If 2020 was the year that changed how the real estate industry works, 2021 has brought it a new normal. As realtors and property owners adapt to the new normal, we witness new trends in real estate marketing. Knowing the trends help real estate agents understand the buyer’s mindset and expectations beforehand, and this is an integral part of drafting a successful marketing strategy.
Here are the top real estate marketing trends to watch out for in 2021 –
1. Digital Real Estate Marketing
During the pandemic, the time people spend on their phones and laptops has increased manifold. A lot of this time is spent on social media platforms and search engines. Real estate agents are increasingly using this trend as an opportunity to leverage digital marketing tools. Social media is an effective way to generate new leads in real estate, and various real estate agents are creating compelling content and advertisements for social media marketing. This trend began well before the pandemic, but it has gained traction in 2020 and 2021.
2. Virtual Staging
Virtual home staging uses 3D technology to stage and beautify a space by adding realistic furniture, décor and fixtures to help prospective buyers visualize themselves living in that space. The trend of virtual staging in real estate is catching on as it simplifies the staging process compared to conventional staging and makes it affordable for real estate agents. This latest technology allows prospective buyers to view a property without physical visits, making it the most popular trend of 2021.
3. Virtual Tours
Site visits, conventional home staging and open houses for properties are not possible in the current circumstances. Due to the pandemic, home buyers are unwilling to visit property sites and marketing events. This made sales difficult for real estate agents and homeowners at the beginning of 2020. This led to the introduction of the virtual home tour facility. 360 virtual tours are an excellent alternative for physical visits. They allow real estate agents and buyers to assess properties while maintaining the requisite social distancing. It improves client interaction and boosts business for real estate.
4. Aerial Drones
Aerial drones tour the property to show home buyers the facilities available, the home’s locality, amenities and infrastructure in real-time. Aerial drones are also helpful in the photography and videography of properties to showcase them online. Social media is brimming with aerial videos of properties that include aerial footage of community features and help buyers visualize the lifestyle associated with the home.
5. Marketing Automation
Various industries have adopted marketing automation to streamline leads and improve customer engagement. In 2020, real estate agents in all leading markets took to marketing automation to generate, streamline and engage the leads they generate from the internet, and the trend is here to stay in 2021. Marketing automation helps map your customer’s journey and reach out to them at the right time. Marketing automation includes –
- Automated Facebook / Instagram Ads
- Lead generation forms
- AI chatbots
- E-mail nurture funnels
- Programmatic Ad buying
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has created unforeseen circumstances for everyone. The real estate industry is no exception. Boost your business in 2021 by watch out for new marketing tools and creating a new marketing strategy. Adapting to new situations earlier than others is vital to succeeding in the real estate industry in 2021. If you are an agent looking for new ways to generate leads, showcase properties or improve the rankings of your online listings, talk to us about the latest technologies in real estate today!
Author Bio:
Rahul Agarwal is the Co-founder & Chief Business Officer at Styldod, where he has taught a computer to do interior design! Styldod provides the most hassle-free & inexpensive virtual staging solutions for real estate agents so they can sell their listings faster, and for higher prices. Rahul was also a co-founder of Mebelkart. He’s your everyday IIT Kanpur nerd who pushes the boundaries with his innovative entrepreneurial stints and is also a sound startup investor & advisor. Rahul attributes his success as a professional to the discipline he has learned from his district hockey days, being a swimmer and a gym enthusiast.
