Artificial intelligence is gaining ground across the property industry, but it has yet to become a mainstream tool for buyers and sellers searching for homes — though that could soon change.
New research from GetAgent shows that while estate agents are increasingly aware of AI-powered search and marketing tools, most believe widespread consumer adoption is still some way off. However, the survey suggests the technology could play a much bigger role in how homes are discovered and marketed in the years ahead.
Recent moves by major property platforms highlight how the sector is beginning to explore AI’s potential. Property portal Rightmove recently announced plans to introduce artificial intelligence tools aimed at improving the home search process.
But the findings from the study suggests consumer adoption remains limited. While the technology is attracting growing attention within the industry, buyers and sellers are not yet widely using AI when searching for or marketing homes, although agents expect this to change over time.
The survey found that only 22% of agents have heard buyers mention artificial intelligence when explaining how they discovered a property. Among sellers, interest is even lower, with just 17% of agents reporting that homeowners have asked whether AI-powered tools are being used to promote their property to potential buyers.
When asked whether AI-powered search tools are currently improving the visibility of property listings, only 7% of agents say they already see a benefit, whilst 93% don’t believe it is currently having an impact.
However, despite AI still being in its early stages of adoption within the housing market, estate agents remain largely optimistic about its long-term potential.
A significant 84% of agents believe it is likely that AI powered search tools will become a primary way that buyers search for property in the future, while 88% believe property businesses that fail to adopt AI search risk falling behind their competitors.
The findings suggest that while artificial intelligence has yet to significantly influence how people search for property today, the industry is already anticipating a future where AI plays a far greater role in connecting buyers with homes and shaping how property transactions take place.
The co-founder and CEO of GetAgent, Colby Short, commented: “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 and, for agents and wider businesses within the sector, the key will be ensuring they are ready to adapt as these tools evolve and become more widely adopted.”