8 Creative Ways to Use QR Codes for Real Estate

If you’re trying to maximize your real estate marketing strategies and you’re not using a QR code, you need to rethink your marketing campaigns. A quick-response (QR) code makes it simple for prospective buyers or those looking to rent.

When scanned via a mobile device, a QR code can lead customers to learn more about the property details of a home they're interested in. QR codes can lead to the property website, virtual house tours, contact details, and more.

And they can improve your digital marketing efforts, particularly with dynamic QR codes. A dynamic QR code generator can keep track of scanner information and are more customizable. Customized QR codes can stand out in a competitive real estate market, and many real estate companies are quickly realizing this fact! This post will help you learn more about the power these codes can give an agent.

What is the Purpose of QR Codes in Real Estate?

When someone sees a house in a neighborhood, in print ads, or on flyers, they may have a passing interest in their home but then forget about it. Usually, this is because there's a number or website written on the sign, and the person fails to call or type the site into their address bar.

But when you put a QR code on a real estate sign, people are more likely to take out their phones and scan them to see more details about the home. QR codes have customized links, and they can lead to several destinations.

For example, you may link the code to videos showing virtual tours of the home. Virtual tours can be a great way to learn about the property without having to schedule an in-person tour. You may also take them to a form that contains your contact details. The code may lead to a property website or a link to download a digital brochure.

QR codes should be printed on all your sales materials alongside your other contact information. This may generate more leads. It's one of the simplest yet most effective marketing automation tools out there!

The Main Benefits of Using a QR Code for a Real Estate Sign or Other Marketing Materials

Here are some reasons why codes can be effective if you work as a real estate agent.

A Real Estate Sign With a QR Code is Quick and Effective

No having to type in a website, enter an email address, or call a number. A code can take users instantly to a contact form or a website that contains all of the agent’s current listings.

A Dynamic QR Code Generator for Real Estate Can Track Valuable Data

Besides having an editable URL, a dynamic code can collect information an agent can later use to improve their marketing efforts. For example, location data can tell you if a campaign is more successful in one area than the other. If your agency uses an app, the dynamic code can keep track of what devices are scanned and take them to the proper download page. Finally, unique scans will tell you how many scans come from different people, not the same person.

Can Lead Users to Virtual House Tours

Digital tours can be a quick and easy way for potential buyers to decide if they're interested in a home. If a buyer wants to schedule an in-person tour, it's likely they have seen the digital tour and already have an interest in the house.

A QR Code for Real Estate Agents Makes Them Look Tech-Savvy

Finally, while QR codes aren’t necessarily new, they aren’t used by all agents. If you use a QR code, you look knowledgable about technology and the current market trends.

Ways That a Real Estate QR Code Generator is Used in Marketing

Let’s briefly look at some ways that a marketer may use a QR code:

• Directions: The code may lead to the location on Google Maps, helping users get there easier without having to type in an address.
• Contact information: A contact page allows scanners to quickly email, call, or text a real estate agent.
• Previews: A QR code may lead to photo galleries, 360 tours, or digital tours.
• Downloading brochures: PDF QR codes can lead to downloadable PDFs containing brochures and other information about the home or agency.
• Landing pages: A QR code can take a user to the real estate website.
• RSVP: Finally, a code can lead to an event page where potential buyers can reserve a time to take an in-person tour.

8 Creative Ways Real Estate Agents Can Use QR Codes

Now, let’s talk about eight ways you’ll want to use a QR code as a real estate agent.

1. Website QR Codes

This method will take a user to a landing or listing search page on your agency's website. This is the most straightforward way for agents to get potential buyers to check out their properties. Landing pages work great for yard signs, mail, or real estate business cards with a QR code on them. Landing pages can also be effective if someone scans an old listing that's now been sold. You may change the QR code URL in any old listings to take a user to a page that shows your current listings.

2. Images

These codes will link to images, giving users high-resolution photos of the interior or exterior of the house. If the home was a fixer-upper, they may see before and after photos showcasing that everything has been renovated. This method works well for flyers, window displays, real estate postcards with a QR code, or any other method that doesn't necessarily give access to high-resolution photos.

3. vCard

This will send users to a virtual business card page, which contains an agent's biography and contact information. Think of it as a digital postcard. As you expect, this works well for signs and, of course, real estate postcards with a QR code on them. These digital postcards can be effective as well because they're easier to update than physical postcards, especially if your contact information changes.

4. Virtual Tours

These QR codes will link users to videos where you're touring the home or 3D tours that make a VR user feel they're really there. Virtual tours may also include drone videos or other methods that a normal human could not do. These work well with any marketing material.

5. Introduction Videos

Your QR code may lead to a YouTube video where the agent gives an introduction. You may show a video of you making a sale or show you playing with your dog. These videos work well on real estate postcards with a QR code or any other materials that are designed to connect a buyer with an agent.

6. PDF Codes

PDFs, as you know, are digital documents. One basic PDF example is a digital brochure, which can be a good backup to a physical one. Not to mention, digital brochures are easier to update than physical ones, meaning you may want to have one if your listings are constantly updating. You may also include documents that give the floor plans of a home or any other relevant information you want to present to the potential buyer.

7. Map Scans

If a buyer wants to take a tour of the home in person, a location QR code can lead to Google Maps directions or directions using another map app. Maps are good for properties but also events, where the location may be a little harder to find. Speaking of events...

8. Events

As a real estate agent, you may host open houses or other events where buyers can see what houses you're selling. A QR code gives a potential buyer an easy way to RSVP. Great for mail invites or event flyers.

What Are the Best Practices for QR Codes for Real Estate?

Before you put your code on everything you have, here are some rules to keep in mind.

Be Sure the Code is Scannable

A QR code should be of decent quality and at least 2cm x 2cm. One tip is to download the code as SVG if the website allows it. This format can be scaled as large as possible without compromising image quality. Also, be sure the code is high-contrast and doesn't blend into the printed materials.

Use a CTA and Have Your Logo on It

Some sites let you put a CTA or your logo onto the code, but if not, put a CTA near it. The CTA can say something like, “Scan to contact our realtors.” Without any branding or CTA, people may not know what the QR code is for and be less likely to scan.

Meanwhile, giving your QR code a unique design, such as putting your logo on it, can also be effective. Many QR codes look the same, and users may not want to scan one if it seems too generic. This can also be great for more minimalist marketing materials that may not give much information about the agency on their physical materials.

Test the Real Estate QR Code on Multiple Devices

Is your code working? Great! But be sure to scan it on more devices than just yours. Try older models, different brands, and different types (tablet instead of phone, for example). Some newer devices may have an easier time scanning an obscured or blurry code, while older devices may have more difficulty. You don’t need to get out the iPhone 1 and scan the QR code, but you should scan using phones made within the last five years. This way, you know that your code is working for almost anyone.

Place Them In Many Places

If you're in the real estate industry, you know that there are going to be many, many places where you can place the code. These places include:

• Your business card: A QR code on a business card can generate more leads than an email or link that users have to type out manually. Plus, it can lead users to a digital card that is more up-to-date.
• Real estate signs: Some people, especially the younger generation, would rather contact real estate agents online than call a number. Be sure to use QR codes to connect with the younger generation.
• Billboards: In a city, a giant QR code will scan out and get many scans. Or, on the highway, a driver may want to scan a billboard when they're at a rest stop. Again, SVG files can make that QR code giant without compromising quality.
• Brochures: Brochures can be a great way to lead people to your real estate site to see the latest property listings and deals. After reading about your listings or agency, the QR code can be an effective CTA that gets people inquiring!
• Anywhere else: Flyers, newspaper ads, magazines, you name it. The more QR codes real estate agencies use, the better their marketing efforts can be.

Images by Freepik.