05/29/2026
🤔 Can AI Replace Real Estate Agents?
It's a hot topic, so I decided to have some fun and put AI to the test!
And since I'm a total numbers geek, this kind of analysis is right up my alley. 📊
With today's market causing some sellers to pause and consider their options, this is exactly the type of valuation work I enjoy doing—not only for clients, but even for my own properties.
🔑 My conclusion? The best results come when AI is used AFTER an agent has boots-on-the-ground research and real market data.
I've done enough analysis to confidently say that AI alone cannot provide the most accurate market value—and neither can the public valuation sites. They can be wildly misleading and significantly off.
Here's a great example.
👇👇👇
⭐ EXAMPLE #1
To determine the recommended sales price (or current market value) of a property I own, I ran two net sale scenarios based on actual data gathering first and then AI analysis of that data.
• Scenario 1: Home value of $885,000 → Estimated net proceeds: $76,659.06
🚨 Keep in mind that the LOWEST home value initially suggested by both public sites and AI was $785,000. 🚨
• Scenario 2: Home value of $950,000 → Estimated net proceeds: $139,560.11
If this were a client—and myself—I would likely advise continuing to monitor the market, paying down the mortgage, and utilizing available tax benefits while waiting for market conditions to improve.
Of course, if a sale is necessary, then a different strategy is required.
📍 Data provided to ChatGPT:
Zillow: $995,000 - $1.16 million / $1,069,500
Redfin: $848,000 - $1.03 million / $892,603
Realtor.com: $905,992
Homes.com: $787,000 - $892,248
Palm One Agent: $787,000
After reviewing the data and discussing current market conditions, ChatGPT initially suggested a value of $925,000 - $995,000.
I pushed back based on current market realities.
Final AI valuation:
📍 $925,000 - $950,000
So the public estimates ranged from:
📍 $787,000 - $1,069,500
That's a huge spread.
And remember, I provided AI with my research, including the significant value differences between original-condition and renovated homes. That gave AI a major advantage and helped it arrive at a more realistic valuation.
🔑 THE KICKER:
In this condo community, values can vary by approximately $200,000-$250,000 depending on whether a unit is original condition or renovated.
Public valuation sites simply cannot make those adjustments accurately.
And based on my prior AI valuation tests in this same community, AI also struggled to account for condition without being given that information.
Which brings me to Example #2...
👇👇👇
⭐ EXAMPLE #2
This time, I wanted to see what AI would value a home at BEFORE I provided any of my research.
I basically told Chat:
"You go first. Then I'll show you my data." 😉
🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨
Both AI and the public sites OVERVALUED the property.
Here's what they came up with:
📍 Chat's original valuation:
$719,000 - $735,000
📍 My initial valuation:
$600,000
📍 Chat's final valuation after reviewing my data:
$599,000 - $615,000
Public Site Values:
Zestimate: $639,400
Redfin: $686,000 - $830,000
Realtor.com: $778,300
Homes.com: $691,289 - $725,000
All significantly overpriced based on actual sales, withdrawn listings, and property condition.
Before providing my research, this is all I told Chat:
"Okay. Let's be specific. I've done my research. I know all the public estimates and they are all overstated based upon actual sales and withdrawn activity, plus home condition is a major factor in this community. There is a wide range of value because some homes are original condition and others are remodeled. I have all that data. I'll give it to you, but first I want to see what value you think this home has."
Chat replied:
"If it's average condition:
👉 List around $719K-$735K max"
Then I shared my research.
My conclusion:
📍 Likely sales price based on recent sales and market: $570,000
📍 Recommended list price: $600,000 to drive traffic during a two-week launch window, especially in a market where buyers are hesitant.
Public Site Values:
Zestimate: $639,400
Redfin: $686,000 - $830,000
Realtor.com: $778,300
Homes.com: $691,289 - $725,000
My research included:
▶️ Original-condition upstairs unit listed at $780,000 and withdrawn.
▶️ Original-condition upstairs unit sold for $570,000 in 10/2025 and flipped/remodeled, then sold for $785,000 in 2/2026.
▶️ Remodeled upstairs unit sold for $785,000 in 2/2026.
▶️ Remodeled first-floor unit sold for $785,000 in 8/2025.
▶️ Original-condition upstairs unit at 1680 Via Ocioso sold for $570,000 in 10/2025.
▶️ Smaller original-condition unit sold for $540,000 in 6/2025.
After reviewing the data, Chat revised its conclusion:
📍 True original-condition value range:
$585,000 - $625,000
📍 Recommended list price:
$599,000 - $615,000
The most interesting part?
Chat completely changed its valuation once it had real-world data.
🎯 Final comparison:
Chat's original valuation:
$719,000 - $735,000
My initial valuation:
$600,000
Chat's final valuation:
$599,000 - $615,000
Public Site Values:
Zestimate: $639,400
Redfin: $686,000 - $830,000
Realtor.com: $778,300
Homes.com: $691,289 - $725,000
The public sites—and AI initially—were overpriced.
My valuation was on the low end of AI's final recommendation, although I can absolutely see the value of starting at $599,000 to capture buyers searching below the $600,000 threshold.
🔑 The Moral of the Story
AI and computer-generated valuations cannot do this alone.
But when you combine:
✔ Boots-on-the-ground market knowledge
✔ Real sales data
✔ Property-specific research
✔ An experienced agent
✔ AI as a tool
..you can create some very powerful pricing strategies.
Whew... that was fun! 😄
If you're wondering what your home might be worth now—or considering a move in the future—I'd be happy to help.
Debby Eubank
Realtor /SRES®
DRE # 01332306
Jason Mitchell Group
📞 619-820-9999
🌐 NestandInvestWithDebby.com
