How Home Buying Will Change in 2025 (And Beyond!) | Ep. 15
Happy New Year, everybody, and welcome back to the DIY Homebuyer Podcast. I'm Nick, your host, and as we look forward to what 2025 holds, I wanted to share my thoughts on the future of home buying.
A Vision for Change
I envision a brighter and better future for homebuyers, and I believe that future is upon us. When you think about the last 20 years, it's remarkable how technology has transformed our lives. Here we are in 2025, and it's hard to imagine that the iPhone hadn't even been invented 20 years ago.
Over the holidays, I was talking with my grandma about the days of MapQuest, when we had to print out directions to navigate somewhere. Now, my Tesla drives itself—I just enter an address on the touchscreen, and the car takes me exactly where I want to go. We're living in extraordinary times.
Real Estate's Resistance to Change
As a real estate professional who has helped people buy and sell homes for years and been involved in close to a hundred transactions, it's striking how archaic the real estate industry remains. This industry is incredibly resistant to change, which can be both good and bad. While some resistance to rapid change can prevent issues, it often hurts consumers, especially regarding how real estate is transacted with agents, title companies, and various other parties involved.
The current system makes real estate transactions inefficient and expensive. But I believe all of that is about to change dramatically. I often compare the anticipated changes to what we saw in the travel industry about 20 years ago.
The Travel Industry Parallel
In the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s, booking a family vacation typically meant using a travel agent. You were dependent on them to arrange your itinerary and find the best deals. But thanks to platforms like Expedia, Travelocity, and Kayak, people now feel comfortable researching destinations, comparing prices, and booking their own travel.
The Real Estate Revolution
I believe we're seeing a similar transformation in real estate, and it's accelerating rapidly. The industry underwent a seismic shift through the Sitzer-Burnett settlement (commonly known as the NAR lawsuit) in early 2024. This case aimed to change how consumers think about buyer's agency by making it clear that paying for a buyer's agent is optional.
However, the legal changes aren't what's driving the self-representation or DIY homebuyer revolution—they're simply accelerating what was already happening behind the scenes. Just like in other industries, technology and information accessibility have been quietly laying the groundwork for years.
The Power of Information Access
Think back to the late '90s, before Zillow existed. If you wanted to know what homes were for sale in your area, you needed a real estate agent with MLS access who would print out listings for you. Today, you can access detailed listings with professional photos, 3D tours, and price histories right from your phone.
Modern homebuyers have access to:
Detailed neighborhood data and crime statistics
School ratings and reviews
Property tax histories
Comprehensive mortgage calculators
Various lending options
Market trends and analysis
Educational content from creators and experts
The information once gatekept by professionals is now at everyone's fingertips, and people are becoming increasingly adept at using it.
The Financial Impact
Let's talk numbers: On an $800,000 home purchase, a traditional buyer agent commission would be 2-3%, or $16,000 to $24,000. That's significant money that could fund a kitchen remodel or a luxury vacation. While some argue that "the seller pays the buyer's agent," this is misleading—these costs are ultimately factored into the home's price.
Benefits Beyond Cost Savings
Self-representation offers advantages beyond financial savings:
Direct communication with sellers and their agents
Control over your own pace
Complete oversight of negotiations
Flexibility in structuring deals
Elimination of misaligned incentives
Addressing the Complexity Concern
Yes, buying a home is complicated—but so are many things in life, like filing taxes, planning a wedding, or investing in stocks. Millions of people handle these complex tasks themselves every day. The key is having the right resources and support.
The Future of Home Buying
Here's how I envision the future home buying process:
Financial Preparation
Complete the pre-approval process
Shop different lenders
Select the most competitive rates and lowest fees
Property Research
Use digital tools to explore properties and areas
Research neighborhoods and communities
Narrow down options based on personal criteria
Direct Engagement
Contact listing agents directly
Schedule tours independently
Gather property information firsthand
Market Analysis
Study comparative properties
Assess market conditions
Evaluate community development plans
Use DIY homebuyer tools for guidance
Offer and Negotiation
Submit offers directly
Manage contingencies
Handle negotiations personally
Transaction Management
Coordinate with escrow and title companies
Schedule inspections
Track contingency deadlines
Manage documentation
The Vision Realized
The future of home buying is about choice and empowerment. Just as we no longer depend on travel agents to book flights or stockbrokers to buy shares, the traditional home buying model is evolving. This isn't about replacing real estate professionals—it's about transforming how we use their expertise.
You have more power and capability than ever before. There has never been a better time to learn how to navigate the home buying process yourself and look out for your own best interests. This approach not only saves tens of thousands of dollars but also provides a more satisfying and controlled buying experience.
Join the DIY Homebuyer Community and Academy at skool.com/diyhomebuyer to access our full fundamentals course and connect with other DIY homebuyers.
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