Valery Real Estate Inc., a brokerage that puts artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of its operations, is launching an educational program for real estate professionals to master the use of the emerging technology in their careers.

Vaughan, Ont.-based Valery will be rolling out an online platform named Aigent Academy, where users can learn from experts in the field how to best utilize AI tools to improve their efficiency at work.

AI has found eager adopters in the real estate industry, from professional coaching services to functioning as a search engine to answer questions and provide knowledge about the sector.

Describing itself as an AI-driven brokerage, Valery’s leaders are firm believers in the potential of the technology to “help realtors just become better realtors,” David Hutchinson, vice-president of growth at Valery, said in an interview with RENX Homes.

“I think it appeals to every realtor that’s looking to just level-up their real estate game.”

Aigent Academy

The concept for Aigent Academy grew out of the belief that the real estate industry tends to throw newcomers into the lion’s den with minimal guidance or mentorship, Hutchinson said.

To get a grasp of basic concepts the only option is joining a team, which splits a commission, and “you just kind of hope and pray that you picked a solid team leader that’s going to train you in the right ways and make sure that you develop the proper habits,” he added.

The online academy is meant to help overcome this situation by providing supplementary training on effectively using AI in real estate, without cutting into a commission. Examples are using AI to automate processes such as drafting or labelling emails, managing a calendar, or posting to social media using AI-created content.

AI helps boost conversion rates, improves conversational skills and aids in listing properties for a higher price point, Valery’s founder Shemeer Ahmed said.

Via Aigent Academy, experts are able to dispense guidance on proven AI-driven strategies, automation and predictive analytics, as well as safely using AI.

Students will have access to educational modules from Valery’s senior figures, including Hutchinson, who will teach about client relations, social media and business automation. Valery's chief real estate officer Daniel Foch, an expert on market insights and economic trends, will provide expertise in those areas.

Users will also be able to attend in-person events and online webinars with live question-and-answer sessions. For frequently asked questions, Aigent Academy will provide lists of responses to address the concerns.

Ready-made automation tools backed by AI will be made available to students as part of Aigent Academy.

The plan is to have the program open on May 1. Inaugural users are expected to be primarily real estate professionals from the Greater Toronto Area, though Hutchinson expects over time it could be adopted across North America.

AI ‘to help us better serve our clients’

Formerly named ChatVal, Valery was launched in September 2024 after being in development for about three years, Ahmed said. With a team about to reach 20 agents and eight technical experts, it hosts home listings from across Ontario and performs price evaluations.

Open the Valery website, and an AI-powered chatbot trained on Canadian real estate data pops up to answer inquiries. Valery’s agents have access to an AI assistant to help with back office work, which shaves hours of time off those duties according to Ahmed.

As to fears that AI could replace humans in the economy, Ahmed sees it differently. He hopes Valery becomes “synonymous with AI in real estate,” and dreams that AI will be involved in almost every aspect of buying and selling so agents can focus on customer service, not administrative drudgery.

“The demographic that we attract are those forward-thinking realtors that understand that AI isn’t here to replace us: AI is here to assist us, just to better ourselves, but also more importantly, help us better serve our clients,” Hutchinson said.