Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details. Many UK teams now handle this with dedicated property inventory software.

Homeowners Use AI Tools to Scrutinise Agent Valuations After Appointments

Property sellers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence tools to clarify and question estate agent valuations following market appraisal appointments, according to data from proptech firm Acaboom. The company analysed hundreds of anonymised interactions with its AI Concierge tool, which allows sellers to ask questions about agent proposals, pricing strategies, and service offerings after valuation visits.

Pricing-related queries made up the largest proportion of conversations examined. Homeowners frequently asked how valuations were calculated, whether suggested asking prices were realistic, and how likely agents were to achieve those figures. Other common topics included fee structures, tie-in periods, contract terms, portal exposure, advertising strategies, and buyer reach.

Acaboom reported that more than half of all interactions related to pricing, fees, marketing, or contractual clarification. This indicates that many sellers continue to compare agents and evaluate proposals well beyond the initial appointment.

Brian Farrell, founder of Acaboom, noted that many homeowners continue processing and questioning long after the agent has left, and that sellers appear comfortable using AI to ask questions they may not raise directly in person, especially about pricing confidence, fees, and contracts. The findings suggest that AI is being used as a low-pressure tool during the instruction period, rather than simply as a chatbot or automation layer.

The data points to a shift in the traditional estate agency model, where the valuation appointment has historically been seen as the main decision-making moment for sellers. The use of AI tools for post-appointment queries suggests the instruction journey is now more extended and considered. For agents, the findings highlight the importance of clarity in proposals and pricing strategies, as sellers have additional tools to scrutinise and compare offerings after appointments. Transparency around valuations and fees may become increasingly important for agencies seeking to secure instructions.