How to Use the Nextdoor App to Market a Real Estate Business

Feeling overwhelmed trying to market your real estate business? Tired of throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks? Then the NextDoor app should be part of your social media marketing strategy.

With the Real Estate Marketing Box, you won’t get another “guru.” We promise to give you straight talk about how to use the NextDoor app to market a real estate business. We’ll show you the ropes when it comes to ad campaigns, neighbor engagement, and lead generation—all while keeping things ethical and above board.

Nextdoor for Real Estate Agents: Your Secret Weapon (Shhh!)

First: what is Nextdoor? It’s a hyper-local social networking app that connects people within the same neighborhood. It’s like a digital town square where neighbors can share community news, recommend local businesses, post about lost pets, sell items, and discuss neighborhood happenings.

But NextDoor is more than just a place to find out who borrowed your hedge clippers. It’s a goldmine for real estate agents who know how to use it. 

Unlike other social media platforms where you’re shouting into the void, NextDoor lets you laser-focus your marketing on your target neighborhoods. It’s like having a direct line to potential clients right in your backyard.  

NextDoor Etiquette

But before you dive in, you have to understand NextDoor’s rules about what is and isn’t allowed. Nobody wants to be that agent.

Level Up Your NextDoor Real Estate Profile

Your NextDoor business profile is your digital storefront and the first impression app users have about you. Make it shine!

• Create a Killer Profile: Set up a business account specifically for your real estate services and only use it for that.
• Optimize Your Description (No Fluff!): Tell people exactly what you do and where you do it. Keywords like “real estate agent,” “homes for sale,” and your target neighborhoods are your friends.
• Visuals That Pop: Use professional, high-quality photos and videos of yourself, your team, and properties you’ve represented. Think less blurry selfies, more polished marketing materials.
• Get Verified (It’s a Big Deal): Verification adds credibility and lets people know you’re a legit professional—not some random internet stranger.

Become a NextDoor Neighborhood Rockstar

Engagement is where the magic happens in establishing yourself as a local real estate expert. But remember, it’s about building relationships, not just blasting sales pitches. Do NOT be a spam bot!

• Be a Helpful Neighbor: Share valuable info – market updates, home maintenance tips, local event news, or even recommendations for local service providers. Go for “community resource,” not “walking billboard.”
• Skip the Self-Promotion (Most of the Time): Focus on providing value by providing helpful info rather than pushing your services. Put relationships first, and the sales will follow.
• Respond Like a Pro: Answer inquiries quickly and professionally. Nobody likes being ignored.
• Keep it Real: Be authentic in your interactions. People can smell a fake a mile away, so build genuine connections.

How to Advertise Real Estate on Nextdoor

Let’s talk about advertising and how you get your message seen on NextDoor without breaking the bank. It turns out NextDoor offers some pretty cool advertising options.

• Targeted Ads (Get Specific!): Reach the right people in the right neighborhoods and make sure the most relevant audience sees you.
• Ad Copy That Converts: Write compelling copy that highlights the benefits of working with you and uses strong calls to action. No one clicks on boring ads.
• Boosted Posts (Amplify Your Reach): Give your best posts a little extra push by boosting them to increase their visibility within the community.
• Track Your Results (Data is King): Use NextDoor’s analytics to monitor your ad performance to see what’s working and what’s not. Track metrics like reach, engagement, and website clicks to measure your ROI.

How to Post Real Estate on NextDoor

When you post listings, you want them to count. We’ve got a few best-practice tips that will help your posts get those clicks.

Use the “Real Estate” Category

Nextdoor may have a specific category for real estate listings. If so, use it! This helps people find your listings quickly and easily.

Get Their Attention

Instead of just posting “New Listing!” try something like “Just Listed! Beautiful home in [Neighborhood] with [Key features]. Open House this weekend!” 

Awesome photos make clicking on your post irresistible, so make sure you include high-quality images.

Turn Features Into Benefits

Features tell, but benefits sell. Nobody cares about “a kitchen.” They care about whipping up gourmet meals in a chef’s dream space. You need to connect the dots between the thing and the feeling. 

Here’s how to flip the script:

• Kitchen: Forget “kitchen.” It’s a “Chef’s kitchen with professional-grade appliances and granite countertops.” See the difference? We’re imagining gourmet meals, family gatherings, and maybe even a little wine while you cook.
• Backyard: “Backyard” is boring. How about “Private outdoor oasis with lush landscaping and sunset views”? Now we’re picturing summer barbecues, cozy nights by the fire pit, and evening stargazing.
• Location: “Location” is vague. Instead, “Walking distance to the art district, waterfront, and trendy cafes.” Boom! Suddenly, it’s not just a location, it’s a lifestyle. Think morning lattes, community events, and weekend strolls by the water.

Always ask yourself: what’s the dream you’re selling in the listing? That’s where the magic happens.

Choose the Right Words

When people can imagine themselves living in a home, the property transforms from a listing to their future home. Your post descriptions have to paint a picture that helps buyers see themselves living there—from morning coffee on a sunlit balcony to summer BBQs in the backyard. 

Sprinkle these little gems throughout your captions to really connect with buyers’ emotions:

• Comfort: “Cozy,” “welcoming,” “peaceful.” Make them want to curl up with a good book.
• Luxury: “Elegant,” “prestigious,” “refined.” Appeal to their aspirational side.
• Opportunity: “Potential,” “value,” “investment.” Show them the smart move.
• Lifestyle: “Entertainment,” “community,” “convenience.” Paint a picture of their dream life.

Keep It Legal

Fair Housing applies to everything you do, including your social media marketing. Be a good human and use inclusive, neutral language. Instead of “Perfect for young families,” go with “Spacious home in a vibrant neighborhood.”

Stay away from phrases like “Ideal for a single professional” or “Not suitable for children.” They imply you’re picking and choosing who can live in a place. Don’t be that agent.

When in doubt, stick to the facts. Describe the property’s features and benefits they offer the buyer instead of trying to guess who might live there. Let the home speak for itself!

Write CTAs That Close the Deal

Your listing description checks all the boxes and the photos are stunning, but now what? You’ve got to tell people what to do next! That’s where a killer call to action (CTA) comes in. It’s the final nudge that turns a viewer into a lead.

Here are ideas for CTAs that convert:

• Direct Contact (Get ‘Em on the Phone!): “DM now to schedule your private showing” or “Call the number in our bio to learn more.” Make it easy for them to connect.
• Urgency (Create Some FOMO!): “Open house this weekend – RSVP in bio” or “Only 3 units remaining – secure yours today!” A little urgency never hurts.
• Value-Added (Give ‘Em Something Good!): “Download our free home buyer’s guide (link in bio)” or “Join our VIP list for early access to new listings.” Offer something valuable in exchange for their info.

Try different CTAs and see which ones get the most action. The data doesn’t lie! Use it to fine-tune your approach and watch those leads roll in.

Don’t Overdo It

Bombarding the neighborhood with listings will likely backfire. Focus on quality over quantity. Share new listings and relevant information, but don’t overwhelm your neighbors.

NextDoor Do’s and Don’ts 

As with any social media platform, always play by the rules! You definitely don’t want to be the business everyone hides, or worse, the one that gets booted from the platform. Here’s a quick primer on what to know.

Dos:

• Be helpful and informative.
• Engage authentically with the community.
• Share valuable local content.
• Follow Nextdoor’s guidelines.

Don’ts:

• Spam the community with self-promotional posts.
• Misrepresent yourself or your services.
• Engage in unethical marketing practices.
• Ignore community guidelines.

Is Your Real Estate Marketing on Nextdoor Winning?

Keep an eye on the numbers to see if your NextDoor marketing efforts are paying off. Check at least once a week to see how specific ads and posts are doing—even daily for time-sensitive promotions or campaigns. 

Staying up to date on these numbers will let you know if you need to make adjustments to your strategy.

• Key Metrics: Monitor metrics like reach, engagement (likes, comments, shares), website clicks, and leads generated.
• Nextdoor Analytics: Use Nextdoor’s built-in analytics tools to track ad performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Long-Term Engagement: Remember that building relationships and establishing trust doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient and focus on offering consistent value.
  

Use Nextdoor to be a Real Estate Heavy Hitter

Knowing how to use NextDoor for real estate is a game-changer for realtors who master it. Follow these tips, and you’ll be attracting leads and growing your business in no time. 

Need more help marketing your real estate business? Explore our social media posting services for real estate agents to learn about launching your brand on other platforms.