Todd Salerno is no stranger to the rapid changes sweeping the real estate industry. An experienced real estate professional, he’s seen firsthand how artificial intelligence redefines almost every part of the job, from property investment to client interaction. For Salerno, technology isn’t just a tool—it’s a game-changer that helps the real estate industry keep up with modern demands and, in many ways, even anticipate them.
Take real estate investment. AI has turned what was once a daunting landscape of guesswork into a more predictable field. Predictive analytics, he says, are some of AI’s valuable contributions, allowing investors to examine current market data and project future property values. By analyzing trends in market demand, demographic shifts, and economic signals, AI’s insights enable investors to build strategies with fewer uncertainties. Moreover, these algorithms can assess potential risks—whether the threat of economic downturns or even natural disasters—so investors can make choices with a clear understanding of possible challenges.
Salerno also points out how AI is taking the lead in property management. Automation tools have become essential, streamlining day-to-day tasks like tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance scheduling. By handling the repetitive aspects of property management, these systems free up managers to focus on providing better tenant experiences, improving satisfaction, and reducing operational costs.
Salerno has found a suite of AI-driven tools for real estate professionals that make every part of the buying and selling process faster and more intuitive. For example, Zillow’s Zestimate and HouseCanary are transforming property valuation by offering clients near-instant market insights. These tools allow agents to respond quickly to client needs, keeping them competitive in a fast-paced industry. Meanwhile, tools like Reonomy provide in-depth data analyses of specific properties and neighborhoods, which helps agents give personalized advice and enhance client confidence. Matterport’s 3D virtual tours, Salerno notes, are another leap forward, especially in a post-pandemic world where remote viewings have become essential. With these immersive tours, buyers get an authentic feel for a property, making it possible to view multiple homes without stepping inside—a significant shift in client engagement.
But AI isn’t only streamlining processes; it’s also helping buyers and sellers navigate a market that’s anything but predictable. With AI’s advanced forecasting, clients can make choices based on well-rounded projections. For instance, market analysis tools combine economic trends with data on buyer sentiment and property availability, giving clients an informed perspective on the right time to buy or sell. Salerno emphasizes that insights like these give clients the confidence to make decisions rooted in something solid in a volatile market.
One of the exciting changes for Salerno is the rise of AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots that enable 24/7 customer support. This technology means clients can get answers any time, not just during regular office hours, allowing agents to focus more on relationship-building and less on routine queries. Additionally, AI is improving the efficiency and security of real estate transactions through blockchain-supported smart contracts, which Salerno believes could fundamentally reshape how deals are closed, making processes faster and more transparent.
Still, Salerno quickly reminds everyone that no technology can replace the human touch. For him, AI’s purpose is to support agents, not replace them. By handling time-consuming tasks, AI enables agents to be more present with clients, focusing on understanding their needs and offering tailored guidance. It’s this human-centered approach that makes real estate meaningful, Salerno insists, no matter how advanced the tech becomes. At Century 21, his team embraces AI as a support tool, ensuring every client interaction feels personal and responsive.
Looking to the future, Salerno envisions AI as an increasingly critical force, ushering in targeted marketing, smart property management, and even virtual reality tours that make viewing properties immersive from anywhere in the world. Yet, for all the excitement, he holds firmly that real estate will remain a people-first business. As AI continues to evolve, Salerno’s approach keeps pace by balancing these powerful new tools with a commitment to empathy, expertise, and genuine human connection—a vision for the future where technology enhances, rather than overshadows, the heart of real estate.
Published by: Holy Minoza
