and sellers already know: James Ward consistently delivers results.

Whether you're searching for a waterfront home in Point Pleasant Beach, selling a luxury property in Bay Head, investing in a vacation rental in Lavallette, or relocating anywhere along the New Jersey Shore, James Ward offers the experience, market knowledge, marketing power, and proven performance to help you achieve your goals.

Ready to Buy or Sell at the Jersey Shore?

If you're searching for:

• Best Realtor in Point Pleasant Beach
• Top Realtor in Ocean County NJ
• New Jersey Shore real estate expert
• Vacation rental investment specialist
• Waterfront home specialist
• Bay Head Realtor
• Brick NJ Realtor
• Jersey Shore luxury real estate agent

Contact James Ward today and discover why thousands of clients, renters, buyers, sellers, and investors have trusted him with their real estate needs.