Spotlight: Joey Zarrillo, Kansas City’s Trusted Real Estate Expert

Joey Zarrillo is a lifelong Kansas City-area realtor whose community roots and professional drive have made him a standout agent in Blue Springs and beyond[1]. Originally from Independence, he and his high school sweetheart wife lived in Virginia while he served in the U.S. Navy and returned home to Eastern Jackson County to raise their family[1]. On his profile, he emphasizes that his hometown (KC Metro) upbringing gives him deep local knowledge, and he “took pride in serving [his] clients with professionalism, authenticity, and honesty – our reputation depends on it”[2]. Today, as a REMAX Heritage REALTOR®, Joey covers a broad swath of the metro area (from Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit to Overland Park and Shawnee)[3]. He markets himself as a “full-time, professional REALTOR® who truly cares,” combining full-time availability with a neighborly, people-first ethos[4][1].

Community Roots and Professional Values

Joey Zarrillo’s backstory illustrates his commitment to the Kansas City community. As he notes on his website and chamber profiles, “My wife and I were high school sweethearts… after serving in the U.S. Navy, we returned to Eastern Jackson County to raise our family. We grew up in this area and are very familiar with the KC Metro. We believe in being active in our community, and a career in real estate was a great way to do so while helping others”[1]. In other words, Zarrillo combines a KC-native’s network with a service-oriented approach: community volunteerism (from Habitat for Humanity to school and charity work) is central to how he defines success. He has said he chose REMAX Heritage because he “partners with the #1 Recognized Real Estate Brand” to get the tools and support needed to give clients a stellar experience[2]. Indeed, Zarrillo advertises that his reputation depends on serving every client “with professionalism, authenticity, and honesty”[2]. Local colleagues echo this commitment: he’s been named the Blue Springs Chamber’s Connector of the Year for 2016 and Lee’s Summit Chamber’s New Member of the Year, honoring his work connecting people and businesses[5].

Local Expertise and Service Areas

Specializing in the greater Kansas City market, Zarrillo is known for broad local expertise. His REMAX and team websites list dozens of service areas and neighborhoods, from Blue Springs and Grain Valley to Independence, Overland Park, Shawnee, and Lee's Summit[3]. He often emphasizes that he is very familiar with the KC Metro and can guide buyers and sellers through market nuances citywide[1]. Zarrillo also highlights professional designations (like ABR, SRS, AHWD, RENE, C2EX) on his profiles[6][7], indicating specialized training in areas such as buyer representation, seller representation, diversity, and negotiation.

His listing of specialties and experience shows a wide-ranging skill set[8]. He works with first-time home buyers, seniors and downsizers, investors, and luxury-market clients alike – even niche categories like horse properties or waterfront homes are listed on his Realtor profile[8]. According to Homes.com and Zillow, Joey is both a buyer’s and seller’s agent, with added emphasis on relocations and helping veterans[9][8]. In short, first-time buyers and long-time homeowners have found him equipped to handle their needs. Zillow notes he has 7+ years of experience in residential real estate[9], and his own site advertises that he handles everything from first-time homes to luxury home deals[8].

His clients span a range of budgets and needs. Public records on Zillow and Homes.com list roughly 200+ closed sales in recent years, with sale prices ranging from the mid-$70,000s up to $1+ million[10][11]. One public tally shows 82 seller-side deals totaling about $24.9 million and 68 buyer-side deals worth about $23.0 million in the last few years[10][11], reflecting a steady volume in both markets. Joey himself often mentions that he believes in educating and caring for clients at every step, whether they are purchasing a fixer-upper or marketing a luxury listing.

Client-Centric Approach and Testimonials

Clients consistently praise Zarrillo’s work ethic and personal touch. Online testimonials frequently highlight his responsiveness, patience, and honesty. One client summed it up: “Joey is phenomenal. He is honest, courteous, and is always looking out for your best interest… [He is] professional… patient… made selling our home as stress-free as possible. Not only did we find a great realtor but a friend as well.”[12]. Another newly-retired couple relocating from Colorado noted Joey was “extremely responsive every step of the way and so very courteous and professional… [he] was very patient” as they searched from 10 hours away, ultimately finding the perfect retirement home. “We feel Joey represents everything a great realtor should be and cannot recommend him highly enough,” they wrote[13]. First-time buyers echo this sentiment: one said Joey made the process feel “like working with an Uncle or a trusted family member!”, always more focused on answering questions than just closing a deal[14].

Many also note he works “above and beyond.” In testimonials, they describe him as “very hard-working and kind,” detail-oriented, and always making them feel like “the number 1 priority”[15][16]. His clients emphasize that he’s readily available and that he proactively coordinates inspections, repairs, and vendors so sellers don’t have to worry. As one homeowner put it, “He took care of the stressful stuff while we both worked full-time... We felt confident the entire time that Joey had our best interest at heart. He’s the real deal and now a trusted friend.”[17]. Others praise his knowledge of the local markets: one buyer said, “He knew the area we were wanting to move to extremely well,” while another noted he made their first home purchase “seamless” by calling with answers to every question[18][19].

His team’s website and Zillow profile also feature five-star reviews along these lines. For example, a pair of new buyers commented that Joey was “consistently communicative, informative, and supportive, making what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and manageable”. Another local said simply, “Helpful, responsive, patient, and an all-around great guy”[20]. In short, Zarrillo’s reputation among clients is of an agent who listens closely, communicates frequently, and truly advocates for his clients’ needs.

Awards and Recognition

Zarrillo’s market success is reflected in multiple honors. Within REMAX, he’s earned club awards that mark high production. He has received the REMAX 100% Club Award (achieved in 2019 and 2020) and the REMAX Platinum Club Award (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024)[5][21], indicating top-ranked sales volumes. Locally, the Blue Springs Chamber named him Connector of the Year 2016, and the Lee’s Summit Chamber named him New Member of the Year 2016 for his role in networking with community members[5]. He is also recognized as a Five-Star REALTOR® and appears in a REMAX Hall of Fame list[7], signifying consistent high achievement. Each award underscores his work ethic and results.

Blue Springs Chamber – Connector of the Year 2016 and Lee’s Summit Chamber – New Member of the Year 2016[5].
REMAX 100% Club (2019 and 2020)[5].
REMAX Platinum Club (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024)[21].
Five Star REALTOR® Award and inclusion in the REMAX Hall of Fame[7].

These accolades are matched by solid sales statistics. Publicly available data show he has closed hundreds of home sales with total volumes in the tens of millions. Sites like Zillow indicate he has 206 transactions listed and sold (with the most active neighborhoods being Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, and Grain Valley)[22][7]. He’s often listed among top agents in annual rankings for the Kansas City area. In short, both peers and platforms recognize Joey as a high-performing agent.

Digital Presence and Local Outreach

Zarrillo maintains an active online presence to connect with modern homebuyers. He’s the founder of the ZTeamKC.com site (the “Z Team”), where he posts market updates and community-focused blog content (Father’s Day and Mother’s Day KC activities, spring cleaning tips, etc., are featured on his blog). He also engages clients via social media – his Zillow profile links to a team Facebook page, Instagram, and a YouTube channel[23]. His Instagram bio proclaims the same caring motto: “If you're looking for a full-time, professional REALTOR® who truly cares, please call me”[4]. In short, he leverages every platform to share tips and stay accessible.

Locally, Joey sponsors events and keeps an ear to community happenings. He’s involved with chambers of commerce (in Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, and Independence) and often participates in outreach like educational first-time buyer seminars or charity events (for example, Children’s Miracle Network fundraisers through REMAX). His civic resume mentions varied causes – from Adopt-A-Highway cleanups to Make-A-Wish campaigns[24] – reflecting that community engagement is part of his identity as much as home sales. This local involvement also feeds back into his work; as one profile notes, he truly wants “to earn the opportunity to work with you” in whatever community corner you need a home[25].

Across Kansas City and the suburbs, Joey Zarrillo has built a reputation as a hard-working, personable agent who knows the local market inside and out. Whether a family is moving back from the military, a couple buying their first home, or a senior relocating to be near grandchildren, clients find an agent who listens and acts in their best interest. As one satisfied client said simply, “Joey was incredible... very knowledgeable when it came to the buying and selling process”[26]. It’s precisely this blend of expertise and authenticity – a native KC enthusiast who treats every client like family – that makes Joey Zarrillo a standout choice for anyone looking to buy or sell in the metro area.

Sources: Agent bio and profiles from REMAX.com, ZTeamKC.com, and Kansas City-area chambers[1][2][27][5][21]; client testimonials from ZTeamKC.com and Zillow[12][16][19][28][13]; sales and awards data from Homes.com and Zillow[9][10][11][7].