M
att Britton, a tech specialist, urges real‑estate agents not to dread AI. “The more you let it handle the routine, the more time you’ll have for clients,” he says. The sector is still behind on automation, but the shift is accelerating.

    During NAR NXT 2025, Britton highlighted that agents who build their own AI workflows can devote more energy to building relationships. As AI takes over repetitive tasks—document verification, social‑media posts, lead qualification—creative thinking will become the real differentiator.

    The industry’s slow adoption of automation leaves a gap for forward‑thinking professionals. Those who embrace new tools can stand out, Britton explained to a crowd of over 2,000 NAR members. He warned that the pace of AI development is so rapid that the choices made in the next 90–120 days will shape careers for a decade.

    While some fear job loss, Britton frames the change as a boon for agents who want to cut back on busywork. “Human trust and connection are irreplaceable when people make life‑changing financial decisions,” he noted. Yet agents currently spend too little time on the uniquely human aspects of their role.

    Britton predicts that automation in real estate will outpace expectations. Initially, agents use AI to answer questions; soon they’ll deploy custom large‑language models to manage entire workflows. This mirrors trends in other sectors, where AI‑driven “agents” handle low‑level decisions—such as deciding whether a newsletter subscriber merits a meeting.

    Adopting AI can shift an agent’s mindset. Britton himself used AI to produce a country‑music video that promoted a home listing, setting only the parameters. AI can also estimate loan eligibility and craft personalized emails based on buyers’ must‑have and nice‑to‑have criteria.

    The most exciting aspect, Britton says, is accessibility. “You don’t need to be a tech wizard,” he emphasizes. “Identify the key problems you want to solve in your career, and let AI help you solve them.”