30 Key Real Estate Insights You Need to Know in 2025

Last Updated on July 3, 2025

Picture this: You're sitting at your desk, coffee in hand, scrolling through the latest home listings, and you realize—again—how much the real estate world has changed in just the past year. Maybe you’re a seasoned agent, a first-time homebuyer, or just someone who loves tracking Zillow listings like it’s a competitive sport. No matter your role, one thing is clear: in 2025, real estate is a data-driven game, and the rules are changing fast.

I’ve spent years in SaaS and automation, and I’m constantly amazed at how quickly the real estate landscape shifts. The only way to keep up? Arm yourself with the freshest, most accurate stats—ideally before your competition does. That’s where Thunderbit comes in. As the co-founder and CEO, I get a front-row seat to how AI-powered web scraping is transforming the way agents, teams, and even curious homeowners get their hands on real-time market intelligence. Every single stat in this article was sourced using , so you’re getting the most up-to-date, actionable insights out there. Let’s dive in.

Top 10 Real Estate Agent Statistics for 2025

Want the quick-and-dirty version? Here are the headline stats every real estate pro (or enthusiast) should know for 2025, all sourced with Thunderbit’s AI Web Scraper from the latest industry reports:

  1. Nearly 90% of buyers and sellers use a real estate agent: and completed their transactions through an agent or broker.
  2. FSBO sales hit a historic low: Only , the lowest share ever recorded.
  3. There are more Realtors than homes sold: vs. a projected in 2025.
  4. The typical Realtor is a 55-year-old female: , and .
  5. Median experience is 10 years; median tenure at current brokerage is 5 years ().
  6. Agent income varies widely: ; agents with 16+ years earn , newbies just .
  7. Typical productivity is about 10 transactions a year ().
  8. Referrals and repeat clients are critical: ; found their agent via referral or past relationship.
  9. 96% of Realtors use a smartphone daily; 77% use Facebook professionally ().
  10. The U.S. housing market is tight but stabilizing: , .

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The State of the Real Estate Market in 2025

The U.S. real estate market in 2025 is a study in contrasts: cooler than the 2021 frenzy, but still grappling with tight supply and affordability challenges. Mortgage rates are hovering around 6–7%, and while buyer demand has cooled from pandemic highs, there are clear . Inventory is rising, price growth has moderated, and experts forecast a return to more normal sales volumes by late 2025.

After a sluggish 2023 and 2024, home sales remain subdued but are showing signs of bottoming out. In 2024, existing-home transactions fell to —the lowest level in nearly 30 years. For context, the 2021 boom saw over 6 million homes sold annually.

But here’s the twist: by May 2025, the number of active home listings was , marking 19 consecutive months of inventory growth. Nationwide, about were actively for sale in May 2025—the first time inventory topped 1 million since 2019.

Regionally, the West and South are leading the inventory recovery, with the . Meanwhile, the Northeast and Midwest are still tight on supply.

Takeaway for agents: The market is transitioning. After two tough years, there’s cautious optimism. Agents should prepare for higher transaction volumes, but also adjust to a less frenzied, more traditional market. Pricing and marketing skills are back in the spotlight.

Median Home Prices & Affordability

Home prices remain high, but the breakneck growth has cooled. In 2024, the . As of mid-2025, prices have essentially flattened in many areas, and some formerly hot markets are seeing small declines or more frequent price cuts. The , unchanged from a year prior.

Affordability is the dominant challenge. With mortgage rates around 7%, the . No wonder —the lowest share ever.

On the bright side, as inventory improves, —the highest rate since 2016. Builders are offering incentives, and economists predict a more buyer-friendly market by late 2025.

Real Estate Agent Demographics: Who’s Succeeding in 2025?

The face of real estate is changing, but some trends are holding strong. The typical Realtor in 2024 is a . But there’s a wave of new, younger, and more diverse agents entering the field.

Gender & Age Breakdown

Real estate is now a female-driven profession: , up from 62% the year before. The , and . Only 4% are under 30.

But here’s the kicker: new agents (under 2 years’ experience) have a , and 40% are minorities. The next generation is coming, and they’re bringing fresh perspectives and tech-savvy skills.

Experience & Education Levels

Experience pays off—big time. The typical Realtor has , and nearly 20% have 16+ years. , with .

Interestingly, real estate is often a second career—many agents bring skills from marketing, finance, or education. .

How Buyers and Sellers Use Real Estate Agents

Despite the rise of online tools, Americans overwhelmingly turn to agents for the biggest transactions of their lives. In 2024, and involved an agent.

Why? Buyers value agents for helping them understand the process (61%), pointing out property features/faults (58%), and negotiating better terms (46%) (). Sellers want agents who can sell within a specific timeframe (22%), price competitively (21%), and market effectively (20%).

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The Power of Referrals & Repeat Business

Here’s where it gets interesting: found their agent through a referral or past relationship. did the same. and say they would recommend their agent.

If you’re an agent, your past clients are your gold mine. If you’re a buyer or seller, ask your friends for recommendations—you’ll likely get a great one.

Real Estate Agent Income & Productivity in 2025

Let’s talk money. Being a real estate agent in 2025 can be lucrative, but the spread is huge.

Median Earnings & Top Performers

  • Median gross income: .
  • New agents (under 2 years): .
  • Veterans (16+ years): .
  • Top 10%: $200,000+ (and some “mega-agents” hit $1 million+).

Location matters—a lot. An agent in San Francisco will likely out-earn one in rural Iowa, but volume, repeat business, and tech adoption are the real differentiators.

Transaction Volume & Workload

  • Median transactions per year: .
  • Median hours worked: .
  • Median sales volume: $2.5 million in 2023.

Half of licensed agents sell three or fewer homes a year. The standouts are doing several times that volume, often with the help of teams and technology.

Technology & Tools: How Real Estate Agents Stay Ahead

The real estate agent of 2025 is part negotiator, part marketer, and part tech whiz. Here’s what’s in their toolkit:

  • Smartphones: .
  • Personal websites: .
  • Social media: , 57% Instagram, 55% LinkedIn.
  • Virtual tours: Usage up .
  • Drone photography: .

And, of course, AI web scrapers like Thunderbit are becoming essential for data-driven agents.

AI web scrapers are the secret weapon for modern agents. Here’s how they’re used:

  • Market research: Instantly pull inventory and price data from listing sites. Thunderbit’s make this a breeze.
  • Lead generation: Scrape FSBO or expired listings for outreach.
  • Property data aggregation: Build datasets for targeted marketing or investment analysis.
  • Monitoring and alerts: Set up automated alerts for price changes or new listings in your farm area.

, and tools like Thunderbit are making it accessible for everyone—no coding required.

The faces and motivations of buyers and sellers are shifting, and agents need to keep up.

First-time buyers are buying later and making up a smaller share of the market than ever. In 2024, —a record low. The , up from 30 just a decade ago.

Why? make saving for a down payment tough. Investors and repeat buyers often out-compete first-timers for entry-level homes.

Gen Z is just starting to enter the market— are Gen Z, but that will rise.

Motivations & Challenges for Sellers

The , often moving to be closer to family or downsizing. is on the rise, with 17% of buyers purchasing multi-gen homes.

A big challenge? The . Many sellers have sub-4% rates and are reluctant to move and pay more. Still, , showing the importance of agent relationships.

Regional Real Estate Insights: Where Are the Hotspots?

Real estate is always local, and in 2025, the Sun Belt is sizzling. , with .

  • Top states for agents: , , .
  • Hot cities: Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Dallas-Fort Worth, Greenville, Indianapolis, Columbus.
  • Luxury markets: NYC, LA, Bay Area, Miami.

Migration trends are fueling growth in the South and West, while the Northeast and Midwest remain tight on inventory.

The Future of Real Estate Agents: Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

So, what’s next? Here’s what the experts (and my own AI-powered research) are pointing to:

  • Market rebound: , with prices growing modestly.
  • Affordability remains the big challenge: Expect pushes for more homebuilding, zoning reforms, and creative financing.
  • Tech will redefine the agent’s role: Routine tasks will be automated, but agents’ advisory and negotiation skills will be more valued than ever.
  • Generational shifts: Millennials and Gen Z will expect digital-first, transparent, and rapid service—but still value expertise and trust.
  • Brokerage consolidation: The agent population may shrink, with a smaller core of full-time pros dominating.
  • Regulatory changes: Watch for shifts in commission structures and increased focus on value demonstration.
  • Housing’s economic role: Real estate remains foundational, contributing about .

The bottom line? The agents who blend tech efficiency with personal expertise will thrive.

Key Takeaways: What Real Estate Agents Need to Know in 2025

Let’s wrap it up with the most actionable insights for 2025:

  • Data is your friend: Use tools like Thunderbit’s to gather real-time stats and outshine competitors.
  • The market is stabilizing: Home sales are set to rise, prices are holding steady—encourage buyers and sellers accordingly.
  • First-time buyers need extra support: They’re at a record-low share of the market; be the agent who helps them cross the finish line.
  • Referrals and past clients drive success: find their agent via referral or repeat business. Stay in touch.
  • Master the tech that matters: Professional website, social media, CRM, virtual tours, and especially AI tools like Thunderbit.
  • Emphasize your value: Clients still rely on agents for negotiation and expertise—be the trusted advisor.
  • Prepare for generational shifts: Adapt your communication style and understand younger buyers’ priorities.
  • Stay educated & nimble: Regulatory and market changes are coming—keep learning.
  • Localize your insights: Use Thunderbit to scrape local data and be the hyper-local expert.
  • Don’t forget the basics: Prospect consistently, budget for marketing, and deliver top-notch service.

2025 is shaping up to be a year where informed, tech-augmented, and client-focused agents can really shine. The market is balancing out, and both buyers and sellers need quality guidance more than ever. By leveraging the latest data (with Thunderbit’s help for the freshest stats!) and doubling down on relationships and skills, real estate agents can navigate 2025’s challenges and make it a highly successful year.

Sources: All statistics and insights in this article were sourced using Thunderbit’s AI-powered web scraping from authoritative reports including the National Association of Realtors, , HousingWire, and more. For more on how Thunderbit can help you stay ahead, check out the or download the .

Curious about how AI web scraping works in real estate? Dive deeper into or see how to with Thunderbit.

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Shuai Guan
Shuai Guan
Co-founder/CEO @ Thunderbit. Passionate about cross section of AI and Automation. He's a big advocate of automation and loves making it more accessible to everyone. Beyond tech, he channels his creativity through a passion for photography, capturing stories one picture at a time.
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