As I continue this journey toward Day 100 of my AI in Real Estate series, I’m starting to see more real-world examples of how artificial intelligence is changing the way homes are bought and sold.
A recent update in our local MLS introduced a feature that allows buyers to search for homes using images.
In simple terms, buyers can now say:
👉 “Find me a home that looks like this.”
That’s a significant shift from how home searches have traditionally worked.
From Data Search to Visual Search
For years, home searches have been based on:
-
price
-
number of bedrooms
-
square footage
-
location
Those are still important, but they don’t always capture what buyers are really looking for.
Most buyers don’t describe homes in numbers.
They describe them in terms of:
-
style
-
layout
-
feel
-
lifestyle
Now, with AI-powered image search, buyers can upload photos of spaces they like—such as a kitchen, sunroom, or home office—and find properties with similar features.
How This Changes the Buying Process
This type of technology makes the home search process more intuitive.
Instead of guessing what a buyer means when they say:
“I want something open and bright,”
we can now actually see what that means to them.
This can lead to:
-
better communication
-
more targeted home searches
-
fewer unnecessary showings
-
faster decision-making
What This Means for Sellers
This shift also has an impact on how homes are marketed.
If buyers are searching visually, then listing photos become even more important.
Features that stand out—such as:
-
updated kitchens
-
natural light
-
unique living spaces
-
home offices or sunrooms
may play a bigger role in attracting attention.
In markets like the Lehigh Valley, including communities such as Nazareth, Easton, Palmer Township, Forks Township, and Bethlehem Township, every home has its own character.
Visual presentation can help highlight those differences.
Technology as a Tool
Like many of the AI tools I’ve written about over the past several weeks, this is another example of technology improving the process.
It doesn’t replace the role of the real estate professional.
Instead, it helps us better understand what buyers are really looking for.
The Bottom Line
Artificial intelligence is beginning to change not just how homes are marketed, but how they are discovered.
Buyers are no longer limited to searching by numbers alone.
They can now search by style, design, and lifestyle.
For those of us working in the Lehigh Valley market, it’s another tool that can help connect the right buyer with the right home.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Lehigh Valley?
I’m always happy to provide guidance based on decades of local market experience.
—
Sam Ruta
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Choice Properties