7 social media trends for real estate agents

With social media proving to be an effective way to reach and engage new clients, it’s become one of the most indispensable tools for any business, including real estate. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), an increasing number of real estate agents believe that social media has a positive influence on their business. 

In fact, 60% of agents say using social media yields high quality leads compared to just 30% of agents who said the same about their local MLS. But to take full advantage of social media platforms to expand your reach, you have to stay on top of the latest trends to incorporate them into your marketing strategy. Here’s a peek into the latest social media trends you need to know about that will help you get ahead of your competition.

7 social media trends for real estate agents

Between Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube there are abundant opportunities to leverage emerging social media trends. 

1. Prioritize authentic content over promotional

Real estate is an industry that is built on personal connections and relationships. When you take the time to understand your clients' needs, preferences, and concerns, they can sense that you’re genuine and have their best interests in mind. As a result, they’ll be more inclined to trust you which can lead to repeat business and referrals. Being sincere not only helps you develop strong relationships but is also an essential quality that will set you up for long-term success. 

2. Virtual and 3D tours

According to a Google survey, 67% of people want to see real estate listings with more virtual tours. By incorporating virtual or 3D tours into your social media marketing strategy, you can create an immersive experience for clients and provide them with an engaging and interactive way to explore properties from anywhere in the world. These types of videos allow them to virtually navigate through each room, examine intricate details, and visualize themselves living in the space. 

3. Hyper-local content

Nowadays, renters, buyers, and even some sellers are no longer satisfied with just high-level property details; they want deeper insights about the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

By using the advanced targeting tools available on social media platforms, you can tailor your content with hyper-local details to make sure it resonates with clients who are actively seeking information about a specific neighborhood. Targeted advertising enables you to hone in on prospective clients’ interests, behavior patterns, and demographics so you can personalize your content to reach the right audience.  

4. Educational content

Posting educational content on social media—such as blog posts, infographics, or videos—is a savvy strategy to attract and retain more followers and even sometimes spark meaningful conversations and interactions. Use social media to share tips for apartment hunting, teach renters their rights, provide budgeting advice for first-time renters, and even spotlight specific neighborhoods. By sharing valuable resources, you can increase engagement and ultimately drive more business opportunities.

5. Short-form video 

Short-term video is proving to be a powerful way to captivate and connect with your audience. Bite-sized videos offer a dynamic and visually appealing way to showcase properties, share market insights, and demonstrate your expertise and authority to potential clients in a format that is easily digestible and shareable. Here’s proof that short-form video isn’t just a fleeting trend:

• 80% of Facebook Stories that with sound or voice-overs lead to better lower funnel results. After seeing a brand or product in a short-form video, 62% of users become interested in it. 
• 91% of Instagram users engage weekly with videos on the platform, with 43% favoring Instagram Stories over alternative content formats. 
• Using video on X significantly boosts user engagement by 10x more
• 74% of people who view YouTube product videos are twice as likely to make a purchase

6. AI content generation

From generating engaging posts, to captivating captions, and visually appealing graphics, AI-powered tools can streamline your entire content creation process. It can help you produce high-quality content that drives engagement, enhances brand visibility, and ultimately, generates more leads and conversions. Tools like AI chatbots can be used to quickly respond to user feedback on social media or predict what users want to see on their feeds based on their interests.

Plus, you can use AI to assist with content scheduling and optimization to ensure that your posts are published at the most opportune times. Additionally, AI-driven analytics provide valuable insights into content performance, allowing you to refine your social media strategy where necessary. 

7. On the street Interviews

If you haven’t already begun taking advantage of this trend, adding mini mic interviews to your social media posts can humanize your brand and help you connect with your audience on a more personal level. Research shows that 88% of people value user reviews just as much as personal recommendations, and mini mic interviews are a great way to provide valuable and authentic content for your viewers.

Short interviews are also a great way to highlight success stories, share valuable tips and advice, and demonstrate your expertise in the real estate market. Not only do interviews enable you to advertise your track record and reputation, but it also gives potential clients the confidence to work with you.

How social media can help real estate agents

By incorporating the above trends into your social media strategy, you can take your business to new heights in several ways. 

Building your brand and establishing authority

Social media can help you create a compelling online presence to build your brand and establish yourself as a real estate industry expert, staying top-of-mind with your audience and reinforcing your credibility. Take a look at how RentSpree’s Andy Coleman does it. He shares behind-the-scenes takes and gets candid about what it takes to be a successful real estate agent in his YouTube videos.

Bringing your listing descriptions to life

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to create visually stunning posts and stories featuring high-quality photos and videos of homes for sale or apartments for rent. You can use professional photography and videography to highlight the unique features and selling points of each property so you can capture the attention of potential buyers and drive interest in listings.

Engaging with potential buyers and sellers

Social media also provides you with a direct line of communication to potential renters, buyers, and sellers, allowing for personalized engagement and relationship-building. By using the various platforms, you can interact with followers through comments, direct messages, and live video sessions, answer questions, and provide insights. 

Targeted advertising and lead generation

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer sophisticated targeting options so you can easily reach highly specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behavior. By running targeted ad campaigns, you can effectively reach potential renters, buyers, and sellers in your target market and generate new leads that actually live in your area. Keep in mind, lead generation can quickly become costly if you struggle to see a return on your initial investment. 

Networking and collaboration opportunities

Social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, provide a professional space for you to connect with colleagues, industry professionals, and potential partners. By participating in industry groups and joining discussions, you can expand your network, exchange referrals, and discover new business opportunities. Another way to grow your reach is to explore Instagram Collab posts, which are co-created posts or Reels that show up on two profiles at the same time. 

How to pick the right social media platform for your real estate business

With so many different social media channels to choose from, how do you know which one is the most ideal for your business? We’ve got it all figured out for you. 

Know your audience

First, you need to understand your target market and demographics. Consider factors such as age, location, interests, and behavior to identify the platform where your specific target audience is most active. 

Understand platform features and consider your content

Each social media platform has unique features and capabilities, so it’s important to think about the type of content you plan to share and how you plan to share it. For example, Facebook is great for building a community and encouraging discussion whereas visually appealing content is better suited for platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. On the other hand, if you plan to share informative articles, market updates, and blog posts, platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter may be more suitable for spreading the news

Evaluate engagement

Start by posting on different platforms so you can gauge which ones have the highest engagement levels and determine which one is performing the best. Is one generating more likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates? Then, track your results, and adjust your approach based on what works best for your business. Monitor your performance by using the platforms’ built-in analytics or a third-party social media tool so you can see what’s working and what’s not and adapt your strategy accordingly.

Monitor competitors

Keep an eye on your competitors and see which platforms they’re using. While you shouldn't blindly follow their lead, their choices may provide insights into where your target audience spends their time.

Put your social media strategy to work

With careful planning, a little creativity, and some consistency, you can take your social media strategy to the next level. Incorporating these trends into your strategy can set you apart from competition and help you increase engagement, reach, and boost your success as a real estate agent. 

Another way to elevate your social strategy is to combine trends with hashtags to help your target audience better discover your content. Check out the top real estate hashtags for 2024 to get your social content in front of your next client. 

FAQ’s

How often should real estate agents post on social media?

The frequency of social media posts can vary depending on the platform and audience. Generally, real estate agents should aim to post consistently, with at least a few times per week on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. However, it's essential to prioritize quality over quantity to ensure that posts are engaging and relevant to your audience.

How can you introduce yourself as a new realtor on social media?

Before you post anything, craft a bio for your social media profiles. Include details such as your professional experience, the brokerage you're affiliated with, and your location to provide context to your audience. Once your profile is set up, start sharing content that showcases your expertise in the real estate industry.