Ohio REALTORS® Survey: Confidence & Consumer Choices
Ohio REALTORS® Consumer Survey Shows Confidence in the Profession and Why Buyers and Sellers Choose to Engage a REALTOR®
The 2025 survey results also offer a look at perception shifts since first survey conducted in 2022
COLUMBUS, Ohio (December 2025) — Ohio REALTORS® released the findings of its 2025 consumer survey, revealing strong consumer satisfaction, trust and perceived value of working with a REALTOR®. The statewide study, an update to the organization’s inaugural 2022 benchmark, provides fresh insight into how Ohioans view REALTORS® today and how perceptions have evolved over the past three years.
The survey, conducted September 5–12, 2025, polled 519 Ohio residents ages 25 to 64 who have recently bought or sold a home or plan to do so. The results paint a notably positive picture of the real estate buying and selling experiences in Ohio.
Rising satisfaction and strong confidence in REALTORS®
Ohioans continue to express a high degree of trust in REALTORS®, with several indicators trending strongly upward compared to 2022:
- 87% of Ohio residents were satisfied with their most recent experience using a REALTOR®, with satisfaction reaching 93% among consumers aged 25 to 34.
- 81% said their REALTOR® earned their commission, a statistically significant increase from 74% in 2022.
- 92% of respondents selected at least one positive attribute — such as professional, knowledgeable, experienced, helpful or responsible — to describe REALTORS®, up from 85% in the earlier survey.
Consumers consistently emphasized trust, dedicated service, clear guidance on the buying and selling process, negotiation skill and market expertise as the qualities that defined their recent experience.
“Ohioans continue to show strong confidence in the professionals who help guide one of the most important financial decisions of their lives,” said Michelle Billings, 2025 President of Ohio REALTORS®. “The responses reaffirm that REALTORS® deliver meaningful value through ethical professional service and a commitment to protecting clients’ best interests.”
Consumers value unique attributes of a REALTOR®
When asked what the most important characteristics of a real estate professional are, Ohioans coalesced around three qualities.
- “Someone you trust,” identified as very important by 87% of respondents.
- “Bound by a code of ethics,” identified as very important by 80% of respondents.
- “A fiduciary,” identified as very important or somewhat important by 78% of respondents.
Not every licensed real estate professional is a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is a member of the local, state and national professional trade associations and, among other attributes, adheres to a strict code of ethics and promises to act as a fiduciary to their clients.
“REALTORS® in Ohio have chosen to commit to a higher standard, for their clients, for themselves and for the profession,” said Billings, “It is incredibly gratifying to see that Ohioans not only recognize what they bring to every engagement, but also those characteristics that are fundamental to being a REALTOR®."
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Ohio REALTORS®, with more than 35,000 members, is the largest professional trade association in Ohio. Leading with expertise, professionalism, and an entrepreneurial spirit, REALTORS® in Ohio are committed to their clients and communities.
