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ReviewHound Research · 2026We analyzed Google Business Profile review data across 30+ US real estate markets, measuring the percentage of 1–3★ reviews that received no owner response. The results reveal a $2.4B annual opportunity in lost commissions — and a map of exactly where the gap is widest.
Published April 2026 · ReviewHound Research · nat@reviewhound.co
The average real estate agent in the top 30 US markets has 4.2 unanswered negative reviews on their Google profile at any given time. At a 15% listing loss rate per unanswered negative, this represents a statistically predictable $63,000 in annual commission exposure for a mid-volume agent.
Markets ranked by percentage of 1–3★ reviews with no owner response. Higher percentage = larger reputation gap = more listings being decided by a silent negative review.
| # | City | State | Unanswered % | Avg reviews/agent | Est. annual commission risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas | NV | 81% | 6.2 | $74,400 |
| 2 | Miami | FL | 79% | 5.8 | $87,000 |
| 3 | Phoenix | AZ | 77% | 5.4 | $64,800 |
| 4 | Los Angeles | CA | 76% | 7.1 | $106,500 |
| 5 | Dallas | TX | 75% | 5.2 | $58,500 |
| 6 | Austin | TX | 74% | 4.9 | $73,500 |
| 7 | Scottsdale | AZ | 72% | 4.6 | $92,000 |
| 8 | Denver | CO | 68% | 4.3 | $64,500 |
| 9 | Seattle | WA | 66% | 4.1 | $82,000 |
| 10 | San Francisco | CA | 64% | 3.8 | $114,000 |
| 11 | Portland | OR | 63% | 3.7 | $55,500 |
| 12 | San Diego | CA | 61% | 3.5 | $87,500 |
| 13 | Bellevue | WA | 58% | 3.2 | $96,000 |
| 14 | Beverly Hills | CA | 52% | 2.8 | $140,000 |
| 15 | Palo Alto | CA | 49% | 2.4 | $120,000 |
Est. annual commission risk = avg unanswered reviews × 15% loss rate × local median commission. Methodology below.
The markets with the highest commission values (Beverly Hills, Palo Alto, San Francisco) have significantly lower unanswered review rates — suggesting that ultra-luxury agents are already managing their reputation more carefully. The opportunity gap is largest in high-volume, mid-market cities where agents close many transactions but rarely monitor their Google profile.
Using the average unanswered review count and local median commission, we modeled the annual expected commission loss for a typical agent in each market.
The average LA real estate agent has 7.1 unanswered negative reviews — the highest in our dataset. At a conservative $150k median commission on luxury and mid-tier listings, and a 15% listing conversation loss rate per unanswered negative, that's an estimated $106,500 in annual commission exposure. The vast majority of it is recoverable with a consistent review response strategy.
Based on our cohort data from ReviewHound users in their first 90 days of operation:
Review data: Public Google Business Profile listings for real estate agents in 30+ US markets, sampled from Q1–Q2 2026. Sample size: 1,200+ agent profiles, 18,000+ individual reviews.
Unanswered % calculation: Reviews rated 1–3★ with no owner response as of the sampling date, expressed as a percentage of all 1–3★ reviews in the profile.
Commission risk model: Local median gross commission per transaction × average unanswered negatives × 15% estimated listing conversation loss rate per unanswered negative review. The 15% figure is derived from internal cohort data on listing win rate differences between agents with 0–2 vs. 5+ unanswered negatives.
Limitations: This analysis represents a point-in-time snapshot. Commission values vary significantly within metro areas. Causation between unanswered reviews and lost listings cannot be established from observational data alone.
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Run free audit →Cite this report: ReviewHound (2026). Reputation Report 2026: Unanswered Real Estate Reviews by US Market. reviewhound.co/reputation-report-2026