At school, I wasn’t exactly known for my academic brilliance — though I did once win a top academic prize, much to the shock of the entire school (and myself). When it came time for career advice, the teacher in charge gently steered me toward a trade or the military. I told him I was actually planning a gap year, followed by business school. His eyes said it all: good luck with that.
Fast forward two years, and I ran into that same teacher in a university library. His jaw dropped. “Ben Stevens… in a university library. That’s something I never thought I’d see.”
The irony? University suited me far better than school ever did. I was learning things I genuinely cared about, and for the first time, I could see how they might apply in the real world. In my first semester I earned an A, two Bs, and a C+ (maths — no surprises there). Even my parents were stunned.
That experience taught me something important: people naturally engage with learning when it feels relevant. And relevance is exactly why we need to talk about Artificial Intelligence — because whether we like it or not, it’s coming for real estate.
Creativity: It’s Still Human (But AI Helps)
AI is everywhere right now. And like any major wave of technology, it brings a mix of excitement — and fear. As with past industrial shifts, some roles will disappear, but many more will simply evolve.
In real estate, AI isn’t here to replace creativity — it’s here to make more room for it. Think of it as having a junior copywriter on call 24/7. It won’t come up with the big idea, but once you plant the seed, it can generate variations, formats, captions, or scripts — instantly.
It’s no different to when the calculator arrived. Accountants didn’t vanish — they just got faster.
Reviewing Documents: Faster First Pass
I was chatting to a buyer recently who said they were sick of spending hundreds on lawyers, only to be told why a property wasn’t worth pursuing.
Enter AI.
You can now upload a LIM, title, or building report into an AI tool and get a plain-English summary with the key risks highlighted. It’s not a legal opinion — but it gets you 80% of the way there, quickly and affordably. Then you can take the specific concerns to your lawyer, saving both time and money.
The beauty of AI? It doesn’t argue, judge, or stress. It just processes information and gives you the facts. It’s a neutral starting point — and in a complex market, that’s worth its weight.
AI Search Bots: The End of Endless Scrolling?
Anyone who’s been house-hunting knows how painful it can be — multiple tabs open, clunky filters, and the dreaded property fatigue.
AI is changing that.
Instead of trawling through listings, you’ll soon be able to ask: “Show me three-bedroom homes with afternoon sun, zoned for good schools, under $1.2 million — and not on a main road.”
Then refine from there. AI will learn your preferences, spot patterns, and even suggest options you might not have thought of.
Eventually, bots will talk to bots — syncing calendars, booking viewings, following up. No more “I’ll just check my diary.” That admin? It’s on its way out.
Removing Emotion (and That’s Not Always Bad)
This year, the REA has received more public complaints than it did in the whole of last year
— combined. That’s not necessarily because agents are getting worse. It’s a reflection of the economic climate. When people are under pressure, emotions run high. Perception gets distorted. Small issues feel big.
Anyone who’s sold with us knows: there’s never a guaranteed price. A market appraisal reflects activity — it’s not a promise. Still, we hear it:
“But you said we’d get…”
“You appraised it at…”
I’m not the market — I just work in it.
And this is where AI comes into its own. It removes the emotional edge. It doesn’t care about tone, urgency, or who used caps lock in an email. It reads the facts, processes the data, and gives you a response — minus the drama.
That doesn’t make it human. It just makes it useful.
So, What’s the Point?
There’s a lot of noise around AI right now — some of it warranted, some a little overblown. But here’s the truth: while technology may be changing how we work, it doesn’t change why we do it.
In a relationship-driven industry like real estate, trust still matters. People want guidance that’s honest, calm, and informed. They want to know their agent isn’t guessing — that we’ve done the homework, understand the market, and can explain the why behind every move.
AI can support that. But it can’t replace it. And deep down, most people know that.
Full disclosure: I wrote the first draft of this blog, then refined it with a little help from ChatGPT. I fed it the ideas — and together, we shaped the words. Thanks, junior copywriter.
The Wellington Market
The Wellington market continues to limp along with the median sale price in the city nudging down from this time last year and the median days to sell now pushing out fifty. So much for “Survive to ’25” — at this rate, we’re hanging on for ’26! For this time of year, stock levels remain high — but the real issue is demand. We’re simply not seeing enough buyers to soak up what’s on offer. Hopes that falling interest rates would drive prices up have, so far, proven false. In fact, many sales are now reflecting 2019, maybe even earlier, pricing. It’s clear the post-pandemic recovery is going to be a slow one.
That said, success is still possible — if you’ve got the right strategy. A smart plan, sharp presentation, and realistic pricing still get results. But this isn’t a market that rewards guesswork.
Wellington Market Quick Stats
What’s on in Welly?
Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny, TSB Arena, 14 Jan 2026
One of Britain’s favourite funny exports is bringing a new comedy tour to Wellington. Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny will bring the comedian’s signature dark brand of humour to TSB Arena. The presenter, actor, and writer is known for his one-liners, rapid-fire delivery, and signature laugh. His content is often described as “edgy”, so be prepared for a raised eyebrow or two. Just like a magnet, it attracts some people and repels others. For those who are attracted to risqué jokes with a bit of spice, this is a show not to miss.
Wellington Pulse vs Stars, TSB Arena, 05 July 2025
Four of the ten games are played at TSB Arena on Wellington’s waterfront. Netball is known for its speed, agility, deft footwork, and pinpoint feeds. As a live spectator sport, it always delivers. This year, Khiarna Williams, Tiana Metuarau, and Amelia Walmsley provide the fireworks at the shooting end of the court. Head courtside to cheer them on, along with captain Fa’amu Ioane and the rest of the team.
NZSO – Mana Moana, Michael Fowler Centre, 24-25 July 2025
It’s an amalgamation of symphony and song. ‘Mana Moana’ is a unique concert presenting the sounds of the Pacific. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has joined forces with the Signature Choir to display traditional and contemporary music from the islands. The Michael Fowler Centre will swell when the 80-strong choir sing songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau.
Meet the Ben Stevens & the Team
If you, or anyone you know, could benefit from a considered market assessment by Wellington’s only licensed agent and registered property valuer, please do not hesitate to call. We are always happy to help.
