ChatGPT for Real Estate Agents: Never Write a Listing Description Again

On November 30th, OpenAI released ChatGPT—its prototype AI chatbot that can generate detailed answers to questions or elaborate descriptions in seconds.

ChatGPT has already gained a following, with more than a few copywriters seeing this as a welcome answer to writer’s block. It can save precious minutes (or hours) agonizing over what to write.

This tool could be life-changing for any real estate agent struggling to write listing descriptions, evergreen blogs, or social copy. Or, at the very least, business-changing. 

For now, while ChatGPT is still in the research review phase, users can sign up and use the tool at no charge to see what it can do.

What ChatGPT can do for agents

We know so many agents who sweat and stress over writing copy, when they’d rather be doing the work of finding clients and helping them buy or sell homes. No bot can replace what a skilled, knowledgeable, and motivated real estate agent can do for their clients. 

And no bot can ever completely replace skilled human writers, either (at least not yet). But they can certainly make life easier for anyone who does any amount of writing for their careers. 

ChatGPT can save agents hours with property listing descriptions—as well as evergreen blogs and, to some extent, copy for emails and social media posts. 

I say “to some extent” because no bot can replace your voice. Also, when it comes to details (like important links or specific times for an event), you’ll have to provide those yourself. 

That said, this tool can give you something to work with. So, when your brain is tired (or distracted), and getting that first sentence down is taking longer than you can afford to spend, ChatGPT might just be your hero.

Never Write a Listing Description Again

If you are like most, this tool could be well worth it for listing descriptions alone. On last week’s Walk Thru, we gave ChatGPT a test run to see how well it could write a listing description, given a few details. And, honestly, we were impressed.

Start your prompt with  “Listing description for…,” include some details about the property and watch what happens. 

Here’s an example of what ChatGPT can generate in just a few seconds with a one-sentence prompt. 

If you’re not impressed by the first rendering, click “Try again.” Check out what happened when I tried that with the above example.

Of course, you need to review all copy that ChatGPT generates to ensure it aligns with fair housing laws and stays truthful to the property being marketed. As you can see, the AI bot took some liberties with home features, adding in a 2-car garage, patio, and location description. 

Also, notice the spelling, grammar and sentence structure. May we never see a listing description in ALL CAPS again. 

Pro tip for listing descriptions: Have your sellers fill out a Google form detailing their favorite features of the home. Use their words to plug into the ChatGPT—and BAM! All you need to do is edit.

What to edit

While ChatGPT can quickly generate copy for listing descriptions and other creative copy, it’s up to you to make sure every sentence complies with industry standards.

You’ll also be responsible for fact-checking and editing for style. It only takes a few trials of the tool to notice its reliance on words like “spacious” and “luxurious.” It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind. 

Important caveat: As mentioned on their website, ChatGPT has limited knowledge of current events after 2021. So, if you’re planning to use this for market updates, you’ll need to plug in all the data and carefully edit every line of generated copy. 

Top takeaways for real estate agents

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is their most advanced AI chatbot to date, and it’s well worth the time to check it out and see if it could save you time and energy with your writing tasks. 

Signing up is quick and easy—and, for the moment, free. So, while this tool won’t replace writers, let alone real estate agents, it might just be your favorite thing this year. 

Only one way to find out.