Buying a home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity, you can make smarter financial decisions, save time, and uncover insights most buyers miss.

Here are 5 creative ways to use AI in your home buying journey:

Boost Your Credit Score

Ask AI: “Create a 6-month plan to raise my credit score from 680 to 720.” It can show which debts to pay first, how to lower utilization, and practical steps before applying for a mortgage.

Build a Custom Savings Plan

Prompt: “I make $200K, spend $15K monthly, and want to save $60K in 18 months.” AI creates a budget that balances saving with lifestyle.

Neighborhood Vibe Check

Beyond Zillow, AI can scan reviews and forums to summarize what locals love (and don’t) about a neighborhood. Try: “What do residents say about McCall, Idaho as a vacation location?”

Simplify Inspection Reports

Overwhelmed by inspection notes? Ask AI to “highlight top 3 urgent issues, ballpark repair costs, and separate cosmetic vs. safety concerns.”

Visualize Renovations

Upload listing photos into AI design tools. Prompt: “Show me this kitchen in a mountain-modern style with a $25K budget.”

✨ Next Steps: If you’re buying a vacation home in Valley County, Idaho, including McCall, Donnelly, Cascade, or New Meadows, I’d love to guide you. Not local? I can connect you with a trusted real estate agent anywhere in the U.S. from within my network. Let’s talk!

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I’m Ragan Erickson, a McCall, Idaho–based Realtor® and short-term rental coach helping people build wealth and memories through real estate. After moving from Southern California’s mountains to Idaho’s, I turned my love for small-town living and data-driven investing into a business that helps others do the same.

On my blog, you’ll find tips for buying and selling in McCall, launching profitable short-term rentals, and designing a lifestyle you don’t need a vacation from. Whether you’re dreaming about your first cabin, an STR portfolio, or a full-time move to the mountains, you’re in the right place.

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