Real estate agents are adopting technology to streamline operations and improve client interactions, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2026 Technology Report. Eighty-one percent of members surveyed cited saving time as their primary goal for using new tools, a rise from 66% the previous year. Improving the client experience was the second most common reason, cited by 71% of agents, up from 64% in 2025. The data highlights a shift toward practical tools designed to handle routine tasks, freeing agents to focus on advising clients through major financial decisions.
AI Moves From Niche Tool to Daily Practice
Artificial intelligence has moved from a novelty to a routine part of daily operations. Nearly half of agents now use AI regularly, with 23% incorporating it daily and another 25% using it weekly. This adoption contrasts with 2025, when 32% of agents had not yet tried AI and had no plans to do so. The report notes this widespread acceptance marks a significant change in how technology is viewed within the industry.
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The most common applications for AI involve writing and communication. Writing listing descriptions is used by 75% of agents who use the tools, followed by creating emails and follow-up content, used by 52%. Other frequent uses include drafting marketing content with a personal tone and reviewing or summarizing documents.
“Real estate agents are making practical choices about technology, and the two payoffs they want most are time and a smoother experience for their clients,” said NAR Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz. “Those priorities have grown stronger over the past year. When routine work gets handled faster, agents have more time for the guidance, negotiation, and steady advice that clients count on through a major financial decision.”
Barriers to Adoption and Client Reactions
Despite high adoption rates, agents face significant hurdles when implementing new systems. Sixty-three percent identified the learning curve as the biggest challenge, while 59% pointed to cost as a primary barrier. These obstacles highlight the practical difficulties agents encounter when integrating complex systems into their workflows.
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Client reactions to these technological shifts vary. Forty percent of agents report that clients responded very positively to technology during the buying and selling process. Another 37% noted that clients found the tools helpful but had some reservations. This mixed response suggests that while technology is generally accepted, agents must still manage expectations and address concerns directly.
The index is based on a sample that covers about 40% of multiple listing service data each month. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined. By coincidence, the volume of existing-home sales in 2001 fell within the range of 5.0 to 5.5 million, which is considered normal for the current U.S. population.
