Homebuyers Are Back: Online Searches Hit Two-Year High

After months of uncertainty, there are clear signs that homebuyer curiosity is heating up again. According to Google Trends, online searches for terms like “home for sale” and “homes for sale” have surged to their highest levels in two years—a powerful indicator that buyers are still in the market.

The data tells an important story. Over the past year, search activity dipped as high mortgage rates and affordability challenges sidelined many would-be buyers. But in recent months, search interest has climbed steadily, with both phrases hitting a peak in mid-July. This shift suggests that buyers who once hesitated are re-engaging—and they may be waiting for the right listing to appear.

Here’s what this means: while demand isn’t at pandemic levels, it doesn’t need to be. A motivated buyer pool is more valuable than sheer volume. These are serious shoppers, ready to act when the right opportunity arises.

For sellers, this is a key moment to reconsider timing. If you’ve been waiting for “buyers to come back,” the data shows they already have. Listing now positions your home in front of an active audience, many of whom are searching daily for their next move.

Bottom line: today’s market is filled with eager buyers watching closely. The only question is—will your home be the one they find?