Introducing the A.CRE AI Assistant Custom GPT (Updated Oct 2024)

Since Michael and Spencer started A.CRE in grad school over 10 years ago, we’ve been fielding and responding to questions from our readers. With every question, our mission is to provide an answer that adds unique value to our reader.

As A.CRE has grown, so has the volume of questions we receive. In 2023 alone, the A.CRE team responded to nearly 5,000 real estate financial modeling, career, education, and AI related questions from A.CRE readers. And while we’d love to respond personally to every inquiry, we’re also regularly looking for ways to get answers quicker to you – our reader.

For example, in 2019 we released our A.CRE Help section. It’s been a great success, allowing users to get commonly asked questions answered quickly. However, it still lacks the back-and-forth dialog that often is necessary.

Thus, when LLM technology like ChatGPT and Google Gemini (formerly Bard) became widely available, and the ability to train those custom LLMs (i.e. GPTs) became possible, we were ecstatic. It was clear we had an opportunity to create another tool to provide quick, reliable, value-add responses to users.

And so, to that end, we’re excited to announce the launch of the A.CRE AI Assistant GPT. A custom GPT for ChatGPT, trained to answer questions you might ask of an A.CRE team member, but with an instant response and the ability to do infinite back-and-forth.

• Click to chat with the A.CRE AI Assistant GPT.

In this blog post, our team (with the help of our AI writing assistant) will briefly explain why we created the A.CRE AI Assistant GPT, what its key features are, how to use the assistant with your ChatGPT account and invite you to give it a try.

So, enjoy!

• Check out use cases for AI in real estate resources

Why Create an A.CRE AI Assistant GPT?

The A.CRE AI Assistant GPT was born from a pressing need: to streamline the way commercial real estate (CRE) professionals and enthusiasts navigate the rich repository of knowledge on the Adventures in CRE website. With an abundance of articles, tutorials, and resources, the challenge lay not in the quantity of information but in efficiently pinpointing content that resonates with individual queries and interests. This realization sparked the idea to leverage artificial intelligence (and custom GPTs in particular), transforming the way our community accesses and interacts with CRE insights.

In pursuit of this vision, we decided to create an assistant powered by the latest in generative AI technology that’s not only versed in the complexities of CRE but also tailored to the specific needs of our audience. This collaboration was driven by the ambition to fuse decades of industry knowledge with cutting-edge technology and a mission to genuinely add value to every A.CRE reader, resulting in an AI Assistant that operates as much more than a search tool; it’s a personalized guide through the vast landscape of CRE information, designed to deliver precise, relevant content.

• Click here to learn how this custom GPT was built.

Key Features of the A.CRE AI Assistant GPT

The A.CRE AI Assistant GPT stands out for its bespoke features, designed to cater to the needs of the commercial real estate (CRE) community. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this AI assistant a game-changer in navigating CRE content:

Expertise Focus – Trained Specifically for CRE

At its core, the A.CRE AI Assistant is trained with a profound understanding of CRE, making it an excellent source of guidance. This isn’t just any AI; it’s a specialized compendium of CRE wisdom, trained to provide answers that resonate with the intricacies and depth of the industry. Whether you’re delving into complex financial models or seeking insights on career trends, the assistant is programmed to navigate the breadth of CRE knowledge, ensuring the guidance you receive is both accurate and relevant.

User Interaction – True Back-and-Forth

The assistant shines in its ability to engage users in a dynamic conversation, tailoring its responses to their specific inquiries. This interactive approach means that every query is met with a personalized response, ensuring that the content delivered is precisely what the user is looking for. It’s this level of personalized engagement that elevates the A.CRE AI Assistant from a mere search tool to a trusted CRE advisor.

Content Sourcing – Sticks to the Source

Integrity and reliability are paramount when it comes to sourcing content, and the A.CRE AI Assistant excels by drawing exclusively from the rich tapestry of resources available on the A.CRE website. This commitment to sourcing from A.CRE ensures that users are provided with content that’s not only relevant but also grounded in the trusted expertise that the A.CRE community is known for.

Communication Style – Fun, Engaging, and Human-Like

The assistant boasts a unique persona that perfectly balances professionalism with a dash of vivacity, making every interaction engaging and enjoyable. This carefully crafted communication style is designed to resonate with a broad spectrum of users, from seasoned CRE veterans to newcomers eager to learn, ensuring the assistant is both a knowledgeable guide and an engaging conversational partner.

Content Delivery – Built to Add Value

Efficiency meets precision in the assistant’s content delivery method. Upon understanding a user’s needs, it swiftly provides concise summaries of pertinent content, complemented by direct links to the most relevant articles, tutorials, and resources. This streamlined approach ensures users can quickly access in-depth information without wading through extraneous content.

Persistence and Clarity – Programmed to Not Give Up

The A.CRE AI Assistant GPT is programmed with a relentless commitment to providing value, ensuring that no query goes unanswered. If an initial search doesn’t yield the expected results, the assistant proactively broadens the search or seeks further clarification, guaranteeing that users always depart with the insights they sought.

Through these key features, the A.CRE AI Assistant GPT redefines the experience of accessing CRE knowledge, ensuring every interaction is personalized, reliable, and, above all, incredibly insightful.

How You Might Use the AI Assistant

The A.CRE AI Assistant is designed to elevate your experience on navigating A.CRE. By offering personalized assistance, it streamlines your journey through the vast array of CRE content, making every query more efficient and every discovery more relevant. Here are a few ways in which you might use the tool:

Streamlining Searches for CRE Financial Models

Imagine you’re looking for a specific type of financial model, say, a multifamily development model. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of thumbnails in our Library of CRE Models, you simply ask the A.CRE AI Assistant. It quickly understands your request and guides you to a curated selection of the most relevant modeling resources, including step-by-step tutorials and downloadable models. This direct access saves you time and ensures you get exactly what you need to advance your project.

• Click here to view an example conversation exploring models.

And if you’re wanting to learn real estate financial modeling (i.e. to build your own models from scratch), the GPT can guide you through materials tailored to your current level and goals. Suppose you’re struggling with waterfall modeling in Excel. The assistant not only directs you to relevant tutorials and models but also offers tips and best practices, enhancing your learning experience and boosting your modeling skills.

Offering Tailored Career Guidance

Whether you’re a newcomer to the CRE field or looking to make a strategic career move, the A.CRE AI Assistant stands ready to offer personalized advice. For instance, if you’re contemplating a shift from brokerage to development, the assistant can provide insights into the skills required, potential career paths, and link you to articles at A.CRe related to that career change. This bespoke guidance is akin to having a mentor at your fingertips, ready to advise you based on your unique career aspirations and background.

• Click here to view an example conversation exploring a career change.

Helping You Find a School to Study CRE

Navigating the path to the right CRE education can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the A.CRE AI Assistant, exploring educational opportunities becomes straightforward and personalized. If you’re pondering which academic program might best serve your aspirations in commercial real estate, the assistant is your go-to resource.

A.CRE hosts the most extensive series of profiles on undergraduate and graduate real estate programs, and the assistant can sift through these to match your criteria with suitable options. From detailed program profiles to deep-dive videos from students and alumni, the assistant ensures you have all the information you need to make an informed decision, streamlining your journey towards a fulfilling career in CRE.

• Click here to view an example conversation exploring schools.

Using the A.CRE AI Assistant GPT

Getting started with the A.CRE AI Assistant is both exciting and straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you make the most of this tool:

Accessing the AI Assistant

There are a few ways to access the A.CRE AI Assistant GPT.

1. The easiest is to click the ‘AI Assistant GPT’ link in the ‘A.CRE Help’ top menu in the upper-right hand corner of the A.CRE website (top middle of your screen on mobile).
2. Alternatively, you can go directly to the GPT by clicking this link.

By clicking either of those links, you will be taken to ChatGPT where likely you’ll need to login to your ChatGPT account. Once logged in, you will see the home screen of the A.CRE Assistant AI GPT (see image below).

• Important Note: Custom GPTs are now available to both paid and free users of ChatGPT. Click here to learn more.

Initiating Interaction

Start the conversation with a simple greeting or directly state your query. For example, you can type, “Hello, I’m looking for help analyzing an industrial deal.” Or “Hey, can you help me?”

Asking Questions

The assistant is designed to understand and respond to a wide range of queries related to commercial real estate. Here are some types of questions you might consider:

• “Can you recommend a financial model for a retail development project?”
• “I need career advice for transitioning into CRE from a different industry.”
• “Where can I find resources on CRE investment analysis?”
• “Help me find a graduate program in real estate finance.”
• “What events are coming up in CRE?”
• “What is a European-Style Waterfall?”
• “What are some use cases for AI in real estate?”
• “What jobs were recently posted to the A.CRE Job Board?”

Providing Details

To ensure the assistant delivers the most relevant information, be specific about what you’re looking for. If the assistant asks for more details, provide them to refine the search further.

Reviewing Responses

The assistant will present a selection of resources or advice based on your query. Take a moment to review these and see if they match your needs.

Asking Follow-up Questions

If the initial response isn’t quite what you were looking for, don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions. The assistant is designed to iterate on its responses based on your feedback. In fact, even if the answer is spot on you may have a follow-up. Don’t hesitate to keep the conversation going.

Tips for Optimizing Interactions

• Be Specific: The more detailed your query, the more tailored the assistant’s response will be. Specificity helps the assistant understand your exact needs and provide the most relevant information.
• Use Keywords: Incorporating keywords related to your query, such as “multifamily development model” or “CRE career paths,” can enhance the assistant’s ability to provide precise information.
• Explore Various Queries: Don’t limit your interactions to one type of question. The A.CRE AI Assistant is versatile, capable of assisting with a broad range of topics from educational resources to career advice.
• Provide Feedback: If the assistant’s response isn’t quite right, let it know. Your feedback helps the assistant learn and improve, ensuring better responses in future interactions.

By following these steps and tips, you can leverage the A.CRE AI Assistant to its fullest potential, making your exploration of commercial real estate more efficient, personalized, and insightful.

Conclusion – Give it a Try

We hope that the A.CRE AI Assistant emerges as a tool to further help A.CRE readers and CRE professionals make better use of the seemingly endless list of resources we’ve shared here at A.CRE over the past 10+ years. By offering personalized guidance, the assistant empowers users to navigate the complexities of the A.CRE site with unprecedented ease and efficiency.

We invite you to experience the transformative potential of the A.CRE AI Assistant firsthand. Simply click the ‘AI Assistant’ link located in the upper right-hand corner of the A.CRE website. Dive into a world of tailored CRE resources, and let the assistant guide you to the precise information you need to advance your projects and career.

Your feedback is invaluable to us. As you explore the capabilities of the A.CRE AI Assistant, we encourage you to share your experiences and suggestions. Together, we can continue to refine and enhance this tool, ensuring it remains an essential companion for the CRE community.

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Version Notes

beta v1.2

• Rewrote instructions to account for changes to ChatGPT behavior related to how it handles browser search
• Changed how links are shared with users – now showing actual link address rather than hyperlink

beta v1.1

• Updated GPT to use built-in search capability rather than API to A.CRE content library

beta v1.0

• Initial release