The #1 Reason Buyers Say Their Home Purchase Was Easier Than Expected
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Despite having more tools, data, and resources than ever before, today’s buyers are still getting blindsided by the home-buying process.
According to Clever’s American Home Buyer Report: 2025 Edition, 28% said the experience was more difficult than they expected. And for first-time buyers, that number jumps to 36%.
So, what’s making home buying feel so hard in 2025? And what makes the biggest difference in helping buyers through it?
We’re not dealing with uninformed consumers here. In fact, 48% of buyers said the process met their expectations, a noticeable improvement from just 30% in 2024. They’re coming in with research, realistic goals, and in many cases, pre-approvals in hand.
But knowing what to expect doesn’t mean the experience gets easier. Market conditions are still stacked against most buyers.
The biggest pain point in many markets? Inventory. 34% of buyers said the lack of available homes made the process harder. Even when they found a home they liked, the competition didn’t let up; 22% struggled with competing offers, and 18% were worn down by repeated rejections.
And this wasn’t a quick process.
- 50% of buyers had to make at least two offers before getting one accepted.
- 31% submitted three or more, and 18% made four or more.
- 40% said their search took at least three months, with 19% going six months or longer.
- For nearly half of buyers, the process took longer than expected, and 31% said that extra time added to the difficulty.
Economic Pressure Isn’t Letting Up
Even the most patient buyer still has to deal with financial strain. Clever’s report shows that 31% of buyers pointed to high interest rates as a major hurdle. Another 29% said home prices were too high, and 28% admitted to exceeding their budget.
Then there are the hidden costs: 27% of buyers were surprised by unexpected fees, which can feel like a gut punch after you’ve already stretched yourself to get under contract.
Put it all together and you’ve got a buying experience that’s not just emotionally draining, but also financially exhausting, especially for first-timers.
Therein lies an opportunity for real estate professionals. Byron referenced the 65% of buyers who have regrets about their home purchase. On the one hand, he made the following point:
“To me, that sounds like an opportunity for more transactions in the future. If you’ve got regrets on the purchase, and rates get down to 6%…there is a pent-up transaction boom that we’re going to see in the future.”
On the other hand, that opportunity is best suited to real estate agents who prioritize not only education but transparency about what they do for the client throughout the home buying process.
In last week’s BAMx Office Hours, Mosaik CEO Sheila Reddy broke down a DIY solution any agent can create to provide transparency for their clients on the homebuying process. A simple, color-coded Google Sheet with a password-protected link allows clients to check their progress on the timeline at any time. As a result, clients no longer have to wait and wonder about what their agent is doing on their behalf or how close they are to owning the home they want to buy.
What Actually Helps? A Good Agent (Still)
Only 24% of buyers said the process was easier than expected. But nearly half of those (45%) gave the credit to their real estate agent.
Byron would like that number to be higher.
Buyers who had an easier time also cited a few other factors:
- 37% found a home quickly
- 32% stayed within their budget
- 42% had a smooth closing
- 29% had an easy financing process
- 29% said their seller was responsive
- 29% bought a home that didn’t need repairs
- 26% didn’t have to negotiate
This isn’t about agents being nice to work with. It’s about having a steady, experienced hand who can walk buyers through the steps, help them avoid common pitfalls, and prepare them for what’s coming next.
The more your clients know about what you’re doing for them and when, the more reason they have to trust that you’re not leaving them hanging while you do the bare minimum.
A good agent doesn’t leave their client wondering if they should do something to “speed things up.”
The Most Common Buyer Surprises? Paperwork and Price
Even with all the prep in the world, 85% of buyers were caught off guard by at least one aspect of the process.
The most common surprise wasn’t price; it was paperwork. More than a quarter of homebuyers surveyed (27%) said they didn’t expect how much documentation would be involved. That makes sense when you consider how many first-time buyers are entering the market post-pandemic, with limited exposure to traditional real estate processes.
Other surprises included:
- 23% shocked by the overall cost
- 23% surprised by the stress level
- 22% caught off guard by hidden fees
- 21% didn’t expect the timeline to stretch so long
Also, among those who found the home buying process more difficult than they expected, 31% said the process “took longer than expected.”
Byron called particular attention to that, referencing the blueprint Sheila Reddy created for a transparent timeline of the homebuying process.
“That should be a conversation in the pitch, in the presentation. They should have a central location to be able to view the timeline, not in text message, not in email.
“Clients expect the timeline to be in front of them in one central place. Because everything else is.”
Byron gave the example of his bi-monthly wine delivery. Before they send out the wine, he knows why they selected the particular bottles, how each one was made, when it was made, and whose hands were on it. He knows when they’re preparing the wine to be sent out to him, and when it’s been shipped. He can track the shipment from Napa, CA, to his front door.
“I can see the whole timeline. This is a boutique little operation in Napa, California. Small businesses are doing it, and the big businesses are doing it—showing a timeline of the transaction. Not enough agents are doing it.”
Another stat Byron called out: 27% of buyers cited “unexpected fees/costs” as the reason why buying a home was more difficult than expected.
“That should be closer to zero. That’s just a lack of transparency… Why should things be unexpected? We’ve been through this. We’re the professional. Our clients shouldn’t feel like they’re getting unexpected fees and costs.”
You know as well as we do that the right agent doesn’t just “open doors.” They keep buyers grounded in the middle of bidding wars, help them navigate confusing paperwork, and prepare them for what’s next, especially when the unexpected hits.
Buyers need a transparent timeline to know what you’re doing for them and where they are between hiring you and becoming a homeowner. If they can track a $10 pizza delivery, why shouldn’t they be able to track where they are on the timeline for buying a home?
That transparency adds value to the whole customer experience. Giving your clients access to a transparent timeline allows them to see exactly what you’re doing for them, as well as the benefits of what you’ve done for them so far.
“Hidden costs, the length of time, how much it costs, the amount of paperwork—those things shouldn’t be surprising to your buyers if you’re walking them through a really good process up front. If you’re getting them ready to buy a home, those things shouldn’t be all that surprising. Yet those are four of the top five categories. So, something to keep in mind as you’re perfecting your buyer presentation.”
Buyers Still Value Expertise More Than Discounts
When buyers were asked what they valued most in an agent, commission wasn’t even in the top three. Instead, they prioritized:
- Communication and availability (46%)
- Local market experience (46%)
- Knowledge of current market conditions (45%)
- Personality fit and compatibility (42%)
Only 24% said commission rate was a deciding factor. Some buyers who opted not to use an agent said it was because they thought they could handle the process on their own or didn’t want to pay commission.
But that decision can come at a cost: 69% of agent-represented buyers received concessions from the seller, compared to just 56% of those who went solo.
Key Takeaways for Agents
Agents are still a critical part of the home-buying process, especially in a market that’s moving slowly, costs more, and demands a higher level of strategy and patience. But the value you bring has to be clear, practical, and visible throughout the entire transaction.
Here are three key takeaways based on what buyers say they value most:
- Be proactive with prep and paperwork. The top surprise for buyers was the volume of paperwork, and half of them said your help in this area made the biggest difference. Don’t assume your clients know what’s coming. Walk them through it before they’re overwhelmed.
- Prioritize communication over pitch. More than flashy marketing, buyers want an agent who responds quickly, listens carefully, and keeps them looped in. Be the person they never have to chase for an update.
- Focus on getting results, not just the deal. From staying under budget to winning concessions, your ability to negotiate and guide strategy directly affects the outcome—and whether buyers feel good about their purchase later.
Buying a home in 2025 isn’t easy. But for the agents who show up with real support, real skill, and real presence, it’s still very possible to be the best part of someone’s home-buying story.
Sarah Lentz | Jun 16, 2025 | Housing Market
https://nowbam.com/the-1-reason-buyers-say-their-home-purchase-was-easier-than-expected/
@ChuckBarberini - #ChuckBarberiniRealEstate - @ChuckBarberiniRealEstate
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