Today’s buyers and sellers are using AI to arrive more informed than ever on day one. But information is not a replacement for expertise. Zillow Home Trends Expert Amanda Pendleton shares what the Inman Inflection Report reveals about what clients value most in an agent.
Key takeaways:
- Buyers and sellers are more informed than ever. 61% of buyers, 70% of first-time buyers and 64% of sellers used AI during their home search or sale.
- They still use agents at consistently high rates. 84% of first-time buyers, 85% of repeat buyers and 89% of sellers use an agent, on par with last year.
- 54% of buyers hired the first agent they contacted. They choose on local expertise, specialized skills and trust.
- Buyers and sellers most value strategic help: offer strategy for buyers and pricing for sellers rank highly.
- Informed clients aren’t trying to cut agents out. They’re trying to feel prepared for one of the biggest financial decisions of their life, and an agent’s local knowledge and relationships are what get them there.
