According to HousingWire's 2026 Realtors Technology Report from NAR, real estate agents are moving beyond experimenting with new tools and putting them to work in their daily routines. The report shows that nearly half of agents now use artificial intelligence either daily or weekly, compared to just a small fraction who aren't using it at all. This represents a significant shift from where we were a year ago, when a much larger portion of the profession hadn't even tried AI yet.
The main reason agents are adopting technology is straightforward: they want to save time and give their clients a better experience. An overwhelming majority of surveyed agents said saving time is their top priority, and improving how clients feel about the process comes in a close second. When routine tasks get handled more efficiently, it frees up agents to focus on the guidance and negotiation work that clients really value during what's usually the biggest financial decision of their lives.
When it comes to how agents are actually using AI, the applications are pretty practical and focused on client-facing work. Writing listing descriptions tops the list at three-quarters of agents, followed by creating social media posts and drafting emails and follow-up messages. About a third of agents are using AI to write market summaries and marketing content, and some are using it to review and summarize documents. This trend is creating important questions for brokerages around training, compliance, and fair housing standards, especially since so much of the AI use involves content that goes directly to clients.
Beyond AI, the traditional tools that keep real estate running are still dominant. Nearly every agent uses the MLS, most have e-signature platforms, and a good number rely on customer relationship management systems and pricing tools. Drone photography has also become fairly common. However, barriers still exist for wider adoption of new technology. Many agents say the learning curve is steep, and cost is a real concern. Agent spending on technology varies widely, with some spending under fifty dollars monthly and others spending five hundred or more.
What I'm seeing locally in the Bay Area and East Bay aligns with this national trend. Agents who embrace these tools thoughtfully are gaining real advantages in their day-to-day work. The key for my clients, whether they're buying or selling, is finding an agent who uses technology smartly without losing the personal touch that matters so much in a transaction. The profession is clearly moving toward AI as a standard part of the toolkit, and brokerages that invest in proper training and compliance frameworks now will be better positioned down the road.
