Most real estate agents spend hours chasing leads, but only a few actually close deals. Why? Because they’re still using 2015 tactics in a 2025 market. The truth is, real estate marketing isn’t about billboards and open houses anymore. It’s about being seen in the right places, at the right time, with the right message. If your listings are sitting for months, it’s not the market-it’s your marketing.
People aren’t looking for agents. They’re looking for solutions.
When someone types “homes for sale near me,” they’re not searching for your bio or your brokerage logo. They want to know: Can I afford this? Is this neighborhood safe? Will I regret moving here? Your job isn’t to sell a house-it’s to answer those questions before they even ask them.
Top agents now build content that answers these hidden questions. A video tour of a home with a voiceover explaining the school district ratings, commute times, and nearby grocery stores gets 3x more engagement than a standard MLS listing. Why? Because it saves the buyer time. It builds trust before the first showing.
Use social media like a local expert, not a salesperson
Instagram and Facebook aren’t just for vacation photos. In Boulder, agents who post weekly “Neighborhood Deep Dives” are getting 40% more inbound leads. One agent posts every Tuesday: a 60-second video walking through a different street, pointing out the best tree-lined sidewalks, the quietest corners, where the local coffee shop gives free refills to homeowners.
Don’t post listings. Post stories. Show the life inside the house, not just the square footage. Film the morning light hitting the kitchen counter. Record the sound of rain on the roof. Let people imagine themselves there. That’s what converts.
Google is your most powerful lead generator
Google Maps and Google Business Profile aren’t optional-they’re your front door. If your profile is outdated, missing photos, or has no reviews, buyers assume you’re not serious. And they’re right.
Here’s what works in 2025:
- Upload 15+ high-res photos of each listing-interior, exterior, backyard, nearby parks
- Answer every question asked in the Q&A section within 24 hours
- Get at least 10 reviews per listing from past clients (ask them right after closing)
- Use local keywords: “homes for sale in Boulder with mountain views” not just “Boulder real estate”
Agents who do this consistently show up in the “3-pack” on Google Maps 80% of the time. That’s free, targeted traffic-no ads needed.
Email lists are dead. SMS is alive.
Open rates for real estate emails are below 12%. But SMS open rates? Over 98%. That’s not a typo. People ignore emails. They read texts.
Start building a text list. Not by buying one. By asking for it.
At open houses, say: “If you’d like me to text you when similar homes hit the market, just reply YES to this number.” Add a QR code on your sign-in sheet. Use a simple tool like TextMagic or SimpleTexting. Send one message a week: “Just listed: 3-bed in Pearl Street with new hardwoods. Price reduced $15K. Want the full tour?”
That’s it. No fluff. No newsletters. Just value. And you’ll be surprised how many people say yes.
Video tours aren’t enough. You need virtual staging.
Empty rooms look cold. Buyers struggle to imagine living there. That’s where virtual staging comes in. For $50-$100 per room, you can add furniture, rugs, even plants to make a space feel lived-in.
One agent in Denver staged 12 empty listings with cozy living room setups and kitchen breakfast nooks. The average days on market dropped from 68 to 22. Buyers didn’t just see a house-they saw a home.
You don’t need to buy software. Use free tools like Canva with pre-made staging templates, or hire a virtual stager on Fiverr for under $75 per listing.
Target the right buyers-not everyone
Trying to appeal to everyone means you appeal to no one. Instead, pick one buyer type and own it.
Are you the go-to agent for:
- Young professionals moving from Denver to Boulder?
- Retirees looking for single-story homes with low maintenance?
- Families wanting homes near top-rated elementary schools?
Once you pick your niche, tailor everything: your Instagram posts, your Google ads, your email subject lines. Use language they use. Show homes they care about. Talk about the things they care about.
One agent in Austin focused only on tech workers relocating from California. She posted TikToks comparing Austin’s cost of living to San Francisco’s. Her listings sold 30% faster. She didn’t chase every buyer-she became the only choice for the ones she wanted.
Follow up like a human, not a robot
Most agents send automated follow-ups: “Just checking in!” or “Are you still looking?”
That’s noise.
Top performers send personalized notes. After a showing, they text: “I noticed you lingered by the kitchen window. That view of the hills is why I loved this house too. If you’re thinking about the layout, I’ve got a floor plan with suggested furniture placement-want me to send it?”
That’s not spam. That’s helpful. That’s memorable.
Use a simple CRM like HoneyBook or Dubsado. Set up triggers: “If they viewed listing #1234, send this note 24 hours later.”
Real estate marketing isn’t about volume. It’s about resonance.
You don’t need to list 50 homes a month. You need to make 5 homes unforgettable.
When your marketing feels personal, local, and helpful-buyers don’t just choose you. They recommend you. They tag you in their posts. They bring friends.
That’s how you stop chasing leads and start having them find you.