Joyce, a New Yorker, fell for the promise of an ideal studio apartment only to find it was far less glamorous in reality. The kitchen sink had changed, and there was no fireplace—things that seemed clear in property photos.

Virtual staging has always been used by brokers to make apartments look more appealing online. Now, with AI, these alterations are happening with the click of a button. Bee, a Florida Realtor, explains how AI can be used to create misleading listings, with one example showing a dated living room transformed into something modern and sleek.

Brokers argue that virtual staging is a way to help buyers envision updates or renovations, but for renters like Madison in Queens, the proliferation of AI-enhanced listings has become a significant frustration. Scammy pictures are now more convincing, making it harder to discern what an apartment will actually look like.

To combat this issue, some states have taken action. New York recently mandated disclosure of AI usage in ads, while California’s Altered Image Law requires transparency about any AI-enhanced images. However, the inconsistency across different states means that renters still face challenges in navigating these misleading listings.

For Joyce and others like her, the language used in property descriptions has become increasingly generic, with phrases like 'charming' and 'cozy' repeated endlessly. The reality is that brokers are now using AI to automate the dishonesty of their listings, making it harder for renters to find a home that truly matches expectations.