We recently surveyed real estate agents to understand marketing trends in the real estate industry. We generated hundreds of responses to create a summary of the hottest trends in real estate marketing and we’re excited to share the results with you!

The goal of this post is to share those trends to help take your marketing to the next level. To download the full marketing trends report, please refer to our 2025 Real Estate Marketing Forecast.

Which marketing efforts are real estate professionals using now?

Bar graph illustrating the percentage of real estate agents using various marketing methods, including social media, video marketing, email marketing, and direct mail, with social media and digital marekting the highest usage rates.

Using social media to easily raise awareness

It should not be surprising that most real estate pros leverage social media in their marketing. 

You can use social media to share your listings, provide content for existing and potential clients, and amplify your brand.

If you’re not using it, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity! Plus, it’s also a cost-effective marketing strategy!

Digital marketing continues to be a prime resource

Another consistent trend continuing this year is the high adoption of digital marketing, including single-property websites. Single property websites allow you to make your listings look stunning while controlling where, and how, potential buyers interact with them. 

All online traffic can be directed to one centralized location with single property websites. This will help you improve your SEO, increase lead generation, and give you full control over how you market your listings.

Which marketing efforts are real estate professionals adding in 2025?

Bar graph illustrating the percentage of real estate agents who plan to use various marketing methods, including social media, video marketing, email marketing, and direct mail, with video marketing and partnerships with the highest planned usage rates.

Video is the medium to use in real estate

Video marketing has been a buzzword for the past couple of years and it looks like 2025 might be the year it finally takes off.

While only a third of real estate marketers currently use video, 38% plan on using it this year, and why not? Video marketing creates trust, provides value, is mobile-friendly, and helps improve your online exposure.

You’re 53 times more likely to show up first on Google if you have a video embedded on your website! 53 times! 

Direct mail is making a comeback

A sneaky finding from this report is the usage of direct mail and the return of traditional marketing methods. While digital marketing tools dominate the conversation, over half of real estate professionals will use strategies like snail mail, word-of-mouth, and partner marketing to stand out in 2025. 

With email open rates declining, it makes sense to keep direct mail in your marketing stack. When was the last time you threw out all of your mail without looking at it? With direct mail, you can feel confident that the consumer will at least view your marketing piece before deciding to keep it or trash it. 

More top marketing tools to use for 2025

Now that we know which marketing mediums agents use and want to use the most, let’s take a deeper look into some of the tools:

Using 3D tours to stand out

Another shocking statistic is that less than 50% of real estate professionals use 3D tours.

Whether it’s price, product knowledge, or value concerns, this highly talked-about marketing tool has seen less than-average adoption across the industry.

This year, agents are planning to incorporate this tool to help their listing really stand out.

Incorporate listing videos into your socials

Video marketing has significantly grown over the last few years. Videos engage and increase a viewer’s time on the post/page. Many social media platforms reward users who share video content. 

Listing videos are an effective way to showcase your listing to potential buyers. Some real estate agents will create a recorded or live walkthrough listing video of the home. Another style of listing video is a photo tour using real estate images of the listing.

Plus, it’s no surprise that real estate agents want to continue social media marketing in 2025. With 90% of homebuyers shopping online before attending an open house or showing, it’s important to have a strong online presence. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram help share social proof posts, digital listing checklists, helpful content pieces, and more.

Mandating professional photography

The one marketing tool that has seen the most growth is real estate photography. In 2015, roughly 35% of real estate agents leveraged professional photos. In 2019, that number skyrocketed to 88%! Then in 2022, that number grew to 95% usage.

Professional images dominate with 98% of agents using them in their marketing today.

With so much business and income on the line, you can’t afford to take your pictures anymore—give that responsibility to a professional real estate photographer.

Trust Virtuance to upgrade and elevate your photos

If you want to go above and beyond with your real estate photos and other tools to market your listings, consider Virtuance for all your upgrade needs. From HDReal® enhancements such as virtual twilight photography to our blue-sky guarantee, our team of certified professional photographers will help your home turn heads—and gather offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional photos attract more buyers and can double the number of showings for a listing.

Video marketing boosts trust, engagement, and search rankings, increasing visibility online.

They centralize listing information, improve SEO, and give agents full control over marketing.

Direct mail can ensure visibility since recipients typically see it before discarding. Plus, the real estate industry is heavily focused on relationships, which traditional marketing methods can help foster.