NAR's 2026 Technology Report: Half of Agents Use AI Weekly. Here's What They Use It For
Prices and facts checked October 13, 2026. We don't accept payment for rankings.
On this page
What happened: on September 22, 2026, the National Association of REALTORS® released its 2026 REALTORS® Technology Report, based on about 1,200 agents. Nearly half now use AI daily (23%) or weekly (25%), and the share who don't use it and don't plan to fell to 12%, from 32% in 2025 (NAR).
Why it matters today: AI is no longer an early-adopter tool in real estate. It's a standard part of how listings get written and leads get followed up. That makes the quality controls around it, like fact-checking, fair housing and data handling, a mainstream issue too.
The headline numbers
| Measure | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Use AI daily | 23% |
| Use AI weekly | 25% |
| Experiment occasionally | 31% |
| Curious but haven't tried | 9% |
| Don't use and no plans | 12% (32% in 2025) |
| AI users who report a positive business impact | 55% |
Sources: NAR newsroom; NAR REALTOR® News.
What agents use AI for
| Task | Share of AI users |
|---|---|
| Listing descriptions | 75% |
| Social media posts | 56% |
| Emails and follow-ups | 52% |
| Market summaries | 30% |
| Personal-tone marketing | 30% |
| Document review and summaries | 27% |
| Pricing or comps support | 23% |
Which tools: ChatGPT (91% of AI users), Gemini (42%), Copilot (27%), Claude (25%), Apple Intelligence (14%) (NAR).
The wider tech stack
The MLS is still the core tool (96%), then e-signature (79%) and showing scheduling (68%). General AI content tools sit at 41% of all agents. Learning curve (63%) and cost (59%) are the biggest barriers. NAR's Jessica Lautz summed it up: "Real estate agents are making practical choices about technology" (NAR newsroom).
The risk that comes with the most common use
The top use, listing descriptions, is also the riskiest. HousingWire noted that AI-assisted listing copy and client communications are "raising questions around brokerage standards, fair housing compliance and data governance" (HousingWire). North Carolina REALTORS® has reminded brokers that using AI doesn't reduce or transfer their duties (NC REALTORS®).
Three habits that keep AI output safe:
- Verify every fact (square footage, upgrades, HOA details) against the listing file.
- Describe the property, not the buyer to stay clear of fair housing problems (our guide).
- Keep client data out of free AI accounts. Use business plans with data controls, and never paste offers or financials into public tools.
Where the 23% "pricing support" users should be careful
AI isn't an appraiser. It can summarize comps you give it but may invent sales or misread data if left to search on its own. Use your MLS and CMA tools for numbers, and use AI to explain them to clients in plain English.
What to do next
- If you're in the 12%: start with low-risk tasks like email follow-ups and social captions you'll review anyway.
- If you're a daily user: write a one-page AI policy for your team, covering approved tools, what never goes in and who reviews listing copy.
- Either way: see our guide to AI listing photos and disclosure before using AI image edits.
FAQ
Is ChatGPT safe for real estate agents?
For drafting, yes, with review. Use a business plan with data controls and keep confidential client information out.
Does NAR have rules on AI?
The Code of Ethics applies to AI output like anything else, including the duty to present a true picture in advertising (NAR Code of Ethics).
What's the fastest AI win for agents?
Follow-up emails and social posts: high volume, low risk, easy to review.
Sources
Pages we used for this article, checked on or before the update date above.
- NAR · nar.realtor
- NAR newsroom · nar.realtor
- Alisa Anton · unsplash.com
- HousingWire · housingwire.com
- NC REALTORS® · ncrealtors.org
- NAR Code of Ethics · nar.realtor
Changelog: Oct 13, 2026: first published.