Do You Still Need a Real Estate Agent in 2025?

By Bob Sophiea

Founder and CEO of New Home Collective, established the company in 2014 with a mission to revolutionize the real estate industry.

2025 is here, and everything is digital. You’ve got apps for your home searches, websites promising to sell your home faster than a sneeze, and AI tools that calculate your property’s value in seconds. You might be wondering, do I still need a real estate agent, or are they a thing of the past? Let’s talk about it.

1. Real estate tools are just tools, not solutions. Tools like AI, Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com are amazing. They can find houses faster than any agent could a decade ago and provide tons of information, including photos, pricing trends, school districts, and even crime rates.

But here’s the problem: these tools only give you data, not answers. They can’t negotiate on your behalf or handle tricky inspections. They won’t tell you if a house is a good investment or a money pit, and they definitely don’t care if end up overpaying or underselling.

2. What agents bring that tech can’t. A good real estate agent takes all the raw data and helps you understand it better. As a homebuyer, you’re not just purchasing a house; you’re investing in a neighborhood and your future. Agents know the local market well, such as which streets are undervalued or which homes will appreciate faster.

This knowledge is even more important for sellers. You might think you can just put your house on the market and let it sell, but if you price it wrong, you could end up waiting for months or losing thousands of dollars. A skilled agent can help you set the right price, stage your home effectively, and market it to the right people. These are things that technology simply can’t do because they’re built for broad use, not specialized service.

3. What agents don’t do. Are there bad agents? 100%. Some are just glorified door openers who show up, smile, and collect their paycheck. If you end up with one of those, you might as well use an app. Also, let’s be real: agents aren’t cheap. You’re paying a commission, usually 5% to 6% of the sale price, which can add up quickly. Finding the right agent takes effort.

So, do you need a real estate agent in 2025? The honest answer is it depends. If you’re confident, have the experience, and are willing to put in the time to learn the market, using an app might work for you.

But if you want to maximize the value of your deal, minimize the headaches, and avoid costly mistakes, a great agent is worth every penny. The keyword is “great.” Don’t settle for average. Interview multiple agents, check their track record, and ask for references. You wouldn’t want to hire just anyone to manage your investments, right? Your home is the same thing—it’s an investment.

At the end of the day, tech is still good for research, but people are still better for results. If you want to save money and stress, a good real estate agent can help you win. Just don’t hire a bad one because, in 2025, there’s no excuse for not doing your homework.

If you have more questions or just want to chat about your next steps, I’d love to continue the conversation. You can work with me or one of the experienced agents on our team. Use this link to book a call, call me at (859) 721-2200, or send an email to bob@nhc.com. I’d love to connect with you.