15 Instagram Tips for Real Estate Agents Who Want to Grow

Did you know that 72.2% of realtors agree that high-quality real estate photos help them win more listings? 

As a real estate agent, leveraging Instagram's visual platform can significantly impact your business growth. Nowadays, people want to feast their eyes digitally before committing to anything in the real world. With its extensive features and engaged user base, Instagram offers unique opportunities for showcasing properties and growing your follower base in the digital realm.

In this article, we'll cover why real estate agents should harness the power of Instagram. Plus, we give you 15 actionable tips to help you grow your business and attract more leads so you can get started today.

Should real estate agents promote their businesses on Instagram?

Absolutely! 

Instagram is a visual-first platform, making it the perfect social network for real estate agents to showcase their listings, share local insights, and build relationships with potential buyers and sellers. 

Here are a few compelling reasons why real estate agents should be active on Instagram:

Visual appeal

Real estate is inherently visual, and Instagram's image and video-focused format allows you to highlight properties in their best light. Sharing enticing visual content will help draw in potential customers who are genuinely interested in the property. Posting on Instagram automatically gives you a license to get uber-creative and produce the thumb-stopping content that IG is known for.

Large user base

With over 2 billion monthly active users, Instagram provides access to a vast pool of potential clients. 62.7% of Instagram users use it to follow or research brands or products, making it an ideal platform for social media advertising. Posting your real estate listings on Instagram is like handing out media-rich flyers at a busy intersection!

Targeting capabilities

Instagram's advanced targeting options allow you to reach your ideal audience based on location, interests, and demographics. You can enhance your targeting capabilities by using hashtags on the platform. Thus, your intersection will be filled with people who are already interested in what’s on your flyer instead of random strangers. 

Brand building

Consistently sharing high-quality content helps establish your personal brand and authority in the real estate industry. The algorithm rewards frequent posting by showing your posts regularly, increasing the likelihood of more eyeballs on your post. Consistency leads to brand recognition, where followers become familiar with and warm up to you—an essential step in building your brand’s reputation. 

Engagement opportunities

Instagram's interactive features, like Stories, Reels, and Live videos, provide multiple ways to engage with your followers and build meaningful connections. You can use stickers, cutouts, text overlays, media clips, and other effects to make your posts captivating and fun. Creating engaging content on Instagram is easy when you have so many options to interact with your followers and fans at your fingertips. 

Now that we've established why Instagram is an excellent platform for real estate agents, let's explore some content ideas to get you started.

Real estate Instagram content ideas

Engaging content is key to growing your Instagram following and attracting potential clients. So, meet Instagram where it’s at and use your best, most professional-looking content with great lighting and where you can see the features of the place. It goes a long way to increasing the reach and engagement of your real estate posts. 

Here are some content ideas tailored specifically for real estate agents:

• Property showcases

Share high-quality photos and videos of your current listings, highlighting unique features and selling points. Does it have a great view from the main bedroom? Does the entrance hall take your breath away when you step inside? Or maybe you have drone footage of an aerial view of the property? Either way, you should put it on Instagram! 

• Virtual tours

Use Instagram's video features to give followers a virtual walkthrough of properties. You could opt for a full 360 virtual tour or simply film the tour yourself and publish it as a reel. Depending on where you are in your business journey, you can create a tour to match your production budget.

• Before and after transformations

Everyone loves a before-and-after! Show the dramatic changes in properties you've helped renovate or stage to show your abilities to the public through social proof. These posts are inspiring and effective in motivating people to take action.

• Local area highlights

Showcase the best aspects of the neighborhoods you serve, including local businesses, parks, and events. Becoming a helpful resource for locals in your area is a surefire way to stay top-of-mind when they decide to move.

• Client success stories

Share testimonials and photos of happy clients in their new homes (with their permission, of course). Testimonials are worth their weight in gold; you should gather and post them regularly. They’re another example of social proof that helps instill trust and tip the scales toward a sale.

• Market updates

Provide valuable insights on local real estate trends and market conditions. Help people navigate the process of buying and selling a property, or educate them on the industry you’re in to be better informed. Up-to-date resources are incredibly beneficial to potential buyers and sellers.

• Home improvement tips

Offer advice on simple upgrades that can increase a home's value. Anyone selling a property is concerned about getting the best price. By sharing low-effort and high-impact tips to improve their chances of a higher offer, you can build trust and be super helpful where it counts most. In fact, it could secure you getting the opportunity to sell it.

• Behind-the-scenes content

Give followers a glimpse into your daily life as a real estate agent. Have you signed another client? Share a post about it. Are you taking photos of a new listing? Share a post of you taking pictures. Are you prepping for a show day? Share to the gram. Or are you handing over the keys to a new owner? Post it to IG. Are you doing admin at the office? Instagram it! There’s potential content everywhere if you try hard enough.

• Q&A sessions

Address common questions about buying, selling, or investing in real estate. Think of all the questions you get asked most frequently by buyers and sellers alike and turn them into content. You could even host an AMA (Ask Me Anything) for first-time buyers, answer questions in Reels or Stories, or use images in a carousel to share your insights. Doing this helps boost your reputation and credibility with your audience as you share your knowledge.

• Team introductions

Whether you’re flying solo or working with a large team, introduce your colleagues and highlight their expertise and specialty areas. Sharing posts about the people who work in your business humanizes it. Share people who are not usually client-facing as well to show the world your entire team matters. These posts give your audience another reason to believe in your brand.

Even if you only use half of these suggestions, you’ll have a content plan lined up for months.  With these post ideas in mind, let's move on to our top Instagram tips for real estate agents.

15 Instagram tips for real estate agents

1. Optimize your profile

Your Instagram profile is your digital business card. Make sure it communicates who you are and what you do. Include your full name, job title, location, and a brief bio highlighting your expertise. Consider getting your account verified for added credibility.

Remember to add a link to your website or a landing page with your current listings. You can’t add links to your Instagram post captions. Consider using a tool like Linktree or Linkin.bio to share multiple important links in your bio. 

2. Use high-quality visuals

In the world of real estate, presentation is everything. Home is a feeling. Invest in decent photography equipment or hire a professional photographer or videographer to capture your listings in the best light. It matters so much more than you think it does.

According to CJS Real Estate Media, 89% of home buyers find photos useful in their home search process. People like to look at the pictures online before deciding which properties to view. It allows them to eliminate more options that don’t meet their personal preferences at a glance, so by the time they contact you, you know they’re already keen. 

High-quality images and videos will make your properties stand out in the crowded Instagram feed. Ensure your images are optimized for the platform so you don’t undermine your credibility without realizing it with a poorly cropped picture. Furthermore, you should consider using editing tools like Adobe Lightroom or VSCO to enhance your photos further.

3. Leverage Instagram Stories

Stories are addictive, and users love them, making them a great way to share time-sensitive content like open house announcements or new listings. Use features like polls, questions, and countdown stickers to boost engagement and create a sense of urgency. 58% of Instagram users become more interested in a brand or product after seeing it in Stories. Understanding Instagram's navigation features can help maximize your Stories' visibility.

Create Story highlights to categorize and save your best Stories, making them easily accessible to profile visitors. Remember to use your brand guidelines when designing your highlight covers so your profile looks cohesive.

4. Create a consistent aesthetic

Develop a signature look for your Instagram feed using consistent colors, filters, and themes. This tactic helps create a strong visual brand that followers will recognize and remember over time.

Consider using a planning tool like Later or Planoly to visualize your feed before posting and maintain a consistent aesthetic.

5. Use relevant hashtags

Research and use popular real estate hashtags to increase the discoverability of your posts. Mix broad tags like #realestate or #properties with more specific ones like #[yourcity]realestate, #propertiesin[yourcity], or #firsttimehomebuyer. You can find hashtags by searching Instagram and sifting through the ‘Tags’ results.

Create a list of go-to hashtags for different types of posts, but remember to switch them up occasionally to avoid looking spammy. Hashtags should be customized for each post, so make sure any that you copy and paste are still relevant to the post and remove any that don’t fit. Remember, your hashtags are your keywords, and relevance is everything.

You should also follow any of the broad hashtags you use to keep an eye on what others are posting and for post ideas.

6. Engage with your audience

Respond promptly to comments and direct messages. Engaging with your followers helps build trust and relationships that can lead to future business opportunities. It also shows future clients how you operate when they come across your profile.

Set aside time daily to interact with your followers and other accounts in your niche. This can help increase your visibility and grow your network organically—a vital step in brand-building.

7. Collaborate with local businesses

Partner with local businesses for mutually beneficial cross-promotion opportunities. Collaborations can help you tap into new audiences and position yourself as a local expert. 

Consider featuring local shops, restaurants, or service providers in your neighborhood guides. It will provide value to your followers and build relationships within your community. Getting involved is a great way to get your name out there.

8. Share educational content

Share tips on the home-buying and selling process, mortgage information, or market trends to establish yourself as a knowledgeable resource.

Create infographics or carousel posts to present complex information in an easily digestible format. This type of content is highly shareable and can help expand your reach.

9. Utilize Instagram Reels

Take advantage of Instagram's short-form video feature to create engaging, informative content. Reels are where it's at if you want to share quick property tours and real estate tips or showcase your personality in fun, creative ways. Instagram Reels have been shown to have a significantly higher engagement rate of 1.23% compared to traditional photos (0.70%) and carousel posts (0.99%), making them a powerful tool for real estate agents.

Experiment with different types of content to see what resonates most with your audience. Instagram is the place to get creative and try out new ideas to keep your content fresh.

10. Host Instagram Live sessions

Use Instagram Live to host virtual open houses, Q&A sessions, or interviews with industry experts. If you regularly work with other businesses, like a mortgage originator, electrician, lawyer, or handyman, you should invite them to discuss tips on their specialty and answer frequently asked questions. This real-time interaction can help build stronger connections with your audience and boost trust.

Promote your Lives in advance through posts and Stories to ensure a good turnout. You can ask people to share the questions they want answered during the Live. Save your Live sessions to your feed for followers who can't attend in person so you prolong the lifespan of your content.

11. Showcase your personality

Feel free to let your personality shine through in your posts. In fact, this may be the most valuable tip to help you stand out in a sea of sameness. Sharing personal moments or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your life as a real estate agent can help followers relate to you on a more personal level. With all the technology we encounter daily, people crave humanity to connect with.

Mix professional content with more casual, relatable posts to create a well-rounded profile that appeals to potential clients. The more authentically you show your personality and individuality, the more you attract the right people.

12. Use geotags

Considering how the industry is tied to property location, using Instagram’s geotag feature is a must for real estate agents. When posting about specific properties or local attractions, make sure to tag your location. This can help your content appear in location-based searches and attract potential clients interested in specific areas—a winning feature for real estate agents.

Consistently using geotags can also help establish you as a local expert in your target neighborhoods.

13. Create saved highlights

Organize your Instagram Stories into themed highlights on your profile. Having highlight buttons lets visitors easily find information on topics like current listings, neighborhood guides, or client testimonials. These are vital in building your reputation online as a real estate agent.

Update your highlights regularly to ensure the information remains current and relevant to potential clients. Whatever highlight themes you choose to have on your profile, that type of content must always be posted as a Story in addition to a Reel or grid post so you can save it in the relevant highlight button, too.

14. Post consistently

Don’t leave your audience and the algorithm hanging. 

Maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your followers engaged and increase your visibility on the platform. Aim for at least 3-5 posts per week, but focus on quality over quantity. Consistent posting can increase Instagram engagement by 50%, helping you stay top-of-mind with potential clients.

Use a content calendar to plan your posts in advance and ensure a good mix of content types throughout the week. With a solid social media plan with defined content pillars, planning your content schedule is super easy. 

Don’t forget to schedule your content in batches ahead of time so you don’t have to post manually every time.

15. Run Instagram ads

Leverage Instagram ads to reach a wider audience and generate more leads. Instagram's advertising platform offers powerful targeting options to help you reach potential buyers and sellers in your area. Real estate ads on Instagram have an average click-through rate of 0.99%, higher than many other industries.

To maximize the effectiveness of your ad campaigns, turn to Madgicx, the AI super app for Instagram ads. 

Madgicx offers powerful workflows that will enhance your Instagram advertising efforts. The Creative Workflow includes the Ad Library, which offers an endless source of ad inspiration. 

It also features our latest tool, the AI Ad Generator, which uses AI to create new ads based on images and written briefs. Plus, you can use an ad from the Ad Library in your prompt. Type in your ad idea and let the Madgicx AI maestro create creative options for you. 

Want to make your ads even more captivating? Send them to your designer or directly to our digital artists, who will polish up your ads within 48 hours.

Another key tool is the AI Marketer, which leverages predictive analytics to guide your next steps for maximizing ad results and even help you launch your first campaign. All the recommendations are easily implementable in a few clicks. The AI Marketer removes the complexity of running your ad campaigns while maintaining complete control of your ads.

Try Madgicx for free and experience the transformation of your Instagram advertising strategy. 

Block quotesIf you're also advertising on Facebook, our guides on Facebook Ads Manager and Facebook advertising can help you seamlessly optimize your campaigns across both platforms.

Conclusion

By implementing these 15 Instagram tips, real estate agents can significantly improve their online presence, attract more potential clients, and ultimately grow their business. If anything, remember that consistency and authenticity are key to building a solid following on Instagram.

Keep experimenting with different types of content and engaging with your audience to find what works best for you and your target market. With dedication and the right strategy, Instagram can become a powerful tool in your real estate marketing arsenal.

If you want to expand your real estate advertising efforts beyond Instagram, check out our guide on Facebook ads for real estate to learn how to apply similar strategies on another powerful platform.

FAQs - Instagram for real estate agents

To wrap up our guide, let's address some common questions real estate agents have about using Instagram for their business.

How often should realtors post on Instagram?

Consistency is vital when it comes to posting on Instagram. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, a good rule of thumb is to post at least 3-5 times per week. However, it's important to prioritize quality over quantity.

Posting daily can yield great results if you can maintain a high level of quality. However, if you find that daily posting compromises the quality of your content, it's better to stick to a less frequent but more consistent schedule.

Remember to use Instagram Stories, which can be updated more frequently throughout the day without overwhelming your followers' main feeds.

What should my real estate Instagram handle be?

Your Instagram handle should be professional, memorable, and relevant to your real estate business. Here are some tips for choosing the right handle:

1. Use your name: Use your full name or a variation of it. For example, @johndoerealtor or @janesmithhomes.
2. Include your location: If your name is already taken, consider adding your location. For example, @johndoe_nycrealestate or @janesmithbostonhomes.
3. Use real estate keywords: Incorporate words like "realtor," "homes," or "properties" in your handle to make it clear what you do. For example, @downtownlarealestate or @seattlehomeswithjohn.
4. Keep it short and simple: Aim for a handle that's easy to spell and remember.
5. Avoid numbers and special characters: These can make your handle harder to remember and less professional-looking.

Your Instagram handle should align with your brand and be consistent across other social media platforms wherever possible. This helps with brand recognition and makes it easier for potential clients to find you online, whichever platform they use.

How do you introduce yourself as a realtor on Instagram?

Introducing yourself effectively on Instagram is crucial for making a strong first impression. Here are some tips for crafting an impactful introduction:

1. Use your bio: Your Instagram bio is prime real estate for introducing yourself. Include your full name, job title (e.g., "Licensed Realtor"), and the area you serve.
2. Highlight your expertise: Mention any specializations or certifications you have, such as "Luxury Home Specialist" or "First-Time Homebuyer Expert."
3. Show your personality: Include a brief statement that reflects your personal brand or approach to real estate. For example, "Helping families find their dream homes since 2010" or "Passionate about sustainable living and eco-friendly properties."
4. Add a call to action: Encourage profile visitors to take the next step, such as "DM me for a free home valuation" or "Click the link to see current listings."
5. Use a professional profile picture: Choose a high-quality, professional headshot that presents you as approachable and trustworthy. 
6. Create an introduction post: Pin a post to your profile that introduces you more fully. In this post, you can share your background, why you got into real estate, and what clients can expect when working with you.
7. Use Stories highlights: Create a "Meet the Agent" or "About Me" highlight reel that showcases your personality and professional journey.

Remember, your introduction should be clear, concise, and authentic. It should give potential clients a sense of who you are and why they should choose you as their real estate agent.

By following these tips and consistently providing value to your followers, you'll be well on your way to building a strong presence on Instagram and growing your real estate business.