Leveraging AI in Real Estate

1. AI for investors: faster and more precise

AI can process massive amounts of data: price histories, demographic trends, urban projects, etc. Thanks to these algorithms, investors can:

• identify high-potential areas,

• anticipate value increases,

• refine property selection according to personalized criteria (profile, budget, objectives).

Gilles confirms: for buyers, AI can generate highly precise virtual tours and help target relevant properties from the very first filter, making initial contact easier.

2. AI = an assistant, not a decision-maker

Despite its capabilities, AI cannot (and should not) replace a professional’s eye. As Gilles Tijtgat points out:

“AI is a support, but not an unquestionable truth.”

A common mistake is taking algorithmic results as absolute truth. AI should be a starting point, support, but data verification remains essential. He insists: “You cannot blindly trust all the information generated by a model.”

3. The power of local expertise

One major challenge for AI is its generalization: many models are trained on national or global data and may miss local specificities.

Gilles explains that registration fees, tax benefits, and regional conditions (e.g., Brussels, Wallonia, or Flanders) are not always included in algorithms. Yet these factors can strongly influence investment profitability.

Experienced agents, like those at Engel & Völkers, bring crucial added value: understanding the local reality, informing on neighborhood or property specifics, and interpreting signals AI cannot “see.”

4. AI’s concrete limits

Even the best models have flaws. For example, an investor wanted to estimate rental yield using AI. The calculation seemed promising but didn’t include local legal rules or country/regional fiscal specifics, such as reduced registration fees, legal obligations, or lease conditions.

Without expert review, the estimate remained incomplete, even risky.

5. Generative AI and legal tech: a promising duo

AI is not limited to data analysis; it also enhances legal tech in real estate. Innovations show AI can:

• analyze legal documents,

• anticipate contractual risks,

• verify compliance of deeds,

• automate administrative tasks (contract drafting, review, etc.)

Gilles sees this “augmented legal intelligence” as a way to provide security and speed for investors, while preserving the advantage of human advice.

6. Getting started for beginner investors

For newcomers:

• Start with simple AI tools: predictive platforms to gain market insights and identify opportunities.

• Never neglect the local dimension: consult an agent or legal expert to verify region-specific conditions (taxes, registration, laws).

• Combine tech vision with human judgment: AI provides data, but your investment strategy must be validated by a professional who understands the market.

As Gilles summarizes: “AI is a great monitoring tool, but nothing replaces visits, human interaction, and local expertise.”

7. AI and sellers: a powerful tool if used correctly

Sellers can also leverage AI to:

• estimate property value with comparative models,

• identify potential buyer profiles,

• analyze neighborhood or market dynamics,

• create virtual home staging,

• write attractive listing texts,

• enhance visuals for online platforms,

However, these automated estimates remain generic. They don’t consider the property’s actual condition, building specifics, or micro-local reality.

Human expertise remains decisive: an Engel & Völkers agent can validate or correct the analysis, refine the marketing strategy, and adjust pricing according to real buyer behavior, not just statistics.

In short: AI points the way, but the expert transforms a property into a successful sale.

AI is reshaping real estate investment: faster, more analytical, more predictive. Its true potential is only realized when enriched by human experience and local expertise. Engel & Völkers combines technology and market knowledge to offer clients smarter, safer, and more strategic investment decisions.

Ultimately, AI can show the direction… but the expert guides the right path.