Let’s be real—when you’re a mom and a real estate agent, both time and money can be in short supply, especially in the beginning. If you’re like most of the mom real estate agents I work with, you’ve got kiddos to take care of, a household to manage, and clients who need your attention. 

On top of all that, you’re working to build a successful real estate business that supports your family and your lifestyle. I get it, because I’ve been there too. Which is why, I’m excited to share my top three proven strategies on how to get leads in real estate for free—perfect for us busy realtor mamas! Because as busy as you might be now, you can’t take your foot off the gas pedal when it comes to getting new leads!

P.S. In case we haven’t met yet—I’m Taley, the go-to real estate coach for moms! I’ve built my $3M real estate business from the ground up—with a baby on my hip—without paying for leads. And in that first year? I sold 28 homes (with zero childcare to lean on). So trust me when I say, if you’re wondering how to get leads in real estate for free, I’ve got you covered with these proven strategies

1. Social Media for Real Estate Agents

You knew this one was coming, right? 🤭

There’s no denying that social media marketing is one of the best methods when learning how to get leads in real estate for free—especially when you’re a busy mom juggling it all! But I also know that in the beginning, it can be hard to know exactly how to get started without just copying your competitors (please don’t do that lol). 

Do this instead ⤵️

Build Your a Personal Brand

While we talk about organic marketing for real estate agents, I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t talk about how important it is to build a personal brand. People work with people they like and trust. By showing up as yourself, sharing glimpses of your life as a busy mom, and offering real, helpful content, you’ll build relationships that lead to referrals, repeat business, and long-term success.

Niche Down

One of the biggest mistakes I see real estate agents make on social media is creating really generalized content. While this kind of content can be pretty easy to create, it doesn’t attract people to you (and in fact, makes you look like every other real estate agent they’ve seen). Instead, create content for first-time home buyers, luxury home sellers, relocating families—whomever you want to work with!

Pro Tip: Keep your content hyper-local so it’s relevant to the people who will actually use your services!

Use Video Often

Video is king for a reason (and yes, I know it’s the least convenient kind of content for moms who live in yoga pants and messy buns to create—I’m the same). Nothing builds a personal connection faster though.

Not sure what to say? Here are some real estate marketing video ideas to get you started:

1. Market Updates 
2. Home Tours
3. Educational Content
4. Community Content 

If you’re new to video, start with Instagram Reels or TikTok, where short-form video is popular and less time-consuming to create. It can be as easy as filming a B-roll video with a quote on top. As you build confidence and consistency, consider expanding to something like YouTube for longer videos or deeper dives into things your niche might be searching for!

SEO & Blogging

And while we’re on the topic of creating content, let’s talk about SEO and blogging as a powerful strategy for how to get leads in real estate for free. (Don’t glaze over this one—it’s more effective and easier to do than you think!)

Start with topics that answer common questions or offer tips relevant to your niche, like “How to Choose a Family-Friendly Neighborhood,” “Top Schools and Parks in [Your City],” or “Tips for Moving with Kids.” You can also write about local market updates, home-buying or selling checklists, or even seasonal guides like “Preparing Your Home for Winter in [Your City].” 

The great thing about blogging and SEO is that it’s longer lasting than your average social media post. Plus, you can write these posts in a messy bun, yoga pants, and without ever worrying about posting times.
A word to the wise though—while platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook are amazing tools, they’re also out of our control and can change or disappear without warning. Don’t get me wrong—I built my business with social media as a key tool, especially in the beginning, but I quickly realized that to create a truly sustainable real estate business, I needed to invest just as much energy into building and nurturing my own database. Let’s talk about that next!

2. Building and Nurturing Your Database

Last year, HALF of my closings came directly from my database—not social media! Owning your leads is the real game-changer when it comes to getting free real estate leads, and that starts with building a solid, reliable database (and then nurturing them like crazy).

Here’s how to do it.

Make Database Growth Your Goal

Sounds a little obvious—but for busy moms juggling all the things, growing your database can quickly become something you’ll do “one day.” Instead, I want you to think of every interaction as an opportunity to expand your network, and make it a habit to add new people often.

Use Social Media Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

We just talked about using social media to get free real estate leads, right? But you can (and should) also use social media to grow your list. Invite your followers to DM you for a “first-time homebuyer checklist” or comment to get access to your monthly market update. 

Create Free Downloadable Resource

While it would be nice if you had a long list of people dying to hear from you, the reality is that your potential clients are just as busy as you! Offering free resources—moving checklists, top schools in the neighborhood, etc—is an excellent way to build your database while providing real value to the people on your email list (I personally use Flodesk for this!).

Add QR Codes to Print Marketing

Before we move on and talk about nurturing the list you’re building, I have one last piece of advice for you. Do not underestimate the power of print marketing. Every piece of marketing you hand out—whether it’s a business card, flier, or postcard—should include a scannable QR code that leads directly into your funnel.

Building your database is only the first step. To convert these contacts into clients, you need to nurture those relationships consistently. This is where the magic happens!

Send a Weekly Newsletter

One of my favorite ways to nurture my own database is by sending a short, value-packed newsletter each week to stay top of mind. Create a strong subject line that gets people to open, and make sure that the content inside is worth reading once they do. 

Check In with Your Database 4x Per Year

Next, set a goal to check in with everyone in your database 4x per year (once a quarter). These touchpoints keep you connected and better yet, show that you genuinely care. I never want my clients to feel like another number to me. 

Even a simple “just checking in” message can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Phone calls, texts, personal emails—the medium you choose doesn’t matter. Do what works for you and make it a priority.

Host Community Events

Lastly, plan 3-4 events throughout the year and invite everyone in your database. I know what you’re thinking—Taley, I’m a busy mom already, how the heck am I going to find time—but hosting events doesn’t need to take as much time (or money) as you think! This can be a great opportunity to collaborate with other local businesses too.

Events are a fantastic way to build community, provide real value, and create a memorable experience for your contacts. Plus, they give you a natural reason to reach out and invite new people into your database (which is always a win).

Remember: When you put in the time and effort to grow your list and actually stay connected with the people on it, you’re setting yourself up for a steady flow of leads and referrals that don’t depend on any one platform. 

Social media is awesome, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle—a strong, well-nurtured database is what keeps your business going strong, year after year.

3. Agent Referrals

Last but not least, let’s talk about one of the most underrated strategies for how to get leads in real estate for free: agent referrals. Building relationships with other agents, especially those in different areas or niches, can be a powerful way to grow your business. 

Referrals from other agents bring in clients who are already pre-qualified and often come with a level of trust that makes the transaction smoother and more enjoyable. But agent referrals don’t just magically happen, there’s a lot you can do to help make it happen.

Position Yourself the Go-To Agent

Remember earlier when I mentioned how important it is to build a personal brand? That comes into play when talking about relationships with other agents too.

If you want to become the “go-to agent,” you need to build a reputation for being reliable, trustworthy, and successful. This doesn’t happen overnight, but by consistently showing up, delivering excellent service, and staying top of mind (remember—nurture your database), you’ll start becoming “that agent” that others feel confident referring their clients to.

Get Your Booty to Conferences and Network IRL

Real estate conferences are goldmines for when it comes to building referral relationships. I know your evenings and weekends are probably filled with kids’ extra curricular activities and all the errands that didn’t get done during the week, but make time to attend when you can. And when you do, network with as many other agents as you can.

It’s worth noting here—you want to build genuine relationships. There’s no prize for handing out the most business cards.

Leverage Facebook Groups

This one is so easy that you can definitely do it while you’re in the after school pick up line. Join Facebook groups with other agents, and then engage meaningfully and often. Add value where you can, and ask genuine questions.

If an agent mentions they’ve got clients moving to your city, don’t be shy—jump in and share your expertise! These groups are the perfect place to show off your local know-how and make it clear why you’d be a solid partner for their referrals (in an organic way).

Connect With Other Agents Consistently

Nothing about relationships is “set it and forget it.” One of the easiest ways to do this is simply by following and engaging with other agents you see on Instagram (or other social media). If you’re not sure what to do, try the “5×5 method”—reach out to 5 agents, 5 days a week. Think of it like a quick check-in: leave a comment, send a message, or share a helpful tip. The goal here is to stay on their radar so that when they have clients heading to your area, you’re the one they think of.

The Gist

When you’re a busy mom building a real estate business, knowing how to get leads in real estate for free (without spending all your time or money) is something you’ll need to focus on consistently. The strategies here—social media, building a strong database, and leveraging agent referrals—are all about creating a steady flow of free leads that don’t rely on any one single platform or paid strategy.

→ Is social media a good way to get free real estate leads?

Yes, BUT it shouldn’t be your only organic lead gen method. Social media is a powerful tool, and I would argue it’s one of the best ways to get free leads for your real estate business, but it’s unpredictable and can change overnight. I will always recommend building a personal brand, and make sure you prioritize building your database alongside marketing on social media.

→ How do I start building relationships for agent referrals as a busy mom?

Start by networking in real estate Facebook groups or attending a few key conferences when you can. Focus on building genuine relationships over time. You don’t need to overextend—try the “5×5 method” (connecting with 5 agents, 5 days a week) to stay on other agents’ radars consistently without overwhelming yourself.