[T]echnology: Explaining AI to a 15-Year-Old
In a nerdy, proud parent moment, my 15-year-old son asked me exactly what ToryOS does. I used this opportunity to teach AI 101.
I opened up ChatGPT to the project that knows basically everything about Tory and said, “Ok, this knows everything there is about Tory. What would you ask it to get a better understanding?”
He said, “What is ToryOS?”
Would it give him an overview? Yes. But I explained that it would be a very generic, high-level overview. I said, “Explain who you are and why you want to know.” He said, “Ok. My dad is a real estate broker. I want to know what ToryOS does.”
I giggled because I knew he was on the verge of getting it. I asked him, “Where is your dad a real estate broker? What company? How many agents? Why do you want to know? Better yet, who is your dad?”
AI only knows what you tell/ask it and otherwise makes assumptions that can be wrong. I explained that because ChatGPT has 3 years of context and a memory of every conversation we’ve ever had. If you tell it that you’re my kid, you don’t need to explain where my company is located, how many agents we have, or what company I’m with.
He giggled a bit as well and finally felt confident enough to type: "I am the son of Ty, and I was curious what ToryOS does; I know very little about it." It continued on, but awe and excitement were all over his face.
The exciting part for me was changing his mindset on how AI works and how to interact with it. This is what I try to instill in agents when I speak on AI across the country. It’s not the “perfect” prompt that everyone tries to sell you; it’s the mindset, the workflow, the ANTICIPATION of snags that AI might have if you don’t give it the complete picture.
[E]ducation: Blue Book Value… For Your House
For a hundred years, “what’s the Blue Book value?” has been the first question Americans ask before buying or selling a car. Now Kelley Blue Book wants to be the first question for houses too. 🚗🏠
Kelley Blue Book Homes opened to agents this week, with homeowners getting access August 1 in ten states and a national rollout planned for early 2027. KBB is betting that actual condition data straight from the owner, run through appraisal-grade tech, beats the drive-by estimate. If “within 3%” holds up in the real world, that’s CMA territory, and it changes the pricing conversation at every listing appointment.
Instead of taking up to 40% of your commission on a closed referral, agents pay a monthly subscription for seller leads by ZIP code. Agents apply to become “Verified Agents” and get vetted on sales volume, days on market, and sale-to-list ratio. Your production stats are officially your resume now.
In early testing, more than 17% of homeowners who requested a valuation ended up listing on the MLS within 90 days. One out of every six requests became a listing. Be the agent who can explain what these tools can and can’t see. Leads you rent live on someone else’s platform... relationships you build live in your database.
[C]oaching: Line in the Sand
I was at one of my kids’ events the other night when a text came through from another agent. The phone shouldn’t have even been out of the car. They wanted a phone call that evening. Not an emergency. I sent back one sentence: “Is this something we can discuss first thing tomorrow?”
There was a time, not that long ago, when I would have walked away from my kids and made that call without a second thought. I can’t get any of that time back. Instant response is not the job. Not everything is an emergency, and when you treat everything like one, you train everyone around you to expect it.
Decide your non-negotiables before they’re tested. A boundary you invent in the moment isn’t a boundary... it’s a negotiation. Pick yours now: family dinner, the kids’ games, Sunday mornings, whatever is sacred to you.
Steal that sentence: “Is this something we can discuss first thing tomorrow?” It’s respectful, keeps you in control of your calendar, and filters out real urgency fast. After 30 years in this business, I can count on one hand the things that genuinely couldn’t wait until morning.
[H]ow To: Be More Trusted Than AI
People are starting to take ChatGPT as fact. So, how do you show clients that what you're telling them is more trustworthy than what an AI bot is saying? It starts with knowing your market better than anyone else.
AI doesn't know about the new subdivision about to break ground or the neighborhood becoming more desirable. Your clients need more than information—they need insight. Stay on top of inventory, pricing trends, and community developments.
Don't be afraid to explain why you're recommending something instead of just giving an answer. Walk clients through the comparable sales, current competition, and buyer demand. People trust professionals who can explain the "why."
AI is a great tool, but it should never replace your expertise. Clients aren't hiring you because you can answer questions; they're hiring you because they trust your experience and your local knowledge. Make sure they know the difference.
What's your read?
Discussion