REAL AI: Should you tell your clients you use AI, AI stats and facts, headlines, and quote of the week
By Kevin Hawkins with Korey Hawkins | Vol. 3 Issue 43
REAL AI is a human-created weekly roundup of all things related to artificial intelligence in real estate and emerging AI innovations in other sectors likely to impact our industry. Find past issues at realai.blog.
NEW BOOK! THE REAL AI GUIDE FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS: No BS. No Hype. Just Real ChatGPT Skills You’ll Use Every Day – Now available at Amazon: $19.95 paperback or $9.95 Kindle.
Should you tell clients you’re using AI?
To tell or not to tell, that’s the question.
If you’ve been using ChatGPT to help write property descriptions, compose emails, or summarize complex documents, you’re not alone. Most agents are. But most are saying…nothing.
Is it time to tell your clients that you’re using AI? Or is it smarter to keep that quiet?
There’s no easy answer. You’ve got to find the right balance between transparency, perception, and professionalism.
If you think saying “I use ChatGPT” might make a client think you’re cutting corners, you’re not wrong. But silence can backfire, too. Especially if your clients start to wonder whether you’re actually doing the work or just pasting whatever a bot spits out.
So when should you say something? And how do you keep it simple?
When silence is golden
If you’re using AI to come up with subject lines, brainstorm flyer ideas, or summarize and organize your client notes, don’t overthink it. You don’t need to say a word.
You don’t tell people you used Canva for a social post. Or QuickBooks for your billing. Or CMA software for a listing presentation.
ChatGPT isn’t that different. It’s just a tool. You’re still the one doing the work. AI just helps you do it faster, and often better.
When a little transparency goes a long way
If you send a client a detailed summary of an inspection or HOA documents for the home they are considering, and ChatGPT helped write it, you might want to explain how you put it together.
You don’t need to wave a flag. Just explain it like a pro:
“I created this summary using an AI tool that helps pull out the key takeaways. I still reviewed everything to make sure it’s right. It just saves you time and helps me get straight to the stuff that matters.”
That’s not a tech pitch. It’s just a way to show that you’re working smart and staying in control. It also positions you as someone who knows how to use today’s AI tools without sounding like a bot.
What to say if a client asks you directly
If a client asks, “Did AI write this?” or “Are you using AI?”, don’t get defensive.
Here’s a simple answer that keeps it human:
“I do use AI when it makes sense. It helps with first drafts and research. But I always tailor it to you and your situation. It actually gives me more time to focus on what matters most for your (sale or search).”
No apology. No techspeak. Just the truth, said plainly.
Most clients will get it. Many are using AI themselves. The key is showing them that you are still the one driving the process.
If you’re using AI safely, you shouldn’t just defend it: you should be proud of it. You’re doing the work to stay current, to use new tools the right way, and to make sure your clients benefit. Not everyone in this business can say that.
Knowing how to use AI safely and strategically is part of being today’s go-to real estate agent.
The REAL AI take
You don’t owe anyone a list of apps you use to do your job. But you do owe them smart, clear, and helpful communication.
If AI helps you do that, great. And if someone asks? Just say it straight: it’s a tool. You’re the expert. You’re still the one doing the work.
There’s no shame in using AI to work smarter. Just don’t let the bot do the talking without you! (-Kevin)
Stat of the Week
AI Facts and Stats
1. 82% of Americans surveyed said they use AI for real estate insights.
2. 61% of Americans surveyed stated that AI makes them smarter about the housing market.
3. 90% of Americans surveyed admit to using some form of social media for housing content.
4. 76% of Gen Z respondents said they use Tik-Tok for housing content.
5. 67% of Americans said they have turned to ChatGPT to navigate real estate decisions.
Source: Realtor.com Survey (-Korey)
AI Headlines
ChatGPT is smarter now that it’s learned to forget – a huge memory upgrade is coming | 10/19/25 TechRadar
You can now give ChatGPT the ability to decide which memories to keep.
Anthropic’s Claude chatbot is getting a ‘memory’ upgrade | 10/23/25 The Verge
Claude says it can now remember previous conversations across chats like ChatGPT.
Speed Wins Deals: How AI-Powered Quotes Are Transforming the Broker Landscape | 10/20/25 Appraisal Buzz
The power of commercial AI underwriting is helping generate loan quotes at a faster pace.
Ensuring transparency and trust in home valuation | 10/22/25 Cotality
The AVM Final Rule has made AI governance and model integrity into a regulatory requirement.
Inman announces the 2025 Class of AI Award winners | 10/23/25 Inman
We are intrigued that one of the newcomer winners is Kevin AI.
OpenAI Unveils Web Browser Built for Artificial Intelligence | 10/21/25 The New York Times
Google Chrome has new competition in the form of OpenAI’s Atlas web browser.
GM is bringing Google Gemini-powered AI assistant to cars in 2026 | 10/22/25 TechCrunch
If you own a General Motors vehicle, Google Gemini will soon join you on the road.
Revive amps up AI capabilities in bet on renovation market | 10/22/25 Inman
The Revive AI platform is giving agents an edge in turning more homeowners into sellers.
AI Is Powering a Desert Construction Boom – and Investors Are Snapping Up Thousands of Acres | 10/20/25 Realtor.com
Arizona is shaping up to be the next big hub for AI data centers.
White paper discusses future of MLS governance, sovereign AI | 10/23/25 HousingWire
WAV Group and Fluente’s new white paper talks about why MLS MCP servers are needed more than ever. (-Korey)
AI Quote of the Week
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