The 2025 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers: Part 4 How They’re Paying

Over the past three weeks, we’ve broken down who’s moving, what buyers want, and who’s behind today’s market activity.
In this final part of our series, we’re looking at something everyone wants to understand:

How are buyers actually paying for homes in 2025, and what does that mean for the year ahead?

The 2025 NAR Profile reveals major financial shifts: more cash buyers, strong long-term confidence in homeownership, and a growing reliance on agents for strategy and negotiation. These trends help explain competitiveness, pricing behavior, and buyer expectations in today’s market.

Here’s what stands out.

Cash Buyers Are at an All-Time High

More than one in four buyers in 2025 purchased their home with all cash, the highest level ever recorded.

Cash buyers are primarily older, repeat purchasers using equity from prior homes — and their presence creates more competition, especially in higher price brackets.

Financed buyers are responding by strengthening terms, getting pre-underwritten, and focusing on speed and strategy to stay competitive.

Confidence in Real Estate Remains Strong

Despite affordability challenges, 79% of buyers still believe homeownership is a good financial investment, and 35% say it outperforms stocks.

This long-term confidence helps explain why buyers stretch budgets, accept compromises, and remain active even with higher rates.

Real estate continues to be seen not just as a place to live, but a stable path to long-term wealth.

What Buyers Expect From Their Agent

Buyers aren’t relying on agents for listing access anymore — technology already handles that.

Instead, they hire agents for:

• Finding the right home
  
  
• Pricing analysis
  
  
• Negotiation and strategy
  
  
• Understanding the process from offer to closing
  
  

As transactions become more complex, buyers lean on agents for guidance, not just inventory.

What Sellers Expect From Their Agent

Sellers’ expectations center around strategy and execution:

• Accurate pricing
  
  
• Effective marketing
  
  
• Preparation advice
  
  
• Negotiation expertise
  
  

Because sellers move less frequently and usually due to life events, they expect a streamlined, well-managed process with clear guidance at every step.

What This Means for 2025

When you bring all four parts of the report together, one theme stands out:

The market is being shaped by older, equity-rich buyers, long-term planners, and consumers who want expert guidance.

Here’s what that means moving forward:

• Competition will stay strong in desirable areas.
  
  
• Cash will continue to influence pricing in certain segments.
  
  
• Sellers who price well and market effectively will perform.
  
  
• Buyers who plan early and act strategically will have an advantage.
  
  

Thank You for Following the Full 4-Part Series

This concludes our breakdown of the 2025 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

If you missed earlier parts:

• Part 1: Who’s Moving and Why
  
  
• Part 2: What Buyers Want
  
  
• Part 3: Who’s Buying and Selling
  
  
• Part 4: How They’re Paying and What to Expect (this post)
  
  

P.S. If any of these situations sound familiar, buying later in life, using equity, navigating affordability, or planning a sale, click here.