If you’re a real estate agent using ChatGPT without customizing it, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to create smarter, faster, more effective content. This isn’t just about saving time, it’s about getting responses that sound like you and support your specific business goals.
With ChatGPT’s “Customize ChatGPT” feature, you can make AI work like your content partner, without having to teach it from scratch every time.
Here’s how to get started, what to include, and why it matters.
1. Why Customizing ChatGPT Matters for Real Estate Agents
Default ChatGPT is powerful, but it doesn’t know you, your market, or how you like to work. That’s where customization changes the game. With a few tweaks, you can:
- Save time: Reduce back-and-forth edits by training ChatGPT to match your tone.
- Sharpen your messaging: Get content tailored to your ideal client, whether that’s first-time buyers or luxury sellers.
- Work more efficiently: Create hooks, captions, listing descriptions, and emails that align with your brand voice.
Instead of asking ChatGPT to write a generic listing description, a customized version will already know your tone, area, and audience preferences.
It’ll get it right faster and sound more like you.
2. Step-by-Step: How to Customize ChatGPT
Follow these steps to get ChatGPT working in sync with your style:
Step 1: Open the Settings Menu
- Click your name or profile icon—typically located in the upper-right corner of the screen, though it may appear elsewhere depending on your device or interface version.
- Select Settings
- Navigate to Customize ChatGPT
Step 2: Fill Out the Custom Instructions
When I open ChatGPT’s customization panel, there are four fields to complete, which are part of the updated ChatGPT 4.0 interface.
Older versions of this interface have only two fields:
- “What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?”
- “How would you like ChatGPT to respond?”
Read on to learn more about how ChatGPT suggests filling out the four fields.
Field #1: What should ChatGPT call you?
Here’s where you’ll input your name or whatever nickname or title you’d like ChatGPT to use when addressing you. Keep it simple or go nuts. You can always change it later.
Field #2: What do you do?
This is where you describe your niche and audience.
Examples:
- “I’m a real estate agent in the Charlotte metro area who helps first-time buyers and young families find affordable homes in great school districts.”
- “I’m a real estate agent in San Diego focused on helping both move-up buyers and older homeowners looking to downsize or transition to an assisted living community.”
Field #3: What traits should ChatGPT have?
Define how you want ChatGPT to sound and behave. The interface provides a few options to choose from, including “chatty,” “skeptical,” and “Gen Z.”
Examples:
- “Be confident, friendly, and a little witty. Keep responses concise but helpful. When writing for social media, use hooks and emojis.”
- “Be analytical, detail-focused, and professional. Use clear, data-supported language. When referencing trends or statistics, explain them in simple terms so they’re easy for my audience to understand. Avoid exaggeration and always prioritize accuracy over hype.”
Field #4: Anything else ChatGPT should know about you?
This is your space to add content preferences, formatting styles, and goals.
Example:
- “I create content for Instagram, email newsletters, and listing presentations. I prefer short paragraphs, numbered lists, and a tone that’s approachable but professional.”
- “I use a conversational tone with light humor. Keep paragraphs short. Use bullet points or numbered lists when explaining steps. Avoid sounding too formal or robotic.”
Step 3: Don’t forget to hit “Save.”
3. Going Deeper on Customization
I used the following prompt to get more examples of customization instructions real estate agents can use to optimize their content results:
“What are some examples for customizing instructions that can help real estate agents get the best possible results from using the “Customize ChatGPT” feature? Provide up to five detailed examples.”
ChatGPT’s response—including the first three examples:
“Here are five detailed examples of how real estate agents can fill out the “Customize ChatGPT” fields to get the most effective, on-brand, and market-relevant responses. These examples are based on different types of agents, markets, and content goals, so you can either use them as-is or tailor them to your own business.
Example 1: The First-Time Buyer Specialist
- What should ChatGPT call you?
Sam - What do you do?
I’m a real estate agent in Charlotte, North Carolina who primarily works with first-time homebuyers. My content focuses on educating buyers, simplifying the process, and debunking common myths. I create Instagram and TikTok videos, blog posts, and email campaigns. - What traits should ChatGPT have?
Be warm, friendly, and encouraging. Break complex ideas into simple, easy-to-follow explanations. Use short paragraphs, emojis for social media, and always end with a clear takeaway or next step. - Anything else ChatGPT should know about you?
I like using storytelling and analogies in my content. Most of my clients are millennials, so the tone should feel relatable and non-salesy.
Example 2: The Urban Luxury Agent
- What should ChatGPT call you?
Alex - What do you do?
I specialize in high-end condos and penthouses in downtown Chicago. My clients are executives, entrepreneurs, and international buyers looking for prestige and prime location. - What traits should ChatGPT have?
Be polished, confident, and refined. Avoid slang or emojis. Highlight exclusivity and lifestyle benefits with crisp, compelling language. - Anything else ChatGPT should know about you?
I use ChatGPT to write property descriptions, social media posts, and scripts for video walkthroughs. Formatting should include short, elegant paragraphs and bold subheadings when applicable.
Example 3: The Suburban Family-Focused Agent
- What should ChatGPT call you?
Jess - What do you do?
I help growing families buy and sell homes in the Twin Cities suburbs, especially near great schools and parks. I focus on long-term relationships, not just transactions. - What traits should ChatGPT have?
Be friendly, genuine, and conversational—like talking to a neighbor. Use a clear, caring voice with community-focused messaging. - Anything else ChatGPT should know about you?
I write blog posts, email newsletters, and video scripts with a personal touch. I often share anecdotes, local tips, and family-friendly recommendations.
Pro Tips for Better Real Estate Prompts
Customization is step one. But great prompts take it further.
Prompt Like a Pro:
- Be specific: Mention location, audience, and tone.
- Give context: Explain who it’s for or what you’re trying to achieve.
- Reference your past work: If you liked something ChatGPT wrote before, paste it in as a reference.
Example Prompts:
- “Write a listing description for a 4BR, 3BA home with a pool in Phoenix, AZ. Targeted to move-up buyers. Keep the tone friendly but aspirational.”
- “Create 3 Instagram captions for a post highlighting open houses this weekend. Include emojis and a casual tone.”
- “Summarize this blog into a 1-minute video script for Instagram Reels.”
If you’re a stickler for a particular format for some of your content, you can also copy and paste an example of this format into the field with a prompt like this:
“I’m writing an email newsletter for home buyers in [INSERT MARKET]. I’m going to paste in an example of the formatting I want you to use to create an email. Once you remember the format, I will paste in the content I would like you to use in drafting a complete email.”
ChatGPT will then let you know when it’s ready for you to paste in the content (or upload it as a file, if you have ChatGPT Plus or Pro).
Desktop vs. Mobile: What You Need to Know
You can access the customization feature on both desktop and mobile, but there are some slight differences:
Desktop
- Easier to fill out and edit Custom Instructions
- Best for content creation (typing, formatting, copy/paste)
Mobile App
- Great for quick tasks like social post ideas or replying to client messages
To access Customize ChatGPT, open the menu in the upper left corner and tap on your profile icon (bottom left corner) to go to Settings. Then select Personalization and then Customize ChatGPT. Hit continue at the bottom of their intro screen and go from there.
If you’ve added customizing instructions via the app, you’ll also see those on desktop—and vice-versa.
Customization FAQs
If you’re new to customizing ChatGPT, here are answers to common questions straight from OpenAI:
- Where can I use Custom Instructions? Available on all plans on Web, Desktop, iOS, and Android.
- How do I enable them? In Settings → Customize ChatGPT, toggle “Enable for new chats” ON.
- Can I change or delete my instructions? Yes, anytime. Changes apply to new chats only.
- Do I need to start a new chat for changes to apply? Yes.
- What’s the character limit? Each text field allows up to 1,500 characters.
- Is this data used to train the model? Yes—unless you opt out. Learn more about your data settings on OpenAI’s Help Page.
- Are my custom instructions deleted if I delete my OpenAI account? Yes, within 30 days.
Keep Improving with BAMx
Real estate pros inside BAMx are already leveraging this feature—and we make it even easier.
Included with your BAMx Membership:
- Weekly Content Drops with real estate-specific ChatGPT prompts
- ChatGPT Prompt Library with explainer videos and step-by-step guidance
This isn’t just about writing better emails. It’s about turning AI into your marketing co-pilot. AI Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT just keep getting better.
All the more reason for you to learn how it can help you become the best-known agent in your market. AI can’t do everything, but it can definitely make it easier to get valuable content in front of your audience on a consistent basis.
Building trust from there is up to you.
Final Takeaway
Customizing ChatGPT is like onboarding a marketing partner who already understands your tone, your market, and your goals. When you take a few minutes to set it up right, you can create content that connects—and convert curious leads into loyal clients.
Not a BAMx member yet? Join now for a free 7-day trial and get instant access to our ChatGPT Prompts library (with step-by-step explainer videos), weekly content drops, and more.
