Video Marketing for Realtors: The Complete 2026 Guide

Video is no longer a nice-to-have for estate agents. It is the dominant form of content consumption online, and the numbers tell a compelling story. Listings with video receive 403% more enquiries than those without, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. Properties marketed with video tours sell 20% faster on average. And 73% of homeowners say they are more likely to list with an agent who uses video marketing.

Despite this, the majority of estate agents across the UK, US, Canada, and Australia still aren't producing video content regularly. This represents a massive opportunity for agents willing to invest the time. Here is everything you need to know about video marketing for real estate in 2026.

The Five Types of Video Every Agent Should Produce

1. Property Walkthroughs

The property walkthrough is the bread and butter of real estate video. But there is a world of difference between a shaky smartphone pan around an empty room and a professional walkthrough that tells a story. The best walkthroughs follow a narrative structure: start with the exterior and street scene, move through the entrance, flow naturally room-to-room, and finish with the garden or outdoor space. Narrate what makes each space special. Mention dimensions, recent upgrades, and lifestyle benefits.

Keep walkthroughs between two and four minutes. Long enough to give a genuine sense of the property, short enough to hold attention. Always shoot in landscape for YouTube and your website, but consider filming a separate vertical version for TikTok and Instagram Reels.

2. Neighbourhood Tours

Neighbourhood tours are one of the most underutilised video formats in real estate, yet they deliver extraordinary value. Walk through the high street, visit the local park, pop into the best coffee shop, show the train station and school. These videos serve two purposes: they help buyers who are unfamiliar with the area fall in love with it, and they position you as the local expert — exactly the kind of authority signal that boosts your SEO and GEO performance.

Neighbourhood videos have a long shelf life. A property walkthrough becomes outdated once the property sells. A neighbourhood tour remains relevant for years, continuously attracting viewers who are researching the area.

3. Talking Head and Educational Content

Talking head videos — where you speak directly to camera about market trends, tips for buyers and sellers, or your take on industry news — are powerful for building personal brand. People want to work with agents they know, like, and trust. Video lets you demonstrate all three before anyone has met you.

Content ideas include monthly market updates for your area, first-time buyer guides, common mistakes sellers make, what to expect during the conveyancing process, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your working day. Aim for two to three minutes of focused, valuable content.

4. Short-Form Content: Reels, TikTok, and Shorts

Short-form video is where the highest reach and engagement lives in 2026. Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts all favour vertical video content between fifteen and ninety seconds. The format rewards creativity, personality, and quick hooks. Successful real estate short-form content includes property reveal clips with dramatic before-and-after transitions, quick tip series, day-in-the-life content, and humorous takes on common agent experiences.

The key to short-form success is volume and consistency. Post four to seven short-form videos per week across platforms. Not every video will perform, but the algorithm rewards consistent creators with increasing reach over time.

5. Client Testimonial Videos

Video testimonials are the most persuasive form of social proof available. A thirty-second clip of a genuine client talking about their experience is worth more than a hundred written reviews. Film them on completion day when emotions are high and genuine. Keep it casual — a smartphone on a tripod in the new kitchen is perfectly fine. Ask three simple questions: what was your situation before, how was the experience, and what would you say to someone considering working with this agent?

YouTube SEO for Estate Agents

YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine. Building a YouTube channel for your estate agency and optimising your videos for YouTube search can deliver a consistent stream of viewers for months or years after upload. Here are the fundamentals:

• Title. Include your target location and a benefit. “Living in Clapham: The Complete Neighbourhood Guide” works far better than “My Latest Video.”
• Description. Write 200+ words. Include keywords naturally, link to your website, and add timestamps for key sections.
• Tags. Add 8-12 relevant tags including location names, property types, and variations of your target keywords.
• Thumbnails. Custom thumbnails with bold text, your face, and the property or location drive significantly higher click-through rates.
• Chapters. Add chapter markers for longer videos. This improves watch time and helps YouTube understand your content structure.

Equipment: What You Actually Need

You do not need expensive equipment to start producing quality video content. Here is a tiered equipment guide based on budget:

• Starter (under $200 / £150): Your smartphone (iPhone 15 or newer, Samsung Galaxy S24 or newer), a smartphone gimbal like the DJI OM 7, and a clip-on lapel microphone. This setup produces surprisingly professional results.
• Intermediate ($500-1,500 / £400-1,200): A mirrorless camera like the Sony ZV-E10 II, a wide-angle lens, a compact tripod, an external microphone like the Rode Wireless Go II, and a simple LED light panel.
• Professional ($3,000+ / £2,500+): A full-frame camera like the Sony A7C II, multiple lenses, a motorised gimbal, professional lighting kit, wireless audio system, and drone (DJI Mini 4 Pro for starters).

The most important piece of advice: do not wait until you have the perfect setup. Start with your smartphone today. Upgrade as video becomes a bigger part of your social media strategy.

Distribution: Where to Post Your Videos

A single video should be distributed across every relevant platform. Upload the full walkthrough to YouTube and embed it on your website listing page. Cut a 30-60 second highlight for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Share on Facebook and LinkedIn. Send via email to your database. One filming session should produce content for multiple platforms over multiple days.

Video marketing for real estate is one of the highest-return investments you can make. The agents who commit to consistent video production in 2026 will build a library of content that generates leads, builds authority, and compounds in value over time. Start this week.

Need help building a video marketing strategy? Book a free strategy call and we'll create a custom video content plan for your market and budget.