HousingWireHousingWire
A new report from Anytime Estimate, a subsidiary of Clever, reveals that while the vast majority of American homesellers still plan to work with real estate agents in 2025, concerns about trust, commission fees, and agent value are reshaping expectations of those entering the housing market.
The survey of 1,000 homeowners planning to sell within the next year found that 91% intend to use a real estate agent. Yet only 63% consider agents “inherently necessary” to the home-selling process, down 10 percentage points from 2024.
Even among respondents planning to hire agents, only 70% said they trust them, the report noted, marking a decline from 81% in the prior year.
Commission questions, cost sensitivity
Commission fees remain a central concern for sellers, especially in the wake of the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) landmark settlement in 2024.
The settlement eliminated the ability of listing agents to advertise commissions in the MLS, instead shifting compensation negotiations from agent and seller to seller and buyer.
More than half (52%) of surveyed sellers said they’ve considered selling without an agent, with cost cited as the top reason. Among those opting out of traditional representation, 58% said commissions are too expensive.
Despite this, two-thirds of sellers said current commission structures — averaging 5.32% total according to the survey — are fair. Nearly half (47%) said they’d be willing to pay more if their home sold for a higher price, while 42% would do so for a faster sale.
“Commission sensitivity is prompting many to seek better value from agents or explore discount services,” the report stated. “Notably, 36% of sellers said they’d consider accepting a below-market offer to avoid paying commission fees.”
Shifting expectations and priorities
Most sellers view agents as instrumental in specific areas. Pricing the home ranked as the most critical agent responsibility, followed closely by marketing and handling legal paperwork.
Sellers are also prioritizing agents with strong local market experience (69%), up to date knowledge of conditions (64%), and communication skills (63%).
Despite these demands, many sellers are willing to overlook potential red flags. A majority said they’d still hire an agent who lacked experience in their local market (53%) or wouldn’t provide references (51%).
“Sellers want premium service, but many don’t vet agents rigorously,” the report noted. “Almost 9 in 10 sellers said they plan to interview just three or fewer agents before choosing one.”
AI enters the equation
The survey also shows a growing interest in tech-powered home sales.
Nearly half (49%) of sellers said they’d consider using an artificial intelligence (AI) platform to identify qualified buyers in their area, even though 69% don’t believe AI currently outperforms human agents.
Millennials in particular are more open to using artificial intelligence in place of traditional agents, the report said, with 13% of that cohort believing AI could net them the best price.
Meanwhile, 65% of sellers said they’d use a digital marketplace that combines real estate and mortgage services.
While face-to-face introductions remain popular (73% of sellers prefer in-person meetings when hiring an agent), 70% opt for phone, text, or email for follow-ups. Once listed, 75% expect multiple weekly updates from their agent, and 17% expect contact every day.
The process of selling is taking an emotional toll. A staggering 97% of sellers report feeling stressed, with top worries including physically moving (46%), getting poor offers (45%), and pricing their home correctly (41%).
Industry misgivings
Even as most sellers stick with agents, skepticism runs deep.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) believe agents prioritize profits over clients, and over half (55%) think agents contribute to inflated home prices.
More than a third (34%) said standards for becoming a Realtor are too low, and 53% believe the commission system is unfair, despite the recent overhaul. Only 27% plan to pay the buyer’s agent commission, a practice that was nearly universal before 2024.
“Sellers remain wary of a system they see as stacked against them,” the report stated. “Trust is waning, and transparency is more important than ever.”
A still-optimistic outlook
Despite complexities, 67% of sellers believe now is a good time to sell. However, 64% also wish they had sold during the more favorable conditions of 2022, when home prices peaked and properties flew off the market.
Today, sellers are more cautious with 71% expecting the sale process to take under three months, but more than half of first-time sellers believe it may take longer.
Unrealistic expectations persist. About 88% expect to accept an offer after 10 or fewer showings — far below the typical average of 10 to 25 — while half anticipate receiving four or more offers.
The full report can be found here.
