Generative AI has taken the world by storm over the past year. Even in our real estate industry – an industry that traditionally isn’t quick to embrace new technology – we can’t ignore the increasing use of AI applications in the way real estate is bought and sold.
There are many reasons why real estate agents are implementing AI, but the main one is that it frees up real estate agents’ time to focus on their core expertise of finding the right buyer or seller based on a holistic understanding of their customer’s needs. It’s about increasing.
Not a day goes by that I don’t hear about new generative AI developments from OpenAI, Google, and countless other players in the market. How can agents stay informed amidst all the noise? Here are six ways agents can find the training and more information they need.
1. External training
For agents eager to learn, a number of generative AI-related training sessions are available. Training sessions offered by industry organizations such as NAR are always a good option. Still, if you’re looking for sessions offered by a commercial third-party vendor, scrutinize the offerings carefully by looking at reviews and asking colleagues about their experiences with the vendor.
Universities have begun offering online and in-person classes on generative AI. There are also opportunities to collaborate and learn from various local organizations. For example, farmers, apartment owners, property managers, and even Future Farmers of America offer training opportunities to their members.
2. In-house training
Brokerage agents often have the opportunity to attend in-house training sessions on a variety of marketing topics. More and more real estate companies are adding generative AI to the topics covered in agent training sessions. In-house training is free and comes from a trusted source, so agents should consider it.
Additionally, generative AI tools use machine learning to enable agents to build courses customized to a brokerage firm’s needs. Once you understand this concept, there is nothing stopping brokers from using his AI prompts to build real estate courses for brokers.
For example, a brokerage firm could provide AI with its current processes and procedures and let the AI format it and develop instructional content based on the brokerage’s demographics (i.e., age, location, language, asset class, etc.) I can.
3. Follow the leader
Some of the so-called “AI thought leaders” are prolific content writers and lecturers on AI. It’s easy (and free) to monitor what experts like Marian Cloke, Maurice Conti, and Mike Delpreto are saying about generative AI. Advice from thought leaders should not be copied uncritically. The agent should instead choose the one that is most useful within the context.
That being said, one promising idea can change your life. So, open your ears and listen. Some experts have spent much of their lives building a body of knowledge. Start by setting up Google alerts around keywords like “generative AI,” “proptech,” or “AI for real estate.” Pay attention to people with bright ideas. Pay attention to the comments of their followers. All in all, start paying more attention.
4. (Reverse) Mentoring
Some brokerage firms have mentoring programs that allow those with less experience to learn from those with more experience in key business areas. When using AI and other technologies, the mentee is often older than the mentor, which is why such programs are called reverse mentoring.
If your company doesn’t have a mentoring program, there’s no reason why agents can’t form mentoring relationships themselves. Every agent knows someone on their social network who could tell them something about generative AI.
5. Trade media
Real estate industry media spends a lot of time reporting on the growing importance of generative AI in real estate marketing. These platforms publish interviews with experts, discuss product launches, and provide short, easy-to-understand how-to articles on a variety of AI-related topics. Agents who check important industry media weekly ensure they are up to date with the latest information.
6. Conference
Conferences and workshops hosted by industry associations and commercial providers provide a wealth of opportunities to learn about the latest developments in agent-generated AI. Of course, as with any training session, consider your provider carefully before spending your money.
In the coming years, generative AI will continue to impact the way agents market real estate and organize their work. There are many ways real estate agents can stay up to date on the latest developments in generative AI.
Agents who keep up to date with the latest developments in the field are poised to have a decisive advantage over their less AI-savvy colleagues.
Curtis Williams is a land investment specialist with National Land Realty, the nation’s fastest growing real estate and land brokerage firm. Connect with him on LinkedIn.