#None #Anytime Estimate #real estate agents #seller trust

Declining Trust in Real Estate Agents

In 2025, a new report from Anytime Estimate highlights a surprising decline in the trust levels among home sellers towards real estate agents. Only 70% of sellers are confident in their agents, down from a high of 81% in 2024. This shift in sentiment raises important questions about the agent-client relationship in the home-buying process.

Evolving Perceptions of Real Estate Agents

As the report outlines, while a significant 91% of sellers still intend to enlist the help of an agent, only 63% see them as essential to the process, marking a worrying drop from 73% in the previous year. Home sellers increasingly view agents with skepticism, with three-quarters believing that agents occasionally favor certain clients or guide buyers towards properties for personal gain. Many claim the qualifications for becoming a Realtor are insufficient, raising doubts about the reliability of those selling homes.

Interestingly, despite these negative views, a majority of sellers are willing to overlook critical flaws in potential agents. For instance, 58% said they would still hire an agent lacking experience with similar properties, while 53% would consider one unfamiliar with their local market. The report reveals even more alarming data: 44% of sellers are willing to hire an agent known to have a violent criminal record, and 45% would disregard inappropriate comments made by agents. Even theft from clients is not enough for 30% of sellers to terminate their relationship with an agent.

These findings suggest a paradox where sellers seem aware of the potential pitfalls of hiring an agent but continue to opt for their services nonetheless. Stress is evidently a significant factor here, with 97% of sellers admitting to feeling overwhelmed by the process.

Expectations Remain High

Despite declining trust, sellers still hold high expectations for their sales outcomes. Approximately 71% expect to finalize their sales within three months of listing, 50% anticipate receiving four or more offers, and 61% believe they can accept deals after just five showings. Yet, nearly half of the respondents stated they would only agree to pay commissions above the standard 2.74% rate if it meant achieving a higher sale price or a quicker transaction. Notably, 14% indicated that there’s no outcome that would justify a higher fee, demonstrating a desire for value in their transactions.

Furthermore, the perception of agents as valuable allies in enhancing their sale price persists. A large 82% of sellers remain convinced that engaging an agent is beneficial for maximizing their sales. However, the report reveals that over half of the sellers have considered alternatives, with 49% open to employing AI platforms for selling their homes instead of traditional agents.

The Shift Towards DIY Selling

Among the minority of sellers—9%—who plan to handle the sale independently, the most cited reasons are the prohibitive costs of agent commissions, cited by 58%, along with distrust (28%) and previous bad experiences with agents (22%). This represents a growing trend among home sellers who are reconsidering the value of real estate agents in favor of alternative selling methods backed by technology. As skepticism rises, the need for transparency and reliability in the real estate field becomes increasingly critical.

Conclusion

The findings from Anytime Estimate reflect a tumultuous landscape for real estate agents and home sellers alike. While the importance of agents in facilitating sales is widely acknowledged, decreasing trust levels raise concerns about how agents can rebuild their credibility. This scenario presents an opportunity for the industry to reflect on practices, improve agent standards, and foster stronger relationships with their clients. The future of real estate selling may very well hinge on adapting to client demands for better service and trustworthiness in an ever-evolving market.