T
wo recent surveys suggest growing optimism among real estate agents despite concerns over mortgage rates and the upcoming election. Key findings include:

    * A Real Brokerage survey found that 64% of agents are optimistic about the market over the next 12 months, with 46% feeling more optimistic and 18% significantly more optimistic.

    * A John Burns Research and Consulting report showed that nationally, 39% of agents expect a good market over the next six months, up from 21% a year ago.

    * The number of agents reporting weaker-than-normal sales has fallen dramatically in the last year, from 70% to 56%.

    * Agents are feeling more confident about the market, with 46% saying mortgage rates would need to drop to between 5-5.5% to unlock a meaningful increase in sales.

    * The Midwest region was the most optimistic, with nearly half of agents surveyed anticipating a good market over the next six months.

    These surveys offer insight into the current state of the real estate market and suggest that post-settlement anxiety may be waning.