The benefits of AI belong to those who use it more intentionally, more consistently, and smarter than anyone else, writes Mauricio Umansky.
I’ve seen technology reshape real estate more times than I can count. Each wave arrives with the same promise: faster, smarter, more efficient. Agents are rushing to implement this in hopes that it will ultimately be what sets them apart. Then the novelty wears off.
It’s never the tool itself that actually decides who wins. It’s how you use the tool.
Artificial intelligence has reached its moment. By 2026, AI will no longer be necessary. All serious agents will have access to it. Its benefits belong to those who use it more deliberately, more consistently, and more wisely than anyone else.
I’ve built a global brokerage firm through multiple market cycles, and the pattern has always been the same. Agents who stay ahead of the curve aren’t chasing more activity. They are creating more influence.
Use AI more often and smarter
If you’re using AI 10 times a day, you probably need to use it 100 times.
That doesn’t mean more noise or more automation. That means using AI as a daily operational layer. Draft, organize, prepare, analyze, and consider decisions before speaking with clients.
The most effective agents I’ve seen don’t treat AI like a shortcut. They treat it like a personalized assistant. They build models based on their voices, markets, customers, and processes. Over time, that model becomes smarter, faster, and more in line with real-world behavior.
The time savings are even more effective. Every hour you spend preparing, following up, and organizing is time you can reinvest in deals, relationships, and growth.
Utilize technology by working backwards from trading
Most agents are actively adopting technology. They hear about new tools and try to incorporate them into their workflow. A smarter approach is to work backwards.
Look at the last 5 transactions. What delayed them? Where did communication break down? What information do you wish you had known sooner? Which tasks were taking you away from the client when you needed to focus?
These answers will tell you exactly how you should leverage AI in your business.
AI is most valuable when it can eliminate delays and moments of distraction. This allows you to be better prepared, respond faster, and stay ahead without adding complexity.
If a tool doesn’t clearly solve a real problem you’re already experiencing, it’s useless.
Choose your technology like you choose your partner
Agents need to be as discerning when choosing technology as they are when choosing clients and partners.
More tools do not mean better results. In fact, disconnected systems often create inefficiencies and lead to a loss of focus. The goal should be integration, simplicity, and clarity.
This mindset led to our decision to partner with Rechat. As The Agency scales globally, they need a unified, mobile-first platform that brings together marketing, client relationships, transactions, and AI-driven workflows in one place. Not to add technology, but to reduce complexity and give agents a clearer view of their business.
When everything works together, agents can spend less time managing systems and more time actually driving success.
Generate leverage, not just efficiency
AI is not about doing more tasks. It’s about creating leverage.
When used correctly, AI can give agents time, focus, and mental space back. This allows students to prepare more thoughtfully, communicate more clearly, and act confidently in critical moments.
That impact manifests itself in better conversations, stronger relationships, and more consistent results.
Smart AI adoption is not about playing catch-up. It’s about moving forward.
Use AI more often, but with purpose. Build a model based on how people actually work. Choose technology that can be seamlessly integrated into your business. Work backwards from real deals and real challenges.
AI should simplify business, not complicate it. That gives you one advantage that will never go out of style. That means more time to focus on really moving the needle.
Mauricio Umansky is the founder and CEO of The Agency in Los Angeles. Connect with him on Instagram.
