Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High
Mike Doyle August 12, 2025
Mike Doyle August 12, 2025
Believe it or not, there are clear signs buyer interest is heating up again.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on behind the scenes, and why the housing market might not be as quiet out there as it seems.
One of the clearest ways to measure what people are thinking about is to look at what they’re searching for online. And according to Google Trends, searches for phrases like “home for sale” have been climbing steadily this year.
The graph below shows an index of two common homebuyer search phrases and how popular they were on Google over the past two years. The higher the line goes, the more popular that phrase was. A 100 on the graph shows the most popular time for each phrase:
Here’s what really stands out in this data. Both phrases have been trending up overall this year, and they hit a recent high in mid-July. That’s a pretty strong sign that curiosity (and maybe even interest) in buying a home is improving.
That kind of momentum means something. Despite high mortgage rates and home prices, buyers haven’t given up. They're still watching the market. They’re still browsing. And many are just waiting for the right opportunity to act. Maybe your house is exactly what they’re looking for. But you’ll never know if it’s not listed yet.
Now, this doesn’t mean demand is going to surge like it did during the pandemic. It just means some buyers are deciding they can’t wait any longer. And those are exactly the kind of buyers you want. Motivated. Eager. Ready to move when the right house comes along.
So, if you’re holding off on selling because you’re not sure if the demand is there, this data suggests it might be time to rethink your plans. Because while it’s not 2021-level demand, it doesn’t need to be. You don’t need ten offers to sell your home. You just need the right buyer.
And that buyer may be searching for a house like yours right now.
If you’ve been thinking, “I’ll sell once buyers come back,” you might want to take another look. Online search trends show they’re already interested.
What would make you feel confident putting your house on the market this year? Let’s connect to talk through it.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doe… Read more
For investors who have sat quietly on their portfolios, weathering the storm of high interest rates over the past three years and accruing equity, the reward for their… Read more
It’s 11 p.m. when your tenant texts: Water is pouring through the ceiling, and it’s not stopping. Or maybe it’s Saturday morning, and you’re staring at photos of shatt… Read more
If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to… Read more
Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for th… Read more
After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expecte… Read more
After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expecte… Read more
For expert real estate services, reach out to Mike Doyle. Whether you're buying, selling, or renting, navigate the process with confidence. Contact him today to ensure a smooth and informed real estate journey.