Homebuyers Adopted AI Amid Cooling Housing Demand
As homebuyer demand drops nationally, most buyers are turning to artificial intelligence to research listings.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Residential
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Seventy-eight percent of U.S. homebuyers are now using artificial intelligence to navigate the real estate process. This shift comes as 63% of real estate agents report that national homebuyer demand has declined compared to 12 months ago.
Why it matters
The widespread use of AI tools for researching schools, neighborhoods, and comparable sales is changing how households approach home searches. This trend coincides with a cooling national market, where leverage is increasingly shifting toward buyers.
A survey of 208 real estate agents reveals that 78% of homebuyers now use AI for property research. Meanwhile, 63% of agents report lower buyer demand nationally compared to the same period last year.
The players
ResiClub
A real estate research and data publication that provides market analysis for industry participants.
Zoodealio
A technology platform that facilitates cash offers for real estate transactions.
The details
Homebuyers are leveraging AI to automate the discovery of neighborhood metrics, school rankings, and property valuations. As buyer demand softens across the U.S., including 74% of markets in the Midwest, this technology serves as a primary research filter. Real estate professionals note that this digital shift aligns with a broader trend where 74% of agents see leverage tilting toward buyers.
Timeline
The agent survey was conducted between August 17 and September 29, 2026.
Survey results were released in Q3 2026.
Money Landscape
This adoption of AI marks a new evolution in buyer research behavior, mirroring the historical shift toward public online listing aggregators that empowered households with data. It follows a period of cooling buyer demand that is now changing the competitive dynamic for residential purchasers.
If you are house hunting, consider how AI-powered research tools can help you better identify neighborhood comps and school data before setting your budget. Consult with a qualified real estate professional to verify any automated data before making final purchase decisions or financial commitments.
The takeaway
The rise of AI in housing research is providing buyers with more data as the national market shifts in their favor. Consider discussing current local market leverage and specific data-driven insights with a licensed professional to guide your home search strategy.
Further reading
For more on the current environment for property transactions, see our guide to Residential.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fast Company.
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Do you trust artificial intelligence to assist you in making homebuying decisions?
