By Michael Yardney September 21, 2025

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Why “AI-Powered” Buyer’s Agents Aren’t the Secret Weapon They Claim

Property Investment
Why “AI-Powered” Buyer’s Agents Aren’t the Secret Weapon They Claim

Key takeaways

A growing number of buyer’s agents now advertise their edge as “AI-powered suburb picks”.

But most of these AI insights are based on publicly available data – CoreLogic, ABS, historical prices, and online chatter.

When everyone uses the same algorithms, no one has a real edge—just the illusion of exclusivity.

AI is a tool, not a strategy. It can help narrow choices, but not make the final call.

Your success in property relies on strategic decision-making, a Deep understanding of cycles, and personalised guidance.

“Our AI research uncovers hidden suburbs other investors don’t know about.”

Sound familiar?

It’s the latest marketing pitch from a wave of buyer’s agents across Australia.

A promise of exclusive insights, powered by artificial intelligence, designed to give you a competitive edge in today’s property market.

But here’s the inconvenient truth: When everyone’s using the same AI tools, no one has an edge – do they?.

You see…that “secret” AI data is public. Everyone uses the same inputs - historical prices, CoreLogic, ABS census, and agent chatter online.

All AI is doing is regurgitating averages - it’s delivering exactly the same broad strokes for everyone.

And worse still, these algorithms may be driving herd behaviour, funnelling investors into the same “hotspots” and artificially inflating property prices well beyond their fundamentals.

Chatgpt Image Jul 30, 2025, 11 26 51 Am

The AI herd mentality is real – and risky

Take some small regional towns in far north Queensland.

Over the past few years, many buyer’s agents, relying heavily on data analytics, have flagged these areas as “the next big thing.”

Why? Because AI tools spotted rising search volumes, short-term price spikes, and pandemic-era migration trends.

As the algorithms pushed out suburb heatmaps and “top 10” lists, buyer’s agents funnelled their clients into these markets en masse.

The result? Property values in some of these towns skyrocketed as investors piled in, competing for limited stock and driving prices far above local income levels or rental demand.

Now, as these “advisers” look for the next big thing, these same towns are seeing price corrections or stagnation as demand falls away.

It’s a classic case of herd behaviour, turbocharged by technology.

And in many of these locations, property values are likely to fall further because some properties will become uninsurable due to climate risk, and there will be no one to purchase them.

This is what happens when technology is used without context- the herd moves in, and latecomers pay the price.

Data is powerful—but it’s not the whole picture

Of course, data is crucial. I’ve always said smart investing requires both science and art.

But as I wrote in “Is Successful Property Investing an Art or a Science?”, relying purely on data is dangerous:

Median prices can mislead. A few outlier sales or new developments often skew them.
AI lacks nuance. It doesn’t know if a major employer is about to leave town or if a rezoning proposal will change the game.
AI can’t see human behaviour. It doesn’t sense desperation in a seller’s voice or the subtle shift in auction dynamics.
Algorithms don’t understand you. They can’t tailor advice to your risk profile, goals, or family’s future.

At best, AI offers averages.

But building wealth isn’t about averages—it’s about making strategic, individual decisions.

AI can’t read the room (or the market)

There’s a reason top buyers’ agents like the team at Metropole still walk the streets, meet agents, and inspect properties personally:

AI doesn’t know:

Which side of the street has a better aspect.
When a seller is quietly desperate to offload before the end of the financial year.
That the “off-market” deal is really a distressed sale disguised as scarcity.

And it doesn’t know you—your risk profile, your goals, your family’s needs.

It also can’t secure you an off-market deal or pick up on the subtle shifts in buyer sentiment at an auction.

This is why investors relying solely on algorithm-generated insights risk being led into overhyped markets at the wrong time.

Why savvy investors still choose personalised advice

So if your buyer’s agent’s “secret sauce” is an algorithm, ask yourself: “What are they really offering?”

At Metropole, we use technology as a starting point, not a crutch. We layer data with:

Decades of on-the-ground experience.
Strong relationships with local agents.
Years of perspective that money just can’t buy.
Tailored strategies aligned with your long-term wealth goals.

At Metropole, we call this the art and science of investing. The science helps us identify possibilities. The art allows us to filter them to find what’s right for you.

Because property investment isn’t about chasing trends - the best opportunities are rarely found on a heatmap - they’re found in the nuances only an experienced advisor can see.

The future belongs to super-strategists, not super-algorithms

Of course, technology isn’t the enemy. Used wisely, it can enhance decision-making.

But the future belongs to professionals who:

Can interpret data through the lens of real-world experience.
Combine AI insights with human judgment.
Know when to go against the algorithm.
Prioritise your unique needs over trending data.

Sure, real estate has a code, but it’s not about cracking data. It’s about understanding people, property, and market cycles.

Don’t fall for the hype. Build real wealth instead.

The Hype	The Reality
“AI gives me an edge.”	Everyone’s using the same public data.
“It’s smarter and faster.”	It lacks nuance and context.
“It knows where to buy.”	It doesn’t know what’s right for you.
“It replaces human bias.”	It amplifies herd behaviour.

Next time a buyer’s agent claims to have “exclusive AI insights”, ask: "How will this strategy deliver value to me, personally?"

If they can’t answer beyond suburb rankings and generic heatmaps, keep looking.

Because real estate isn’t about chasing the latest algorithmic trend - it’s about understanding people, property, and the cycles that shape them.

Your financial future deserves more than averages. It deserves a strategy as unique as you are.

A final thought

AI is a tool, not a strategy. It might help narrow down the list of suburbs, but only a human with experience can tell you whether it’s the right time, the right property, and the right move for your unique journey.

At Metropole, we don’t just follow the data - we interpret it, challenge it, and turn it into action plans that create lasting wealth.

That’s how you win. Not by chasing algorithms, but by building strategies grounded in fundamentals.

And that’s where our Complimentary Wealth Discovery Session comes in. We’re offering you a 1-on-1 chat with a Metropole Wealth Strategist to help you:

Clarify your financial goals
Understand how macro trends affect your position
Build a personalised, data-driven property strategy
Get ahead of the curve — before everyone else piles in

There’s no cost, no obligation — just practical, tailored guidance based on decades of experience.

Click here now to book your free Wealth Discovery Session.

About Michael Yardney Michael is the founder of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He's once again been voted Australia's leading property investment adviser and one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders. His opinions are regularly featured in the media.