Data from SingleKey shows that around 15 per cent of tenant applications contain falsified documents, a climbing figure as renters struggle with affordability and job insecurity. For Realtors, it’s a business risk that can leave clients and agents facing unpaid rent, legal costs, and property damage that can total tens of thousands of dollars.

Why are rental scams on the rise

Fraudulent documents from fake credit reports, to proof of income, and even fake driver’s licences are common rental scams in Canada, and have become an increasing problem in recent years.

The typical signs of a fraudulent document include:

• Formatting errors from irregular font use to spacing and alignment inconsistencies
• Account summaries not matching account overviews
• Whole numbers after taxes 
• Employer contact info that doesn’t trace to a real company

But now, with AI, these scams are going unnoticed. What used to be a crude Photoshop job has become a sophisticated, fast-moving scam that is easier than ever to execute. Free online templates and AI tools make it easy to generate convincing pay stubs, employment letters and bank statements in seconds. Logos look authentic. Tax deductions appear accurate. Even bank deposits can be simulated with AI tools.

It’s become increasingly difficult for Realtors to spot these fakes with the naked eye, especially when dealing with time-sensitive leases or multiple applications.

An example of a fake paystub. Clues to detect its inauthenticity include fuzzy fonts and an outdated company name for the employer.

The cost of scams for Realtors

Realtors understand the cost of rental scams goes far beyond lost income. It’s months of legal headaches, unpaid rent and the uphill battle of removing a problematic tenant. Once a risky tenant is in, recovering the unit (and the funds) becomes a long, time-consuming and uncertain process.

Beyond income loss, rental scams can be damaging to a Realtor’s reputation. Realtors are market experts, and investors put their trust in Realtors’ judgment when it comes to rental screening. Persistent scams, the toll on mental health, and the headache of the ordeal can cost a Realtor the investor’s trust, and ultimately, their reputation. Realtors need tools that even the playing field and use AI to their advantage. 

AI didn’t create rental scams — it exposed the gap 

AI hasn’t created a new rental scam problem; it’s just exposed an existing one more clearly.

Rental scams persist because Canada’s rental market lacks the standardization and safeguards that protect other major investments. You wouldn’t buy a car or home without insurance; renting should come with its own layer of protection. 

That’s where trust infrastructure comes in. A set of tools and processes that build accountability, increase transparency, and reduce risk for landlords and Realtors alike. And now, it includes AI. 

While AI has made it easier to create fake documents, it’s also being used to detect them, flagging mismatched fonts, suspicious file metadata, irregular pay cycles and other red flags that even experienced agents might miss.

How to put trust infrastructure into practice

AI may have exposed the gaps in rental screening, but it can also help close them. To stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated scams, Realtors must evolve their screening processes, adopt safeguards and leverage AI to build what the industry needs most: trust infrastructure.

This means combining smart tools with consistent, repeatable practices that reduce risk for clients and put trust back into the landlord-tenant relationship.

A few of these practices include: 

• Complete background checks with verified digital channels – Whenever possible, request income verification on platforms connected to Equifax and TransUnion to create a full picture of the potential tenant. 
• AI-powered documentation and income verification – Use AI as the first line of defence, tracking easy-to-hide edits such as mismatched fonts, layout inconsistency and covered information before it reaches you. 
• Pre-screen risk scoring – Leverage AI to support with the initial assessment of tenant documents, from credit scores, pay stubs and existing debts, to empower decision makers to move quicker and weed out high-risk applicants.
• Regular audits of screening outcomes – Technology paired with Realtors’ market expertise creates efficient and knowledgeable systems. Realtors should take the time to review current systems for bias or false positives, to continuously find ways to leverage AI in a way that works best for them.

The bottom line

Fraudulent applications aren’t going away. They’re part of a broader affordability crunch reshaping the rental market and unveiling the cracks in the current process.

Sharp eyes are no longer enough; the rental market needs systems that create accountability and transparency. At SingleKey, we’ve seen these systems in action firsthand: tenants know their information will be verified, and landlords know their income is protected.

When Realtors combine digital verification tools with automated rent collection and rent guarantee, they are not just screening tenants; they are also protecting income and increasing confidence across the board.

Viler Lika

Viler Lika is the founder and CEO of SingleKey, a leading rental risk intelligence platform that helps landlords, property managers, and Realtors verify tenants and protect rental income. Viler holds an MBA and a computer engineering degree, and he has a background in lending and consumer credit risk at Capital One and TD Bank. Viler is now focused on bringing a fairer, data-driven, transparent and more accountable leasing experience to landlords and Realtors to make renting stress-free.

The post AI scams are a growing threat to landlords – here’s how to protect your clients appeared first on REM.

In recent years, rapid price fluctuations, bidding wars, and rising interest rates have caused stress on buyers and sellers, reshaping the real estate market. As Canadians now grapple with an affordability crisis, they want and deserve transparency in protecting their most important financial asset: their home.  

Professional Appraisers play an indispensable role in fostering a fair and trustworthy real estate market and overall housing system. They are hired by residential, commercial, and industrial market participants, as well as the public, to provide independent, evidence-based, real-time opinions on the value of property to help Canadians make informed decisions. In 2024 alone, Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) Professional Appraisers conducted nearly one million appraisals valuing over $1.5 trillion. Their assessments not only ensure that homebuyers are protected and lending remains responsible, but they also inspire confidence in the housing market.  

The AI factor

In an age where AI is everywhere, increasingly taking over tasks and jobs, Canadians  overwhelmingly trust certified appraisers over Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) when it comes to determining their home’s worth. This sentiment was highlighted in a recent study by spark*insights, revealing that 84 per cent of Canadians favour appraisers for accurate property assessments, with only 14 per cent trusting AVMs more than appraisers. Of this 14 per cent, half still have concerns about AVM local market knowledge and lack of on-site inspections – two of the most important assets that professional appraisers bring to the table, ensuring valuations are rooted in real market conditions and not just algorithms.  

AVMs neglect essential on-site inspections

The rise of online real estate platforms in the early 2000s led to the use of AVMs, effectively changing the way properties are assessed by removing the human element. 

These automated models use statistical data to estimate a home’s market value. While this approach may offer convenience, it raises concerns as Canada’s housing landscape becomes increasingly intricate. It removes the human touch from the most important purchasing experience most Canadians will ever make. 

AVMs neglect the essential on-site inspections that professional appraisers conduct. Canadians are concerned that, without this critical analysis, relying solely on computer-generated evaluations can lead to inaccuracies. Such inaccuracies pose risks of under- or overvaluation, particularly when homes are deteriorated or recently renovated, where markets are rapidly changing, or in rural areas where data may be sparse.  

While Canadians have the right to request their bank or lender use a traditional appraiser – especially when the property is unique or does not conform to typical market conditions the decision ultimately rests with the lender based on their policies.  

Call to action

While AVMs may have their practical uses, it is evident that questions remain about their limitations. At the same time, it is clear that financial institutions will continue to incorporate AVMs into their processes. Therefore, we are calling for oversight.  

We are calling on the federal government to establish a permanent, multi-sector Stakeholder Advisory Committee made up of industry experts, including appraisers, to anticipate  emerging consumer and systemic risks, identify regulator vulnerabilities, strengthen  transparency, trust, and policy responsiveness, and inform oversight of automation and  algorithmic tools such as AVMs. This committee would aim to mitigate market risks and enhance the integrity of the mortgage system in Canada.  

Data shows that 79 per cent of Canadians agree with the formation of a committee, highlighting a strong public demand for oversight of the system.  

Housing affordability, for most Canadians, is still an issue. For many properties, the price remains high, and household debt is increasing. Homeowners are also facing reduced equity and rising mortgage payments, with the Bank of Canada warning that financial stress will grow.  

Through this volatility, oversight of the housing system has never been more important. The federal government must prioritize the integrity of home valuations, ensuring that the future of homeownership in Canada is based on trust and expertise rather than algorithms.

Donna Dewar

Donna Dewar brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector to the AIC, having held executive roles at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Canadian Nurses Association, and the Canadian Red Cross. She specializes in strategic planning, partnership building, and program development.

She holds an MBA in Innovation Leadership from the University of Fredericton and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. She is passionate about driving positive change and believes in the value of innovation and efficient member support.

The post Appraisal oversight needed to protect Canadians in turbulent market: Dewar appeared first on REM.

That piece drew plenty of opinions—some folks thought I was off my rocker, others nodded along and even added fuel to the fire about what the next five to 10 years might look like for organized real estate.

This isn’t part two of that article. I’m not here to make more predictions today. Instead, I want to show you how you can start using AI right now so you don’t get left behind.

Because let’s be real: it’s not about robots taking over. It’s about buyers and sellers expecting you, their agent, to already be fluent in AI.

So, where do we start?

Prompt engineering

AI is only as good as the instructions you give it. If your prompt is short, vague, or lacking context, you’ll get an answer that reflects exactly that: short, vague, and not very useful.

Let me give you an example.

A few weeks ago, I jumped into my first NFL Fantasy Football draft. Now, I’ve been watching football for over 40 years, but outside of my team, the Green Bay Packers, I didn’t know much about other players from other teams.

Five years ago, I’d have been buried in magazines and Google searches. But this year, I had Carl, my AI assistant.

I gave Carl a detailed prompt: Who he was, the context of the draft, where to pull player data from, what my goals were, and how I wanted the info delivered. 

The result? A detailed breakdown of first and second choices, draft timing, and a winning game plan.

Meanwhile, a buddy of mine tried ChatGPT with no strategy. He got frustrated, he wound up with the wrong info, bad picks, and suggestions he’d never consider. 

Why? 

Because he didn’t give the AI a proper prompt.

Here’s the 5-step framework I use every time:

1. Assign the role – Tell the AI who it is.
2. Context – Explain why you’re doing this.
3. Direct command – Spell out what you want.
4. Format the output – Define how you want the info back.
5. Clarity – Let the AI ask follow-ups if needed.

Stick to this framework and your AI results will change overnight.

Marketing on steroids

Years ago, Gary Vaynerchuk released an eBook on how to create 64 pieces of content from one idea or piece of pillar content.

At the time, Vaynerchuk was building a media company and had many videographers, video editors, and social media specialists on the payroll. 

So, of course, it was easy to take one piece of content and turn it into 64 pieces when you have a team working for you.

With the speed of AI today, you could be deploying the same content model that Vaynerchuk still does to this day.

You can use your AI assistant to help you build the pillar content. You want to shoot a video, but not sure what to say?

Use the prompt framework to get your AI assistant to write the video script for you. 

Shoot the video. Then ask your assistant to help you break it down into 30 different pieces or ideas you can post to multiple platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, etc.

You don’t need a media army anymore. With AI moving as fast as it is today, you can pull off the same strategy solo.

Here’s the play:

1. Create a piece of pillar content—a blog post, podcast, or long-form video.
2. Use AI to break it down into 20–30 smaller pieces across multiple platforms.

For example:

• Use Opus Clips to spin out five to 10 short videos for IG, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Create memes that drive traffic back to your Reel.
• Write a blog post embedding your video.
• Have AI write captions for each platform.
• Draft LinkedIn, Facebook, and X posts from the same source.

Boom—right there, you could have upwards of 20 pieces of content that you could produce off of one video. 

Systems, systems and more systems

In my coaching business, when I ask an agent what they want to get out of the experience, one of the most common answers is: learning systems. 

Let’s be clear, though, a system can be an automation, but it isn’t an absolute. What I mean by that is a checklist can be a system. You are not automating the checklist; you or someone else is still required to do the work.

Automating tasks and using AI to help build the content for those automations are where a lot of my clients are crushing it.

For example, do you have a seller drip campaign set up to stay in contact with your clients over the course of 60, 90, or even 120 days?

Well, you could have one if you had the right software. Look to the CRM you are using and see if it has that capability; that’s step one.

Step two is working with your AI assistant to understand the seller’s journey and then setting out to build the email content around that journey. Once you have the content created, you put it into the software and space it out accordingly.

Another system that AI can help you with is marketing. Your AI assistant can build out a content calendar for you based on the ideas that you have for marketing and branding yourself online.

Keep in mind, though, that you will still have to do some of the work; if you are leveraging a program like HeyGen it will be easier for you than others who aren’t.

Put a content calendar together that includes your video scripts. Take the scripts and upload them to HeyGen, and create your own realistic-looking avatar-style videos.

If you use that program right, you could wind up producing more video content than all of your competition combined, similar to what @jaxwithjosh has done on Instagram for his city of Jacksonville. He has essentially branded himself as the digital mayor of that city.

How can I get started right now

So here’s the takeaway:

• Use the five-step prompt framework every time you talk to AI.
• Leverage AI to multiply your marketing output without multiplying your workload.
• Build systems—big or small—that keep your business organized and scalable.

AI isn’t replacing you (yet). 

But the agents who adopt it will replace the ones who don’t.

Kelley Skar

I am a second generation REALTOR®, SUCCESS Certified real estate coach, a real estate trainer with a proven track record as well as an international speaker (which means I’ve spoken all over Canada and the US).
I knew early on in life that I was going to be an educator; I started with University thinking I was going to be a high school teacher. Life took me in another direction. However, my passion for learning and educating has never left. I am a student of history, business and of life. My passion lies in high-level discussions around business strategies and helping agents & brokers build a bigger, better, and highly profitable real estate business.
I have been married to my beautiful wife for over 16 years, and we have smart, athletic and articulate 14-year-old twins. We enjoy hiking through the Okanagan together, spending time at the beach and on the lake as well as traveling the continent and hopefully at some point, the globe. I love to play golf, work out in the gym, hang out with my friends, and am a huge Green Bay Packers football fan.

The post How agents can start making AI work for their business – today appeared first on REM.

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REM Bot

Content by REM Bot has been created with the assistance of AI. Audio and video interviews, conducted by our team with real people, are transcribed and repurposed into text for those who prefer reading. REM Bot articles are reviewed by staff before publication to ensure factual accuracy and maintain editorial standards.

The post AI is everywhere, but are you using it the right way? appeared first on REM.

It gave me a list of names. Only one of them I recognized and I’ve been around long enough to know the serious players where I live.

That moment stuck with me.

Not because the results were wrong, but because I started asking:

• Why those agents?
• What signals is AI actually using to recommend people?
• And could those signals be influenced?

So I started testing. I ran prompt variations across different cities. I researched how AI language models pull answers. I studied which reviews, platforms, and patterns they trust.

And what I discovered was this: It rewards consistency, credibility, and structured visibility.

That insight became the foundation of what I’m calling:

The AI trust agent framework

It’s a clear, tactical playbook for real estate agents who want to become the kind of local professional AI tools trust enough to recommend.

This isn’t SEO or “hacking” ChatGPT.

It’s about becoming verifiably credible across the right platforms, with the right signals so that you’re impossible to ignore by AI.

Phase 1: Anchor your authority

AI tools don’t rely on just one platform. They cross-reference your digital presence across the web.

That means if your information is scattered, inconsistent, or missing altogether, AI won’t recommend you.

What to do:

Pick one version of your name and stick with it.  If you’re “Sarah Taylor, Realtor®” on one site, don’t be “The Taylor Group” or “Sarah T. Homes” on another.

Keep your business info consistent everywhere:

• • Name
  • Brokerage
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Website
  • Service area

Update your presence on these key platforms:

• • Google Business Profile
  • RateMyAgent
  • LinkedIn
  • Realtor.ca
  • Facebook & Instagram (business profiles)
  • Your personal website

Build your Digital Identity Kit. A one-pager with:

• • Name, title, brokerage, license
  • Top give public links
  • Short bio
  • High-resolution headshot
  • Brand colors or design notes
  • Review links

Pro tip: Use this as the single source of truth for you, your team, VA, or any other person creating content on your behalf.

Phase 2: Influence AI signals

AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini reference third-party proof. Especially reviews, rankings, and local credibility markers. If your clients love you, but no one is saying so in places AI trusts, you’re not visible.

What to do:

Focus your reviews where AI looks first:

• • Google Business: aim for 50+
  • RateMyAgent: aim for 30+
  • Bonus: Facebook Business, Yelp, Trustpilot

Coach your clients on how to leave smart reviews:

• • Ask them to mention your city, neighbourhood, or role
  • Example: “Sarah helped us buy our first home in Port Credit. She’s hands down the best realtor in Mississauga.”

Repetition of phrases like “top realtor in [City]” matters. AI notices patterns.

Get included in local roundups and directories:

• • “Top Realtors in [City]” blog posts
  • Chamber of commerce lists
  • Local business directories
  • Neighbourhood newsletters

Outreach script you can use:

“Hi, I saw your article on top agents in [City]. I’ve helped over [X] families buy or sell locally, with [Y] five-star reviews. Happy to contribute market insights if you ever update the piece.”

Create a repeatable Review Capture System:

• • Pre-written email + text templates
  • Direct review links
  • Follow-up reminder three to five days later

Phase 3: Replicate and rank content

AI tools prioritize content that answers real-world questions, especially if it’s:

• Location-specific
• Structured clearly
• Published consistently
• Backed by readable, crawlable data

But let’s be clear: AI doesn’t watch your videos. It reads what surrounds them. The titles, transcripts, blog posts, and metadata. That’s why you want to start with a fast, human approach to content… then turn it into a format AI actually uses.

What to do:

Begin with a one to three-minute video answering a local question. Don’t overthink it. Pick a topic like:

• “Is now a good time to sell in [City]?”
• “Top three family-friendly neighborhoods in [City]”
• “What $800K buys you in [City] in 2025”

Talk naturally. You’re not recording for AI, you’re recording for people. Then turn that video into structured, AI-friendly content. Use the transcript to create a short blog post. Break it into clear H2s and bullet points. Include FAQs with geo-specific phrasing. Publish it on your site and on social.

Use a three-layer content flywheel:

1. Video → record your insight (one to three minutes)
2. Blog or article → publish a written version with structure
3. Social post → create a short text or clip for visibility

Don’t forget the metadata. AI tools index page titles, alt-text on images, file names of uploaded content, and transcripts/captions embedded.

AI can’t “watch” your content, but it can read everything surrounding it. So create once, repurpose with structure, and publish where AI listens.

Phase 4: Engage and automate

Once AI starts surfacing your name, the question is are you ready to capture that traffic and convert it?

Turn your website into a lead magnet:

• “Download the 2025 market report for [your city]”
• “Seven mistakes first-time sellers make in [your city]”
• “Get my weekly list of off-market listings”

Use a three to five-email follow-up sequence:

• Email 1: Quick intro + what to expect
• Email 2: Client story or testimonial
• Email 3: Free resource or CTA to book a consultation

Automate your review requests:

• Use Zapier, Mailchimp, Follow Up Boss, etc…
• Trigger email/SMS after a deal closes
• Schedule follow-ups automatically

Track your AI visibility monthly:

• # of new reviews
• Local media mentions
• RateMyAgent ranking
• Run prompt in temporary chats with no memory “Who is the best real estate agent in [City]?

Trust is the new SEO

The AI Trust Agent framework isn’t about chasing hacks. It’s about building real digital authority. AI tools don’t guess. They recognize structured credibility. They recommend the agent who looks aligned, reviewed, respected, and consistent across the web.

So if that’s not you yet, this is how you fix it. Become the name AI recommends… and the agent people remember.

Andrew Fogliato

Andrew Fogliato – The G is silent –  is the owner of Real Estate Magazine and Just Sell Homes. He mostly talks about marketing but sometimes ventures into other topics in the real estate world. Sometimes he also writes bios in the 3rd person.

The post Build to be found: The AI trust agent framework appeared first on REM.

This was shocking to me. With a majority market share in most of its core business areas and nearly the largest market capitalization in the world, Microsoft is a 50-year-old dominant force in the industry. How is it that they could be acting like a start-up?

To hear my colleague tell it, the environment has completely shifted with increased pressure to innovate, compete with emerging companies, and adopt new technologies at a rate not seen in years.

The lesson: If even Microsoft is doing it, the rest of us – in the real estate sector and far beyond – need to be both paying attention and ready for anything.

Change is part of the journey

Lately, I’ve been spending an inordinate amount of time listening to Acquired, a podcast focused on the origins and evolution of some of the world’s greatest companies. On a completely different scale, I’ve interviewed dozens of owners of small and medium-sized businesses for my own podcast. There is no denying the fact that lasting companies fundamentally change over time. Their value proposition evolves based on external forces, consumer demand, shareholder expectations, and competitive pressures.

Every Realtor and broker across Canada is a small business owner, and – like with Microsoft – now is a perfect time for each of them to get into startup mode. What is your value proposition today, and, more importantly, what will your value proposition be tomorrow?

When I’ve written articles that challenged the status quo of the real estate sector in the past, inevitably, someone would comment that people have been “crying wolf” for years and yet here we still are. So, let me be clear: I’m not suggesting that Realtors will be replaced by some new technology. In fact, I don’t think anything of the sort. I believe it is our resilience and ability to adapt to the evolving business environment over the past 100 years that will serve us as things continue to change.

This adaptation isn’t always self-motivated. Sometimes it’s resisted at first and simply becomes inevitable over time. Resistance isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing – it’s just a reality. And that goes for most industries and businesses. Sometimes being an early adopter has saved a company or provided them with exponential growth. Sometimes, resisting and delaying the inevitable (while learning from others’ early forays and mistakes) has been equally beneficial.

So, whether you’re a Realtor, own a brokerage, or are in a leadership position in organized real estate, let’s not focus on the myriad changes that are potentially forcing us to adapt, but instead focus on our direct value proposition to our client base.

Looking back, and ahead

Consider for a moment the value proposition of the Realtor at a time before the internet, when the catalogue was the go-to resource for listings. For those in the sector then, you remember it well. For those who weren’t, I’m sure you can easily picture it. 

To see listings – and not just the ones found in a “scroll” through the real estate section in the local paper – clients had to sit across a desk from a Realtor. As such, the catalogues were protected at all costs. A client might leave with photocopies of their favorite listings, but, in some cases, information would be redacted from them. 

There were no professional photos or virtual tours. The exposure to the property happened during the showing. 

There were no FINTRAC compliance requirements and, famously, the contracts were only one, two, or three pages, depending on who you ask (but be sure to ask; anybody in the industry at that point loves to talk about this).

Today, clients know more about a property of interest before seeing it than ever before. They can do virtual walk-throughs and see more information than the catalogues ever had. And that’s not to mention the ancillary information on the internet, not curated by the MLS System. The information is nearly open, available on many different portals in many different forms. 

What’s more, the regulatory environment has become far more robust. Consumer protection by way of anti-money laundering requirements, privacy legislation, licensing and regulatory compliance, and board and association rules are now woven into the fabric of real estate sector business. 

The question is: How are we reacting to all this? Have we accepted this as a changed value proposition or are we just generally annoyed that the contracts are longer and the data is no longer exclusive? Whether accepted or not, I think most recognize that a Realtor’s value has evolved based on the changing world around us.

Regulation as a value-add

I have written before about Realtors and regulation, and continue to believe that there is more opportunity for us to embrace the fact that we are regulated as part of the value proposition. No, we don’t need to get excited every time there’s a new rule or compliance requirement, but with the world changing around us and our clients so quickly, being regulated can help build lasting consumer trust.

As for the value of the data, we need to be ready for a world where the current ecosystem becomes diluted as tens of thousands of Realtors leverage AI systems to assist with data analysis, dispersing data broadly across learning models. Again, this isn’t good or bad – it’s just real, and the value proposition will change as a result. 

Focus will need to be put on ensuring that Realtors’ contribution to this broader data ecosystem continues to be recognized and rewarded. Equally, value will be placed on discovering and exploiting other sources of data by digitizing all aspects of the process and streamlining the consumer experience.

Of course, that’s just the change we can see coming. The value proposition for all of us will continue to evolve in the coming years. It’s up to us as business owners and leaders to contemplate what value we’ll bring to the ecosystem and how we’ll positively move toward that role. 

There will be a struggle between the innovators and the resistors, but there always is. This conflict isn’t unhealthy. It just challenges us to better hone and articulate our vision of what that value proposition is going to look like.

Trevor Koot

As a former managing broker and realtor, Trevor Koot’s nearly two decades in organized real estate gives him hands-on expertise in understanding the profession’s needs. Before stepping in as CEO at the BC Real Estate Association, he served as CEO of Kamloops and District Real Estate Association for four years and Kootenay Association of Realtors for three before successfully merging the two into the Association of Interior Realtors. Trevor’s leadership in the real estate sector began long before his CEO career when he was Chair of the Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission for five years. He played a key role in redrafting provincial real estate regulations during his tenure. Trevor also served two years as Chair of the Governance Committee at the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials.

He holds multiple degrees, from a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Mathematics through the University of Saskatchewan to a Master of Business Administration degree through Royal Roads University. Trevor is adding to his extensive education through his current pursuit of completing a Master of Laws degree at York University. His daughter, Abby, attends the University of Victoria while he and his wife, Jill, live in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

The post Welcome to startup mode: Why Realtors need to rethink their value proposition appeared first on REM.

​Just a few years ago, property marketing leaned heavily on wide-angle photos, in-person staging, and printed flyers. But the real estate landscape has changed. Today, buyers scroll listings at lightning speed—and the first impression is often the only impression.

That’s why we built AI HomeDesign. To help real estate professionals turn empty rooms into emotionally compelling spaces in seconds, not days.

Why we created AI HomeDesign

Traditional staging works but it’s expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes logistically impossible. Many virtual staging tools promise speed and realism, but fall short with clunky edits, awkward furniture layouts, or frustrating revision processes.

We saw an opportunity to build something better:

• Fast results (about 30 seconds per image)
• Affordable pricing (starting at $0.24 per photo)
• Unlimited free revisions
• And all with an easy, user-friendly platform

Our goal was simple: make high-quality virtual staging more accessible to every agent, photographer, property manager, and marketing team without sacrificing design quality or turnaround time.

 

From empty rooms to emotional stories

An empty room is like a sentence without punctuation. Technically complete, but lacking clarity and impact.

Our AI doesn’t just insert furniture, it tells a visual story. Virtual staging by AI  show potential buyers what it would feel like to eat breakfast in that kitchen, curl up in that living room, or log in to work in that sunlit corner. It’s not about filling space. It’s about creating possibility.

What makes our platform different

 

We designed AI HomeDesign around five key pillars to meet the real-world demands of busy real estate professionals:

1. Room-specific designs in multiple styles: Choose from over seven room types and a variety of design aesthetics—from modern and minimalist to warm and traditional.
2. Automatic furniture & clutter removal: Upload photos of cluttered or furnished rooms. Our AI removes existing furniture and prepares a clean slate for staging—no manual prep or editing needed.
3. Lightning-fast turnaround: Get your first batch of staged images in about 30 seconds, helping you move fast in fast-moving markets.
4. Unlimited free revisions: Want to switch styles or tweak a layout? Make as many edits as you like at no extra cost.
5. Pricing that works for everyone: At just $0.24 per image, you don’t need a massive marketing budget to stand out. Whether you’re a solo agent or a national firm, we scale with you.

Built for real estate professionals

AI HomeDesign is used by a wide range of industry pros, including agents, brokers, photographers, marketers, developers, and interior designers. We created it to be flexible enough for one-off listings and powerful enough for teams managing entire portfolios.

Why AI Virtual staging is no longer optional

In today’s market, attention spans are short and competition is fierce. You don’t have days to wait on staging. You don’t have room in your budget for expensive freelancers or designers who take a week to reply.

That’s why we believe AI virtual staging isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a competitive edge.

When a staged photo helps your listing stand out, sell faster, or spark more buyer interest, it’s more than just tech. It’s a strategic move.

Ready to see it in action?

Whether you’re staging your tenth home this month or looking for a cost-effective way to enhance your listing visuals, AI HomeDesign is here to help.

Real estate doesn’t wait. Neither should your marketing.

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The post Reimagining listings: How AI HomeDesign is changing virtual staging appeared first on REM.

As someone building a career in this industry, I’ve seen firsthand how fast things are shifting. Clients expect more speed, more personalization, and better insights. Staying current with AI isn’t just helpful anymore. It’s necessary.

Still, that shift raises some big questions. What happens to the human side of real estate? Can tech streamline the process without making it feel robotic? A lot of agents and clients are cautiously optimistic. They see the efficiency, but they also don’t want to lose the personal connection that’s so important in such a major life moment.

According to the World Economic Forum, 64 per cent of real estate tasks are currently done mostly by people. But in five years, that number is expected to drop to 42 per cent. That’s a huge change in a short time.

So, where does that leave us? The future of real estate isn’t about choosing between humans and AI. It’s about finding the right balance.

Where AI is already making a difference

AI started off helping with the tedious stuff like admin tasks, marketing, and backend systems, but now it’s showing up everywhere. From property searches tailored to hyper-specific preferences to instant pre-approvals, it’s speeding up the process for everyone involved.

Virtual staging platforms let agents show different versions of a space without touching a piece of furniture. Market analysis tools help us price more accurately. AI-driven platforms are helping clients secure insurance quotes and mortgage approvals faster than ever. One I’m particularly excited about is document review tools that catch errors before they turn into issues. 

This isn’t about removing agents from the process. It’s about helping us focus on what they’re actually great at: advising, negotiating, and guiding clients with confidence.

How agents can make AI work for them

Let’s be clear: AI is a tool, not a replacement. It’s here to take the repetitive stuff off your plate so you can focus on the high-value work that clients actually care about.

Start with the basics. Tools that handle scheduling, client forms, CRM updates, and follow-up reminders can save you hours a week. Smart CRMs can highlight which leads are heating up. Predictive analytics tools can help you position properties more competitively. Additionally, AI-assisted content tools can keep your marketing fresh without spending hours drafting copy from scratch.

The key is to pick tech that complements your style, not tries to duplicate it. Your edge is your personality, your insight, and the way you make people feel safe and confident. Don’t let any tool get in the way of that.

Why AI should empower, not intimidate

At the end of the day, real estate is still a people business. No algorithm can replace the moment you walk into a home with a nervous first-time buyer and say, “I’ve got you.”

AI can speed things up and make your process more efficient, but it can’t read a room. It can’t tell when a deal feels shaky or when a client just needs someone to listen.

That’s where you come in. You bring empathy, intuition, and experience to the table. That’s what turns a good agent into a great one.

Instead of fearing AI, use it to give yourself more time to do the things that really move the needle: building trust, solving problems, and showing up for your clients when it counts.

The bottom line

Real estate is changing fast, but you don’t have to choose between staying relevant and staying human.

Use AI to take care of the busywork, and use your time to build relationships that actually last. Let the tech do the heavy lifting. Then show up with the knowledge, energy, and heart that only you can bring.

AI might help you move faster, but you’re the reason people cross the finish line.

Robert Saunders

Robert Saunders is the CEO and co-founder of Ownright (formerly Doormat), an online real estate legal services provider founded in 2023.

With a background as a senior software engineer at Shopify, Robert brings deep technical expertise and a passion for building tools that simplify complex processes. Since launching Ownright, the company has raised over $6 million in funding, grown to a team of nearly 20 employees, and facilitated more than $750 million in real estate transactions.

The post How real estate agents can harness AI without losing the human connection appeared first on REM.

My conclusion just came to me over the last few weeks when I realized my kids, who will be 17 in a couple of months, could be looking to buy their first home in the next five to 10 years.

You see, my kids are at the tail end of Gen Z (1996-2012), which pretty much means they were born with a smart device in their hands. They are digital natives, raised in a world where the internet, smartphones, and social platforms weren’t just innovations, they were infrastructure.

And thanks to the post-pandemic digital acceleration, Gen Z has adopted social media and e-commerce platforms faster than any other demographic.

My wife and I? 

Well, we are digital immigrants. 

I didn’t get my first iPhone until the 3GS came out. My 8010 Blackberry World edition took a tumble at the Grey Cup game in 2009 at McMahon Stadium, and within a couple of days, I was an Apple Fanboy.

Before the Blackberry it was a regular old flip phone that I could play Tetris on–yes, one game.

The horror…

Gen Z: A different kind of consumer

This group of digital natives are a different type of consumer. They have no problem doing their own research before buying, primarily online (with the help of mom and dad’s credit card, of course).

Unlike Gen Xers, Gen Z places deep trust in the digital world, and for good reason.

A 2024 study of 250 Gen Z consumers published by the International Journal of Accounting Finance in Asia Pacific found that security, pricing and discounts, and environmental sustainability were the only factors that significantly influenced their trust in online shopping. 

While convenience, ease of comparison, and product variety had no meaningful impact.

Instead, the research indicates that Gen Z’s trust is rooted in a platform’s security, transparency, and ethical practices.

When my son wanted to order from Shein, we made him do a research presentation to prove it was safe. But the truth? 

He was already convinced, as his friends were buying there, showing off the swag at school and on social media.

I mean, let’s be honest, it was us who needed convincing.

Platforms over people

Gen Z doesn’t go to the mall to find clothes; they go there to try them on. 

They go to Instagram and TikTok (search the hashtag #tiktokmademebuyit–6.8 billion searches) to find what they are looking for. 

They don’t browse car lots. They design Teslas from their phones.

It seems that in nearly every category, they are rejecting in-person sales models in favour of digital platforms that offer speed, control, and transparency.

The old idea that a salesperson earns trust through a handshake and a smile? 

Could be close to being dead. 

With this generation, trust now comes from UX, verified reviews, and seamless backend security.

Gen Z trusts systems, not salespeople.

So what does that mean for real estate?

Traditionally, real estate agents have been the trusted guides through a complex and often overwhelming process. 

We interpret market data. We advise on pricing and marketing. We are confidants, consultants, and crisis managers.

We have never valued ourselves as door openers and chauffeurs, but individuals dedicated to helping people achieve the ultimate dream of home ownership. We have been the shoulder to cry on, the punching bag, the attack dog, and everything in between.

So when I say Gen Z may bypass real estate agents, people push back.

“Who’s going to point out the poly-b plumbing?” “Who’s going to catch a flood zone issue?” “Who’s going to explain furnaces and radon levels?” “Who’s going to negotiate under or over asking?”

Fair questions.

Let’s look at the tech

Let’s look at where technology is today and what Gen Z and the rest of us have access to through various AI platforms.

AI can already:

• Perform CMAs and neighborhood analysis
• Analyze and assist with contracts
• Identify issues like poly-b plumbing, complete with case law and repair options
• Guide buyers through mortgage pre-approval via chatbots
• Analyze photos of furnaces and hot water tanks to determine brand, age, and reliability

OK, so AI cannot open the door, but the listing agent can.

AI cannot regulate the emotional responses of the buyers, but remember what I mentioned earlier: this is a different kind of buyer, driven more by data and logic than emotion.

A future Gen Z transaction

Here’s how I see it playing out:

1. Buyer starts the process with ChatGPT.
2. AI outlines steps to get pre-approved.
3. Buyer connects to a lender via AI, starts pre-approval with a chatbot, and finishes with a human broker.
4. Neighborhood research begins guided by social proof and AI suggestions.
5. Buyer calculates price range.
6. AI recommends search portals. Buyer begins home search.
7. AI runs market analyses on shortlisted homes.
8. Buyer narrows it down to four and books showings directly with listing agents.
9. They find the one, decide to represent themselves, and prepare an offer with ChatGPT’s help.
10. Their numbers are based on logic, data, and market value.

The outcome? It depends on the strength of the offer and whether the listing agent is a deal-maker or a deal-breaker.

Of course, this is a prediction. I could be wrong. But the buyer agent’s role is already shifting.

What might survive

I do see some roles of the buyer’s agent retaining immense value:

• Hyper-local expertise
• Complex negotiations
• Emotional decision support

But agents who don’t evolve into digital-native advisors will become obsolete. To stay relevant, buyer’s agents must:

• Integrate AI and platform tools
• Build trust through transparency, not persuasion
• Shift from “gatekeeper” to “strategic consultant”

Gary Vee said it best

And that brings us to something Gary Vee has said that lands squarely in this conversation: 

“AI tools will be the commodity. You knowing how to use the racket, the screwdriver, the wrench, the car, that is going to be the game.”

In other words, the technology itself won’t be the differentiator–how you use it will be. 

Gen Z won’t be impressed by that you’re using AI. 

They’ll expect it. 

They’ll measure you by how seamlessly AI enhances their experience. 

Agents who treat AI like a shiny feature will be replaced by those who wield it like a weapon.

The signs are everywhere. Gen Z doesn’t just use digital tools–they live through them. 

If you think they’ll suddenly revert to trusting a stranger in a suit because “that’s how it’s always been done,” you’re underestimating the largest cultural shift in trust we’ve seen in decades.

Real estate agents have five to 10 years to adapt—or be left behind.

If you think Gen Z will need a real estate agent, you’re thinking like a Boomer in a Gen Z market.

Kelley Skar

I am a second generation REALTOR®, SUCCESS Certified real estate coach, a real estate trainer with a proven track record as well as an international speaker (which means I’ve spoken all over Canada and the US).
I knew early on in life that I was going to be an educator; I started with University thinking I was going to be a high school teacher. Life took me in another direction. However, my passion for learning and educating has never left. I am a student of history, business and of life. My passion lies in high-level discussions around business strategies and helping agents & brokers build a bigger, better, and highly profitable real estate business.
I have been married to my beautiful wife for over 16 years, and we have smart, athletic and articulate 14-year-old twins. We enjoy hiking through the Okanagan together, spending time at the beach and on the lake as well as traveling the continent and hopefully at some point, the globe. I love to play golf, work out in the gym, hang out with my friends, and am a huge Green Bay Packers football fan.

The post When Gen Z buys homes, will you still matter? appeared first on REM.

That’s the view of Shemeer Ahmad, co-founder of Valery Real Estate, an AI-powered real estate brokerage that launched last September and describes itself as Canada’s first AI-powered brokerage.

Ahmad, who has a background in computer science, says the platform was developed by real estate professionals to personalize market insights and assist agents with routine tasks.

“We realized there is a far greater need for personalization, and we built the company around personalized real estate intelligence—information that’s highly curated for individuals and their personal scenarios. That’s what we think AI does very well.”

“A breakthrough in agents’ careers happens when they’re able to offload much of their work to an administrative assistant.”

AI, he says, might have helped him avoid making some bad house buying and selling choices in the past.“Had I had the right information, and the right guidance, and an unbiased source, where I could set my own data and really analyze what’s good for me, I wouldn’t have made those bad choices.”

Among other things, the Valery platform allows potential clients to get instant evaluations for any property, see price growth forecasts and talk to a chatbot to get a personalized real estate action plan in minutes.

The action plan is an almost 30-page analysis that maps how clients can achieve their real estate goals, whether they’re looking to rent, buy their first home or invest. “It helps them go through different scenarios to have a more data-driven, planned approach,” he says. 

Ahmad believes delegating routine tasks through AI can free up agents’ time for higher-value client work, adding, “A breakthrough in agents’ careers happens when they’re able to offload much of their work to an administrative assistant.”

AI helps agents buy back their time

The problem is that a great assistant will easily cost $40,000 to $60,000 a year, something many agents can’t afford if they’re only earning $100,000, says David Hutchinson, vice-president of growth at Valery and founder of the Avant Group brokerage.

“You get on this rat wheel of trying to do more, but you just can’t,” says Hutchinson, who joined Valery in March. 

He says Valery’s AI is designed to help agents buy back their time and focus on what makes them money by minimizing administrative time. “We offload some of those admin tasks to AI at no cost, allowing our agents to be more efficient, make more money and be better able to serve our clients.”

Hutchinson says he has two assistants who leave tedious work to AI and can now focus on bigger picture, money-making tasks.

Ahmad says one of Valery’s more popular features is its CMA tool, which in seconds provides a report that would otherwise take between 30 minutes and an hour to prepare. He says this allows agents to come to showings better prepared with comps and data that’s easier for clients to understand.

“It allows them to offer a lot more value to prospective and existing clients in a very low-effort way,” Hutchinson claims.

Valery is working on enabling its AI to draft offers and submit deals to the brokerage, features he describes as addressing “the two biggest pain points for Realtors.”

31 Realtors and growing

As of mid-May, Valery had 31 Realtors and 28 listings.

Ahmad says that because the market has slowed, Valery is dealing with less listing volume than he thought it would. 

However, because it’s a slow market, agents are a lot more receptive to change. “They’re open to seeing what can help them with their careers.”

Valery’s agents are a 50-50 mix of new and experienced agents, Ahmad says. He notes that early retention has been strong, with only one agent leaving the company for personal reasons.

Now operating in the GTA, Vaughan, Ont.-based Valery plans to expand across Ontario by year’s end and into British Columbia and Alberta in 2026.

Valery has introduced Aigent Academy, an online learning platform that teaches users optimal use of AI tools and more.
For example, one of the course modules discusses how AI can be used for email management, which requires a lot of time and which many people dread, Ahmad says. He claims that using AI in this way has helped some Valery agents save several hours a week.

AI–the difference maker in brokerage training?

Every brokerage offers training, but much of it is outdated and relies on only a few instructors, which limits viewpoints, Hutchinson says. Aigent Academy relies on experts from multiple fields. 

In addition to AI experts, topics include Hutchinson teaching agents how they can crack the 100 K mark, Foch giving his insights on how to better give information to clients, and videographers giving tips on how to shoot video content. 

The courses are free for Valery agents and start at $47 a month for others. Modules are constantly being added as AI tools evolve. 

Ahmad says the beauty of AI is that it behaves predictably, fast and cheaply. But it’s terrible at reading between the lines, understanding the nuances of human behaviour and emotions.

For that and other reasons, “I don’t see agents going anywhere for a very long time.”

He believes anything that involves talking on the phone or sitting behind a screen will be slowly automated but anything that requires interfacing with clients, developing rapports, showing properties and providing guidance, “are all at the heart of what’s human. It’s going to be the essence of what an agent does.”

How is AI changing the real estate process?

While Valery claims its AI is transforming the real estate process, Ahmad says the brokerage does not have metrics to prove that claim. 

Ahmad admits there are privacy concerns with AI, and care must be taken that it does not extract sensitive information from people. 

He’s optimistic that AI will lead to more work for agents, not less. For example, the AI Action plan can give homeowners daily info on how the market affects their home value, giving them a better framework to make decisions. 

“That type of information is going to end up increasing the industry size.”

Danny Kucharsky

Danny Kucharsky is a contributing writer for REM.

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