The real estate industry is currently bursting with opportunities, with the CREA revealing an unexpected surge in December 2023. However, more buyers and renters also means there’s a lot of competition for realtors. 

The big question is, how do you rise above that competition and gain a stronghold in your market? Digital promotion is intrinsic to any realtor’s success, but knowing the different tools and technologies is only one piece of the puzzle. 

Staying up to date with real estate marketing trends ensures you can reach sellers and buyers, and 2024 will be an exciting year—if you embrace them. 

In this post, we’ll reveal the top trends defining 2024 and explore how you can implement them for your digital strategy. 

1: Virtual tours 

The pandemic saw real estate agencies struggling, but many adapted by offering virtual property tours to prospective buyers and renters. Even though in-person tours are now possible, many people prefer the accessibility and convenience of a virtual tour. 

A survey of homebuyers by the National Association of Realtors found that 58% want a virtual tour option, highlighting a fantastic opportunity for forward-thinking realtors. 

With large websites like Realtor giving property hunters an immersive experience, there’s a risk that smaller agencies might fall behind. 

However, using the technology available, including AI-powered apps that help you create tours, it’s easier to maintain that customer-first mentality larger agencies struggle with while staying ahead of the curve. 

2: Augmented reality

The worlds of AR and virtual reality are constantly evolving, allowing realtors to take advantage of exciting technologies that are redefining property searches. 

Homebuyers and people looking for commercial real estate can interact with properties in many ways, including: 

• Visualization: Buyers can view a property’s appearance in a particular area while also exploring different layouts and furniture options. 
• On-Demand Information: Some AR functions allow people to access information about a property, including its history and pricing, without browsing the internet for information. 
• Engagement: AR also lets users engage with a property more than photos or videos allow, streamlining the decision-making process. 

Virtual staging 

Virtual staging is a relatively new technology that lets buyers visualize an empty property’s potential. It’s more cost-effective than traditional staging and can attract more offers because people imagine themselves living in the property. 

Despite many realtors adopting this technology, few are harnessing its rewards. Each building has a unique character; tailoring the staging area to this can help you secure more sales. 

For example, using data to understand what different demographics look for will help you utilize interior design trends that align with their preferences. 

3: AI assistants and chatbots 

In today’s consumer-driven society, connecting with people as and when they need information is essential for success. Before the digital revolution, it was also near impossible—unless you had a team of people available 24/7. 

Enter chatbots and AI assistants. 

These genius solutions can integrate with your website and social media accounts, revolutionizing customer service. 

Whether it’s answering questions or helping prospective buyers arrange tours, chatbots are a necessity in volatile property markets. 

They can’t replace the human touch, but AI-powered assistants will signpost people to the right places and allow your customer support specialists to focus on building relationships with individuals further in the decision-making process. 

4: Clean websites that prioritise user experience 

Websites are so much more than online brochures; they’re the operational hub of any real estate agency. Your website should have a clean design that offers seamless navigation and establishes your brand message. 

Realtors should also focus on clear visuals and streamlined booking portals to eliminate barriers to accessing property information. Most importantly, your website has to be flawless across all devices, automatically adjusting to different screen sizes. 

Google now judges a website based on its user experience, including page speed, loading time, and helpful content, so if your site doesn’t fulfill these criteria, it will be punished. 

What’s the key to unlocking your website’s potential and ensuring it doesn’t hold you back? Understanding – and implementing – real estate website design trends for 2024.

5: Local SEO 

Most searches for real estate are from a local audience looking for their new home. You probably know that SEO is essential for connecting with prospective buyers, but traditional strategies don’t work for local audiences. 

Ensuring your website content aligns with geographical searches means you rank higher on local results and can harness the power of Google Maps. Also, implementing a local strategy gives you the opportunity to attract qualified leads. 

Voice search 

Voice search is becoming more popular, with 62% of Americans using voice assistants regularly (SEMRush). Websites not optimized for voice-based searches will suffer, but how do you win with voice search? 

Find out in our exclusive local SEO for real estate agencies guide. 

6: AI property listings 

Artificial intelligence is changing real estate marketing, and knowing how to utilize it correctly can help you achieve more with your website. However, while AI has a multitude of benefits, it’s no replacement for human creativity. 

So, how can we use AI for property listings? 

While many people believe the technology’s biggest selling point is its ability to write content, AI can only function if it has data to learn from, and using it to create listings means you’re not offering real value to your visitors. 

What you can do is harness the power of AI to evaluate your content and access powerful suggestions. It will tell you how your listing compares to competitors and offer tips on improving them. 

The result? You create compelling property listings that align with search intent and turn casual buyers into qualified leads. 

7: Eco-friendly real estate marketing 

In 2023, Remax asked Canadians whether an eco-friendly home was important to them. A whopping 80% said yes, a 9% increase from 2020. Climate change is becoming a key factor in decision-making, and realtors must adapt to their market. 

While offering sustainable properties is a piece of the puzzle, aligning your marketing collateral with green values is also critical. 

Instead of focusing on brochures and print advertising, adopting a digital-first mentality shows prospective buyers you take your responsibilities seriously and attract developers specializing in eco-friendly homes. 

Are you ready to win with real estate marketing in 2024?

In digital marketing, one thing’s a guarantee: change is constant. With new technologies emerging all the time, your survival depends on an ability to adopt and integrate them into your strategy. 

Working with a real estate digital marketing agency can help you make the most of your budget and benefit from the expertise of an experienced team of experts while also giving you time to focus on building solid relationships with potential clients. 

Aligning your practices with these trends helps you flourish instead of swimming against the tide, which is ultimately what every realtor wants. 

Remember, technology gives us access to various solutions that ultimately make life easier for everyone. Embracing them today means you’re ready and waiting for whatever tomorrow brings. 

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