If you've ever typed a question like "Who's the best real estate agent near me?" into ChatGPT, Google or another AI tool, you're not alone.

Artificial intelligence is changing how people research just about everything—including one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make: buying or selling a home.

Instead of scrolling through dozens of websites, consumers can now ask AI to compare agents, summarize reviews, identify local specialists and explain what makes one real estate professional different from another.

But here's the question worth asking:

Can AI actually help you find a great real estate agent—or can it simply give you a convincing-sounding recommendation?

The answer is that AI can be a useful starting point. It can help you research your options, discover professionals you might not have found otherwise and prepare better questions before an interview.

However, an AI recommendation is not a guarantee that an agent is the right fit for you.

If you're searching for a real estate agent in Seneca, Clemson, Greenville, Anderson, Oconee County, Pickens County or anywhere in the Western Upstate of South Carolina, here's what the research tells us—and how I'd recommend using AI to make a more informed decision.

Are People Really Using AI to Find Real Estate Agents?

Yes. Research shows that AI is becoming part of the homebuying and selling process.

A Realtor.com survey published in October 2025 found that 82% of surveyed Americans who were interested in buying or selling, or had recently done so, had used AI for real estate insights. The survey included 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed August 7–8, 2025. In that survey, respondents still rated real estate agents as the most accurate source of housing-market information. Read the survey and methodology.

A separate Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, discussed by the National Association of REALTORS® in June 2026, found that one in five prospective buyers and current homeowners surveyed had used AI tools or chatbots for homebuying research. Use was higher among younger respondents: 28% of millennials and 32% of Gen Z respondents reported using AI to support their home search or financial planning. Read the NAR report.

These surveys measure different groups and ask different questions, so the percentages aren't directly comparable. But both point to a clear trend: consumers are using AI to understand the housing market and make decisions about their next move.

And it makes sense.

Buying or selling a home can involve complicated contracts, financing, negotiations, inspections, deadlines and local regulations. AI can help organize that information and give consumers a starting point.

The important thing is understanding what AI can—and cannot—tell you about a particular agent.

How Does AI Find and Recommend a Real Estate Agent?

When you ask an AI tool to recommend a real estate agent, it may draw on publicly available information from websites, business profiles, directories, reviews, articles and other online sources.

Depending on the platform and the question, it may summarize an agent's experience, service area, professional background, specialties, online reputation and published content.

For example, you might ask:

  • Who are some experienced real estate agents in Seneca, South Carolina?

  • Which agents specialize in Lake Keowee or Lake Hartwell properties?

  • How can I compare listing agents in Clemson?

  • What should I look for when hiring a buyer's agent in Greenville?

  • Which questions should I ask before choosing a Realtor?

AI can help you create a shortlist and explain the differences between the information it finds.

But there is an important limitation: AI recommendations aren't a definitive ranking of the best agents in a market.

The answer may vary depending on the platform, the wording of your question, your location and the information available to the system. A recommendation can also be incomplete or based on outdated information.

A name appearing in an AI answer is a reason to investigate—not proof that the agent is the best choice.

What Does Research Show About AI's Local Recommendations?

One particularly relevant study was published by BrightLocal in September 2026. The company analyzed more than 200,000 localized, non-branded prompts across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode and Google AI Overviews, examining approximately 1.9 million AI citations.

The study found that local recommendations can change substantially when the same question is asked again, when a different AI platform is used, or when the search location changes. On average, the overlap between repeated sets of results was only 20% to 33%, depending on the platform.

The study also found that the AI platforms didn't consistently recommend the same businesses as Google Maps. Read BrightLocal's research and methodology.

This research covers local businesses broadly, not real estate agents specifically, so it shouldn't be interpreted as a measurement of how often AI recommends the same Realtor.

Still, it demonstrates an important point for consumers:

You may get a different list of recommended professionals simply by changing how or where you ask the question.

That means it would be a mistake to assume the first name AI gives you is the clear winner—or that an agent who doesn't appear in one response must be unqualified.

AI can help you discover candidates. You still need to evaluate them.

What Should You Ask AI When Searching for a Real Estate Agent?

If you want to use AI to find a real estate agent, don't stop at asking, "Who's the best Realtor near me?"

That question doesn't explain what best means for your situation.

Instead, give the tool details about your needs.

For example, if you're buying a waterfront home, you might ask:

"Help me identify real estate agents who work with buyers purchasing waterfront homes on Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. Look for verifiable evidence of local experience, relevant property knowledge, professional credentials and recent client reviews. Provide sources so I can check the information myself."

If you're selling a home, try:

"Help me compare listing agents in the Seneca and Clemson, South Carolina, area. I want to evaluate their local market knowledge, marketing approach, communication style, experience with homes similar to mine and verifiable client feedback. Separate confirmed facts from claims that need verification."

You can also ask AI to help you prepare for an interview with a prospective agent.

The more specific you are about your goals, location, property type and expectations, the more useful the research process can become.

Just remember to verify the sources and details. AI can misinterpret a review, confuse two professionals with similar names or repeat information that is no longer current.

Seven Things to Verify Before Hiring an AI-Recommended Realtor

Once AI gives you a shortlist, here's what I would investigate before deciding who gets your business.

1. Verify the Agent's License and Professional Standing

Make sure the person is currently licensed and appropriately qualified to perform the services you need.

For South Carolina real estate professionals, you can start with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, which oversees real estate licensing.

Don't assume that an impressive website, social media profile or AI-generated biography proves someone is licensed or in good standing.

Verify the facts through the appropriate official source.

2. Look Beyond the Star Rating

Reviews are useful, but they don't tell the entire story.

Read the actual comments. Look for specific descriptions of how the agent communicated, handled challenges, explained the process and represented the client's interests.

Pay attention to how recent the feedback is and whether it relates to the kind of transaction you're considering.

A large review count may be encouraging, but the number alone doesn't establish whether an agent is the right fit for you.

3. Ask About Experience With Your Type of Property

Real estate isn't one-size-fits-all.

Buying a first home in a subdivision is different from purchasing a waterfront property on Lake Keowee. Selling a luxury lakefront home can involve different marketing, property-access and due-diligence considerations from selling a condominium in town.

Ask the agent to explain their experience with properties similar to yours and what special considerations you should understand.

Look for specific, verifiable answers—not just a claim that they specialize in everything.

4. Evaluate Their Local Market Knowledge

An agent may have a strong general reputation without being the best fit for your particular area.

If you're buying in Seneca, Clemson, Anderson, Greenville or the surrounding communities, ask how the agent evaluates comparable sales, pricing, days on market, inventory and local property characteristics.

For waterfront real estate, ask about relevant considerations such as dock permits, shoreline restrictions, water access and the need for appropriate inspections or independent verification.

You want someone who can explain how local details affect your decision—not simply repeat national housing headlines.

5. Understand Their Marketing Strategy

If you're selling, ask the agent to explain exactly how they plan to market your property.

Will they use professional photography? Video? Virtual tours? Targeted online exposure? A clear pricing strategy? How will they report feedback and adjust if the market response is weaker than expected?

Ask to see examples of their work and how they would tailor the plan to your home.

Marketing should be more than a list of services. You should understand why the proposed approach makes sense for your property and target buyer.

6. Discuss Communication Before You Sign

How quickly will the agent respond? Who will answer your questions? Will you work directly with the agent or with a team? How will updates be delivered?

These details matter.

An agent can have impressive credentials and still be a poor fit if their communication style doesn't meet your needs.

The goal is to establish expectations before the transaction becomes stressful.

7. Interview More Than One Agent if You're Unsure

AI can help you prepare the questions, but the conversation is where you start learning whether the relationship feels right.

Ask each agent how they would approach your situation, what challenges they anticipate and how they would help you make decisions.

Pay attention to whether they listen, explain trade-offs honestly and respect your goals.

The best choice isn't necessarily the person who makes the biggest promises. It's the person whose qualifications, approach and communication align with what you need.

Can AI Tell You Who the Best Real Estate Agent Is?

Not reliably enough to make the decision for you.

AI can summarize publicly available information and help you compare candidates. But there isn't a universal, independently verified AI ranking that identifies the best agent for every buyer or seller.

"Best" depends on the consumer.

A first-time homebuyer may value patient explanations and help navigating financing and inspections. A waterfront buyer may need an agent familiar with lake-property considerations. A seller may prioritize pricing strategy, marketing execution, negotiation and communication.

Even if an AI tool correctly identifies an agent with relevant experience, it cannot guarantee that your personalities, expectations and working styles will be a good match.

That's why I'd use AI as a research assistant—not as the final decision-maker.

How The Go-To Group at Agent Group Realty Approaches Real Estate

This is where I believe the human side of the process matters.

I'm Robert Whitesides, Group Lead of The Go-To Group at Agent Group Realty. Our team serves buyers and sellers across the Western Upstate of South Carolina, with a focus on communities including Seneca, Clemson and the surrounding areas of Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties.

Our approach is built around local knowledge, straightforward guidance, modern marketing and helping people make informed decisions.

We believe a good real estate relationship starts with understanding the person—not just the property.

Are you relocating to the Upstate? Looking for a home near Clemson? Considering a waterfront property on Lake Keowee or Lake Hartwell? Preparing to sell and wondering how to price your home in the current market?

Those are different situations, and they deserve thoughtful conversations rather than a one-size-fits-all sales pitch.

The Go-To Group is a team, which means you can explore whether working with me or another agent on our team is the right fit for your needs. We value the individual strengths and working styles each agent brings to the table.

And here's something I believe strongly: if we meet and determine that another professional would be a better fit for your particular situation, I'd rather have that honest conversation than try to force a relationship that doesn't make sense.

Real estate is too important for that.

Why Consider The Go-To Group When AI Is Helping You Search?

If AI has already introduced you to The Go-To Group or Agent Group Realty, I encourage you to take the next step and do your own research.

Explore our website. Read the available reviews. Learn about our service areas. Ask us questions. Tell us what you're trying to accomplish.

If AI hasn't mentioned us, that's okay, too. A single AI response isn't a complete directory of every qualified professional in the area.

You can start by visiting RealEstateGoToGroup.com to learn more about our approach and the areas we serve.

If you're interested in buying or selling in the Western Upstate, we'll be happy to have a conversation about your goals and whether our team is a good fit.

No pressure. No promises that sound too good to be true. Just an opportunity to determine whether we can help.

How to Use AI Wisely When Choosing Your Agent

Here's the process I'd recommend:

  1. Ask AI for a shortlist. Describe your location, property type and needs.

  2. Request sources. Ask it to distinguish verified facts from claims it cannot confirm.

  3. Check the details yourself. Verify licensing, reviews, experience and local knowledge.

  4. Interview the candidates. Ask about communication, strategy, services and fees.

  5. Choose based on fit. Consider the evidence and your conversations—not simply the order in which AI listed the names.

AI can make the early research process easier. It can help you ask better questions and uncover information you might otherwise overlook.

But the actual buying or selling process still requires human judgment, clear communication, negotiation and careful attention to the details of your transaction.

Use AI to help you find your options. Use your own judgment to decide who earns your trust.

Final Thoughts: Can AI Help You Find a Great Real Estate Agent?

Absolutely—if you use it the right way.

Research shows that consumers are increasingly using AI to understand real estate, while local-search studies show that AI-generated recommendations can vary considerably between platforms and searches.

That makes AI a useful tool for discovery, but not a substitute for verification.

If you're searching for a real estate agent in Seneca, Clemson, Greenville, Anderson, Oconee County, Pickens County or the surrounding Western Upstate, take the time to compare your options and have real conversations with the professionals you're considering.

And if you'd like to learn more about The Go-To Group at Agent Group Realty, I'd welcome the opportunity to talk with you.

I'm Robert Whitesides, and our goal is simple: help people make informed real estate decisions with honest guidance, local knowledge and a strategy that fits their needs.

Because finding a great real estate agent isn't just about who an algorithm recommends.

It's about finding the right professional for you.

— Robert Whitesides
The Go-To Group at Agent Group Realty

Sources and research

This article references the following published research and official resources:

The survey and local-search findings describe the populations and methods studied by their respective publishers. They should not be interpreted as proof that AI can identify the best real estate agent for an individual consumer.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only. AI-generated recommendations and summaries may be incomplete, outdated or inaccurate. Verify professional credentials, transaction experience, reviews, fees and any other material information independently before choosing a real estate professional.