From MIT to main street: AI, templates, and smart workflows that actually work

FAQ about this episode.

• How does an engineering background help in real estate?

  Engineering training installs habits of systems thinking that prove invaluable for identifying inefficiencies and designing solutions. Engineers learn to analyze processes, find bottlenecks, and address root causes rather than symptoms. In real estate, this translates to seeing optimization opportunities in workflows that others accept as simply how things work. You don't need an engineering degree to think this way, but you do need the habit of questioning existing processes and looking for better alternatives. Sarita's technical background helps her evaluate tools more rigorously, understand what problems technology can and cannot solve, and design implementations that actually work in practice.

• What does "high-tech and high touch" actually mean in practice?

  This phrase captures the philosophy of using technology strategically to enhance rather than replace human relationships. The key involves being intentional about which activities deserve personal attention and which can be automated without sacrificing relationship quality. Technology handles repetitive, time-consuming tasks that don't require human judgment. This creates capacity for agents to invest more deeply in meaningful conversations, thoughtful follow-ups, and celebrating client milestones. When you automate the right things, you can be more present for the interactions that actually generate referrals and repeat business.

• How should agents evaluate new AI tools?

  Sarita recommends evaluating technology through practical ROI rather than feature excitement. Key questions include: Does this tool solve an actual problem you face regularly? Can your team realistically adopt it given current capacity? Will setup and learning time produce returns that justify the investment? Many agents make the mistake of adopting tools because they seem impressive or because industry influencers recommend them. The better approach focuses on your specific business challenges. The best tool is the one you'll actually use consistently, which may not be the one with the most features or the most buzz.

• How do templates maintain consistency without feeling impersonal?

  Well-designed templates handle structural elements that should remain consistent: proper formatting, required information, professional presentation. This foundation actually creates more space for personalization because you're not rebuilding from scratch each time. You start with a solid template and customize the elements that matter for each specific client or situation. The agents who resist templates often spend excessive time on formatting and structure, leaving less capacity for the personalization that actually differentiates their communication. Building template libraries for emails, scripts, and marketing materials represents one of the highest-ROI investments any agent can make.

• What's the secret to database management that generates consistent referrals?

  The secret involves systems rather than heroic effort. Effective database management combines segmentation that groups contacts by relationship type and communication preferences, automation that triggers appropriate touchpoints, and workflows that make consistent nurturing sustainable. The agents who generate consistent referrals have systems that keep them appropriately present in their sphere's awareness without requiring them to remember every relationship manually. This systematic approach keeps nobody falling through the cracks while remaining sustainable over the long term.

• How does marathon training relate to building a real estate business?

  Marathon training requires consistent effort that compounds over time rather than heroic single exertions. Business systems work the same way. Agents who burn out often rely on heroic effort rather than sustainable processes, working excessive hours to compensate for inefficient systems. The marathon approach prioritizes consistency over intensity, systems over heroics, and sustainable practices over impressive but unsustainable bursts of activity. Both marathon running and business building reward those who show up consistently rather than those who occasionally produce extraordinary effort.

• How should agents start implementing new systems without getting overwhelmed?

  Sarita advocates for incremental implementation: identify one specific problem, find or build a solution, implement it fully, then move to the next challenge. This sequential approach prevents the overwhelm that leads many agents to abandon technology initiatives before they produce results. You don't need to revolutionize your entire operation at once. Solve one problem well, prove the approach works, build confidence through success, then expand from there. Small improvements compound into significant transformation when applied consistently.

• What common mistakes do agents make when adopting new technology?

  Common mistakes include adopting tools based on hype rather than specific business needs, trying to implement too many changes simultaneously, inadequate training that leads to partial adoption, and abandoning tools before giving them sufficient time to produce results. Many agents also underestimate the importance of workflow integration, purchasing tools that don't connect well with their existing systems. The most successful technology adopters start with clear problem definitions, select tools carefully, implement thoroughly, and give new systems adequate time to demonstrate value before evaluating results.

• Who is Sarita Dua and what makes her perspective valuable?

  Sarita Dua is Team Owner/Operator at Keller Williams Sunset Corridor powered by PLACE in Portland, Oregon. Her credentials include a BS in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University, an MBA from Boston University, and an Executive MBA from MIT Sloan. After 14 years in high-tech sales and marketing, she has spent 22 years in real estate. Her industry involvement includes the Zillow Agent Advisory Board, former Inman Ambassadors leadership team, and the PropTech Advisory Board. She regularly speaks, trains, and coaches other agents. This combination of technical education, business training, and hands-on brokerage experience gives her unusual depth when discussing practical technology implementation.