AI…everyone is talking about this new technology!
Obviously, REALTORS® can use it to benefit their business. Many use AI to help create listings and write content that will be published on MLS/Realtor.ca.
*Fun fact – we write ALL our own content! We really pride ourselves on presenting a write up – that properly represents the home/location etc. and its value to a new buyer – while respecting and reflecting the existing owner as well! Part of writing this description, is being fully present in the home…speaking to the sellers in depth whenever possible – to truly understand what you are marketing and selling. OK OK – I know my write ups are LONG! Other realtors don’t like me at all…but the way I look at it – there will ALWAYS be that ONE buyer that respects the amount of information we provide…loves the story we portray – and truly enjoys reading the whole 3020 character narrative! Also, remember the way that keywords are noted in searches done outside of MLS/Realtor.ca – we try to capture words/phrases that potential buyers may use when looking for homes!
Then there will be a buyer that values the floor plans inserted as photos. Another person will ONLY look at the basic facts and the PHOTOS (another reason why photos are critical…but that’s another post!) Another buyer may only look at the 3D tour. Some only care about price…possession…sq footage…# of bedrooms etc.
**Fun fact 2 – listings are inputted by HUMANS – even if they are assisted by AI…and HUMANS make mistakes! I have shown clients this time after time. Remarks and photos show a 4th bedroom – but it states only 3 on the listing. The basement is clearly a walkout – but it does not state that in the details. Listing says house has NORTH backyard when it is WEST. Sales are LOST all the time because buyers don’t automatically get sent a listing – that truly meets their criteria.
I once sold a house where we found an entire FULL 3 piece bathroom upstairs – that wasn’t noted on the listing!!!!! WINNING! This is the NUMBER ONE reason why we don’t set our clients up on a search. We speak to them. Get to know what they want. And preview all listings for them – BEFORE sending. (Again – this is content for another post!)
I get it. I know why AI is used for listing write-ups. It can be VERY hard to come up with something new to say about houses OVER and OVER…especially if you are not a person that enjoys this task. Even worse – what if you are an assistant creating the content for someone else – and you have never even seen the home?! AI has its place here for sure (for other agents!) 😊
Virtual Staging via AI – we have used this many times. LOVE this technology. Gives buyers a viewpoint into what a vacant property can look like. Also, we can literally take existing furniture and decor OUT of a room – and represent it as something else. Great when a room can be used as an office, art studio, study room, bedroom or GYM! Buyers often enjoy seeing options. AI can even be used to change the paint colour in a room! However, when AI-generated visuals and other content are used to market properties, it should be made clear that what a potential customer is looking at is not the real thing!
Newsletters – this is another content-based writing application – that I am seeing a lot of REALTORS® benefit from. But just like the stock newsletters from the past – with pie recipes and maintenance tips – this approach and method does not match our brand! This BLOG always has personal content. I get so EXCITED when people reach out to me after a Karen’s Korner is posted – to discuss or comment or elaborate on what I have written. We are the “what you see is what you get” REALTORs®. 😊
Chatbots can assist with customer service, taking care of basic questions from potential buyers, as well as automatically scheduling tours and viewings. Again – OTHER agents can do this. We call ourselves ClientFirst for a reason. We NEVER want to get SO busy – that we don’t have time to personally answer questions from our clients~!! PLUS scheduling tours and viewings I believe – allows us to truly understand more about each individual home and how we want to present them to our clients. Or if we should even show them!!!! As a listing agent I get a LOT of bookings form agents who HAVE NEVER looked at the listing or read the private comments! This is not good for sellers or the industry.
Social Media – OK I was tempted to use this technology recently – to improve my social footprint…but I am seeing agents use it – and noticing errors, incorrect information/content about the city/country/seasons/industry etc. Once you make a negative impression online – it is hard to recover!
AI can be a beneficial tool, but it simply can not replace those personalized REALTOR® relationships.
For example, there is a new AI-based search tool – intended to help prospective buyers find their “dream home.” It matches them with a REALTOR® in a certain area who can then show them the specific property. Yet while the logistics may be on point, it’s missing the intangible elements that make REALTORS® unique! Every REALTOR® has their own strengths – both in the types of clients they work best with and in their knowledge of an area/city/specific product.
Look at Bailey’s most recent transaction with her home buyers. They reached out in August 2024 to me. I had a listing in Braeside they wanted to view. I gave the lead to Bailey, and she met them, showed the home and built a relationship with these people. They discovered they had so much in common! She created an environment where they trusted her 100% to find the right home. She demonstrated creativity and patience and made them a priority. They had only called listing agents in the past to view homes – but their connection with Bailey became so strong – that they committed to work with her to find their dream home! AI didn’t do that. Bailey did that. After 9 offers, so many agent calls, 2 unique situations that even I have never experienced – and many broken-hearted calls – they were ultimately successful obtaining the home – that was literally meant for them!!!!!
***Fun Fact 3 – I showed these clients 2 homes as well – since we are a team and we support each other – and they ALWAYS remained Bailey’s clients. She owned the relationship from beginning to end! GREAT work Bailey!
There are some AI supported methods – for presenting offers – in the market now as well. Call me old fashioned – but I want to do that myself! I don’t ever see a world where MONEY trumps everything – every time – in every offer situation. There is always a negotiation where a buyer’s personal letter, a commitment to not tear the home down, an agreement to work within certain parameters, to buy all the furniture, keep the garden alive or just a respect for the sellers’ property and the other REALTOR® makes a difference.
I have presented many offers with a “story”…sometimes I win sometimes I don’t. We have received multiple offers on our listings with sonogram pictures, letters to sellers, video messages and personal stories that would break your heart. Some sellers are impacted some aren’t. Some leave money on the table because of “who” is going to buy! Every seller is different – and we never treat every situation the same! Plus, the amount of STRATEGY that goes into each offer negotiation is HIGH.
Bailey’s sale last year is a perfect example of how AI could NEVER replace her as a listing agent! See her client’s beautiful testimonial:
“My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Bailey to sell our inner-city Calgary condominium. From our chats with Bailey before listing our home, we were confident that she would be a great realtor for us. After going through the sale of our home with her, we were astounded by how skilled she is at her profession. Bailey’s rare mix of pragmatism, strong work ethic, deep expertise in her field, and cheerful disposition make her a highly talented real estate agent.
She expertly handled negotiations involving multiple offers, giving us advice throughout the process on how to achieve the best outcome. Her advice was absolutely correct, and we are so thankful that we had Bailey advising us through the negotiation process. The sale process from start to finish with Bailey was seamless and quick.
Her team’s photos of the condo unit looked great, and Bailey worked hard to create a listing that highlighted not only the strengths of our unit but also those of the building and surrounding area. She came prepared to every conversation and was always quick to respond to our emails and messages, promptly addressing any items that came up during the process.
We will continue to work with Bailey for any future home purchases or sales, and we are very thankful for her help in selling our home.”
Trust and integrity are vitally important when people are making one of the most important decisions of their lives – whether buying or selling. We prioritize ethics, transparency and accountability. That authentic relationship we have with our clients – is essential to achieving a positive outcome. This is not something that can be replaced by artificial intelligence. Real estate as a business can be transactional, but real estate as an “experience” is rooted in emotion. We will embrace the technology and integrate it – if and when it BENEFITS our clients – and our approach to this industry ONLY!