The first-ever Real Estate Survey of Trends, published by Kaplan Real Estate Education, examines the varied experiences and perspectives of real estate professionals in the face of a dynamic market, evolving client demands, and the emergence of artificial intelligence. Highlights of the study, which was conducted between May and June 2025 and comprised answers from 750 licensed real estate agents:
- Client Growth: Nearly half (48 percent) of real estate professionals surveyed anticipate expanding their client base within the next 6-to-12 months, signaling optimism in a market where interest rates may finally be seeing a steady path downward; 44 percent see their number of clients remaining the same over the same time period; only 8 percent predict fewer clients for themselves.
- Competition: The agents Kaplan surveyed were split in their concern about an economic downturn’s potential impact on their livelihood. Nearly one in three (32 percent) are concerned that an increase in new real estate agents, a common occurrence when people lose their jobs in other industries during a recession, would make it even more competitive to secure new clients; 41 percent say they are unconcerned about this happening; the remaining 27 percent are unsure.
- Career Longevity: The vast majority of respondents plan to remain real estate agents over the next three to five years—42 percent said definitely, and 35 percent said probably. Still, nearly one-quarter of agents are at risk of leaving the industry. Retirement is a driver for some, but income instability, burnout, and economic uncertainty are top of mind for agents sitting on the fence.
- AI: Despite the justified buzz around how artificial intelligence may transform the real estate industry, Kaplan found that almost half (46 percent) are not using AI in a professional capacity, forgoing a tool that could make them faster, more effective, and ultimately more successful. Among the minority of agents who do utilize AI, the most popular usages are for social media content creation, email marketing efforts, and administrative tasks.
- Digital Deficit: Helping to explain this slow adoption of AI, 52 percent of agents surveyed agree with the statement, “Traditional brokerages are not doing enough to prepare agents for the technology-driven future of real estate.” Only 15 percent disagree with that statement, with the remaining 33 percent neither agree nor disagree.
Toby Schifsky, VP of Kaplan Real Estate Education, said:
“The real estate industry is changing faster than ever, fueled by innovation, rising consumer demands, and fluctuating market conditions Kaplan’s inaugural Real Estate Survey of Trends shows that success today requires more than passing exams—it demands continuous learning, market expertise, and strong client skills. We’re committed to giving agents the tools and training to leverage AI, generate leads, and thrive, helping them turn industry change into opportunity and sustainable career growth.”
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