AI may be displacing certain jobs, but industry insiders share what gives agents who are REALTORS® an advantage.
Workers everywhere are asking: “Is my job AI-proof?”
In real estate, the numbers suggest consumers still value human expertise. A record 91% of home sellers used an agent in 2025, National Association of REALTORS® data shows.
Industry professionals explain why agents remain uniquely positioned in an AI-driven world.
1. AI can process large amounts of data quickly, but real estate decisions rarely have one clear answer
“Good judgment arises from recognizing patterns formed through experience — dealing with failed deals, client setbacks, and early mistakes you learn from and never repeat,” said Reinaldo Gonzalez, broker-owner of InvesTeam Realty.
2. Real estate pros can read social cues
“You can hear uncertainty in a seller’s voice, confidence in a buyer’s tone, or hesitation that signals an opportunity to adjust your strategy,” said Shane Brady, a real estate professional at Keller Williams.
3. AI can analyze documents and photos, but it can’t experience a property the way people do
Greg Field, a real estate professional with HomeSmart, said an algorithm “cannot walk into a home and smell the subfloor animal damage that the seller was trying to cover up with an air freshener. A computer sees a three-bedroom house on paper; an experienced agent sees a liability or opportunity.”
4. Negotiation requires human intuition
Libby McKinney Tritschler, with Team AFA’s William Raveis Real Estate, said successful negotiations often hinge on questions AI can’t easily answer about a seller’s motivation: Should you include an escalation clause? Is it better to strengthen your deposit, adjust the closing date, modify contingencies, or simply increase the price?
5. Experienced agents spot problems before they derail a deal
“Oftentimes we are able to recognize potential issues and find resolutions before they arise,” said Kristen Keegan, broker-owner of Silver Key Homes Realty.
6. Good agents know when to walk away
“The most impactful advice I’ve ever given clients is essentially ‘walk away,’” Gonzalez said. “‘Not this property, not this price, not now.’ That guidance doesn’t earn me a commission and requires true conviction.”
7. Agents advocate for their clients
“A REALTOR® brings local market expertise, professional experience, negotiation skills, and the ability to understand what a client truly needs, even when the client may not yet be able to adequately identify and articulate those needs,” said Chris Atwell, 2026 president of the Orlando Regional REALTORS® Association.
8. Real estate is built on trust and relationships, even those extending beyond the buyer and seller
“AI doesn’t have the relationships with inspectors, attorneys, title companies, and other professionals to expedite deals,” said Todd Drowlette, managing director of Titan Commercial Realty Group.
9. Agents who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® operate under a code of ethics
“When I advise a client, my license, reputation, and standing in the community are at risk,” Gonzalez said. “A mistake could have serious consequences for me. In contrast, AI doesn’t face such risks. … Having skin in the game isn’t a flaw of human advice. It’s the fundamental reason why advice carries weight.”
10. AI is a tool, but not a substitute for experienced professionals
“Clients do not just need information,” said Chris Wands, founder of The Wands Team at Douglas Elliman. “They need someone who can interpret that information, advocate for them, anticipate problems before they happen, and guide them through the moments when the deal becomes complicated, emotional, or high stakes.”
