More Homebuyers and Sellers Are Choosing Real Estate Agents. Here’s Why It Matters
With so much real estate information available online, you might assume that buying or selling a home has become easier to handle on your own. You can browse listings, research neighborhoods, compare home values, and even use AI tools to answer basic questions.
But here’s something interesting: More buyers and sellers are relying on real estate agents than ever before.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2026 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, a record 92% of home sellers worked with a real estate agent, while 90% of buyers purchased their homes through an agent or broker.
The findings are a reminder that having access to information is not the same as knowing how to use it in a real estate transaction. Every property, buyer, seller, and negotiation is different. Understanding the local market and knowing how to navigate the details can make a meaningful difference.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Ventura, here are some important findings from the report and what they mean for your next move.
1. Why Are More Homebuyers and Sellers Working With Real Estate Agents?
Buyers and sellers are turning to real estate agents because they want professional guidance, local knowledge, and help navigating the many details involved in a transaction.
NAR’s 2026 report found that:
- 92% of home sellers used a real estate agent.
- 90% of homebuyers purchased through a real estate agent or broker.
Both figures represent record or near-record levels of agent involvement, according to the report.
It may seem surprising when consumers can access property listings and housing information online. However, online information doesn’t always provide the context needed to make an informed decision.
A homebuyer may find a property online, but still need help evaluating its condition, understanding the neighborhood, preparing an offer, and navigating inspections and paperwork. Sellers may know what similar homes are listed for, but pricing a property competitively and negotiating an offer requires more than looking at asking prices.
2. Are More Homeowners Choosing to Sell Without a Real Estate Agent?
No. For-sale-by-owner transactions, commonly called FSBO sales, remain at historically low levels.
NAR’s 2026 report found that just 5% of home sellers sold without an agent, matching the previous year’s record low. By comparison, FSBO transactions accounted for 21% of home sales in 1985.
Why are fewer homeowners choosing to handle the entire process themselves?
Selling a home involves more than advertising a property and finding someone interested in buying it. Sellers must consider pricing, marketing, property preparation, negotiations, paperwork, inspections, and closing requirements.
The report found that FSBO sellers commonly struggled with:
- Preparing their home for sale.
- Selling within their desired timeframe.
- Determining the right asking price.
- Understanding the paperwork.
- Marketing their property effectively.
Notably, 41% of FSBO sellers did not actively market their home.
The report also found a difference in median sale prices. FSBO homes had a median sale price of $368,500, compared with $455,000 for agent-assisted sales.
That’s a difference of $86,500, or nearly 24%. However, this comparison does not prove that using an agent automatically produces a higher sale price. The report notes that FSBO properties may differ in type, price range, and location, including a greater share of mobile or manufactured homes and rural properties.
3. What Do Home Sellers Want Most From a Real Estate Agent?
Home sellers want an agent who can help them reach potential buyers, price their property competitively, and complete the sale within their desired timeframe.
NAR’s 2026 report identifies several services sellers value most:
- Marketing the home to potential buyers: 20%
- Pricing the home competitively: 20%
- Selling within a specific timeframe: 17%
- Finding a buyer: 15%
- Identifying improvements that could help the home sell for more: 14%
- Negotiating and working with buyers: 7%
- Helping with paperwork, inspections, and settlement: 4%
The report also found that 87% of sellers said their agent provided a broad range of services and managed most aspects of their home sale. Additionally, 86% said they would likely recommend their agent for future services.
These findings highlight that sellers often want more than someone to put a property on the market. They want guidance from preparation through closing.
4. Why Do Homebuyers Still Need an Agent When So Many Listings Are Online?
Online listings are often the starting point for a home search, but buyers continue to rely on agents for information, property evaluation, negotiation, and transaction guidance.
NAR’s report found that 46% of buyers initially searched online for homes. However, real estate agents remained the most frequently used source of information during the buying process, with nearly nine in ten buyers using an agent as a key information resource.
Buyers reported several benefits from working with an agent:
- 55% said their agent pointed out features or faults they had not noticed.
- 54% said their agent helped them understand the buying process.
- 45% received a better list of service providers, such as home inspectors.
- 44% said their agent negotiated better contract terms.
- 39% said their agent improved their knowledge of search areas.
- 33% said their agent negotiated a better price.
- 27% said their agent shortened their home search.
These findings show why an online listing is only one part of the buying process.
A property may look appealing in photographs, but buyers also need to understand its condition, location, disclosures, potential maintenance needs, and contract terms.
5. How Important Is Communication When Buying or Selling a Home?
Clear and timely communication is one of the most important parts of a successful real estate experience.
NAR’s 2026 report found that buyers particularly valued agents who kept them informed through different communication methods.
The report identified three especially valued services:
- 74% appreciated receiving property information and communication through text messages.
- 73% valued personal phone calls about recent activities.
- 71% appreciated receiving updates when a property was listed, its price changed, or it went under contract.
Why does this matter?
Real estate decisions often involve deadlines and changing circumstances. A buyer may need to know when a property becomes available, while a seller may need timely information about an offer or an important transaction milestone.
When communication is delayed or unclear, opportunities can be missed and unnecessary confusion can develop.
6. Can AI and Online Real Estate Tools Replace a Real Estate Agent?
AI and online tools can make certain parts of the real estate process more convenient, but they do not replace the value of personalized professional guidance.
Today’s consumers can use technology to research homes, explore neighborhoods, organize information, and learn about the buying and selling process. These tools can be useful starting points.
However, a real estate transaction involves details that depend on the specific property, the people involved, the contract, and the circumstances surrounding the sale.
An online estimate cannot replace a thorough evaluation of a property’s condition and comparable sales. An AI-generated answer cannot independently verify every detail of a transaction or take responsibility for negotiating and coordinating the many steps involved.
Technology is most useful when it supports informed decision-making rather than replacing it.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Real Estate Agent in Ventura?
The NAR findings show that buyers and sellers value professional representation, but choosing the right agent is still an important decision.
Look for someone who understands your goals and can explain how they will help you achieve them.
Here are a few questions worth asking:
- How familiar are you with the local market? Local experience can help you understand neighborhoods, comparable properties, and market conditions.
- How will you market my home? Sellers should understand the planned photography, listing presentation, online exposure, and communication strategy.
- How will you help me evaluate a property? Buyers should know how the agent will help them assess property features, disclosures, and potential concerns.
- How do you handle negotiations? Ask how the agent approaches offers, counteroffers, contingencies, and other contract terms.
- How will we communicate? Make sure the agent’s communication style fits your expectations.
- What support can I expect throughout the transaction? Understand how the agent coordinates the process and helps you stay informed.
The right relationship should be built on clear expectations, trust, and a shared understanding of your real estate goals.
How Does Roylin Downs Help Buyers and Sellers Navigate Real Estate?
Buying or selling a home is a major financial and personal decision. Having someone who understands the local market and can guide you through the details can make the experience more manageable.
I’m Roylin Downs of The RoylinSells Group, and I’ve been serving Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Santa Barbara County since 1990.
I believe real estate service should be personal, informed, and focused on what matters most to each client. Buyers need guidance as they evaluate properties, understand their options, and negotiate terms. Sellers need a thoughtful strategy for preparing, pricing, marketing, and negotiating the sale of their homes.
As an AI-Certified Agent, I also use modern AI tools to support my work. These tools can help organize information, improve marketing workflows, and make communication more efficient. They complement my experience and local knowledge rather than replace the personal guidance clients deserve.
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving into a different property, downsizing, or preparing to sell, my goal is to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
Conclusion: The Right Real Estate Guidance Still Matters
The 2026 NAR report makes one thing clear: despite the growth of online information and AI tools, buyers and sellers continue to value the expertise of real estate professionals.
With 92% of sellers and 90% of buyers working with agents, the findings highlight the importance of local knowledge, pricing strategy, marketing, negotiation, and consistent communication.
Buying or selling a home involves more than completing a transaction. It’s about making decisions that can affect your finances, your plans, and your future.
If you’re considering a move in Ventura, having the right professional guidance can help you approach the process with greater clarity and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working With a Real Estate Agent
- What percentage of homebuyers used a real estate agent in 2026?
According to NAR’s 2026 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 90% of homebuyers purchased their homes through a real estate agent or broker. Buyers reported valuing help with finding properties, evaluating homes, negotiating terms, and completing paperwork.
- What percentage of home sellers used a real estate agent in 2026?
NAR reported that 92% of home sellers worked with a real estate agent in 2026, a record high. Sellers commonly wanted help with marketing, competitive pricing, finding buyers, and managing the sale.
- Is selling a home without a real estate agent a good idea?
Selling without an agent may be an option, but it requires the homeowner to manage pricing, marketing, negotiations, paperwork, and transaction details. NAR reported that FSBO sales represented just 5% of home sales in 2026. The right approach depends on the property, seller’s experience, and individual circumstances.
- What do buyers value most about working with a real estate agent?
NAR found that 55% of buyers said their agent pointed out property features or faults they had not noticed. Buyers also valued help understanding the process, finding service providers, negotiating contract terms, and learning about search areas.
- Can AI replace a real estate agent?
AI can help consumers research properties, organize information, and understand general real estate topics. However, it does not replace personalized local guidance, property evaluation, negotiation, transaction coordination, and professional accountability. Technology is best used as a tool that supports the real estate experience.
Sources
- National Association of REALTORS®, Buyers, Sellers Rely on Agents More Than Ever: Here’s Why, November 10, 2026:
https://www.nar.realtor/news/real-estate-news/buyers-sellers-rely-on-agents-more-than-ever-heres-why - National Association of REALTORS®, Highlights From the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers - National Association of REALTORS®, Working With Buyers:
https://www.nar.realtor/working-with-buyers - National Association of REALTORS®, Working With Sellers:
https://www.nar.realtor/working-with-sellers
Contact Roylin Downs and The RoylinSells Group today.
