Real Estate Trends & How Buyers Are Using AI

The Rise of AI in Real Estate Information Search

A major trend shaping consumer behavior in 2025 is the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) for real estate research and decision-making.

According to a Realtor.com® survey conducted in August 2025:

• 82% of Americans report using AI tools to gather information about the housing market—an adoption rate that spans both buyers and sellers.

• Major AI platforms like ChatGPT (67%) and Gemini (54%) are the most frequently used tools for housing market insights.

• Consumers also frequently turn to social media platforms—such as YouTube (73%) and Facebook (57%)—for housing content, with Gen Z notably relying on TikTok (76%) for real estate information.

These findings highlight that while technology is rapidly transforming how people research real estate, agents remain the most trusted source of accurate, market-specific guidance. In the same survey:

• 62% of respondents said real estate agents make them “smarter” about the market, slightly higher than AI (61%).

• Other sources such as friends and family, television, and social media lagged behind, with many respondents noting that these sources often provide generic or inapplicable information.

What this underscores is that consumers are blending tech convenience with human expertise—looking to AI for broad insights and speed, but relying on local professionals for context and accuracy.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Buyers

• AI can streamline your home search by quickly filtering listings, identifying trends, and providing broad market context.

• But AI tools do not replace localized market knowledge—whether it’s understanding neighborhood comps, seasonal trends, or unique community factors. That still requires professional insight.

• With only about 28% of homes in the U.S. considered affordable to the typical household, informed guidance is more valuable than ever when evaluating offers and purchase strategies.

For Sellers

• AI can help you get preliminary estimates and insights into price ranges, buyer interest patterns, and market velocity.

• However, algorithms cannot account for property-specific features, recent comps, and qualitative advantages that a local agent can provide.

• In markets where seller expectations remain high, real expert evaluation ensures pricing that balances return with marketability.

The Future of Real Estate Information

AI will continue to play an expanding role in real estate, but its optimal use lies in augmenting—not replacing—the human element of the transaction. Tools like AI can help educate and inform, but critical decisions about pricing, timing, negotiation, and strategy still benefit from trusted local expertise.

As the data shows, whether you are buying or selling, partnering with a qualified REALTOR® gives you clarity and confidence—especially in markets with unique dynamics like O‘ahu.

If you have questions about how these trends affect your own real estate goals, or would like a personalized market overview or home valuation, I’m here to help.