37% of Americans Would Let AI Buy Their Next Home

Americans are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to navigate a challenging housing market, with a substantial 37% expressing willingness to allow AI to purchase their next home with "minimal human involvement." This sentiment is highlighted in a recent LendingTree survey, which also revealed that 72% of respondents would utilize AI for at least one task related to buying or selling a property. The high cost of borrowing, exemplified by the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 6.95% for the week ending September 17, according to Freddie Mac, is a primary driver for this adoption. This rate is up from 6.76% the previous week and 6.26% a year prior, pushing borrowing costs close to the 7% threshold. Compounding these financial pressures is a persistent shortage of available homes, leaving many potential buyers feeling priced out of the market.

Budgeting emerges as the most popular application for AI in real estate transactions. The LendingTree survey indicates that 28% of respondents would use AI to estimate a home's value, while approximately 24% would leverage it to identify down payment assistance programs. An equal share (24%) would employ AI to determine their affordability. Explaining mortgage options was cited by 18% of users, and comparing mortgage offers by 16%. Less popular, but still notable, are non-budgeting tasks such as scheduling showings (8%), organizing listing photos (8%), and assisting with offer negotiations (7%).

Further research supports this trend. A Bank of America 2026 Homebuyer Insights Report found that among prospective buyers using AI, estimating affordability, mortgage payments, or closing costs was the most common use, reported by 57%. This report also identified Gen Z as early adopters, with 32% of this demographic having already incorporated AI into their home-buying process. The increasing reliance on AI is occurring as specialized tools are being developed and introduced by major real estate platforms. Zillow and Homes.com, for instance, have both launched AI assistants, signaling a broader industry shift towards integrating artificial intelligence into the real estate ecosystem. These tools aim to assist buyers in understanding complex financial aspects and market dynamics, potentially democratizing access to homeownership amidst difficult market conditions.