Picture this: a Realtor® walks into a new-home sales office, client in tow, ready to collaborate. The builder’s rep glances up from the desk, wary smile in place. Both sides want the same thing — a sold home — but the air crackles with tension.
That moment, repeated across the country, defines one of housing’s longest-running love-hate relationships.
According to new research from 1000WATT, the branding and creative agency for housing companies, Realtors and builders are like an estranged couple who just need better communication — and maybe a little mutual respect.
In September 2025, 1000WATT surveyed 600 риелторы nationwide about what they love (and loathe) about working with builders. The results? A mix of optimism, frustration and opportunity.
The good news: Real estate pros want to work with builders
Despite their complaints, most agents see potential in the relationship. A combined 61% of surveyed agents said they feel somewhat positive или very positive about working with builders. Only 14% expressed negative feelings.
Why the good vibes? Agents cited стимулы для строителей (27%), smoother transactions with fewer inspection issues (13%), and the belief that builder reps are often easier to work with than resale listing agents (28%).
As one respondent put it: “Selling new construction is a more straightforward process altogether and has inherent benefits for my buyers that are easy to articulate.”
Even clients tend to agree. When Realtors introduce the idea of a new build, 56% of agents said their buyers respond positively or very positively, while just 6% report pushback.
The money talk: Clarity beats commission
Sure, agents appreciate a generous paycheck. But the survey found that consistency and transparency around компенсация matter more than the percentage itself.
“Higher comp is good,” one agent said, “but consistency and clarity are valued most.”
Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents said “low or unclear commissions” are their biggest frustration. The message is clear: surprises on payout — or confusion about the process — erode trust faster than a construction delay.
Builders who post their co-broke policies publicly, communicate them early, and follow through consistently gain an edge. It’s not just about the check. It’s about credibility.
Communication cures a lot
If there’s one area where builders can make immediate gains, it’s in communication. Roughly one-third of survey respondents said builder reps don’t communicate well with them or their clients.
Agents live and die by responsiveness. A lack of follow-up makes them nervous about client poaching or about missing key updates on construction timelines.
Paranoia, the report notes, “can be assuaged by regular communication.” In other words, builders don’t have to outspend competitors—they just have to out-communicate them.
As one Realtor put it bluntly: “If you cut my commission from 2.4% to 1%, then make sure you do most of the work и keep me in the loop.”
Builders, meet Realtors where they are
Agents aren’t asking for extravagant marketing campaigns — they’re asking for access. A recurring theme in the survey was that builders should make it easier for Realtors to know about and share inventory.
That means providing simple, shareable marketing materials (no “builder jargon”), showing up at office meetings, and, crucially, posting listings on the MLS.
While 37% of Realtors look directly at builder websites for inventory, 39% rely on the МЛС as their go-to source. If you’re not there, you’re invisible to a large part of your potential sales force.
“Quit making it so hard to work with you,” one exasperated respondent said. “Get on board with new ways of маркетинг and working with buyers who potentially will buy your homes.”
Respect: The intangible that changes everything
If compensation and communication are the logistics, respect is the emotional currency of this partnership. and it’s often in short supply.
Many Realtors told 1000WATT that they feel appreciated only when the Рынок жилья turns cold and builders need their help. “They shower us with love when sales are slow and treat us as the enemy when sales pick up,” one wrote.
That inconsistency leaves scars. Builders who demonstrate respect in all market conditions by keeping agents informed, paying on time and recognizing their contribution will earn long-term allies.
Or, as another agent said: “Partner with us. We could exponentially increase your sales. Don’t make us the side chick and dump us when the market gets hot.”
A relationship worth rebuilding
The survey data paints a picture of cautious optimism: Realtors want to partner with builders, and builders benefit when they do. But the relationship still hinges on a few simple, fixable things — clarity, communication, and consistent respect.
One Realtor summed it up best: “Winning business from agents isn’t about bigger commissions or fancier models. It’s about removing friction and adding credibility. Make it consistently easy for them to look good.”
If builders take that advice to heart, the industry’s most dysfunctional couple might finally find common ground—and maybe even call it a happy partnership.
Click here to read the full report.
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