When most people think about AI in real estate, they picture chatbots or automated email drip campaigns. Of course, those are part of it, but what’s really exciting is how today’s AI tools are starting to support every part of the home buying process, from the first online search to the final signature.
As someone building a career in this industry, I’ve seen firsthand how fast things are shifting. Clients expect more speed, more personalization, and better insights. Staying current with AI isn’t just helpful anymore. It’s necessary.
Still, that shift raises some big questions. What happens to the human side of real estate? Can tech streamline the process without making it feel robotic? A lot of agents and clients are cautiously optimistic. They see the efficiency, but they also don’t want to lose the personal connection that’s so important in such a major life moment.
According to the World Economic Forum, 64 per cent of real estate tasks are currently done mostly by people. But in five years, that number is expected to drop to 42 per cent. That’s a huge change in a short time.
So, where does that leave us? The future of real estate isn’t about choosing between humans and AI. It’s about finding the right balance.
Where AI is already making a difference
AI started off helping with the tedious stuff like admin tasks, marketing, and backend systems, but now it’s showing up everywhere. From property searches tailored to hyper-specific preferences to instant pre-approvals, it’s speeding up the process for everyone involved.
Virtual staging platforms let agents show different versions of a space without touching a piece of furniture. Market analysis tools help us price more accurately. AI-driven platforms are helping clients secure insurance quotes and mortgage approvals faster than ever. One I’m particularly excited about is document review tools that catch errors before they turn into issues.
This isn’t about removing agents from the process. It’s about helping us focus on what they’re actually great at: advising, negotiating, and guiding clients with confidence.
How agents can make AI work for them
Let’s be clear: AI is a tool, not a replacement. It’s here to take the repetitive stuff off your plate so you can focus on the high-value work that clients actually care about.
Start with the basics. Tools that handle scheduling, client forms, CRM updates, and follow-up reminders can save you hours a week. Smart CRMs can highlight which leads are heating up. Predictive analytics tools can help you position properties more competitively. Additionally, AI-assisted content tools can keep your marketing fresh without spending hours drafting copy from scratch.
The key is to pick tech that complements your style, not tries to duplicate it. Your edge is your personality, your insight, and the way you make people feel safe and confident. Don’t let any tool get in the way of that.
Why AI should empower, not intimidate
At the end of the day, real estate is still a people business. No algorithm can replace the moment you walk into a home with a nervous first-time buyer and say, “I’ve got you.”
AI can speed things up and make your process more efficient, but it can’t read a room. It can’t tell when a deal feels shaky or when a client just needs someone to listen.
That’s where you come in. You bring empathy, intuition, and experience to the table. That’s what turns a good agent into a great one.
Instead of fearing AI, use it to give yourself more time to do the things that really move the needle: building trust, solving problems, and showing up for your clients when it counts.
The bottom line
Real estate is changing fast, but you don’t have to choose between staying relevant and staying human.
Use AI to take care of the busywork, and use your time to build relationships that actually last. Let the tech do the heavy lifting. Then show up with the knowledge, energy, and heart that only you can bring.
AI might help you move faster, but you’re the reason people cross the finish line.
Robert Saunders is the CEO and co-founder of Ownright (formerly Doormat), an online real estate legal services provider founded in 2023.
With a background as a senior software engineer at Shopify, Robert brings deep technical expertise and a passion for building tools that simplify complex processes. Since launching Ownright, the company has raised over $6 million in funding, grown to a team of nearly 20 employees, and facilitated more than $750 million in real estate transactions.