How to Use Reels to Showcase Property Listings Creatively

Reels are short vertical videos that help more people see your listings. They are quick to make, fun to watch, and loved by the Instagram algorithm. With a clear plan, you can turn every property into a scroll stopping story that drives more enquiries and stronger open home numbers.

Why Reels work for property

• Reels are shown to people who do not follow you yet

• They suit the way buyers search on mobile

• They make listings feel real and close, not distant

• They are perfect for showing emotion, flow, light, and lifestyle

• They help you build a recognisable brand in your local area

What a great listing Reel includes

• A clear hook in the first 2 seconds

• Short shots that match the beat of the music

• Clean framing that shows space and flow

• On screen text that adds context and key features

• A simple caption with location, value points, and a call to action

• A lead path such as link in bio or message for inspection times

The simple framework for every listing Reel

1. Hook

   • Promise a benefit or highlight a unique feature

   • Examples

     • Step inside this beachside family home in Burleigh Heads

     • Quiet cul de sac. Big yard. Move in ready

     • The light in this kitchen is a dream

2. Establish

   • 1 wide exterior shot that sets the scene

   • Add on screen text with suburb and property type

   • Keep it to 1 to 2 seconds

3. Tour

   • 6 to 10 quick clips of key spaces

   • Show entry flow, living, kitchen, main bedroom, outdoor area, street

   • Use a mix of wide, medium, and detail shots

4. Feature

   • 2 hero features with text overlays

   • Examples

     • North facing deck

     • 6 minute walk to station

5. Invite

   • 1 clip of you smiling or pointing to text

   • On screen text

     • Open Saturday 10 to 10.30

     • Message to book a private viewing

6. Finish

   • End card with logo, phone, and suburb

   • Optional

     • Add a question to boost comments

     • Would you cook here

Shot list you can copy

• Front facade with slight push in

• Entry to living to show flow

• Wide kitchen from corner to show space

• Island bench detail with hands touching stone

• Main bedroom wide then wardrobe detail

• Bathroom vanity tap running for sparkle

• Backyard wide then family lifestyle moment

• Street and local landmark for context

• Sunset or golden hour window light

Tip
Keep clips 0.8 to 1.2 seconds each. Fast cuts feel modern and keep attention.

Filming basics for clean results

• Hold your phone vertical at 1080 by 1920

• Wipe the lens before every shoot

• Use natural light. Turn on all lights for sparkle

• Move slowly and smoothly. Bend your knees for glide

• Do not zoom. Step closer for detail

• Avoid mirrors and reflections that show you

• Record 3 takes of each shot so you can choose the best

Editing inside Instagram

1. Open Reels and tap Create

2. Add all clips in order of the tour

3. Trim each clip to under 1.2 seconds

4. Tap Align when switching rooms to keep smooth movement

5. Choose a sound that fits the vibe

6. Add text overlays that appear at the right moment

   • Suburb and property type at start

   • Two feature callouts in the middle

   • Call to action at end

7. Add captions for accessibility

8. Choose a cover image that shows the best angle and has readable text

On screen text timeline example

• 0.0 to 1.5 seconds

  • Mermaid Waters. Four bedroom family home

• 1.6 to 6.0 seconds

  • Flowing living and dining

  • Sunlit kitchen

  • Main bedroom with garden outlook

• 6.1 to 8.0 seconds

  • North facing yard

  • Two car garage

• 8.1 to 9.5 seconds

  • Three minute walk to school

• 9.6 to 11.0 seconds

  • Open Saturday 11 to 11.30

  • Message for price guide

Ten creative formats for listings

• One room glow up

  • Show before staging then reveal the styled room

• Five features in five seconds

  • Five fast shots with short text

• Walk to lifestyle

  • Front door to park to cafe within one minute

• Transition tour

  • Snap fingers or cover lens to jump between rooms

• Morning in this home

  • Coffee pour, birds, light on the floor

• Night mood

  • Lamps on, city lights, cosy feel

• Value snapshot

  • Land size, floor area, year built, rates

• Street pride

  • Trees, neighbours, quiet traffic, path to school

• Agent story

  • Why the owners loved living here

• Secret feature

  • Hidden storage or outdoor shower reveal

Caption formulas that convert

• Problem to promise

  • Want space for the kids and a short walk to the station

  • This four bedroom home in Geebung delivers both

  • Open Saturday. Message for details

• List and invite

  • High ceilings. New kitchen. North facing deck.

  • Close to shops and parks

  • Comment deck for the price guide

• Short and clear

  • Freshly updated family home in Thornlands

  • Private viewings available

  • Enquire today

Hashtag sets for reach

• Use 5 to 10 total

• Mix broad and local

• Examples

  • realestate

  • homesweethome

  • househunting

  • brisbanerealestate

  • goldcoastproperty

  • sydneyhomes

  • perthproperty

  • melbournerealestate

  • yourbrandname

  • suburbname

Call to action ideas

• Comment kitchen for more details

• Message for floor plan and price guide

• Save this if you love a big yard

• Share with someone who is upsizing

• Book your private viewing today

Compliance and care

• Get written consent before filming inside any occupied home

• Hide personal items and number plates

• Follow your state advertising rules for price guides and wording

• Avoid claims you cannot prove

• Respect noise rules and neighbours

• Add a simple privacy note in your caption if you collect enquiries by message

Simple gear checklist

• Phone with good camera and enough storage

• Small handheld grip for smooth shots

• Soft cloth to clean lens

• Spare battery or power bank

• Door stop to hold doors open

• Basic mic if you will speak on camera

A repeatable workflow for every listing

1. Plan

   • Write the hook

   • Choose 8 to 12 shots

   • Note two hero features

2. Shoot

   • Film in daylight first

   • Capture 3 takes per shot

   • Record one friendly clip of yourself inviting people to inspect

3. Edit

   • Keep it under 12 seconds for discovery

   • Keep it under 30 seconds for deeper tours

   • Add captions and on screen text

4. Publish

   • Post within 24 hours of going live

   • Pin the Reel to your grid until the first open home

5. Boost

   • Share to Stories with a poll

   • Share to Facebook Reels

   • Add to the listing page on your site

6. Convert

   • Reply to every comment

   • Use quick reply templates in direct messages

   • Offer a viewing time or send the info pack

What to measure and how to improve

• Watch time

  • Aim for 70 percent or more

  • If it drops early, make the hook stronger

• Replays and saves

  • If low, add more lifestyle and benefits

• Comments and messages

  • If low, add a direct question or clearer call to action

• Follows from Reel

  • If low, add a face to camera clip so people connect with you

Thirty day Reel plan for listings and brand

Week 1

• Day 1

  • New listing tour

• Day 3

  • Five features in five seconds

• Day 5

  • Agent story about the street

• Day 7

  • Local lifestyle highlight

Week 2

• Day 9

  • Quick kitchen before and after

• Day 11

  • Walk to school or transport

• Day 13

  • Open home invite

• Day 14

  • Buyer question answered on camera

Week 3

• Day 16

  • Backyard and pet friendly angle

• Day 18

  • Value snapshot with land size and rates

• Day 20

  • Night mood

• Day 21

  • Vendor thank you or testimonial

Week 4

• Day 23

  • Price bracket tour with three fast clips from three homes

• Day 25

  • Suburb spotlight

• Day 27

  • Offer update or under contract celebration

• Day 30

  • Sold story with key lesson for buyers

Ready to paste AI prompts to speed up production

• Listing Reel storyboard prompt

  • Create a 12 second Reel storyboard for a three bedroom home in Carina Heights. Include a strong hook, 10 shot sequence, two on screen text callouts, and a final call to action to message for inspection times. Keep language clear and friendly.

• Hooks prompt

  • Give me 20 short hooks for a townhouse near the tram in Southport. Focus on lifestyle, convenience, and value.

• Captions prompt

  • Write 5 caption options for a family home in Camp Hill. Include suburb, three key features, and a soft call to action to message for floor plan and price guide.

• Hashtags prompt

  • Suggest a balanced set of 10 hashtags for a listing in Northcote. Mix broad property tags with local tags.

• Compliance prompt

  • Provide a simple privacy and consent note for an Instagram caption when I collect enquiries by direct message in Queensland.

Quick checklist before you post

• Hook written and on screen

• All clips trimmed to under 1.2 seconds

• Suburb and property type visible in the first 2 seconds

• Two feature callouts shown clearly

• Captions added for accessibility

• Clear call to action at the end

• Cover image chosen and readable

• Hashtags added and saved to notes

• Comment pinned that answers the top buyer question

• Link in bio points to the listing or enquiry form

Final tips for consistent results

• Film the same path in every home so your style feels consistent

• Keep your voice gentle and clear if you speak on camera

• Always show one lifestyle moment that buyers can feel

• Reply to every comment within one hour of posting

• Save your best performing Reels as templates and reuse the structure

When you use this simple system, your Reels will be fast to make and strong in impact. Each listing becomes a short story that shows real life value. That is what brings more views, more enquiries, and more sold stickers.

Author Ken Hobson
ken@agentslibrary.com.au