Can AI Replace Your Realtor? Here’s the Straight Answer
You may have seen a recent story from The New York Times about a homeowner who used AI instead of a real estate agent—and claimed he came out ahead. It’s an interesting story, and it raises a fair question:
If AI can do so much… do you still need a Realtor?
Let’s start with what’s true.
AI is genuinely good at certain parts of real estate—for instance, helping write listing descriptions. But even that needs a human touch. Without it, everything starts to sound the same, and the details that actually matter to buyers get lost.
What AI can’t do is bring perspective. It doesn’t walk through a home and think: who is this perfect for, what will they notice first, what will matter most to them? A family, an investor, and a downsizer all see the same home differently—and strong marketing speaks directly to each of them.
I use AI. It’s a helpful tool. But it’s just that—a tool. And it’s only a small piece of the job.
Here’s what the story doesn’t tell you
The person in that article wasn’t a typical seller.
He’s a technology reporter who specializes in AI
He sold a very standard home
It was in a strong, active market
He admitted he’s not sure others could replicate it
In other words, this was a best-case scenario.
Even then:
He underpriced the home and likely left money on the table
The AI made a legal mistake that could have had consequences
He still needed a human attorney to close
The buyer used a real agent—and was glad they did
That’s not a repeatable model. It’s a controlled experiment that happened to work out.
And when you look a little closer, the story starts to undercut itself.
He underpriced his home. An agent later estimated it was worth $650,000 or more, yet it sold for $605,000. Yes, it created a bidding war—but that’s exactly what happens when you price low. More activity doesn’t always mean more value. The article even references a seller in Florida who tried the same approach and lost around $225,000.
There were also real risks. The chatbot made what the author called “one major mistake”—a mistake that would have violated a federal settlement and potentially exposed him to fines. That error wasn’t caught by the AI. It was caught by a separate software service. In other words, the system needed oversight to function safely.
And he didn’t actually do it alone. He still hired a human attorney to close, and the buyers chose to work with a real agent—and said they were glad that they did.
The realities of real estate in Sonoma County
I’m closing a transaction this week that’s a good example of the value of human involvement.
What looked straightforward at first turned into a complicated inspection process. We uncovered issues that required bringing in multiple specialists, engineers, and contractors.
I was at the property with my clients and those experts for hours—walking through everything in real time, asking questions, pressure-testing solutions, and figuring out if there was actually a path forward.
I also brought in a few local experts that most people don’t even know exist—if you ever have questions about permitting in Sonoma County, reach out. I have a bit of a “secret weapon” I’m happy to connect you with.
That investigation led to clarity. And ultimately, I negotiated $96,000 off the original offer for my clients.
That doesn’t happen from a chatbot. That comes from knowing who to call, what to ask, and how to navigate uncertainty when it shows up.
But it’s not just about navigating problems—it’s also about creating opportunity.
On the listing side, I recently helped prepare a home for market while the seller was out of the area. I coordinated everything: having personal items packed up, identifying what might distract buyers, and moving select pieces to the garage to open up the space.
Then I brought in a stager for a partial stage—using some of the seller’s furniture, but refining and neutralizing the presentation so buyers could walk in and immediately see themselves there.
That’s the difference between a home feeling like it belongs to someone else… and a home that buyers connect with.
It’s thoughtful, hands-on work that directly impacts how a property shows—and ultimately, how it sells.
Where AI falls short
Real estate—especially in California—has real risk.
Disclosures
Inspections
Negotiation turning points
Deals that almost fall apart
AI doesn’t carry responsibility. It doesn’t stand behind its advice. And it’s not there when something gets complicated—you’re left holding the bag.
Pricing is another place where this shows up
AI looks at past sales. That’s useful.
But pricing well means understanding where the market is going—and how a specific home fits into it. That’s judgment. That’s where money is made or lost.
What this means for you
AI is a tool. A helpful one.
But it doesn’t replace:
Judgment
Strategy
Experience
Accountability
When you hire me, you’re not hiring someone to generate content and write emails.
You’re hiring someone who can step in when things aren’t simple—and guide you all the way through.
Because that’s where the real work is.