Remember 2015? The Apple Watch launched, Amazon introduced the Echo, and Inside Out stole our hearts. A lot has changed since then, and the real estate market is no exception. If social media has you worried about the market, it helps to look at the data rather than the doom and gloom. Comparing 2015 to 2025 shows just how much has shifted and what it means for REALTORS and their firms.
Here are 10 key takeaways from the last decade:
1. Fewer Transactions for REALTORS
In 2015, the median number of transactions for REALTORS was 11. In 2025, that number dropped slightly to 10. Only 5 percent of brokerage specialists had no transaction sides. The slowdown reflects limited inventory and affordability challenges over the last few years.
2. Days on Market Are Shorter But Negotiations Are Longer
Back in December 2015, the median days on market were 58. In December 2025, that number is down to 39. Homes are selling faster, but recent months have seen some lengthening, giving buyers and sellers more room to negotiate than during the pandemic frenzy.
3. Distressed Sales Are Rare
In 2015, distressed sales accounted for 8 percent of transactions following the Global Financial Crisis. Today that number is just 2 percent. Tight lending conditions and growing housing equity mean fewer homeowners are forced to sell at a loss.
4. Contract Terminations Are Lower
In 2015, 7 percent of contracts were canceled. Today, the rate is down to 5 percent. The market is more stable, with fewer deals falling through.
5. Real Estate Firms Have New Priorities
Ten years ago, 51 percent of real estate firms cited profitability as their top challenge, and 46 percent pointed to technology. In 2025, 56 percent say housing affordability is the biggest concern, followed by 36 percent citing rising industry costs. Housing affordability is now front and center.
6. First-Time Buyers Are Struggling
In 2015, first-time buyers made up 32 percent of the primary residence market. Today, that number has fallen to 21 percent. Saving for a down payment and finding affordable inventory remain the top hurdles for new buyers.
7. REALTOR Challenges Have Shifted
REALTORS in 2015 cited finding the right property and mortgage financing as their biggest hurdles. Today, housing affordability leads the list, followed by expectations about potential mortgage rate changes. Understanding buyer concerns has never been more critical.
8. New Entrants Remain Steady
The real estate industry continues to attract new talent. In 2025, 15 percent of REALTORS have been in the business for under two years, similar to 2015, when 17 percent were newcomers.
9. REALTORS Are Diversifying
In 2015, 79 percent of sales agents worked as residential brokerage specialists. In 2025, that number is 65 percent, reflecting a trend toward diversification into property management and commercial real estate. REALTORS are expanding their skill sets and service offerings.
10. Buyers and Sellers Still Rely on REALTORS
Despite changing market conditions, most people still want a professional guiding them. In 2015, 89 percent of sellers and 87 percent of buyers used an agent. By 2025, those numbers rose to 91 percent of sellers and 88 percent of buyers. The demand for knowledgeable REALTORS remains strong.
Takeaway
Over the past decade, the real estate market has evolved in many ways. Inventory shortages, affordability challenges, and changing buyer priorities have reshaped the landscape. At the same time, REALTORS have adapted, diversified, and remained essential to helping buyers and sellers navigate these challenges. If anything, the past ten years show the resilience and importance of real estate professionals in every market.
