In an industry where creativity and efficiency can make or break a marketing strategy, identical twins and educators Mina Blazy, EdD, and broker-owner Carrie Little, CIPS, PMN, are helping real estate professionals discover what’s possible with AI. During their EdXpress session, “Your AI Brainstorm Buddy,” Nov. 14, at the NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Houston, Blazy and Little showed attendees how tools like ChatGPT and Canva can streamline tasks, organize projects and inspire fresh ideas.
Little, a broker with CARMARC Realty Group in West Chicago, Ill., spoke with NAR REALTOR® News about how she uses these tools in her own business—and offered guidance on how to use AI in your business while staying authentic to your voice and brand.
What’s an easy, high-impact way real estate professionals can start using Canva and ChatGPT—whether in conjunction or separately—to save time or boost productivity?
One simple way to get started in Canva is to take your own professional image and turn it into a video with a voiceover. Also, with ChatGPT, I have created custom GPTs to help educate new real estate agents. [A GPT—which stands for generative pre-trained transformer—is made to perform specific tasks based on data and instructions.] My favorite GPT is the “Home Buyer Guide Pro,” which I’ve made available for anyone who wants to purchase a home and learn about the process quickly.
Can you share an example of how these tools have helped you streamline or manage tasks in your own work?
Canva helps me streamline my business through its Bulk Create feature, which works similarly to mail merge in Microsoft Word. I can use Canva AI to generate personalized letters to home sellers in minutes using data from Realtors Property Resource®, then build and customize those letters in Bulk Create. Both Canva and ChatGPT offer project options that make it easy to organize and execute creative marketing strategies for home buyers and sellers. With these tools, I no longer have to search for scattered information—it’s all housed in one place. I’ve also created a custom GPT for home buyers to help them learn and decide whether to buy, wait or rent.
Many people worry about losing their personal voice when using AI. How can real estate pros use these tools while keeping their brand authenticity?
Use AI as a brainstorming partner and train it to reflect your unique voice. Start by developing your own ideas before turning to AI for support. When we rely on AI without collaboration, we lose the opportunity to learn and express our authentic perspective. AI should enhance your creativity, not replace it.
What are some creative or unexpected ways you’ve seen ChatGPT and Canva used that others could try?
I recommend creating videos and images. Why not create your own free download that can be shared with high school students on homeownership? In Canva, consider testing the code option. Did you know you can code your own website in minutes? I created a checklist that can be edited. This took less than 15 minutes using the code feature in Canva. Example: https://ownwithcarrie.my.canva.site/cltag
What is one key takeaway from your session that you hope real estate pros walk away with?
I want real estate professionals to walk away understanding that AI is a powerful brainstorming partner—not a replacement for their expertise. It’s a tool to spark ideas, streamline creativity and enhance strategy while they stay fully in control of the vision and decisions.
