How Marketing for Estate Agents Has Changed in the Last 5 Years

Marketing Has Evolved

Five years ago, a leaflet drop and a board outside a house could keep the phones ringing. Today, that’s not enough. The way vendors and landlords choose their agents has changed, and so has the marketing mix.
Digital first: Instant valuation tools are now the front door to instructions. If you don’t have one, you’re missing out.

Paid reach: PPC on Google and Meta has become the fastest way to capture new leads.

Search visibility: SEO defines authority. If you’re not ranking for “estate agent [your town]”, your competitors are.

Print shift: Leaflets and local ads still have a place—but as support, not the main act.

The independents who adapted early are now reaping the rewards. The next five years will be even faster-paced, so standing still isn’t an option.

Independent Estate Agencies are Often Outperforming the Big Chains

Big corporate agents have big budgets and brand recognition, but independents have something far more powerful: agility.

Local roots: Independents are part of their communities. That authenticity builds trust faster than any glossy corporate slogan.

Smarter campaigns: With sharp targeting and the right digital strategy, independents can put themselves in front of the right audience at the right time without wasting budget.

Personal service: Marketing brings people to the door. Service keeps them there. Independents can offer both.

The chains may look dominant, but the playing field is levelled online. With the right strategy, an independent can capture more market share than the branch with 10 times the staff.
Ready to prove bigger isn’t always better? Want to stay ahead of the curve? Let’s talk.