It seems like every day there is a new technology promising to make our lives easier, our businesses

more efficient, or our marketing better. And if you’re like me, sometimes it can feel like a full-time job just trying to keep up with it all.

But technology has become a big part of how we do business as REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS® recently released its 2026 REALTORS® Technology Report, and I found the results interesting—especially when you look at the technology REALTORS® are actually using every day.

Not surprisingly, the MLS remains at the top of the list, with 96% of agents using it. E-signature technology is used by 79%, showing-scheduling tools by 68%, and CMA and pricing tools by 59%.

These may not be the newest or most exciting technologies, but think about how much they have changed our business. Remember printing contracts, driving across town for signatures, or calling back and forth just to schedule a showing? Technology has made many of those everyday tasks faster and easier.

And now, of course, we have AI.

Nearly half of agents say they are using AI daily or weekly. REALTORS® are using it to help write listing descriptions, create social media posts, draft emails, summarize information, develop marketing materials, and more. I think the important word there is help. Technology should help us do our jobs—not do our jobs for us.

One statistic from the NAR report really stood out to me: 81% of agents say they prioritize technology that saves them time, and 71% look for technology that improves the client experience.

That makes sense. If a tool can give us back some time in our day or help us provide better service to our clients, it may be worth learning how to use it.

But there are things technology simply cannot replace.

It cannot sit across the table from a nervous first-time homebuyer and reassure them. It cannot truly understand what it means to a family to sell a home filled with decades of memories. It cannot replace the experience of a REALTOR® who knows the local market, understands the transaction, and can help a client work through a difficult decision, and it certainly cannot replace trust.

As we embrace new technology, we also have to use it responsibly. AI can make mistakes. Information needs to be checked. Confidential information needs to be protected. And our ethical and professional responsibilities don’t disappear simply because a computer helped us complete a task.

At NETAR, we want to help our members keep up with these changes without feeling like you have to chase every new piece of technology that comes along. Through education and resources, we will continue looking for ways to help you understand the tools that can make a real difference in your business. You don’t have to use every new app, platform, or AI tool. Find the technology that saves you time. Find the tools that help you serve your clients better. Learn how to use them well.

Then use the time you save to do what REALTORS® have always done best—build relationships, solve problems, and take care of people.

Technology will continue to change our business. But the heart of real estate will always be people.

Source: National Association of REALTORS®, The Tech Real Estate Agents Rely on Most in 2026, Sept. 22, 2026. Read the NAR article