Why nobody enters real estate brokerages
Here’s something most realtors rarely say out loud.
When was the last time a complete stranger walked into a brokerage and said, “Hi, I’m thinking of buying a house. Can you help me?”
Exactly. It happens once in a blue moon. 🌑
Most brokerages today feel uninviting, and that’s costing them countless potential leads.
Every time we pass by a real estate office or spend time in our own, we think: how could people actually feel welcome here? It’s not just about putting up displays of featured listings.
Why people hesitate to walk in
Sure, people are curious about real estate - luxury properties, prices, new developments. But the moment they stand in front of a brokerage, something makes them pause.
Here’s why:
Closed doors → Many brokerages keep their doors closed. Unlike a retail shop with an open entrance, this feels unwelcoming. People are not sure if they can just walk in, and the idea of interrupting someone creates discomfort.
Empty desks → If they peek inside and see silence or rows of empty desks, the vibe is more like a waiting room than a place full of opportunities.
Nothing to touch → In a store you try on clothes, flip through books, or test gadgets. In most agencies, there is barely anything physical. That kills curiosity.
What could work instead
The first one is a no-brainer. We’ve seen many brokerages with the manual doors closed, and it definitely feels uninviting. And know you’ll get a ton of questions the second you step inside.
🔹 Keep the doors open – Literally open, all the time if possible. People should feel they can walk in without hesitation.
Paired with
Hosting micro-events → A 30-minute “How to buy your first home” workshop or a Q&A on mortgages… it’s to give people an extra reason to step in.
🔹 Coworking corner – Add some small shared tables with Wi-Fi and coffee. Locals may stop by, use the space, and create natural movement inside your office.
We’ve seen this work.
A real estate brokerage in Lisbon actually made the main entrance lead not to the office, but to their coworking space where anyone passing by was welcome and could use free Wi-Fi to work.
The idea is to create energy and movement, not just attract potential buyers or sellers.
🔹 Tactile experiences – Create a corner where people can interact and get inspired:
Screens with featured listings in shop windows do attract people, but how about offering something to invite them inside, so they can get more immersed and feel it?
VR headset with property walkthroughs
Maquette of an upcoming development
Material samples such as flooring, marble, or cabinet finishes
Digital kiosk to browse nearby listings
Interior decor corner – Showcase design inspirations, furniture layouts, or styled vignettes that people can touch and explore
Luxury scent sticks – Subtle fragrances can create a memorable, inviting atmosphere
Think of your agency as a showroom, not just an office. When people can touch, see, or experience something right away, they feel more comfortable and are more likely to stay.
Real Estate Meme of the Week
Realtors are actually your first clients
How to sell your listing to other realtors the right way
This one drives us crazy.
An agent gets a shiny new listing and immediately spams every WhatsApp group with:
“Brand new villa for sale €3.5M. Who has a client???”
Followed by a long description…
And then… crickets.
Why?
Because you’re pitching fellow realtors like they’re buyers. But they’re not. They’re partners.
A buyer might get hooked on an ocean view or the smell of fresh landscaping. A realtor wants to know if this is worth showing to their client and if it makes financial sense for them.
That means the way you present your listing has to be different.
Lead with the hook
Instead of a long description, start with the one thing that makes the property stand out in the market.
Examples:
“Strong short-term rental potential in an area with 80% occupancy.”
“Only waterfront property in this area under $5M.”
“Fastest-selling neighborhood in the city right now, with limited stock available.”
This is the kind of language that makes a fellow agent pause and think:
Wait, I know a client who would want that.
Provide support
Once you have their attention, make it easy for them to run with it. Don’t just send a few photos and a vague/long description.
Provide a package:
A clean PDF brochure with highlights
Floor plans in high resolution
Professional photos and video links
ROI tables or rental projections if relevant
Think of it this way: every second an agent spends chasing you for more details is a second they could decide to show another property instead. 🤯
If everything they need is ready to forward directly to a client, you’ve just made their life easier - and they’ll thank you for it.
We once had a listing that looked average (at best) at first glance.
Nothing special in the photos.
But we prepared a rental income sheet showing it could generate +€40K per year in short-term rentals. When we sent that along with the brochure, agents started forwarding it instantly to their investor clients.
Show collaboration
Being crystal clear on commission, means making sure agents know you are looking for a win-win deal, not just a quick favor.
When agents feel you are helping them make money, they will push your listing harder than you ever could on your own.
💡 Pro Tip: Every time you prepare a pitch for another realtor, ask yourself: If I were in their shoes, what would make me excited to show this property? That mindset is what turns “just another listing” into a property they actively promote to their clients.
A free and simple way to edit any PDF
Canva: Edit Any PDF You Find Online
We all download presentations, brochures, or templates online.
The problem?
They’re locked PDFs. You can’t edit them, so they just sit in your folder collecting dust.
Canva has a hidden feature not may people know: upload any PDF and turn it into an editable presentation.
Why this matters:
👉 See a cool pitch deck online? Upload, swap in your branding, and make it yours.
👉 Found a real estate presentation you love? Edit it and use it for your next listing.
👉 Want to recycle your old PDFs? Upload them, refresh the design, and share again.
It’s like borrowing inspiration… legally, of course😉
Here’s how to do it step by step:
Go to Canva and click “Upload a file”.
Select the PDF you want to edit.
Canva automatically converts it into slides or pages.
Swap text, colors, logos, or images.
Export again as a polished, branded PDF.
Whether you received a presentation and liked certain elements of it, or you want to quickly adapt a document in PDF format, then this is exactly for you.
And that’s it for today!
We hope you find these tips and tricks useful and can start applying them right away!
In the next issue, we will show you exactly how you need to present an investment real estate project, from an investors’ point of view. Also, we will share some of our favorite picks of marketing videos from listings.
Let us know if you found this content useful - we read every email 😉
See you in the next one!
Alex and Daria