Published March 20, 2026
REAL ESTATE AGENTS REMAIN ESSENTIAL
REAL ESTATE AGENTS REMAIN ESSENTIAL
HOW HOME BUYERS FOUND THEIR HOME IN 2025
National Association of REALTORS®
National Association of REALTORS®
Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2025
Real estate professionals continue to play a central role in buying and selling homes.
88% of buyers purchased their home through an agent or broker, making agents the most trusted and frequently used information source—well ahead of online listings. Buyers primarily sought help finding the right home, negotiating terms and navigating paperwork. More than half of buyers said they valued that their agent pointed out property features or flaws they hadn’t noticed, and 76% of first-time buyers credited their agent with helping them understand the process.
Sellers also placed a high value on their agents’ expertise: 91% used a real estate agent matching the highest percentage on record. The top priorities when choosing an agent include getting help to market the home to potential buyers, pricing the home competitively and selling within a specific timeframe.
88% of buyers purchased their home through an agent or broker, making agents the most trusted and frequently used information source—well ahead of online listings. Buyers primarily sought help finding the right home, negotiating terms and navigating paperwork. More than half of buyers said they valued that their agent pointed out property features or flaws they hadn’t noticed, and 76% of first-time buyers credited their agent with helping them understand the process.
Sellers also placed a high value on their agents’ expertise: 91% used a real estate agent matching the highest percentage on record. The top priorities when choosing an agent include getting help to market the home to potential buyers, pricing the home competitively and selling within a specific timeframe.
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