Check out our new The REAL AI Podcast for this week – Episode 37 7/27/26 – AI generated with hosts Miles and Grace
REAL AI: 3 things agents want from AI classes, HW AI Summit in Dallas, AI stats and facts, headlines, and AI quote of the week
By Kevin Hawkins with Korey Hawkins | July 27, 2026 – Vol. 4 Issue 30
REAL AI is the industry’s first and most popular weekly newsletter helping real estate professionals stay on top of the most important AI developments to help save time, stay safe and improve business workflow. Buy the real estate agent’s AI playbook: The REAL AI Guide for Real Estate Agents at Amazon today!
3 things agents want from AI classes
We have hit a tipping point in real estate agents’ appetite for AI education.
I saw the swell building in May at REALTOR QUEST in Toronto, where my AI classes were standing room only. This past week, it became a tsunami.
The Northwest MLS 7-Day AI Challenge drew nearly 2,000 registrations. Each day set a new attendance record compared with the other 7-Day AI Challenges I have taught.
The engagement was electric. The chat flowed nonstop, and for the first time, I could not keep up with all the questions.
The response from agents made something clear: AI education cannot simply be interesting, practical or applicable. It must show agents how to immediately change what they do and how they do it.
That is a heavy lift. When it is done well, however, the impact can be stunning.
What has changed?
During the past two-plus years of teaching AI, I have watched agent interest shift from curiosity to conviction. More importantly, what agents want from AI education has become crystal clear.
They do not want another presentation about AI trends changing real estate or a demonstration of AI tools that are coming next. That does not help them complete the work waiting for them today.
Agents want to know how AI can help them do their jobs now. Period.
They also do not want to simply hear examples. They want to see AI in action. They want easy, repeatable steps that do not require technical expertise. They want to discover ways AI can save them time by handling everyday tasks they never realized it could do. Most of all, they want to know how to do it safely.
Two statistics help explain the surge. According to NAR, one in three agents has not used AI in the past 12 months. WAV Group research found that 70% of agents want their MLS to provide AI education.
The demand is enormous. What’s lagging is effective training.
What is missing?
Agent feedback is blunt.
“I’ve attended more than a dozen classes to learn how to engage with AI tools, and your seven sessions have provided more useful information than everything before,” wrote Cris LeCompte, a Seattle-area Keller Williams broker.
Gina Akins, a RE/MAX broker in Snohomish, Washington, described something I suspect many agents are feeling: “I was having AI burnout; it’s everywhere and everyone is having classes or providing information. However, none of the information was like what you offered! My mind is blown!”
Other agents said the training gave them the confidence to stop resisting AI, begin experimenting and immediately apply it to their businesses. One agent used ChatGPT to help solve a complicated computer storage problem for her 82-year-old father. Another said the course showed her an entirely new way to think about communication, client care and follow-up. A 72-year-old agent shared a screenshot of his very first chat!
3 things agents say they need
First, they want usable applications built around the real work agents perform every day.
Second, they want to watch those applications demonstrated live, in simple steps they can repeat themselves.
Third, they respond to energetic, authentic teaching that makes an intimidating subject feel approachable.
How an AI class is taught can be as important as what is taught.
A teacher’s takeaway
Every class improves because I feed AI the questions, feedback and moments that did or did not connect.
AI has become my teaching assistant, but agents are my best teachers. They keep showing me that great AI education is not about someday. It is about helping you save time, solve problems, and communicate better today. (-Kevin)
AI Facts & Stats
1. 78% of business and commercial real estate leaders surveyed believe that AI will significantly impact their portfolio strategies and CRE function over the next 3-5 years.
2. 46% of CRE leaders surveyed said they are actively monitoring AI trends.
3. 27% of CRE leaders surveyed strongly believe human job roles will be enhanced by AI.
4. 15% of CRE leaders surveyed said they have progressed beyond exploration and initial deployment to actively optimize AI in their CRE operations and prepare for AI-driven organizational change.
5. 41% of CRE leaders see technology/AI disruption as the greatest risk to their portfolios.
Source: JLL (-Korey)
AI Headlines
Introducing the ChatGPT for small business program | 7/21/26 OpenAI
ChatGPT’s newest business program contains hands on virtual training, in-person AI academies and more.
Can AI solve real estate’s coaching problem? | 7/23/26 Inman
AI can reshape coaching development without replacing the human element.
San Francisco home prices hit eye-popping highs thanks to AI ‘gold rush’ | 7/23/26 New York Post
San Francisco’s tsunami of AI wealth is skyrocketing home prices to millions of dollars.
Rechat launches AI voice assistant campaign | 7/21/26 HousingWire
Voice-powered AI in real estate workflows is more present than ever.
NYC Mayor Takes Aim at AI Slop ‘Housefishing’ in Real Estate Listings | 7/24/26 CNET
New York City rental listings now require disclosure for any images used that have been modified by AI.
Compass unveils ‘AI Assistant’; brokerage comparison tool launches | 7/21/26 RISMedia
Compass’s newest AI tool uses conversational AI to complete tasks via natural language prompts.
“There is no ceiling”: Welcome to Area AI | 7/18/26 The Real Deal
As AI companies spring up left and right, they’ve yet to hit a ceiling.
AI: The end of cookie-cutter presentations | 7/20/26 Florida Realtors
AI can create well-written and personalized listing presentations while saving you time.
More Texas Home Sellers Are Turning to AI Before Contacting Real Estate Agents | 7/23/26 EIN News
AI is altering the home buying journey for prospective homeowners in Texas. (-Korey)
AI Quote of the Week: Vladimir Putin
FINAL DAYS” JULY OFFER: The REAL AI Guide for Real Estate Agents personally signed, including shipping, for just $19 – and volume discounts available as low as $15 each! Email korey@wavgroup.com for details.