How to Use Instagram Reels and TikTok for Real Estate Leads

Generate more real estate leads in 2025 by mastering short-form video marketing. Instagram Reels and TikTok offer Realtors® a powerful way to connect with buyers, sellers, and your local community while showcasing your brand and listings.

 
Retro television screen displaying TikTok and Instagram logos with America's Best Marketing branding, symbolizing modern real estate marketing through short-form video.

Using Instagram Reels and TikTok can help Realtors® capture attention and generate high-quality real estate leads through engaging, modern content.

 

In a digital-first real estate market, content is king—and short-form video is the crown jewel. Whether you're looking to grow your sphere of influence, promote a new listing, or increase brand visibility, using Instagram Reels and TikTok can be one of the most effective ways to drive engagement and attract high-quality real estate leads. Let’s Start building your brand, growing your pipeline, and generating more high-quality leads with the full-service support of AmericasBestMarketing.com.

Why Short-Form Video Is the Future of Real Estate Marketing

Short-form video isn’t a trend—it’s a cornerstone of modern real estate lead generation. Instagram Reels and TikTok dominate attention spans and outperform traditional marketing in terms of reach, algorithmic favor, and virality.

Realtors® leveraging these platforms gain:

  • Higher visibility with younger homebuyers

  • More engagement than static posts or carousel ads

  • A stronger emotional connection with viewers

  • Opportunities for local SEO and community reach

Understanding the Algorithm: How Instagram Reels and TikTok Work

Instagram Reels: Designed for Discovery

Instagram Reels promotes high-quality, engaging content—even from smaller creators—via its “Explore” and “Reels” feeds. Realtors® can appear in front of new audiences without paid ads.

Best practices for Instagram Reels:

  • Use trending audio with relevant real estate messaging

  • Include keyword-rich captions and geotags

  • Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds

  • Add text overlays for silent viewing

TikTok: Raw, Authentic, and Rapidly Growing

TikTok prioritizes authenticity. Users favor real people sharing useful or entertaining content over over-polished ads. This gives real estate agents a unique opportunity to become trusted sources of hyperlocal information.

Tips for TikTok success:

  • Post consistently (3–5 times per week)

  • Use relevant real estate hashtags (e.g., #househunting, #realtorsofinstagram)

  • Create “edutainment” content that mixes value with personality

Content Ideas for Realtors® on Reels and TikTok

Behind-the-Scenes Looks

Give your followers a sneak peek of what your day-to-day looks like—from showing prep and open houses to home staging tips.

Listing Walkthroughs

Create quick video tours of homes. Use trending music, add neighborhood highlights, and include pricing and key features.

Real Estate Tips

Offer bite-sized tips for buyers and sellers:

  • “3 Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make”

  • “How to Prep Your Home Before Selling”

  • “What $500K Gets You in [Your City]”

Neighborhood Spotlights

Showcase local businesses, parks, schools, and eateries. You’ll position yourself as the go-to community expert.

Client Testimonials

With permission, share clips of happy buyers or sellers sharing their experience. This builds trust and social proof.

How to Turn Views into Real Estate Leads

Getting views is great—but converting them into clients is the goal. Here’s how:

Optimize Your Profile

  • Use a professional photo and branded username

  • Include a clear value statement: “Helping [City] buyers and sellers navigate real estate with ease”

  • Add a link to your website or lead magnet

Create a Call-to-Action (CTA)

Every video should encourage a next step:

  • “Want help buying in [City]? DM me ‘Buy’ and I’ll reach out.”

  • “Need a market update? Comment ‘Update’ and I’ll send you one.”

  • “Follow for more real estate tips!”

Use Lead Capture Tools

Use services like Linktree or Milkshake to consolidate links. Direct viewers to:

Editing Tools and Apps for Realtors®

Don’t worry if you’re not a video editor. These tools make content creation easier:

  • CapCut: Easy transitions and trending templates

  • InShot: Great for trimming and text overlays

  • Canva Pro: Design engaging thumbnails and social graphics

  • Splice or VN Video Editor: Great for walkthroughs and day-in-the-life edits

The Do’s and Don’ts of Real Estate Video Marketing

Do:

  • Post consistently, even if it’s 2–3x/week

  • Use on-screen text for accessibility

  • Stay on top of trends and use relevant sounds

  • Be yourself—authenticity wins

Don’t:

  • Over-edit your videos to the point of looking fake

  • Ignore captions or metadata

  • Rely solely on listing videos—mix it up

  • Forget to include a call-to-action!

Best Times to Post for Realtors® on Instagram and TikTok

Instagram Reels:

  • Weekdays at 11 AM–2 PM or 5–6 PM (local time)

  • Sundays for open house teasers

TikTok:

  • Weekdays 6–9 PM

  • Saturdays 10 AM–12 PM

  • Test different times using your analytics

Why Short-Form Video Builds Real Estate Authority and Trust

Being present on Instagram Reels and TikTok helps Realtors®:

  • Humanize their brand

  • Educate their market

  • Expand reach beyond their SOI

  • Stay top-of-mind when a buying or selling decision arises

With consistent content, you'll be seen as a helpful expert—not just another sales pitch.

FAQs

Q: How often should Realtors® post on Instagram Reels or TikTok?
A: Aim for 3–5 times per week on TikTok and 2–4 times per week on Instagram Reels. Consistency is more important than frequency—develop a realistic schedule you can sustain.

Q: What type of videos perform best for real estate?
A: Educational tips, local community features, home tours, and behind-the-scenes content tend to perform best. Focus on short, engaging videos with a clear takeaway.

Q: Should I use trending sounds even if they don’t relate to real estate?
A: Yes, if the sound is popular and you can creatively tie it to your content. TikTok and Instagram’s algorithms favor trending audio.

Q: How do I measure success on Reels and TikTok?
A: Track engagement (likes, shares, saves), follower growth, website clicks, and DMs generated from your CTAs. These are signs your content is converting viewers into potential leads.

Q: Can a full-service marketing agency help with content planning and execution?
A: Absolutely. At AmericasBestMarketing.com, we help Realtors® plan, design, and execute social media content—so you stay visible and consistent without the stress of DIY marketing.

Final Thoughts: Real Estate Agents Who Show Up Win the Market

The future of real estate marketing lies in engaging content—and there’s no more effective format than short-form video. By showing up consistently with helpful, local, personality-driven content on Instagram Reels and TikTok, you’ll earn trust, gain visibility, and generate quality leads in your market.

There’s no better time to start growing your business than right now. Let’s Get Started Today!

AmericasBestMarketing.com helps real estate professionals grow their brand and attract more leads with full-service marketing solutions that include done-for-you social media, content creation, retargeting ads, direct mail, IDX websites, and more. If you want your video content to generate leads—not just likes—we’re here to help.

Let AmericasBestMarketing.com help you grow your real estate business with a proven content strategy and monthly done-for-you marketing plans tailored to your goals.

 
 
Shad Rockstad

Shad Rockstad brings over 25 years of leadership in business development, marketing, recruiting, and customer service to his clients. Beyond his years of coaching real estate professionals and business owners, he has held executive roles in printing and manufacturing firms, and founded, built, and sold retail and transportation services companies.

Shad and his team enjoy helping clients distinguish themselves from their competition by establishing success-driven routines and habits, and by applying proven business and marketing fundamentals. It is most fulfilling when clients achieve their personal and business growth objectives, from small day-to-day wins to major lifetime dreams.

https://www.americasbestcoaching.com/
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