1 in 2 home shoppers open to buying without human help 

A new report suggests homebuyers are becoming more trusting of artificial intelligence when it is used to help guide them through the home transaction process.

Human help not essential for many would-be buyers: The survey from Veterans United Home Loans found that more than half of the 400 prospective buyers surveyed in March (53%) said they would be comfortable buying a home "without direct human involvement."

Many survey respondents, all of whom said they plan to buy a home within the next three years, were even more open to using AI for the financial part of their home transaction: 89% said they would share personal financial information with a lender's AI-powered tool in exchange for customized mortgage advice, while 68% would "completely or somewhat trust" AI-provided mortgage information.

"What's striking is how much trust buyers are placing in these tools when it comes to major financial decisions," said Chris Birk, vice president of mortgage insight at Veterans United. "Their willingness to share financial information, seek personalized guidance and even consider a fully AI-driven experience suggests many consumers are becoming far more comfortable with this technology than they were just a few years ago."

Veterans outpace civilians in AI ease: Military veterans in particular expressed even more comfort in using AI tools, especially those involved with financing. Nearly 8 in 10 (77%) said they trusted AI-provided mortgage tips, compared to 59% of prospective civilian homebuyers.

"The gap between veterans and civilian buyers is a reminder that technology adoption isn't a one-size-fits-all story," Birk said. "Different groups may arrive at the same destination, but they don't always move at the same pace."

Total AI reliance will take time: Despite increasing consumer trust, the survey suggests that complete consumer faith in AI may still be a long way away. Even with the large share of home shoppers who indicated an openness to buying a home without direct human involvement, only 25% were "very comfortable" with the idea.

Meanwhile, other recent studies have indicated that real estate agents are still key players in the home transaction process. For example, a Realtor.com survey conducted last summer found that agents remain consumers' "most trusted and accurate source of information," even with a majority of Americans embracing new AI tools. Similarly, the National Association of Realtors' most recent trends report found that 88% of all homebuyers and 91% of sellers still use an agent.