Americans are turning to AI to survive a brutal housing market—37% would let it buy their next home with ‘minimal human involvement’

The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 6.95% for the week ending Sept.

17, up from 6.76% a week earlier and 6.26% a year ago, according to Freddie Mac .

With borrowing costs pushing back toward the psychologically fraught 7% mark, and a persistent shortage of homes compounding the squeeze, many Americans still feel priced out of the market.

But market conditions aren’t the only force reshaping real estate.

A growing body of survey data suggests AI is taking on a bigger role for buyers, sellers, and agents alike—and the technology could fundamentally change how people buy and sell homes.

A recent LendingTree survey shows just how open Americans have become to leaning on it.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) said they would use AI for at least one task tied to buying or selling a home, and 37% said they would let AI handle a purchase for them “with minimal human involvement.” Budgeting is the most commonly cited AI use With borrowing costs high, Americans are especially drawn to using AI for budgeting.

Some 28% of LendingTree respondents said they’d use it to estimate a home’s value.

Roughly a quarter (24%) would turn to AI to find down payment assistance programs, and the same share would use it to gauge how much they can afford.

Explaining mortgage options (18%) and comparing mortgage offers (16%) also ranked high—well above non-budgeting tasks such as scheduling showings (8%), organizing listing photos (8%), and helping negotiate offers (7%).

Other research points the same way.

Among AI-using prospective buyers in Bank of America’s 2026 Homebuyer Insights Report, estimating affordability, mortgage payments, or closing costs was the most common use, cited by 57%.

The report also found that Gen Z is leading the charge , with 32% saying they’ve used AI in the process.

As buyers look to AI to navigate a punishing market, more specialized tools are arriving.