Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword in real estate. It’s starting to show up in how agents actually work. A survey from VirtualStaging.com asked more than 500 real estate professionals across the US and Canada about their AI use.
Most respondents have tried at least one tool, but a much smaller group uses AI consistently. About 58 percent said they have experimented with AI, while roughly 22 percent use it every week. In other words, interest is high, but regular use is still limited.
Curiosity Is High, But Routine Use Is Still Low
The biggest story here is the gap between trying AI and actually sticking with it.
The survey found that 57.8 percent of agents have tested at least one AI tool. That includes writing assistants, photo editing tools, and chat features for client communication. But only 22.6 percent said they use AI weekly. That suggests many agents are still in the trial phase rather than building it into their workflow.
That gap matters because it points to what is still missing. People may be interested, but trust, comfort, and clear payoff are still catching up.
Agents also shared what they expect going forward.
About 43.1 percent think AI will become a normal part of listing prep by 2026. Another 29.8 percent expect to use it sometimes when it makes sense. Only 10.4 percent believe AI will replace any parts of the job that are currently led by humans. The overall vibe is change over time, not a takeover.
AI Is Seen as Help, Not a Substitute
One of the clearest messages in the results is that agents do not think AI will replace them. Many expect it to become a standard tool for preparing listings, but very few think it will fully automate what agents do.
That is a key point for how AI should be framed in real estate. Agents see their value in relationships, strategy, and judgment. They are open to tools that cut down busywork, but they do not want tools that create risk or make the process feel misleading.
What AI can do well is raise the baseline quality of marketing. If more listings look polished and consistent, agents can compete based on service, insight, and local knowledge rather than who has the most time or the biggest production budget.
Where Agents Are Actually Using AI
AI use is not evenly spread across tasks. Visual marketing is clearly the top use case.
About 41.8 percent of agents said they use AI for virtual staging or image enhancement. Around 31.2 percent use it to help write listing descriptions or marketing copy. About 18.7 percent use AI for lead screening or chat tools. Only 7.9 percent use it for transaction or admin work. Just 2.1 percent use it for legal or contract related tasks.
The pattern is pretty straightforward. Agents use AI where the upside is obvious and the risk stays low.
Visual tools improve presentation without changing pricing decisions, negotiations, or advice. They support how a home is shown, not how an agent guides the deal. That makes it easier to adopt.
Among agents using AI for visuals, 71.3 percent said it helps listings look more polished. About 39.2 percent said it lets them stage more listings that would otherwise be empty. Around 18.5 percent said clients sometimes get confused about what was digitally changed. Even with that, most agents seem careful about how they use these tools and how they explain them.
The Skepticism Is Practical
Even with growing interest, concerns are still common, and they are not random. They are tied to trust.
When asked about concerns, 52.4 percent pointed to accuracy and the risk of misrepresentation. About 38.9 percent mentioned legal or ethical uncertainty. Around 33.6 percent worried about losing authenticity or that personal feel. About 27.4 percent said clients may be uncomfortable with AI generated content. Around 19.1 percent brought up data privacy and security.
These concerns help explain why adoption is selective. Agents are not rejecting AI completely. They are choosing where it feels safe and where it does not.
This also explains another big gap in the survey. While 67 percent believe AI can save time, only 23.7 percent said they are seeing real, measurable efficiency gains right now. Early tools often add extra steps before they actually remove work, especially in an industry where trust and accuracy matter.
What This Means for Agents Right Now
The survey suggests AI works best when it supports what agents already do instead of forcing a whole new way of working.
AI tends to work best when the task is repetitive, when visual quality directly impacts buyer interest, and when the agent stays in control of the final output. Virtual staging, photo cleanups, and design previews are strong examples. They help listings stand out faster and more consistently, especially in competitive markets. When used responsibly, they can improve presentation without compromising accuracy.
At the same time, agents are cautious about going too far. Comfort and trust matter more than novelty. Tools that feel clear and controllable are more likely to get adopted. Tools that feel risky tend to stall out.
Bottom Line
VirtualStaging.com’s research points to a market that is shifting gradually, not one being flipped overnight. AI is being added to real estate the way other tools have been added in the past. People try it, keep what works, and ignore what feels messy or risky.
Visual content is leading because it delivers quick value with minimal downside when used responsibly. Over time, AI will likely become a normal part of listing prep. It will not replace agents. It will help them present homes better.
For agents and teams interested in the full dataset and detailed interviews behind these findings, the complete State of AI in Real Estate research is available from VirtualStaging.com.
