A lot of articles have emerged recently discussing the replacement of various industries with AI... so lets put this to the test. I recently put ChatGPT to the test to write a public facing listing paragraph. This was the result:
“Can you write a 200 word paragraph for a 1200 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, ranch style home?”
This spacious ranch style home boasts 1200 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The open floor plan allows for easy flow and a sense of grandeur as soon as you enter the home. The large living room is the perfect place to entertain guests or relax with the family, and the dining area is perfect for family meals or more formal occasions. The kitchen is well-equipped with modern appliances and ample counter space, making it a cook's dream. The bedrooms are all generously sized and offer plenty of closet space. The master bedroom features a private en suite bathroom, while the other two bedrooms share a conveniently located second bathroom. The home also features a large backyard, perfect for barbecues and outdoor activities. Overall, this ranch style home is the perfect blend of functionality and style, and is sure to impress any buyer looking for a spacious and comfortable home.
Well that's... not bad. It's pretty generic, but then again I didn't feed it very much to go on. I then sought out a 1,200 sf ranch home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths to judge it against. 6520 Hanover Ave sold on 12/29/2022 and fits the bill, lets see what the agent wrote:
SKILLFULLY RENOVATED GEM IN THE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER NEAR WEST END! Minutes from the University of Richmond! ONE LEVEL LIVING! Custom kitchen is complete with a large center island open to the family room, quartz countertops, custom cabinets, tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances! HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT! Other highlights include new roof, new heating and air, off street parking, new gutters, detached storage shed, and mudroom with direct access to the back patio! Large private backyard is perfect for entertaining! Convenient to shopping, restaurants, and the interstate! You will not want to miss this one!
Certainly better than the generic ChatGPT, but what if we feed the AI the raw data and confine it to 100 words:
"Please write a 100 word listing paragraph for a 1200 square foot ranch home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, that has been recently renovated. The home has quartz countertops, custom cabinets, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors throughout, new roof, new gutters, storage shed, a mudroom, patio. The home is located in Westhampton Heights Annex on .17 acres."
This recently renovated ranch home boasts 1200 sqft of living space with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a convenient mudroom. The kitchen features quartz countertops, custom cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood floors flow throughout the home, and a new roof and gutters have been installed. A storage shed and patio offer additional storage and outdoor living space. Located in Westhampton Heights Annex on a .17 acre lot, this home is ready for you to move in and make it your own.
Well, thats underwhelming. It reads... well a bit robotically. Finally I asked the AI if it could improve the listing that the agent had written:
Discover a skillfully renovated gem in the highly sought-after Near West End, minutes from the University of Richmond. Enjoy one-level living in this custom home with a large center island kitchen, quartz countertops, custom cabinets, tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood floors throughout, new roof, new HVAC, off-street parking, new gutters, detached storage shed and a mudroom with direct access to the back patio. Entertain in the large private backyard and enjoy the convenience of nearby shopping, restaurants, and easy access to the interstate. Don't miss your chance to make this your dream home!
While I don't appreciate the use of ALL CAPS EVER, I'm not sure that I can call this an improvement. Perhaps a lateral move at best.
Real estate agents, I think your job is safe for now, but know that Zillow, Redfin, etc are actively using this technology to try to find ways to market directly to sellers and cut out the middle man. As always, we need to be examining where we can improve our skills to stay relevant in an ever-changing market.
