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A Kaplan survey shows that real‑estate professionals who adopt AI find it useful for content creation, scheduling, and administrative work. Yet 46 % of agents still do not use AI, and 17 % do not plan to in the next 1‑3 years. Despite widespread economic worries, over 40 % of agents say a recession would not threaten their jobs. Even in a sluggish market, most would still advise buyers to purchase and sellers to list.
Kaplan’s 2025 Survey of Trends in the Real‑Estate Industry, which sampled 750 agents in May‑June, found that more than half already employ AI in some capacity. The most common applications are producing and scheduling social‑media posts, crafting personalized email campaigns, and handling administrative tasks. This aligns with Real Brokerage’s June survey, where nearly 58 % used AI daily. Only 17 % of Kaplan respondents plan to avoid AI in the coming years.
Economic uncertainty also shapes agent sentiment. About 30 % express some concern about a recession, while 40 % feel little or no worry that it could jeopardize their employment. Roughly 27 % are unsure whether a recession would heighten competition among agents. This contrasts with investor views, where a CJ Patrick Company/RCN Capital August report found 57 % of investors expect a U.S. recession before year‑end, with only 30 % disagreeing.
Commission structure changes have not dramatically altered agent income outlooks. Fifty‑two percent believe the recent adjustments will not significantly affect earnings in the next few years; 26 % foresee negative impacts, and 22 % anticipate gains. Amid economic volatility, nearly 80 % of agents would “probably” or “definitely” recommend buying a home now, and 75 % would advise sellers similarly. Only 6 % would not recommend purchasing within a year, and 7 % would advise against listing.
The industry’s AI push—from major brokerages and portals to emerging agent‑centric AI startups—has moved beyond buzzword status into a practical business tool. Kaplan’s findings, alongside other surveys, provide a clearer picture of how agents are navigating technology, market conditions, and future prospects.
