AI on Site: The Future of CRE Is Already Here

CRE Is Evolving Fast, Are You Keeping Up?

Commercial real estate is entering a transformation phase, not from new buildings, but from smarter operations.

AI isn't a trend. It's an inflection point.

Property teams are moving from reactive to proactive. Vendors are shifting from service providers to strategic partners. And leaders who embrace intelligent systems now will outpace those still relying on outdated tools, fragmented workflows, and guesswork.

How AI Is Being Used in CRE Today

LLMs and automation platforms are being applied across the industry:

  • Smart Ops Tools: Predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and real-time task tracking are improving building performance.

  • LLMs in the Field: GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, Copilot and others are writing tenant memos, generating site inspections, and drafting budgets in minutes.

  • Portfolio Intelligence: AI is synthesizing NOI trends, lease details, capital plans, and tenant feedback into executive-ready insights.

  • Tenant Experience: AI concierge tools are routing work orders, answering FAQs, and creating seamless communication flows.

This isn’t theory. It’s already being done in many markets.

What It Looks Like On-Site

AI adoption isn’t limited to the office. It’s now embedded directly into field operations, where the work happens:

  • 📲 Engineers using AI chat tools to pull SOPs or report issues hands-free

  • 🗂️ Managers retrieving policies, service logs, or floor plans instantly via LLM

  • 🧠 New hires trained by smart assistants that answer “how do I…” in seconds

  • 🔁 Vendors updating PM logs and compliance docs via guided AI workflows

The impact? Fewer delays. Fewer emails. Fewer mistakes. More clarity. More control. More momentum.

Vendors Who Get It Are Winning

Service partners who embrace AI are standing out:

  • 🔍 Creating real-time inspection summaries with extensive data and documentation

  • ⚙️ Auto-generating proposals, compliance, invoice and safety forms

  • 📊 Offering insights and data to compliment their services

If you’re a vendor in CRE today, the question isn’t “Should we use AI?” It’s “How can we use it to add value right now?”

What Teams Should Be Doing Today

Here’s where forward-thinking operators are starting:

  • 🧩 Audit your workflows — What’s repeatable? What’s painful?

  • 📚 Train your team on responsible, practical AI use

  • 🔄 Implement AI in reporting, SOP access, documentation, and vendor oversight (Obviously, follow your company and owner policies)

  • 🛠️ Start small, scale fast — build an internal AI playbook

  • 🧠 Choose your model: open-source or commercial based on use case, cost, and customization needs

The best time to start was last year. The next best time is now.

Coming Soon - Unlock Your Potential

Through the Unlock Your Potential newsletter, I will be sharing numerous resources in the coming weeks to help the CRE industry better understand the tools and techniques that are available right now for free using AI. And, if you are ready for a sneak peak then read below..

Ready to See What This Looks Like in Action?

I’ve been building systems that merge leadership thinking, field-tested CRE knowledge, and AI execution. This free version of CRE Pro™ is currently in testing mode. You can try it out, provide feedback, and help us build traction inside the OpenAI GPT Store.

👉 Launch CRE Pro™ on ChatGPT

If you're already a ChatGPT user:

  1. Click the link above

  2. Start typing — CRE Pro adapts to your CRE role and needs

  3. On the left-hand sidebar, pin CRE Pro to your workspace so its always ready to use

If you're not interested in using ChatGPT, I have a basic version available through my website that showcases the potential of this type of tool. Once you sign up at FaupelX.com, access will be unlocked. We are requiring a log in so we know who is using the tool and to better support future updates to it.

What You Can Do with CRE Pro by FaupelX

  • Generate basic checklists, SOPs, and action plans

  • Draft tenant notices and streamline vendor onboarding

  • Get guidance for budget season, reporting, and daily ops

  • Ask questions and receive CRE-specific best practices

  • Save time, make better decisions, and lead with confidence

  • And so much more!

About the Author

Hi, I’m Matt Faupel — Founder of FaupelX and a passionate advocate for unlocking potential in commercial real estate and beyond. Through this newsletter, I share insights, strategies, and tools to help you lead, grow, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

At FaupelX, we’re building the next generation of AI-powered resources for property managers, owners, and industry leaders — because the future belongs to those who prepare for it today.

If you found this edition valuable, I’d love for you to share it with a colleague, join the conversation, and stay connected for future insights, tools, and opportunities. Your growth is my mission — and together, we can raise the standard of what’s possible.

👉 Follow me on LinkedIn

👉 Explore more at FaupelX.com

Let’s unlock our full potential — and build something extraordinary.

Previous
Previous

Plumbing Pitfalls and Water Management Best Practices

Next
Next

The Unsung Hero: Electrical Systems in Modern CRE