Housing Market Sentiment Survey – July 2025 (TurboHome x ResiClub)

TL;DR Summary:
Buyers are taking more control of their journey—most are finding homes themselves and are open to digital tools for making offers. They still value agents but increasingly prefer flat-fee pricing models over traditional commissions. Meanwhile, homeowners are adjusting to higher mortgage rates and expect home prices to level off. The market is stabilizing—but being reshaped by digital convenience, transparency, and evolving consumer expectations.

Survey Overview

Between July 2 and July 23, 2025, TurboHome partnered with ResiClub to survey 423 U.S. adults about their housing market views.

• 80% were homeowners
• 17% rented
• 3% lived rent-free with family/friends

1. Brokerage & Agent Insights

Buyers Are Taking the Lead

73% of homeowners found their most recent home themselves, reflecting growing comfort with self-guided search tools and digital platforms.

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Digital Offer Tools Are Gaining Trust

81% said they’d be likely to use digital tools to draft a home offer, with 45% “very likely” to do so. The tech-driven buyer experience is becoming the norm.

Agents Still Valued—But Must Prove Worth

• 77% said their last agent provided real value
• 72% felt the commission paid was justified in hindsight

Despite that, a majority believe agents in general are overcompensated, showing tension between personal satisfaction and broader industry perceptions.

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Plurality of Homeowners Prefer Flat-Fee Pricing Structure For Their Realtors

One of the clearest pricing preferences to emerge: homebuyers increasingly prefer flat-fee compensation models (33%) over market standard commission structure of 2-3% (29%).

2. Mortgage Rate Expectations

Rate Tolerance Is Growing

In Q1 2025, 41% of homeowners were comfortable with up to a 6.00% mortgage rate. By July, that number rose to 52%.

Rate Forecast for Next Year Still Elevated

Still, 72% of respondents expect mortgage rates to remain above 6.00% for the next 12 months.

Rate Thresholds That Drive Decisions

• 92% comfortable at 4.5%
• 85% at 5.0%
• 66% at 5.5%

A drop into the mid–5% range could trigger a meaningful increase in buyer activity.

3. Home Price Outlook

Flattening Expectations

55% of homeowners now expect local home prices to stay flat or decline over the next year—up from 35% in Q1.

Most Don’t Fear a Crash

Only 16% believe prices will decline by 4% or more, suggesting overall sentiment remains measured.

4. Sentiment Shift from Q1 to Q3 2025

There has been pronounced loosening of mortgage rate expectations for homebuyers. They are becoming accustomed to higher rates; even though these buyers would prefer lower rates.

Over 50% of homebuyers are comfortable with a 6%+ mortgage; this is an increase of 11 percentage points from Q1 2025

5. What the Data Tells Us

• Flat-fee compensation models are gaining traction, as buyers prioritize cost transparency and value.
• Self-guided, tech-assisted buying is dominant—but agent expertise is still appreciated when well-delivered.
• Buyers are adjusting to 6% rates, with strong buying interest if rates fall into the 5% range.
• Expectations for price gains are cooling, with most expecting stability or mild declines.

Final Thoughts

The July 2025 TurboHome x ResiClub Housing Sentiment Survey captures a housing market in evolution, not crisis:

• Buyers are smarter, more independent, and cost-conscious.
• Traditional agent roles are being redefined—not replaced, but restructured.
• Digital convenience and clear pricing are the new competitive advantages.

For everyone involved in real estate, the message is clear: adaptability, transparency, and tech integration will define success in the next phase of this market.

Source: ResiClub x TurboHome Housing Sentiment Survey – July 2025