Artificial Intelligence (AI) Avatars for REALTORS®
When to use one, and when not to.
In the digital age, video content is a major way that many businesses connect with clients and potential clients. Although a great way to connect, creating it can take up a considerable amount of time.
If you’re already creating video content, or curious about starting to, artificial intelligence (AI) avatars offer another tool to help the process along.
Here’s how AI avatars work, when they may be useful, and when your audience should hear directly from you.
Jump Ahead
What is an AI avatar?
An AI avatar is a digitally generated person that can appear in a video and deliver a script you provide. Depending on the platform, the avatar may:
- resemble you;
- use a version of your voice;
- appear as a custom digital character;
- speak in multiple languages; and/or
- utilize different backgrounds, outfits or presentation styles.
The process is generally straightforward. You provide photos or a video sample, select a voice and visual style, add your script, and allow the platform to generate the video.
Tools such as CapCut and HeyGen offer AI avatar features. Their customization options, pricing, and commercial usage terms vary.
When should REALTORS® use an AI avatar?
AI avatars tend to work best for repeatable, educational content where the information matters more than the person delivering it. Here are some examples.
1. Explaining common real estate terms
Clients often have questions about deposits, conditions, closing costs, mortgage pre-approvals, and other parts of the buying or selling process.
An AI avatar can help you turn these frequently asked questions into a series of short, reusable videos.
Consider these prompts:
- What is a conditional offer?
- What happens during a home inspection?
- What costs should buyers expect at closing?
- What is the difference between a deposit and a down payment?
2. Creating step-by-step guides
AI avatars can be effective for structured content that follows a clear process.
The avatar can provide consistent delivery, while graphics, captions, screenshots, or property footage may help to illustrate each step.
Consider these prompts:
- how to prepare for a first meeting with a REALTOR®
- what documents buyers may need
- how to get a home ready for listing
- what to expect between an accepted offer and closing
- how to navigate a property search
3. Answering frequently asked questions
If you regularly receive the same questions from clients, an AI avatar can help you answer them at scale. These videos can be shared through social media, email, your website, or directly with prospective clients.
This does not replace a personal conversation.
4. Repurposing existing content
You may already have put the work in to creating useful content in the form of newsletters, blog posts, presentation notes, or client guides. Instead of developing a video from scratch, you can adapt that already compiled information into a short script and use an AI avatar to present it.
Consider these ideas:
- a short social media video
- a longer website explainer
- a video for an email newsletter
- several clips focused on individual takeaways
5. Testing content ideas
Producing a polished video can require time and resources. An AI avatar may allow you to test different topics, scripts, or opening hooks, before investing in a more personalized larger production.
When should REALTORS® avoid using an AI avatar?
AI avatars can improve efficiency, but real estate is built on trust. There are situations where your audience should see and hear directly from you.
1. When introducing yourself
A prospective client deciding whether to work with you wants to understand who you are. Your introduction video, professional story, and personal approach should generally come directly from you.
An AI avatar may describe your services, but it cannot fully communicate your natural manner, energy, or personality.
2. When sharing a client story
Buying or selling a home can be personal and stressful. Stories involving major milestones, difficult decisions or meaningful client experiences require sensitivity. Using an avatar in these situations may make the content feel distant or overly automated.
When the message depends on empathy, speak directly to your audience.
3. When responding to sensitive market developments
Interest rate announcements, sudden market changes, new regulations and local events may affect people differently. A generic or automated appearing video may not provide the nuance these subjects require.
For timely or sensitive commentary, consider recording the message yourself and clearly explaining the context.
4. When marketing a specific property
AI avatars may help introduce general features, but they should not replace authentic property footage or your knowledge of the home and neighbourhood.
The property should remain the focus, not the technology used to market it.
Human oversight remains essential. Before publishing, review all AI-generated content to confirm that it is accurate, transparent and compliant with the REALTOR® Code, applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and brokerage policies.
Disclosure recommendations
Consider disclosing when a video uses a realistic AI version of you, particularly where viewers could reasonably believe that you personally recorded or delivered the message.
Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram, may require or allow you to select an “AI-generated content” label when uploading. You can also add a short note to the video or caption, such as “Created using an AI avatar.”
Review the platform’s current disclosure requirements and your brokerage’s advertising policies before publishing.
What should you consider before choosing an AI avatar tool?
AI avatar platforms may appear similar, but their features and terms of use can differ substantially.
Consider these questions when selecting a platform to generate:
- How realistic do you want the avatar to appear?
- Does it need to resemble me?
- What is the quality and accuracy of its voice?
- What are the available languages and accents?
- What are the video editing capabilities?
- What are the branding and customization options?
- Where are your image, voice and other uploaded materials stored, for how long, and for what purposes?” Who owns the avatar and the videos created with it?
- What are the consent requirements?
- What are the commercial usage rights?
- What are the pricing and video generation limits?
Pay particular attention to how the platform collects, uses, retains and shares your image, voice, and uploaded material, including whether it may use that information to train or improve its models.
How to create a more effective AI avatar video
The quality of the final video depends on both your script and the material you provide. Use clear, well-lit photos or videos, along with clean voice recordings captured in a quiet space. In some cases, it may be better to record your own voice and apply the avatar overtop.
Always review the final video for accuracy, natural movement and correct pronunciation before publishing.
Treat your AI avatar as a content assistant
An AI avatar can help you create educational videos more consistently, especially when you are short on time or uncomfortable appearing on camera. It should not replace the moments when your expertise, personality, and presence are central to the message.
The objective is not to automate your entire marketing presence. It is to use AI selectively, so you can spend less time producing routine content and more time building relationships with the people you serve.
For more information about AI for REALTORS®, please visit member.CREA.ca.
Any product or service referenced in this article are included for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement by CREA.
