Artificial intelligence is yet to become a mainstream tool for property search but estate agents believe it will play a dominant role in the future of buying and selling homes.
Research from GetAgent.co.uk shows that while AI is becoming a growing focus across the property industry, most buyers and sellers are still relying on traditional portals and search filters when looking for homes.
The survey of UK estate agents found that only 22% have seen buyers mention artificial intelligence when explaining how they discovered a property.
On the sales side, just 17% of agents said sellers had asked whether AI-powered tools were being used to market their home.
NO LISTING IMPACT
Despite increasing investment in the technology, very few agents believe AI is currently changing how listings perform. Only 7% said AI-powered search tools are already improving property visibility, while 93% reported no noticeable impact so far.
Interest in the technology has increased after several major platforms began introducing AI-driven search features, with firms exploring ways to make property discovery more personalised and intuitive. However, the findings suggest that adoption by consumers remains at an early stage.
Even so, agents are overwhelmingly confident that AI will become a core part of the property search process. The research found that 84% believe AI-powered tools will eventually become one of the main ways buyers look for homes, while 88% said agencies that fail to adopt the technology risk falling behind competitors.
MAJOR TALKING POINT
Colby Short (main picture, inset), Co-founder and CEO of GetAgent, says: “Artificial intelligence has become a major talking point across the property sector, but like most new technologies, it will take time before it becomes fully integrated into how buyers and sellers behave.
“Right now, the majority of buyers are still searching for homes in the same way they always have, using traditional filters and browsing listings on the major portals. However, the direction of travel is clear and the industry is preparing for a near future where AI plays a much larger role in shaping how homes are discovered online.
“As more major platforms introduce AI-powered tools and the technology continues to improve, it’s likely that buyers will become far more comfortable using it as part of their property search.”
