How homebuyers are using AI-powered realtors to save tens of thousands in fees

Homebuyers are saving thousands of dollars by using artificial intelligence to cut out some of the costly legwork traditionally performed by real estate agents — while still keeping a human broker on call to negotiate and close the deal.The new model is geared toward buyers who already scour listings and open houses themselves, but still want an expert to handle offers, contracts and the closing process — without having to cough up a percentage-based commission.The model is part of a broader push to use AI to automate work once performed by professional middlemen — from managing investments and preparing taxes to booking travel — with TurboHome betting the same shift is coming for residential real estate.“The experience feels like Zillow on steroids,” Ben Bear, CEO of AI-powered brokerage TurboHome, told The Post, referring to the company’s new dashboard.TurboHome, which launched in late 2024, charges a flat fee at closing rather than keeping the full buyer-agent commission.When a seller pays TurboHome a commission above that fee, the company returns the difference to the buyer as a rebate.For example, on a $1.5 million home where the seller agrees to pay a 3% buyer-agent commission, TurboHome would receive $45,000, keep its $12,000 flat fee and rebate the remaining $33,000 to the buyer, according to the company.Buyers can generally use the rebate for eligible closing costs, to buy down their mortgage rate or, depending on the transaction and lender requirements, receive it as cash after closing.The company says it has facilitated 388 transactions totaling $440 million in home sales.Bob Miller, broker and owner of Millshire Realty in Lakeland, Fla., told The Post that AI-powered brokerages could put pressure on traditional commissions — particularly for simpler transactions — but said the technology is unlikely to eliminate agents altogether.“I don’t believe AI signals the end of the real estate agent, but I absolutely believe it will change t...