Why Most Real Estate Ads Fail And How to Make Yours Work

Dear Friend,

Let me ask you something…

How much money have you thrown at ads that brought in ZERO results?
You post a fancy-looking listing ad.

You boost it on Facebook.

Maybe you even pay for some Google Ads.

And what happens?

Crickets.

No calls. No leads. No offers.

Here’s the cold, hard truth:

Most real estate ads fail.

But it’s not because advertising doesn’t work—it’s because most agents are doing it all wrong.

The good news? Once you understand why most ads flop, you can turn things around fast.

Today, I’m going to break down the most common ad mistakes I see every day—and how to fix them so you can finally start attracting motivated buyers and sellers like a pro.

Mistake #1: Making the Ad About YOU

Let me be blunt:

No one cares how many homes you’ve sold.

They don’t care about your years of experience, your awards, or your fancy headshot.

Yet, I see ads like this all the time:

• “#1 Agent in the City!”
• “Top Producer for 2024!”
• “Call Me for All Your Real Estate Needs!”
  
  

Snooze-fest.

Buyers and sellers care about one thing—what’s in it for THEM.

Fix It: Make your ads client-focused.

• Instead of “I sell homes fast,” say “Discover how you can sell your home in 30 days or less—without sacrificing your asking price.”
• Instead of “I’m the #1 agent,” say “Get access to the hottest listings before they hit the market.”

Make the ad about their goals, dreams, and pain points—not your résumé.

Mistake #2: Weak or Non-Existent Calls to Action (CTAs)

Most ads end with something like:

• “Call me today!”
• “Message me for more info.”
  
  

That’s not a CTA—that’s a polite request. And polite requests don’t drive action.

Fix It: Use strong, direct CTAs that tell people exactly what to do next.

• “Click here to schedule your free home valuation today—before prices drop.”
• “Tap now to see 10 homes that aren’t even online yet.”
• “Click here to find out how much your home is really worth in today’s market.”
  
  

A great ad without a strong CTA is like fishing without a hook—you’re not going to catch anything.

Mistake #3: Targeting the Wrong Audience

You could write the best ad in the world—but if the wrong people see it, it’s useless.

I see agents boosting posts to “everyone within 25 miles” hoping something sticks.

It won’t.

Fix It: Get laser-focused on WHO you want to target.

• First-time buyers? Target renters in specific zip codes.
• Luxury sellers? Target high-income homeowners who’ve lived in their house for 10+ years.
• Investors? Target people interested in real estate investing groups or flipping shows.
  
  

The more specific you get, the better your ads will perform.

Mistake #4: Boring Headlines That Don’t Grab Attention

Most people scroll past real estate ads without even noticing them. Why?

Because the headlines are flat-out boring.

• “Beautiful 3-Bedroom Home for Sale”
• “Open House This Sunday”
  
  

No urgency. No curiosity. No reason to stop scrolling.

Fix It: Use headlines that hook people instantly.

• “This Home Won’t Last! See Inside Before It Hits the Market.”
• “Just Listed: The Backyard You’ve Been Dreaming Of.”
• “Would You Sell Your Home If You Knew You’d Get Top Dollar? Find Out Here.”
  
  

If your headline doesn’t grab them in 3 seconds, they’re gone.

Mistake #5: Forgetting to Sell the Lifestyle, Not Just the Home

Most ads focus on facts:

• 4 bedrooms
• 2.5 baths
• Granite countertops
  
  

But buyers don’t fall in love with facts—they fall in love with how the home makes them feel.

Fix It: Paint a picture of the lifestyle.

• “Picture yourself sipping coffee on this sun-drenched patio every morning.”
• “Host unforgettable backyard BBQs in your new outdoor oasis.”
• “Cozy up by the fireplace this winter in your dream living room.”
  
  

Make them feel what life would be like in the home, and you’ll get stronger responses.

Here’s What Happens When You Get This Right:

• Your ads start pulling in qualified leads instead of tire-kickers.
• Buyers and sellers come to YOU—ready to move forward.
• You spend less money on ads and get way better results.
  
  

This is how top agents create marketing that actually works—while their competition keeps wasting money on ads that flop.

If you’re tired of running ads that don’t convert, I want to help.

I’m opening spots on my Priority List, where agents discover how to:

• Write high-converting ads that attract buyers and sellers like crazy.
• Target the right audiences to maximize results.
• Build simple, powerful marketing systems that bring in leads on autopilot.
  
  

If you want in, don’t wait—these spots fill fast.

CLICK HERE to join and start running ads that actually work.

To your unstoppable success,

Greg Luther