9 in 10 buyers OK sharing financial data with AI, survey finds

Homebuyers are becoming more trusting of artificial intelligence across every stage of the homebuying journey, a new industry report found.

More than half, 53%, of prospective buyers said they would be comfortable purchasing a home without any direct human involvement, according to a survey conducted by Veterans United Home Loans.

"What's striking is how much trust buyers are placing in these tools when it comes to major financial decisions," said Chris Birk, vice president of mortgage insight at Veterans United, in a press release Thursday. "Their willingness to share financial information, seek personalized guidance and even consider a fully AI-driven experience suggests many consumers are becoming far more comfortable with this technology than they were just a few years ago."

The survey found 89% of prospective buyers would share personal financial information with a lender's AI tool in exchange for mortgage advice, while 68% said they trust mortgage information provided by AI, according to the survey.

Buyers' willingness to use AI goes beyond information gathering. More than 75% of prospective buyers said they trust AI to search for mortgage lenders on their behalf. Nearly 70% also said they were comfortable using AI resources to help manage loan application documents, and more than a third said they were very comfortable with it, the survey found.

Veterans and service members consistently expressed more trust and comfort with AI than other respondents across every major survey question. Among veterans, 77% trust mortgage information provided by AI-powered tools, compared to 59% of civilian buyers. Veterans were also more willing to input financial information into AI-based systems and more comfortable using AI for loan documents, lender shopping and other mortgage-related tasks, according to the survey.

"The gap between veterans and civilian buyers is a reminder that technology adoption isn't a one-size-fits-all story," Birk said. "Different groups may arrive at the same destination, but they don't always move at the same pace."

Not only are buyers trusting AI more, they now expect it to play a role in their experience, as 75% of buyers assume AI has already been embedded in the housing ecosystem, according to a study released by Cotality in April. Cotality also reported 55% of buyers would still prefer to work with a person to secure a mortgage.

Despite the growing enthusiasm for and trust in AI, buyers still see human expertise as valuable in the homebuying process. While 53% said they would be comfortable purchasing a home without human involvement, only 25% said they would be very comfortable doing so, the survey found.

"AI is clearly becoming a more trusted partner in the process, but homebuying is still deeply personal," Birk said. "What we're seeing is buyers embracing the convenience and efficiency of AI while still valuing human expertise when it matters most."