AI is changing real estate, but Barb Betts believes technology should make people more human, not less. During her conversation with James Dwiggins on the real estate insiders unfiltered real estate podcast, Barb explained how agents can use technology while preserving the relationships that drive a successful business.
Using AI to Make More Room for People
Barb sees real estate technology as a tool for reducing repetitive work. AI can automate tasks, organize information, provide reminders, and help agents learn more about their clients.
However, technology should never replace the personal moments that only a real estate agent can provide:
- Making clients feel important
- Showing empathy during stressful decisions
- Offering informed opinions
- Explaining complicated transactions
- Helping clients feel confident
Buying or selling a home may happen only once every eight to thirteen years for many consumers. Although clients can search for real estate for sale, compare real estate listings, research real estate prices, and follow real estate trends, information alone does not create trust.
Relationships Must Come Before Referrals
Barb explained that many real estate agents are taught to focus too heavily on referrals. Referrals matter, but a strong relationship must come first.
When the relationship is shallow, asking for business can feel uncomfortable. Instead, Barb recommends intentional outreach without an immediate request. Her five-by-five method involves sending five messages to five people each day, five days a week.
A message might be as simple as:
“I was thinking about you today. How are you and your family?”
There is no pitch and no agenda. The purpose is to stay connected. Over time, those conversations help an agent become a trusted resource. When someone asks how business is going, the agent can answer honestly and invite an introduction.
This approach can work for an independent real estate broker, a professional working within a real estate brokerage, or an agent affiliated with a real estate franchise such as NextHome or the NextHome real estate franchise. Regardless of the business model, relationships remain personal.
Authenticity Builds Confidence
Barb’s transition from managing a brokerage to becoming a national keynote speaker offers another important lesson. She developed confidence by teaching, speaking for free, practicing, and learning how to communicate clearly.
Real estate professionals can apply the same process to listing presentations. Instead of practicing in front of an important client, an agent can rehearse on video, review delivery, and become more comfortable speaking with confidence.
Authenticity matters just as much. Barb explained that hiding personal strengths, stories, or opinions limits professional growth. An agent does not need to share every private detail, but the qualities brought into a client meeting should be genuine.
The Human Advantage
A search for real estate agents near me or real estate companies near me cannot measure the feeling of being genuinely cared for. Neither can real estate blogs, real estate podcasts, real estate books, real estate courses, or real estate events investing replace trust.
The same is true for real estate investing, investing in real estate, real estate investing for beginners, real estate financing, real estate taxes, and real estate laws. Knowledge is essential, but connection gives that knowledge meaning.
As Barb emphasized, AI should handle tasks that do not require a human touch. The strongest professionals in the real estate industry will use technology to create more time for meaningful conversations, not fewer.
That human advantage can strengthen any real estate market strategy, support long-term real estate investment real estate brokerage growth, and help agents build profitable, sustainable businesses.
