Over 88% of buyers and sellers work with a real estate agent

Most Sellers/Buyers use a Realtor

February 11, 20262 min read

Did You Know? Over 88% of Buyers & Sellers Worked

With a Real Estate Agent : Here’s Why That Matters

“Did you know over 88% of buyers & sellers worked with a real estate agent?” If you’ve ever wondered whether hiring a Realtor® really makes a difference, the data from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) speaks for itself.

In the most recent NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers survey, 88% of home buyers reported working with a licensed real estate agent when purchasing their home and a record 91% of sellers worked with an agent to sell theirs.

Why Working With an Agent Is Still the Standard

Here’s what the latest industry data tells us:

🔹 Buyers trust agents for expertise Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make in their lifetime. Agents help navigate pricing, contracts, financing, inspections, and negotiations.

🔹 Sellers overwhelmingly choose agent support Nearly 91% of sellers enlisted an agent’s help in 2025 the highest level ever recorded because agents bring marketing, pricing strategy, buyer screening, and negotiation skills to the table.

🔹 FSBO sales are shrinking Only about 5% of sellers sold their homes without an agent. That tells us that most homeowners still see value in representation vs. going it alone.

Over 88% of buyers and sellers choose a real estate agent.

What These Numbers Mean for You

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just planning ahead, here’s what to take away:

Agents are trusted advisors — The fact that nearly 9 out of 10 buyers use agents shows that even in a digital age, people value professional guidance.

You’re not alone — Most homebuyers and sellers lean on real estate professionals because buying or selling without experience can cost time and money.

Recommendations matter — A large number of buyers found their agent through referrals or past relationships — meaning good agents get repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.

Lisa Bognuda Realtor operating under eXp Realty of Ca.,  specializing in listings, rightsizers and move-up buyers along the California Central Coast.  Contract: 805-868-6126 | lisa@move805.com

Lisa Bognuda Realtor

Lisa Bognuda Realtor operating under eXp Realty of Ca., specializing in listings, rightsizers and move-up buyers along the California Central Coast. Contract: 805-868-6126 | [email protected]

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