Key facts
- 81% of Realtors cite saving time as their primary goal for adopting new technology, up from 66% in 2025.
- 71% of agents prioritize improving client experience, an increase from 64% in 2025.
- Nearly half of agents (48%) now use AI daily (23%) or weekly (25%), with 31% experimenting occasionally.
- The most common AI applications include writing listing descriptions (75%), social media posts (56%), and emails (52%).
- 96% of respondents use the multiple listing service (MLS), while 79% use e-signature platforms.
- The learning curve (63%) and cost (59%) remain the biggest barriers to technology adoption for agents.
Members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) are increasingly adopting new technologies, with a significant rise in AI usage, according to NAR’s 2026 Realtors Technology Report released Tuesday. The primary drivers for technology adoption are saving time and enhancing the client experience, with 81% of surveyed members citing time savings as their main goal, up from 66% in 2025. Improving client experience was the second most common driver, cited by 71% of agents, compared to 64% a year earlier.
Nearly half of agents now use AI tools daily (23%) or weekly (25%), while 31% are experimenting occasionally, a notable increase from previous years. The most common applications for AI among agents include writing listing descriptions (75%), creating social media posts (56%), and drafting emails or follow-up messages (52%). Around 30% use AI for market summaries and personalized marketing content, and 27% for document review.
Despite the growing adoption, the learning curve (63%) and cost (59%) remain the primary challenges for Realtors. Monthly technology spending varies, with 18% spending less than $50 and 22% spending over $500. The report also noted that 40% of agents reported positive client responses to technology, while 37% found clients helpful but expressed reservations, indicating a need to balance digital efficiency with personal service.
Core industry tools like the multiple listing service (MLS) remain essential, with 96% of respondents using it. E-signature platforms are used by 79% of agents, followed by scheduling tools (68%) and comparative market analysis tools (59%). Nearly half of agents (48%) use drone photography or video, and 46% use a customer relationship management (CRM) system. The report suggests that while transaction-enabling tools are entrenched, marketing and client relationship tools still have room for wider adoption.