Technology may be aiding home searches, but buyers know they can only go so far before they need a real estate agent. Eighty-seven percent of all buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent—and 92 percent among buyers 28 and younger, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released 2019 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report.
The biggest benefit of using a real estate agent during buyers’ home search was the help they provided understanding the process, with young home shoppers ranking that benefit particularly high. Also, buyers appreciated agents who pointed out unnoticed features and faults with the property.
National Association of REALTORS®
Referrals continue to be an important way to get new clients in real estate. Most buyers, regardless of their age group, found a real estate agent by receiving a referral from a friend, neighbor, or relative. Sixty-eight percent of buyers interviewed only one real estate agent.
Some of the characteristics buyers say they value most about their real estate agent: “Honesty and trustworthy,” followed by the agent’s experience and their reputation.
National Association of REALTORS®
Buyers also rated communications from their agents as important. In particular, they gave high marks to agents for calling them to personally inform them of all activities in the transaction or house hunt; sending postings as soon as a property is listed, price changes, or a home is under contract; and sending property information and communicating via text message.
