Real estate has always been and will always be a relationship-based business. At its core, this industry is built on connections, especially at the hyper-local level. A good REALTOR® doesn’t just know the market conditions; they know the people who make up the community.
Whether you need a trusted plumber, HVAC technician, or contractor, a successful REALTOR® has relationships that extend through every aspect of the homebuying process and into the community they serve.
Some of the most accomplished REALTORS® I know run their entire businesses on referrals. Their reputation and relationships are their currency, fueling their success. When clients have a positive experience making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives, they often share that story with friends and family. That kind of trust and word-of-mouth connection is something no technology can replicate.
Of course, technology has changed the way people search for homes. Today, anyone can quickly find listings, reviews, and ratings online. But when it comes to the most important decisions, people still lean toward someone they trust, not just an anonymous comment left online.
Now, as we enter the era of artificial intelligence with chatbots and automation, questions naturally arise about how this will affect real estate. I see AI as a tool, not a replacement. It can help REALTORS® build more efficient businesses and enhance the client experience, but it can’t replace relationships, local expertise, or human trust.
REALTORS® often wear many hats: negotiator, market expert, deal finder, assistant, marketer, even secretary. This is where AI has become a true game-changer. It offers time-saving capabilities, from drafting content to streamlining scheduling, allowing us to focus more on what really matters — serving our clients.
In today’s market, buyers and sellers are more informed than ever and have access to many of the same tools we use. The most successful REALTORS® will leverage those tools to create a smoother, more efficient process. But in the end, it is reputation, relationships, and local knowledge that set a professional apart. Technology can complement our work, but it can never replace the human connection at the heart of real estate.
Collyn Wainwright is president of Greater Nashville Realtors. A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors who subscribes to its strict code of ethics. You can reach Collyn at 615-383-6964 or collyn@collyn.com.
