Understanding What Buyers Want from Real Estate Agents in 2025

It’s more important than ever for real estate agents to be aware of not only market trends but also client expectations. In 2025, there are several important qualities buyers are looking for when selecting and working with an agent.

Response is Everything

Did you know most buyers select the first agent they interview/talk to? According to Zillow’s 2025 Consumer Housing Trends Report for Agents, “71% of recent buyers spoke with one or two agents before making a decision, while 47% hired the first agent they contacted. Among repeat buyers, 52% worked with the first agent they reached out to.”

This means that not only do you need to make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you, but you also need to be extremely responsive when any contact is made. Get to the phone or computer and respond to their request within five minutes. Then do your homework so they can see your ability to personalize services to meet their needs.

Online Presence is a Must

In most cases, when a home buyer is looking to hire a real estate agent they are going to go online to search for one. Or they are going to ask around and find out who their friends and family have used. Because of this it is so important your online presence is impressive. What does this mean?

• Your real estate website should be up-to-date and user friendly. Be sure to have your expertise on display by including past client testimonials, links to articles or blogs you may have written, and current listings. It should also be concise and easy to navigate.
• Your social media matters. Zillow’s report also found that, “44% of buyers said they were more willing to hire an agent if they were on social media.” To increase your leads, create a social media strategy and be sure to showcase relevant and compelling information. If a potential client sees your insights and believes in you before even talking to you, this will increase the likelihood of them choosing you as their real estate agent.
• Technology is your friend. Many real estate agents are investing in technology that will further streamline the home buying and selling process for their clients. Whether it’s through drone video footage or AI chatbots on their websites, taking your technology to the next level will make you stand out and turn leads into clients.

Texting Must be a Priority

According to the Zillow’s study, most buyers prefer to communicate with their real estate agent via text. The report shows, “Only 33% of buyers prefer to communicate with agents via phone call, while more than half (53%) prefer to text or use a messaging app. Another 13% prefer email, meaning two-thirds of buyers favor written communication.”

What does this mean for agents in 2025? Consider adding a texting or messaging app to your service offering. And be sure to respond to any text you receive within five minutes. However, this does not mean that phone conversations are obsolete. In this housing industry, phone calls are still a must. But understanding that most clients will rely heavily on text is important for your success.

Focus on These Top Services

Real estate agents offer so many services to their clients, but which ones matter the most? Zillow asked buyers to list the top services they want from their agents. The results are:

• Help with Making Offers: Over 50% of buyers are looking for help in the details of making an offer. Real estate agents understand that crafting a great offer can sometimes be tricky. Be sure you’re offer-making skills are up-to-date and focus on the importance of this service when you chat with potential leads.
• Paperwork Assistance: One thing that comes with buying a home is paperwork. And even if much of it is now processed online, for the average buyer, this can be overwhelming. Helping your clients organize and submit paperwork is a must. Be prepared to work with them on everything from purchase agreements to title and closing documents. Speaking of, be sure you’re partnering with a trusted title company, like Velocity Title, that uses the latest technology and expertise to exceed closing expectations.
• Identifying Potential Homes: According to Zillow’s study, 46% of buyers felt this service was very important. As a real estate agent, you have a unique focus and expertise on certain area(s). Showcase your knowledge and discuss with buyers how you can help them find properties that they most likely would have overlooked.
• Contract Negotiations: This is an important area for real estate agents to understand and guide their buyers through when purchasing a property. Buyers can often feel overwhelmed with this process which is why it’s so important the agent they choose in 2025 is able to lead them in the right direction. Be sure you understand how to ask for concessions, price negotiations and counteroffer management.
• Home Showings: One of the most exciting parts of homebuying for buyers is going to view potential homes. Buyers are looking to real estate agents to guide them through this process. From setting up the times to meeting them there and answering questions/discussing options—this is an important part to a successful client/agent relationship.

As you can see there’s a lot of things buyers want from real estate agents in 2025. By understanding these needs you can set yourself up to increase leads and turn them into satisfied clients.

Velocity Title Moves Your Business Forward

Velocity Title supports the real estate industry with a comprehensive line of title services that add value to each and every transaction. At Velocity Title, Our Personal Support Makes You Look Good Every Time! With a focus on the best CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, Velocity Title incorporates leading title TECHNOLOGY and EXPERTISE into every transaction—enabling the final step in the home buying process to be EASY, EFFICIENT and INFORMATIVE. For the perfect settlement experience every time, click here or contact us today!