Real Estate’s Next Advantage: Combining AI With Consistent Daily Work

Written by:

Alejandra Rodriguez

Date:

21 Jan 2026

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The real estate industry faces a critical decision point about artificial intelligence that will shape which agents succeed in 2026 and beyond, according to Jeff Quintin, CEO of The Quintin Group. While some agents see AI as a threat to their jobs and others expect it to offer easy shortcuts, Quintin says both views miss the real opportunity: combining AI with core real estate skills to outperform the competition.

“There is no magic formula to make 2026 an incredible year,” Quintin says. “It’s going back and doing the basics. The basics are never going to go out of style, whether it’s 2030 or 2020. You have to keep prospecting, generating leads every day, following up better, and presenting more effectively.”

But Quintin is clear that sticking to basics alone is not enough. “AI is on the move. It’s not going away. AI is something you need to look into. AI is something you need to be implementing,” he says.

The Need to Do Both

Quintin, who has been a top producer for more than 30 years, argues that the agents who will stand out in 2026 are those who refuse to choose between fundamentals and new technology. The true advantage, he says, lies in doing both at once — using AI to strengthen basic skills, not replace them.

He points to tools like ChatGPT as examples of how agents can use AI as a “thought partner.” Rather than automating lead generation or replacing negotiation skills, AI can help agents brainstorm, organize information, and prepare more effectively. “It’s automation, thought partner, leverage for sure. The key is understanding how to use that technology to make yourself more productive,” Quintin says.

This approach differs from earlier real estate technologies, such as CRM systems or digital marketing platforms, which focused on automating specific tasks. AI, in Quintin’s view, is about enhancing the way agents think, plan, and execute.

Fundamentals Still Matter Most

Quintin’s focus on the basics is rooted in what he sees happening in today’s market. Many agents struggling now, he says, lack consistency in prospecting, follow-up, and daily business routines. “The agents right now that are struggling are the ones who haven’t been consistent in their business. They haven’t put in the time and done the right activities every day,” he explains.

AI, Quintin emphasizes, cannot make up for weak fundamentals. An agent who avoids lead generation, neglects client follow-up, or fails to develop strong presentation and negotiation skills will not succeed simply by adopting AI. “You have to work on your skills, scripts, and systems,” he says. “If you improve just a little in each of those areas, you’ll be a much better agent by the end of the year.”

He warns that relying on AI without a foundation of core skills creates a false sense of progress. Agents may think they are working smarter by using new tools, but if they are not consistently generating business and refining their skills, their results will not improve.

How the Market Is Splitting

Quintin describes a market dividing into three kinds of agents: those who master both fundamentals and AI, those who stick to basics but ignore AI, and those who embrace AI but neglect core skills. Only the first group, he argues, will maintain a strong competitive position.

Agents who combine strong skills with AI use automation to handle research, administrative work, and content creation, giving themselves more time for lead generation, client meetings, and negotiations; the activities that drive revenue and technology cannot replace.

By contrast, agents who continue to focus only on fundamentals risk falling behind on productivity. Those who lean on AI while neglecting the basics will likely see poor results and may mistakenly blame the technology rather than their own execution.

Training for the Next Generation of Agents

For brokerages and team leaders, Quintin’s approach presents a new challenge. Training must now cover both timeless real estate skills and modern AI tools. “You need to put the time in and work on your skills,” Quintin says, but he also insists that understanding AI “at the basic level” is now essential.

This requires a different kind of training than most real estate organizations offer. Traditionally, training has focused either on core skills or on introducing new technologies. Rarely have programs integrated in a way that helps agents see how technology can make their core work more effective.

Whether brokerages and teams can develop training that blends these two elements may determine who attracts and retains top talent in 2026. Agents who can quickly adapt, learn new tools, and continue to refine their skills will be best positioned to succeed as the market grows more competitive and technology-driven.

Looking Forward: No Substitute for Consistency

As the real estate industry heads toward 2026, the message is clear: neither AI nor fundamentals alone will guarantee success. The agents who excel will be those who treat AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, core skills and who remain disciplined about the daily work that drives results.

For Quintin, the lesson is straightforward. “It’s never about the tool itself,” he says. “It’s about the agent who knows how to use it and is willing to do the work.” In a market shaped by rapid change and new technology, that combination will define the next generation of top producers.