Will AI replace Rightmove? With ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI property search tools changing how people discover homes, the future of traditional property portals is under the spotlight. Viewber co-founder Ed Mead believes the industry could face a dramatic shift. But is the UK property market ready?

Property is one of our nation’s top obsessions. We love the ego-massaging reassurance that we made the right purchase and our home has risen in value. There’s also the irresistible temptation to discover how much our neighbour is selling for, without actually asking them. And who hasn’t wondered what property they could afford if they stretched their budget… or won big on the lottery?

Property is more than a necessity. For many of us, it’s a pastime.

Speaking to The Times in September 2026, Rightmove chief executive Johan Svanstrom shared a remarkable statistic. Last year, people spent 16.8 billion minutes on the platform. That’s the equivalent of 32,000 years.

Over at Zoopla, 6 million people subscribe to track property values. Sometimes it’s their own home. Other times, it’s a property they hope to buy.

We’re nosey. We love to snoop. To dream.

Much of this property browsing has little to do with an immediate sale or purchase. And that behaviour is bringing the future of property portals into the spotlight.

Could AI Replace Rightmove and Traditional Property Portals?

The Times article raised a question that’s been brewing for years. Are we approaching a property market that no longer needs traditional portals?

Rightmove feels like it’s been part of British property culture forever. Yet the platform only launched in 2000.

Before then, buyers searched for homes directly through estate agents. They visited branches, browsed window displays and scanned newspaper advertisements.

Estate agents still exist, of course. Today, they can reach movers through sophisticated digital marketing networks. Print advertising hasn’t disappeared either.

And registering directly with an agent still has its advantages. Buyers hoping for ‘first dibs’ on new instructions often prefer that personal relationship.

So, could artificial intelligence take property searches back to the source?

That’s the question journalist William Turvill explored in The Times.

Unsurprisingly, Svanstrom doesn’t believe Rightmove’s days are numbered. But Viewber’s own Ed Mead, co-founder and former estate agent, offered a different perspective.

How AI Property Search Is Changing the Way We Find Homes

Ed believes Rightmove could shrink out of existence within five years.

That might have sounded far-fetched a few years ago. Today, the argument feels more plausible.

More people are moving away from traditional Google searches. Instead, they’re turning to conversational AI tools such as Gemini, Copilot and ChatGPT.

These large language models (LLMs) allow users to ask detailed questions and refine their searches through conversation.

Ed argues that property portals have become middlemen. AI could potentially remove that extra step.

Take Gemini, for example.

Rather than working through multiple search filters, buyers can explain exactly what they want. Their requirements might include price, size, location, transport links, lifestyle preferences and even specific roads.

AI can bring these details together and help users explore their options.

For some buyers, that could make traditional property portal searches feel increasingly restrictive.

How Could ChatGPT and Gemini Change Property Searches?

Imagine you’re moving to Leeds for a new job.

You need a home within walking distance of a primary school. Your commute into the city centre must take no longer than 30 minutes. There’s also a strict budget and a list of ideal property features.

Instead of searching through dozens of listings, you could explain everything to an AI assistant.

The technology can suggest suitable areas, compare locations and refine your requirements. Where it has access to current listings, it may also identify properties that match.

You can then ask follow-up questions without starting your search again.

It’s a more conversational approach to finding a home.

And it could fundamentally change how buyers discover properties.

Could AI Help Buyers Bypass Rightmove?

Here’s where things become particularly interesting.

AI assistants may direct buyers towards properties on estate agents’ own websites. That could remove the need to visit a traditional portal altogether.

Buyers might not even realise they’re bypassing the middleman.

You can almost hear estate agents cheering.

After all, portal subscriptions represent a substantial business expense. According to figures cited in the original reporting, agents pay Rightmove an average of £1,636 per month.

If AI begins directing more buyers straight to estate agents, that cost could come under greater scrutiny.

There are limitations, of course.

AI tools don’t always have access to complete or up-to-date property listings. Buyers still need to verify availability, prices and details with the agent.

Nevertheless, the potential shift is significant.

Rightmove AI Search: How Is the Portal Responding?

Rightmove isn’t standing still.

The company has been developing AI-powered search features, with some users already gaining access to a trial experience that supports conversational property searches.

But will AI replace Rightmove as buyers explore new ways to find their next home? For the portal, the challenge is to remain essential as search habits evolve.

Rather than relying solely on traditional filters, visitors can describe what they’re looking for in everyday language.

Zoopla is also exploring similar technology.

Both portals recognise that the way people search for property is changing.

But will adding AI features be enough?

Rightmove and ChatGPT: A New Way to Search?

Rightmove has also explored bringing its property search experience into ChatGPT.

This creates another way for users to interact with property listings through conversational technology.

However, an AI integration doesn’t automatically guarantee that buyers will continue to use a portal’s own website.

In fact, it could raise an uncomfortable question.

If buyers can search for homes through ChatGPT, why would they need to visit Rightmove directly?

Ed believes Rightmove shouldn’t rely solely on joining the AI race.

Major technology companies have enormous resources. Their AI platforms can develop and improve at remarkable speed.

Competing with them on search functionality alone could prove difficult.

Instead, Ed believes Rightmove should focus on becoming indispensable to estate agents.

That means offering valuable services beyond property listings.

It’s a compelling argument.

If more buyers discover homes through AI, portals could face pressure from both sides. Consumers might bypass their websites, while agents question the value of their subscriptions.

What Does AI Mean for the Future of Estate Agents?

Ed believes Rightmove needs to rethink what makes it essential.

Estate agents already use a wide range of services to market, manage and sell properties. However, those services often come from different suppliers.

What if property portals brought them together?

Potential services could include:

• Out-of-hours property viewings
• Surveying services
• Home staging
• Verified tradespeople
• Property cleaning
• Property photography and marketing
• CRM integrations

This could create a much broader proposition for estate agents.

It’s also an area where companies such as Viewber already play an important role.

Viewber’s nationwide property services for estate agents help agencies manage viewings, property visits and marketing without expanding their permanent workforce.

As technology changes how buyers discover homes, agents still need reliable support on the ground.

After all, finding a property online is only the beginning.

Someone still needs to open the door.

Why Flexible Property Viewings Still Matter

Buyers increasingly expect convenience.

They may discover a property late at night, during their lunch break or while travelling. When they want to arrange a viewing, availability matters.

Agents need the flexibility to respond without placing additional pressure on their teams.

Access to flexible property viewing support can help agencies accommodate enquiries outside traditional office hours.

Whether a buyer finds their next home through Rightmove, Zoopla, ChatGPT or an agent’s own website, the next step remains crucial.

Interest needs to become a viewing.

And viewings need to become sales.

Could Rightmove Adopt an Entirely New Business Model?

Another interesting suggestion emerged on LinkedIn following The Times article.

What if Rightmove moved away from traditional subscriptions?

Under one proposed model, estate agents would bring properties to the portal. Rightmove would then receive a percentage of the sale price when a transaction completes.

Effectively, the portal would become a commission-earning partner.

The traditional estate agent would take on more of an affiliate-style marketing role.

Radical? Yes.

Possible? Perhaps.

Svanstrom has a different vision.

Rightmove is developing additional AI tools for estate agents. These include transcription services, market analysis and assistance with drafting client emails.

The aim is to provide more value alongside property advertising.

And that makes sense.

If portals want to remain essential, they may need to offer much more than a place to display listings.

Otherwise, AI-powered property search could gradually weaken their position.

Why Property Services Still Matter in an AI-Driven Market

Artificial intelligence may transform how buyers find homes.

However, it can’t replace every part of the property transaction.

Homes still need photography, marketing, inspections and viewings.

Agents also need dependable people to carry out those tasks.

For example, property photography, floorplans and 360° virtual tours help agents present homes effectively.

That remains important regardless of where buyers discover a listing.

Similarly, property visits, checks and condition reporting help property professionals maintain visibility over their portfolios.

These services support the practical side of property management and sales.

Technology may change how buyers discover homes. But delivering a successful property experience still requires people, access and local knowledge.

For estate agents, the opportunity could lie in combining both.

Could a Slower UK Property Market Accelerate the Shift?

Then there’s the matter of market conditions.

Viewber’s research for our Q3 newsletter revealed an important trend.

People aren’t moving as frequently as they once did.

In 2026, the average seller had owned their home for 12.3 years. A decade earlier, that figure stood at 9.2 years.

That’s a significant change.

Remember those billions of minutes spent browsing Rightmove?

Not every visitor is a serious buyer or seller.

Many are simply enjoying their favourite property pastime.

And when homes do reach the market, sales aren’t guaranteed.

Viewber’s research identified a 7.3% decline in homes sold subject to contract. This compared week 36 of 2026 with the same week in 2025.

Another finding highlighted the pressure facing agents.

Only 55% of homes that left agents’ books in August 2026 exchanged and completed. Sellers withdrew the remaining properties without a sale.

Fewer completed transactions mean less income for estate agents.

When budgets tighten, expensive subscriptions attract closer attention.

That makes the value of property portals an increasingly important question.

Agents need services that help them win instructions, reach serious buyers and complete sales.

Simply attracting website traffic may no longer be enough.

Could Rightmove Reinvent the UK Property Transaction?

Of all Svanstrom’s ambitions, one stands out.

He wants to reduce property transaction times from 150 days to just 40.

That’s a bold target.

It also suggests Rightmove sees opportunities beyond property search.

By focusing on the transaction process, the company could become more involved in conveyancing and property information.

This might prove one of its most important moves.

The Government has also been exploring ways to improve the home buying and selling process.

Its ambitions include making property information more accessible earlier in a transaction.

Svanstrom believes Rightmove could help.

The portal already has the technology, reach and established relationships to support a broader property information service.

That could include access to planning permission history, Energy Performance Certificates and title information.

Instead of simply helping buyers find homes, Rightmove could support more of the journey towards completion.

And that raises another interesting possibility.

Could Rightmove Become More Than a Property Portal?

Imagine finding your next home on Rightmove.

Rather than moving between multiple websites and services, you could also access important property documents through the same platform.

Buyers might find relevant information earlier. Agents could spend less time chasing documents. Conveyancers might benefit from better access to property records.

Of course, delivering this vision would require substantial investment and cooperation across the industry.

But it could give Rightmove something AI search alone cannot easily replicate.

A much bigger role in the property transaction.

Could that be the lifeline traditional portals need?

Perhaps.

The Future of Property Search: Will AI Replace Rightmove?

The question isn’t simply whether ChatGPT, Gemini or other AI tools will replace Rightmove.

It’s whether traditional property portals can continue to justify their place in an AI-driven market.

For buyers, AI offers a more personalised and conversational way to search for homes.

Estate agents could gain new opportunities to connect directly with potential buyers. They may also become less dependent on third-party platforms.

Meanwhile, Rightmove and Zoopla face a different challenge.

They must prove their value goes beyond displaying property listings.

The wider property industry could also experience significant change.

AI may influence how homes reach the market, how buyers discover them and how agents manage enquiries.

Yet the practical work of selling property remains.

Homes still need marketing. Buyers still want viewings. Transactions still require coordination.

That’s why the future may not belong entirely to AI or traditional portals.

Instead, it could favour businesses that combine smart technology with genuinely useful services.

So, will AI replace Rightmove in the next five years? Nobody can say for certain. What is clear is that artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for buyers and estate agents. Property portals will need to evolve to remain competitive.

AI might not ruin the Rightmove party overnight.

But the guest list could look very different in five years’ time.

Frequently Asked Questions About AI and Rightmove

Will AI replace Rightmove?

AI could change how buyers search for homes and reduce their reliance on traditional property portals. However, Rightmove has an established brand, extensive listings and strong relationships with estate agents. Its future may depend on how successfully it develops services beyond property advertising.

Can ChatGPT help you find houses for sale in the UK?

Yes. ChatGPT can help buyers research locations, compare requirements and explore potential properties. Depending on the available search tools and information, it may also help identify current listings. Buyers should always confirm property details and availability with the estate agent.

How will AI property search affect estate agents?

AI could help buyers discover properties directly through estate agents’ websites. This may create new opportunities for agents to attract enquiries without relying exclusively on traditional portals. It could also change how agencies approach property marketing and customer communication.

Will estate agents still need Rightmove?

Rightmove remains an important marketing platform for many estate agents. However, AI-powered search could provide additional ways to reach buyers. The long-term value of property portals may increasingly depend on the services they offer alongside property listings.

Supporting Estate Agents in a Changing Property Market

However buyers discover their next home, successful property transactions still depend on access, presentation and service.

At Viewber, we support estate agents and property professionals with flexible, nationwide property viewings, inspections, photography and marketing services.

Our UK-wide network of local Viewber Members helps agents respond to opportunities, extend their coverage and deliver services when and where they’re needed.

Discover how Viewber supports estate agents >>

Viewber co-founder Ed Mead contributed to the discussion in The Times. Read the full article here >>