AI that actually works for Estate Agents

AI that Estate Agents can actually use!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a game-changer for estate agents, helping to streamline day-to-day tasks and improve the experience for clients. Here’s how AI is making a difference and some of the best tools out there that agents are using right now.

1. How AI is Shaping Estate Agencies 

AI is having a big impact on how estate agents work:

• Automated Property Valuations
  AI can process huge amounts of property data to deliver quick, accurate valuations. It’s a massive time-saver and helps agents provide instant value to their clients.
• Better Property Listings
  Tools powered by AI create more engaging listings, including virtual tours and 3D models. These features make properties stand out and attract more buyers.
• Smarter Decision Making
  AI helps analyze market trends and buyer behavior, giving agents valuable insights to guide their strategies.
• Chatbots and Virtual Assistants
  AI chatbots handle simple queries and offer 24/7 support, so agents can focus on more important tasks without clients feeling neglected.

2. 10 AI Tools Estate Agents Should Know About

In no particular order, here are some very useful AI tools that you can try today!

• OnTheMarket
  Uses AI to generate accurate property valuations based on real-time data and market insights.
• DocuSign
  Streamlines the signing process with AI-powered e-signatures, cutting down on paperwork and errors.
• HubSpot
  Automates lead generation, marketing, and sales tasks to help agents stay on top of their pipeline.
• Zapier
  Connects different tools and automates workflows, making it easier to manage daily operations.
• Teasers.ai
  A host of AI tools at your fingertips with Teasers.ai, from content creation to virtual home staging. This has it all!
• Canva
  AI powered design tools enabling you to quickly and easily create designs for anything from Social Media Posts to contracts. It’s also very easy to add in animations and video too!
• Captr
  Create simple and/or complex video forms and add them to your website to engage more of your visitors.
• AutoEnhance
  Instant AI generated enhancements of images, showcasing your properties in the best possible way!
• WhatsApp
  Integrate Whatsapp into your operations, using AI to automatically signpost clients of different types to the correct contacts within your business.
• IOVOX
  Call tracking solution which transcribes calls to text and automatically identifies opportunities extracted from the call recordings.

3. AI Tools That Can Actually Help Estate Agents

• Property Valuation Tools
  Why it helps: These tools are straightforward and offer instant, accurate property valuations based on market data. They save time and give agents a professional edge without requiring technical know-how. They can also be configured based on the level of renovation for the property.
• Virtual Tour and 3D Modelling Tools
  Why it helps: Tools like Getfloorplan transform basic floor plans into 3D walkthroughs. It’s easy to use, and clients love the immersive experience. A huge timesaver for estate agents.
• AI-Powered CRMs (like HubSpot)
  Why it helps: These CRMs automate tasks like follow-ups, lead tracking, and email campaigns. It’s all about keeping the sales pipeline organized without needing to manually track every interaction. They send out periodic reminders to your teams with full reporting on activity.
• Chatbots and Virtual Assistants
  Why it helps: Basic AI chatbots (like those on Facebook Messenger) handle common queries 24/7. They’re easy to set up and free up agents’ time without complicating workflows. They also become more educated over time, so they can answer your clients queries by taking previous interactions with clients into account, helping them work with the user to get their issues resolved.
• Document Automation (like DocuSign)
  Why it helps: Speeds up contract signing with e-signatures and reduces errors. Simple to use, and clients appreciate the convenience. Reminders are also sent, saving you and your team time in chasing contacts signatures.

4. AI Tools That Estate Agents Are Most Likely to Embrace

• User-Friendly Platforms
  Estate agents don’t want to spend hours learning complex software. Tools like DocuSign/Hubspot are intuitive, with minimal setup and a clear purpose.
• Integrations That Simplify Workflows
  Tools like Zapier automate repetitive tasks between apps (e.g., sending leads from a website to a CRM). It’s practical and works in the background without much intervention.
• Marketing Tools That Feel Familiar
  Ad management platforms with AI, such as Google’s AI-driven ad tools, help optimize campaigns automatically. Since agents are often familiar with running ads, the AI simply makes the process smarter. Be very careful with this though, as costs could spiral if the campaigns are not monitored.
• Time Saving
  Any AI that works and saves an estate agent as much time as possible is likely to be a success with estate agents.
  
  

5. What to Avoid

• Overly Complex AI Tools
  If a tool requires extensive training or constant tweaking, it’s probably not a good fit. Estate agents need solutions that work out of the box.
• Tools That Don’t Integrate Easily
  Standalone tools that don’t sync with existing systems (like CRMs or email platforms) can cause frustration. The simpler the integration, the better. The last thing you want to do is to login to various AI platforms throughout the day, you need something seamless.
• Facial Recognition AI
  Although used for security, it raises privacy issues, especially when deployed without clear consent or transparency.

A few tips…

Do Your Research: Read reviews and check for trusted endorsements.

Understand the Tech: Choose AI tools that clearly explain their processes and limitations.

Regulatory Compliance: Use AI solutions that align with data protection and industry regulations, such as GDPR.

6. A Little Bit of Data

Data shows that AI adoption in the real estate industry is steadily rising, with many estate agents integrating AI to improve efficiency and service delivery. According to some studies that we have found, please see:

14% of real estate firms are actively using AI, while 28% are in early adoption stages, and 30% are piloting AI technologies. This indicates that over 70% of real estate companies are exploring or implementing AI in some capacity – Reference: BDO

60% of real estate professionals believe that AI will significantly impact how they operate within the next few years. Tools like automated valuation models and predictive analytics are already popular among agents for streamlining valuations and market analysis – Reference: McKinsey & Company

The figures above suggest that while not every agent is fully on board, some are either adopting or closely watching AI trends. This suggests a strong growth trajectory for AI in real estate.

Please note that the above figures are based on polls independently produced. At Property Webmasters we feel that the vast majority of Estate Agents, a significant portion, will not be utilising AI any differently to how they were 5 years ago. In fact, some estate agents will be actively avoiding it, either from fear or due to their belief in this being a service industry where human interactions matter more than anything else.

7. How Can Estate Agents Stay on Top of AI

A. Industry Blogs and Publications

• Estate Agent Today: Regularly features articles on tech innovations, including AI applications in real estate.
• Property Industry Eye: Covers industry news, including the latest in proptech and AI developments.
• Inman: Focuses on global real estate trends, with a strong emphasis on technology and innovation.
• Infabode: Comprehensive Real Estate Information provided by a multitude of real estate professionals around the world!

B. PropTech-Focused Websites and Communities

• Unissu: A platform dedicated to proptech, offering insights into how AI and other technologies are shaping the property industry.
• PropTech Hub: Features news, case studies, and updates on AI tools specifically for real estate.
• Infabode: Again… Bringing the brightest minds in proptech together!

C. AI and Tech Conferences for Real Estate

• PropTech Connect or Future: These conferences highlight the latest AI and tech trends impacting estate agents. They’re great for networking and discovering new tools firsthand.
• Inman Connect: A global real estate event where tech, including AI, is a major focus.

D. Social Media and Online Communities

• LinkedIn Groups: Join groups like PropTech Professionals or Real Estate Technology to follow discussions and updates.
• X: Follow hashtags like #PropTech, #AIforRealEstate, and #EstateAgentTech to stay in the loop.

E. PropTech Podcasts and Webinars

• PropTech Podcast: Hosted by industry experts, it often covers AI advancements and practical applications for estate agents.
• The Estate Agent Podcast: Offers insights into tech trends and tools making waves in the real estate sector.

F. Dedicated AI Tools’ Blogs and Updates

Tools like ValPal, HubSpot, and Zapier regularly update their blogs with case studies and tips on using AI effectively in real estate. Subscribing to their newsletters ensures you won’t miss important updates.

Time tip:

Block out time monthly or quarterly to check these sources. By doing so, you’ll stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.

8. What’s Next For Estate Agents

AI is constantly evolving, and here’s what could be coming in the next 12 months:

• Hyper-Realistic Virtual and Augmented Reality Tours
  AI will take virtual tours to the next level, offering super detailed walkthroughs and even personalizing tours based on what buyers are interested in.
• More Advanced Property Valuation Tools
  Expect real-time, super-accurate valuations and even predictive analytics that forecast future property values. There is a lack of data currently to power Instant Valuation tools depending what country you operate in, this is likely to change in the near future.
• Smarter Chatbots and Virtual Assistants
  These will get even better at handling client queries, booking viewings, and offering tailored advice based on client preferences.
• AI-Driven Marketing
  AI will help agents create highly targeted campaigns, whether it’s personalized emails or social media ads, and focus on the best leads. The optimisation of such campaigns will be AI driven, but we advise not to solely rely on this, you must constantly check in on your ROI from all campaigns.
• Intelligent Property Search and Matching
  AI will make it easier to match buyers with the perfect property, even anticipating what they’re looking for before they know it themselves.

By using these tools and keeping up with the latest developments, estate agents can make their work easier, deliver a better service, and stay ahead of the competition.

For more Top Tips on how to utilise AI in your Estate Agency please check out this article too: AI Tools to Improve your Estate Agency Website and Marketing >