8 Real Estate Marketing Ideas for August

Summer: blink and you'll miss it. Real estate's busiest time of year may be winding down, but there's still time to drum up new business and promote your brand this season.

To help you out, we've rounded up eight marketing ideas for August that are just right for summer's last blast:

1. Create a back-to-school homebuyer/seller guide

The biggest transition in August is the start of a new school year. Create a school-themed guide tailored to families who are looking to buy or sell a home. School district quality is, after all, a major driver of home values. Include information on school districts, including school ratings, in your guide. To make this a quick process, consider creating a School Report on RPR, which will give you metrics like school enrollment, class size, proficiency scores, graduation rate, and more.

2. Send out promos highlighting "affordable" listings

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: it's a tough time to be a home buyer. Help ease reluctant buyers off the fence by highlighting "affordable" (relative to your area, of course) listings in your area.

While you can mail traditional posters or flyers with this information, it's possible that those homes may be off the market by the time you get your marketing materials back from the printer. Instead, distribute the information digitally, whether on your social media, email newsletter, website, or blog. Don't forget to add a call-to-action and your contact information!

Alternatively, if your IDX website allows you to create custom search URLs, you can set up a page for "Affordable Homes in [Your Area]" that links to homes or condos under a specified price point for each neighborhood you serve. Use it as a landing page for digital ads, link to it from social media, or tie it into a blog post on affordable homes.

3. Work the leads you've gathered from recent open houses

Summer is the season of the open house. Now that the season is winding down, it's likely you've got plenty of leads from your sign-in sheets or apps to deal with. If you haven't already added these leads to your CRM, do so now. Go ahead and reach out and see where they're at in their home-buying journey and if they need any help buying or selling. Add them to a nurture campaign, as appropriate, to keep you top-of-mind for when they're ready to transact.

4. Create an account on Threads

Now that Twitter has inexplicably rebranded to X, the exodus to alternative platforms has begun. If you've been active on Twitter and are looking for a similar platform, consider creating an account on Meta's new social media app, Threads. Signing up is a breeze, and the app automatically imports your Instagram followers so that you're not starting from zero. Even if you're not ready to start posting yet, it's not a bad idea to claim your brand name there while you still can.

5. Create a "Home Improvement on a Budget" series

It's a budget-conscious time in America right now. Homeowners who may have previously hired a contractor for home improvement projects may now be looking to do it themselves to save money. If you have home improvement chops, consider starting a series full of practical tips and DIY ideas for homeowners looking to improve their properties without breaking the bank.

Host this series on your favorite medium of choice: short, off-the-cuff videos on Instagram or TikTok, or on your blog or in your newsletter if the written word is more your thing. If you need home improvement ideas or advice, consider talking to your local hardware store. They may even want to team up on the series with you!

6. Organize a school supplies drive for the community

Raise your profile and spread community goodwill by partnering with a local charity or school to collect school supplies for children in need. Use your office as a drop-off location and promote the initiative on social media.

7. Host a real estate market update webinar

The summer selling season has, for the most part, drawn to a close. How'd your local real estate market perform? Host a webinar to connect with clients and prospects and keep them informed about the latest market trends, interest rates, and changes in the real estate landscape. Spice up the event with beautiful market graphics. Your MLS's public records tool can help here, as can RPR's new Shareable Market Trends feature. Be sure to let attendees know that they can reach out to you for a free market report or home valuation.

8. Offer a pet-friendly homes guide

Did you know that 72% of potential buyers with pets would pass on a "dream home" if it couldn't accommodate their pets? That's a huge chunk of the market! Cater to them by creating a resource for pet owners looking for homes that are furball-friendly. Include information about nearby dog parks, pet-friendly businesses, and pet amenities in the area.

If you prefer to target sellers, create a guide about showing a home with pets. Provide tips for managing the logistics of selling a home when the seller also has pets, especially dogs. You should include:

• Tips for getting the "wet dog" smell out of carpets and furniture
• Managing a barking, aggressive dog during a showing or open house
• Keeping the backyard dog poop free for showings

Both of these resources can be shared as a blog post, newsletter article, PDF, or as a series of social media posts or videos. If you go the PDF route, you can use the guide as a lead magnet. Offer it on a web or landing page in exchange for a lead's contact details.

Happy marketing!