AI Real Estate Glossary: 80+ Terms in Plain English

AI basics

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Software that does tasks that used to need a person, like reading a question, writing an answer or seeing what is in a photo. Example: an app reads "3-bed house in Broward with a pool" and turns it into a search. Used in: AI for real estate agents.

Generative AI

AI that makes new text, pictures, sound or video from an instruction. Example: it writes a first draft of a listing description from the facts you give it. The draft can have mistakes, so you read it before you use it.

Large language model (LLM)

The kind of AI model behind ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot. It learned patterns from a very large amount of text, so it can read and write. It does not look up facts unless it is connected to a source. Example: an LLM can write a kind follow-up email, but on its own it does not know which homes are for sale today.

AI model

The trained program that does the AI work. Companies release new models often, and the same app can change models. Example: after an update, your assistant may write in a different style.

Chatbot

A program you talk to by typing or speaking. Older chatbots followed fixed scripts. Newer ones use an LLM and can answer new questions. Example: a chat window on a real estate website that answers "Does this building allow pets?"

AI assistant

A chatbot that helps one person with their own work: writing, searching, planning. Example: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot are general AI assistants. RealVista is an AI assistant made for agents in South Florida. Used in: AI real estate assistant.

AI agent

An AI that takes steps for you, not only answers. It can run a search, fill in a form or send a request. Because it acts, it needs clear limits. Example: you ask for a showing, and the AI sends the request to the listing agent. RealVista does this for showings and tours (PRO).

Agentic AI

A name for AI that plans and does several steps toward a goal with less human help. Example: "Plan a Saturday tour of these 4 homes" becomes a driving route plus one showing request per home. The more an AI does by itself, the more you should check what it did.

Prompt

The instruction or question you give an AI. A good prompt gives the facts, the goal, who it is for and the format you want. Used in: ChatGPT prompts for realtors.

Prompt template

A saved prompt with blanks to fill in, like [address], [beds] and [features], so you get the same quality every time. Example: a listing description template where you paste the facts from the MLS.

Custom instructions

Standing rules an assistant follows in every chat, such as "write in simple English" or "always end with my brokerage name". Most general assistants have a setting for this. It is also called a system prompt.

Context window

How much text an AI can read and keep in mind at one time. It is counted in tokens. Example: a long set of condo documents may not fit in one message. Ask about one part at a time.

Token

A small piece of text, often part of a word, that AI models count. The size of a context window and the price of many AI services are counted in tokens.

Hallucination

When an AI says something false as if it were true. Example: a general assistant gives a building's pet rule, an HOA fee or a school zone that it made up. Check every fact against the MLS, the documents or an official source.

Grounding

Giving an AI real source data so its answer comes from that data, not from memory. Example: an assistant that searches live MLS listings before it answers is grounded in MLS data.

Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)

One way to ground an AI. The system first finds the right records or documents, then the AI writes the answer from them. Example: the AI chat on a RealVista shared collection answers from the listing data of those homes.

Training data

The text, pictures or other data used to build an AI model. Some assistants can use your chats to train future models unless you turn that off. See training opt-out.

Knowledge cutoff

The date after which a model learned nothing new by itself. Example: a model may not know about a law that changed after its cutoff, unless it searches the web.

Fine-tuning

Extra training of a model on a smaller set of examples, so it does one job better. Example: a vendor trains a model further on listing descriptions.

Multimodal AI

AI that works with more than one kind of input, like text and photos, or text and voice. Example: you attach a photo of a kitchen and ask for homes that look like it.

Computer vision

AI that reads images. It can tag rooms, features or condition in photos. Example: a tool tags "pool" or "kitchen island" in listing photos.

Natural language processing (NLP)

The part of AI that works with human language: understanding a question, pulling facts out of text, translating.

Machine translation

Translation done by software. It is good for a first read. A fluent person should check contracts and legal text. Example: reading an English listing description in Spanish.

Speech-to-text

Turning spoken words into text. It is also called dictation. Example: in RealVista, the mic button in the chat box dictates a message.

Text-to-speech

A computer voice that reads text aloud. Example: in RealVista, the speaker icon under a reply reads it aloud.

Voice agent

AI that talks with people by voice, in an app or on a phone call. Example: an AI that answers a brokerage phone line after hours. Calls to consumers with an artificial voice have consent rules; see TCPA consent. RealVista's live voice chat (PRO) is a spoken talk between you and the assistant. It does not call your clients.

AI web search

When an assistant searches the internet before it answers and shows its links. The answer can still be wrong, so open the links. Example: RealVista can look up current news, schools and rules on the web.

MCP (Model Context Protocol)

An open standard that lets AI assistants connect to outside tools and data in one common way. Anthropic introduced it in November 2024. Example: a CRM company offers an MCP connection, so an assistant like Claude or ChatGPT can read your contacts after you allow it.

Connector or app inside an assistant

A way to use another company's service from inside ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. Example: some home search portals now offer apps inside ChatGPT. See AI home search.

API

Application programming interface: fixed rules for how two programs exchange data. Example: an MLS sends listing data to an app through an API.

Deepfake

A fake photo, video or voice that looks or sounds real, made with AI. Scammers can use one to pose as an owner, a landlord or an agent. Confirm identity in person or through the listing broker.

Search and data

MLS (multiple listing service)

A shared database where member brokers list homes for sale and for rent, with rules for how the data may be shown. Example: RealVista uses MLS listings for Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and nearby.

IDX (Internet Data Exchange)

MLS rules and data feeds that let a broker show other brokers' listings on a public website. Agent websites with live listings usually use IDX.

VOW (virtual office website)

A brokerage website where a consumer signs up before seeing more MLS data. It follows its own MLS rules.

RESO

The Real Estate Standards Organization. It sets common field names and a common way to send listing data, so apps can read listings from many MLSs the same way.

Listing data feed

The regular flow of listing data from the MLS to an app or website. How often it updates decides how fresh your results are. Example: RealVista's MLS data is updated about every hour.

Data freshness

How recent the data is. A home can go under contract minutes after you search. Always confirm the status with the listing agent.

Natural-language search

Searching by typing or saying what you want in normal words, instead of setting filters. Example: "2-bed condo for rent in Aventura under $3,500, pets allowed." Used in: AI MLS search and AI home search.

Semantic search

Search that matches meaning, not only the exact words. Example: "near the water" can match "waterfront" or "bay views". A meaning match is not a confirmed fact.

Vector search

A method that turns text or photos into lists of numbers (called embeddings) so a computer can find items that are alike. Many look-alike and semantic searches use it.

Exact filter

A search condition checked against a real MLS field, like beds, price, pool or pets allowed. If a listing leaves the field empty, it does not match. Example: in RealVista, "furnished", "impact windows" and "FHA financing accepted" are exact filters from MLS fields.

Matched in the description, not confirmed

RealVista's label for details found only in the listing text or photos, not in an MLS field: a "modern" style, an "open kitchen", a "corner unit", a "direct" ocean view or a private boat dock. Check them before you promise anything.

Look-alike photo search

Finding homes whose photos look like a photo you give. It is also called visual search. Example: in RealVista (PRO), attach a photo of a kitchen and add "in Hollywood under $700K".

Public remarks

The listing description the listing agent writes for the public. AI can sum it up or translate it, but the listing's own text stays the source.

Off-market listing

A home sold without being put on the MLS. It is also called a pocket listing. MLS-based tools, RealVista included, do not show these.

FSBO (for sale by owner)

A home an owner sells without a listing broker. RealVista has no FSBO-only homes.

Days on market (DOM)

How long a listing has been active. You can ask an AI search for "listed in the last 7 days".

Seasonal lease

A rental lease of a few months, common in South Florida in winter. It is not a short-term rental. On October 17, 2026, RealVista had about 1,700 seasonal leases among 30,000 active rentals. The listing agent confirms the term.

Short-term rental

A stay of days or weeks, like Airbnb, VRBO or a hotel. Cities have their own rules for them. RealVista has none. See Renting in Miami.

New-listing alert

An automatic message when new homes match a saved search. Example: in RealVista, an alert follows one search and emails new listings and price drops once a day for 7 days.

Home value

AVM (automated valuation model)

A computer model that estimates a home's value from data, such as recent sales, home facts, location and trends, without a visit. An AVM is not an appraisal. Some sellers ask that automated values not be shown with their listing on public sites.

Comps (comparable sales)

Recent sales of similar homes nearby, used to judge value. "Similar" means close in size, age, condition, location and type. Example: a Pro Estimate shows the comparable sales behind its estimate.

Rent comps (comparable leases)

Recent leases of similar homes, used to judge rent. Example: a Pro Estimate uses comparable leases for its rent value.

Pro Estimate

RealVista's home value report for agents (PRO). It has an AI estimate, a sale value and a rent value from comparable sales and leases, and the local market. You share it as a link or PDF, and the shared page has its own AI chat for the client. It is not an appraisal. Used in: Pro Estimate.

Appraisal

A written opinion of value by a licensed or certified appraiser, usually for a lender. An AI estimate does not replace it.

Broker price opinion (BPO)

A value estimate made by a real estate licensee, often for a lender or an investor.

Price per square foot

The price divided by the living area. It helps compare similar homes, but it changes with the building, floor, view and condition.

Leads and CRM

CRM (customer relationship management)

Software that keeps your clients, deals, tasks and notes in one place.

AI CRM

A CRM where AI does part of the work: you add and find things in plain words, and it drafts messages. Example: the RealVista CRM keeps clients, deals, tasks, notes and client memory, and you add them by asking in the chat. Used in: AI CRM.

Client memory

RealVista's word for what its AI keeps about each client, such as the homes they want.

Lead

A person who may buy, sell or rent, and who shared contact details.

Lead scoring

Ranking leads by how likely they are to act, often with AI that looks at what they do (visits, replies). A score must never use a protected trait such as race or national origin.

Lead routing

Sending each new lead to the right agent by a rule, like area, language or turn.

Speed to lead

The time from when a lead comes in to the first real reply.

ISA (inside sales agent)

A team member who calls and texts new leads to qualify them and set appointments.

AI ISA

Software that texts, emails or calls leads to qualify them. Consent rules apply to automated texts and calls; see TCPA consent.

Drip campaign

A planned series of emails or texts sent over weeks or months. AI can write the drafts. It is also called a nurture campaign.

Suggested reply

A reply that AI drafts for you to read, change and send. Example: RealVista writes emails and texts for you to send. It does not message your clients for you.

Website AI assistant

A chat on an agent's website that answers visitors' questions. Example: visitors to a RealVista agent website can chat with the agent's AI assistant, and contact form leads go to the agent's CRM. Used in: AI real estate website builder.

WhatsApp AI agent

An AI assistant you text or send voice notes to inside WhatsApp. Example: after an agent connects WhatsApp, RealVista answers searches, Pro Estimates and showing requests there, from live MLS data. Used in: WhatsApp AI agent.

Collection

In RealVista (PRO), a saved group of homes you share with a client as a link. The client's page has the homes, a map, your contact buttons and an AI chat that answers from the listing data.

Showing request

A request to the listing agent to see a home at a time. Example: in RealVista (PRO), "request a showing for 123 Main St Saturday at 2" sends the request to the listing agent.

Marketing and photos

Listing description generator

A tool that writes listing text from the facts you give it. Example: in RealVista, "Improve Listing" rewrites a listing description with AI. Check the result for accuracy and fair housing before you use it.

The short text under a social media post. AI can draft it from the listing facts. You post it yourself.

Virtual staging

Adding furniture or decor to photos of empty rooms with software.

Virtual staging disclosure

A note that tells viewers a photo was virtually staged. NAR's legal team advises brokers to "disclose altered images clearly". Some MLSs set the exact words: Stellar MLS, for example, requires "Virtually staged" on each staged photo. Check your own MLS rules and your brokerage policy.

AI-altered photo

A photo that AI changed beyond simple fixes like light and color: a new sky, new floors, removed power lines. If the change hides or misstates the home, the ad can mislead buyers.

Ad creative

The pictures, videos and text of an ad. Example: RealVista Listing Promoter makes ad pictures and short videos from a listing's MLS photos, in 10 designs, and checks the ad text against fair housing rules. Used in: Listing Promoter.

Proptech

Short for property technology: software and devices for real estate.

Rules and privacy

Fair housing

The federal Fair Housing Act bans discrimination in housing, including in ads, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. AI drafts can break it with words like "perfect for young couples" or "no kids". Read every draft before you use it.

Steering

Guiding people toward or away from homes or areas because of a protected trait. It is illegal. An AI that suggests neighborhoods must not do it, and neither may you.

Algorithmic bias

When an AI system treats groups of people unfairly because of its data or its design. Example: a screening score that turns down more applicants from one group for reasons that have nothing to do with paying rent.

Tenant screening

Software that checks and scores rental applicants. If a landlord turns you down because of a screening report, you can ask for a free copy within 60 days and dispute mistakes (CFPB).

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is a federal law on calls and texts made with automated systems or with prerecorded or artificial voices. On February 2, 2024, the FCC ruled that AI-generated voices count as "artificial" under this law, so calls with them need the called person's prior express consent unless an exemption applies.

Opt-out

A person's request to stop getting messages, like a reply of "STOP". Your tools and your team must honor it.

Personal information

Data that identifies a person, such as a name, phone, email, Social Security number or bank details. Do not paste sensitive client data into a general AI tool before you check its privacy settings and your brokerage's policy.

Training opt-out

A setting in some AI assistants that stops your chats from being used to train future models. Look for it in the privacy or data settings of each tool you use.

Disclosure

Telling people a fact they need, such as "this photo is virtually staged" or "this text was drafted with AI and reviewed by your agent". Your MLS, your brokerage and the law decide which disclosures are required.

Human review

A person reads and checks AI output before it reaches a client. It is the simplest rule for using AI safely in real estate.