Which Marketing Trends Should Real Estate Pros Ignore in 2025?

Do you ever feel like you're throwing marketing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks? As a real estate pro, time is money. Knowing which marketing efforts to ditch is just as vital as knowing what works. You're probably asking, "Which marketing trends should real estate pros ignore?".

It’s tempting to chase every shiny new object, but that can lead to wasted resources. Let's zero in on strategies that might look good on the surface but could be a time and money drain. Savvy real estate professionals should focus on the most effective real estate marketing channels for lead generation.

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Vanishing ROI: Fads to Ditch

Which marketing trends should real estate pros ignore? The real estate landscape is dynamic, but not every trend translates to closed deals. Here are some real estate marketing trends that may not be worth your focus. Smart real estate professionals are able to discern hype from genuine opportunity.

Over-Reliance on Organic Social Media Alone

I've seen agents spend countless hours creating social media content with minimal engagement. While social media is important, depending solely on organic reach might not cut it.

Think about it: algorithms change, and what worked last year might not work today. A recent report indicated that 51% of millennials prefer agents with a social media presence, but that doesn't mean likes equal leads. So a balance is key to generating interest with your real estate marketing efforts

It is important to consider how engagement differs from social media platform to platform. According to RivalIQ, Facebook boasts a median engagement rate of .08 percent. Comparatively, Instagram sees median engagement closer to .98 percent.

Cold Calling Without a Strategy

This feels like a relic from a bygone era, however some still push for it as a lead generation tactic. Cold calling can be soul-crushing and often yields minimal results.

Most people find unsolicited calls annoying, and the chances of reaching a qualified lead are slim. This is because, quite often, it turns into a game of hassling leads versus serving new prospective clients. If your goal is growth, make sure you balance your priorities appropriately.

So, before picking up the phone, focus on warming up leads through other channels. You'll get more closed deals if you spend your time serving real estate buyers' and sellers' needs.

Buying Email Lists

This may sound like a shortcut to building your database, but resist the urge. Sending unsolicited emails can damage your reputation and land you in the spam folder.

Respect your audience's inbox and focus on building an email list organically. Remember that Constant Contact reports email marketing can give you about 15% open rate. So use the right emails with a better list.

Print Ads in Decline

Newspapers and magazines aren't what they used to be, so consider this with great caution. These types of traditional print advertising tend to reach a shrinking audience and don't offer trackable ROI. Savvy real estate professionals are looking at digital options instead.

There are several examples to be considered before dropping a big sum on this declining channel of promotion. Consider focusing your resources on effective real estate marketing.

Native Advertising Gone Wrong

People appreciate content that speaks authentically and without too much hard selling involved. In fact, native advertising boasts a click-through rate about 8.8 times higher than traditional advertising online.

So while using authentic promotional assets may result in additional web traffic, take these metrics with a grain of salt. If used improperly this technique could backfire greatly on real estate leaders using the strategy.

Ignoring Mobile Optimization

How many people do you see glued to their phones these days? It’s important that if people are going to click on your real estate website from those phones, you need to make sure the content looks right and formatted.

What good does it do when your mobile website or ad feels clunky on a smartphone screen? Small fonts, a hard-to-use interface, and long loading times on the desktop create even bigger headaches on mobile. It’s vital to optimize your real estate marketing materials for all devices.

It might just turn away prospective clients. Optimize your ads, site, and landing pages for all devices. Don't forget the importance of voice search. An optimized mobile experience is now table stakes.

Focus on What Works

Okay, so what should real estate agents focus on? Instead of dumping those "outdated" methods just yet, consider the context behind the medium. It's really all about what your clients need.

Hyperlocal Expertise

Today, buyers and sellers want real estate agents who truly understand the neighborhood. This can make hyper-local expertise extremely valuable to prospective customers. Instead of just sharing listings, offer insights into local schools, restaurants, and community events.

Sharing local insights can position yourself as a trusted real estate advisor. What unique things do you have to offer a home buyer from out of town that can benefit their real estate searches? Establishing a real estate market niche can attract real estate clients who value specialized knowledge.

The Staying Power of Text Messages

Texting has great open rates and helps agents market well. With an open rate of 82%, text messages can provide more efficiency.

Video and photo texts also work wonders for real estate agents, as well. Think of it this way: prospects want quick, personalized answers in real-time when assessing their needs. So texting continues to be king in real estate marketing.

Why E-mail Still Matters

Don't count out email just yet in your digital marketing strategy. For real estate professionals, e-mail provides an engaged client with more intimate information.

Real estate market experts understand video also adds web traffic, even up to 300 percent more for many users. If you include more helpful guides and resources, you can generate more engagement that converts more interested viewers to viable leads. Nurture leads by offering valuable insights through emails nurture campaigns.

Here's something that marketing professionals at Paperless Agent understand: 78 percent of marketers say that their video strategies directly led to increases in sales. So before writing this promotional channel off completely, consider that in 2020 27.2 percent of viewers spent more than 10 hours per week watching online video.

Postcards Pack a Punch (Sometimes)

If you have clients who enjoy traditional forms of outreach, this strategy may be a good investment for your real estate marketing. Of all homeowners, 44% are over the age of 60, and one study from Fannie Mae reported this trend to only rise.

To do this appropriately, create a mix of promotional advertising pieces and content that benefits potential real estate viewers and provides value beyond making a cold sale. If those are your target clients, never count postcards out as it could backfire on your growth.

Building Business to Business Relationships

Statistics from NAR report over 51% of clients find their real estate agent because they were referred. Instead, take time to network and engage. Smart real estate professionals cultivate relationships with other businesses that serve the same clientele.

So think creatively. Join the local chamber, for example. Offer real value that they can refer others. Think creatively to provide potential clients with valuable resources to promote engagement.

AI and Increasing Net Income

Did you know AI could help you grow profits by leaps and bounds? Did you know AI's machine learning features can assess consumer behavior and tailor online marketing initiatives to cater directly to their personalized needs? If not, you should, since many sources now report AI increasing net profits for real estate agents.

A recent study showed that businesses could expand profit growth by [10%] just using the tool and analyzing customer ad performances. Using AI-powered marketing to drive better data can have a huge positive impact on how a customer searches, engages, and successfully finds the real estate opportunities they hoped for. Explore leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance your marketing strategy and improve the customer journey.

There are various AI tools you can use for ads targeting and improve client relationships.

A Website That Actually Works

Does your real estate website make the phone ring or collect new leads for your sales staff to connect with? Well if not, why doesn't it? How old and clunky is your interface? Is the aesthetic pleasing and accommodating for voice search?

Potential buyers now value visuals and a seamless website experience as a trust factor. In fact 73% of other professionals now have their own professional website. In a tight market with plenty of properties and prospective leads available to nurture, the proof really can be in the website's pudding. Enhance your online presence in the real estate market with a website designed for conversions.

Make sure you show showcase properties properly. A great site design can provide potential clients the best chance of hiring you.

Which Marketing Trends Should Real Estate Pros Ignore?: Final Thoughts

In the fast-paced world of real estate marketing trends, it's vital to know what marketing strategies deserve your time. Not every real estate marketing strategy is a winner. By focusing on time-tested methods, building real relationships, and knowing your local market, you can create marketing strategies to scale.

Knowing which digital marketing trends should real estate pros ignore means focusing on scalable success that lasts. Focus on trends that are in alignment with you local real estate market niche.

Which Real Estate marketing trends should real estate pros ignore?: A Quick Overview

To easily remember what not to waste your money on, check out this simple list.

FAQs about Which marketing trends should real estate pros ignore?

What type of marketing is best for real estate?

A mix of digital marketing and offline strategies works best for real estate agents. Focus on local SEO, social media marketing engagement, email, and building relationships with local businesses.

What are the 4 P's of marketing in real estate?

The 4 Ps are Product (your services), Price (your commission), Place (where you market), and Promotion (how you advertise). Understand and optimize each for success.

What is the biggest mistake real estate agents make?

Neglecting follow-up. Staying in touch with leads and past clients is essential for referrals and repeat business. Send out regular emails nurture leads to your sphere of influence.

What is the market trend in real estate?

Market trends vary by location for the real estate industry, so it's difficult to know precisely. Stay up-to-date on local real estate marketing trends by researching sales data and economic indicators and always consider reaching out to your clients directly.

Conclusion

Deciding which marketing trends should real estate pros ignore means cutting through the noise to find what truly delivers results. By avoiding fleeting fads and focusing on strategies that build trust and deliver value, real estate pros can make smarter marketing decisions that lead to sustainable success.

Ultimately, it's about working smarter, not harder, to achieve your goals. Don't waste time on augmented reality and other flashy trends if you can't afford it.

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