Are you a Canadian real estate agent struggling to find consistent leads? You’re not alone. Finding quality real estate lead sources is one of the biggest challenges for agents, especially if you’re starting.
Good news! This guide shares 20 proven ways to get real estate leads in Canada. We’ve included free and paid methods that work for Canadian agents.
No fluff. These are just real, useful ideas you can take action on now. Some are simple and low-cost. Others are paid, but are worth the investment.
Let’s help you stop guessing and start growing with qualified real estate leads.
Free Real Estate Lead Sources for Agents in Canada
Lead generation for realtors is key to growing your business. You can use social media, referrals, and online tools to find new clients. Also, it helps to build strong relationships that turn into sales.
1. Referrals from Past Clients
Do you know the best lead generation sources for realtors in Canada? Your past clients can be your best source of new business. Happy clients love to recommend their agents to friends and family.
- How it works: We stay in touch with past clients through regular check-ins, birthday cards, and anniversary messages regarding their home purchases.
- Why it’s effective: 63% of sellers find their agents through referrals in Canada. People trust recommendations easily.
- Pro tip: When someone refers you, send a small gift card to local Canadian businesses (like Tim Hortons)—it shows your appreciation and keeps the referrals coming.
2. Open Houses
Open houses aren’t just for selling that specific home—they’re perfect for meeting potential buyers.
- How it works: Host open houses in desirable Canadian neighborhoods and collect visitor information through a simple sign-in sheet.
- Why it’s effective: Many Canadian buyers still prefer to see homes in person before committing to an agent.
- Pro tip: Create neighborhood guides for your Canadian city to hand out at open houses. Include local amenities, schools, and transit options that newcomers would find valuable.
3. Local Community Events
Your community involvement helps you build a local real estate expert reputation.
- How it works: Sponsor or volunteer at community events, farmers markets, or charity fundraisers in your area.
- Why it’s effective: Canadians value community connection and are likelier to work with agents who demonstrate local involvement.
- Time/effort: 5-10 hours per month, but the relationships built are long-lasting.
4. Strategic Networking
Connect with professionals who work with people who might be moving soon.
- How it works: Build relationships with mortgage brokers, financial planners, divorce attorneys, and relocation specialists in your Canadian city.
- Why it’s effective: These professionals regularly interact with people who need real estate services and can refer clients to you.
- Pro tip: Create a simple Canadian homebuyer’s guide you can share with your network partners to give to their clients.
5. Social Media Content
Learning how to generate real estate leads involves using strategies like social media marketing, networking, and referrals. You can also use paid ads to attract potential buyers and sellers and grow your client base.
Social platforms allow you to showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients for free.
- How it works: Share market updates, new listings, and helpful advice on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Why it’s effective: Many Canadian buyers start their home search online and follow local real estate content.
- Pro tip: Create content about Canadian-specific real estate topics like the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, GST/HST on new homes, or provincial differences in closing costs.
6. Geographic Farming
Focus your marketing efforts on specific neighborhoods to become the known expert for that area.
- How it works: Send regular market updates, just-sold postcards, and seasonal greetings to homes in your target Canadian neighborhood.
- Why it’s effective: When homeowners see your name consistently, they’ll think of you when ready to sell.
- Time/effort: It takes 6-12 months to see results, but it creates long-term business.
7. Canadian Real Estate Forums
Online communities where buyers and sellers discuss real estate topics can be gold mines for leads.
- How it works: Answer questions and provide value in Canadian forums like RedFlagDeals, Canadian Money Forum, or Reddit’s r/PersonalFinanceCanada.
- Why it’s effective: Establishing yourself as an expert helps build trust with potential clients actively seeking information.
- Pro tip: Don’t sell directly. Focus on being helpful, and interested prospects will contact you.
8. Neighborhood Videos
Create video content showcasing different neighborhoods in your Canadian city.
- How it works: Film short videos highlighting local shops, parks, schools, and the general vibe of neighborhoods you serve.
- Why it’s effective: Many Canadians relocating from other provinces or internationally rely on online research before visiting.
- Pro tip: Include seasonal content showing what neighborhoods look like in winter and summer, which is particularly important for Canadian homebuyers.
9. Local SEO and Blogging
Create content that helps you get found when people search for real estate in your area.
How it works: Build a website with neighborhood pages, market reports, and blogs targeting keywords like “[Your City] homes for sale” or “buying a condo in [Your City].”
Why it’s effective: Many Canadian homebuyers search online before contacting an agent.
Time/effort: High initial investment of time, but provides ongoing leads once established.
10. For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Outreach
FSBO sellers often struggle and become open to hiring an agent.
- How it works: Find FSBO listings on Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and local Canadian classifieds. Offer helpful advice without immediately pushing services.
- Why it’s effective: Many FSBOs find the process more difficult than expected, especially navigating Canadian real estate regulations.
- Pro tip: Provide value by sharing a Canadian FSBO guide that explains legal requirements specific to their province.
Paid Real Estate Lead Channels Top Canadian Agents Use
11. Realtor.ca
As Canada’s main real estate website, Realtor.ca offers various ways to boost your visibility.
- How it works: Invest in premium positioning, featured listings, or enhanced profiles through your local real estate board.
- Who it works for: Agents looking to stand out on Canada’s most visited real estate website.
- Cost: $50-300 monthly, depending on your local board and selected features.
- ROI expectation: Can generate 2-5 quality leads per month when combined with a strong profile.
12. Google Local Service Ads
These ads appear at the top of search results when people look for real estate agents in your area.
- How it works: You pay only when someone contacts you through the ad, and Google verifies you as a trusted local business.
- Who it works for: Agents in competitive Canadian urban markets looking for buyer leads.
- Budget: $500-1,500 per month for most Canadian markets.
- Canadian example: Toronto agent Jasmine Lee generated 15 qualified leads in her first month using Google Local Service Ads, resulting in two transactions.
13. Facebook and Instagram Ads
Highly targeted social media ads can reach potential clients based on life events and interests.
- How it works: Create ads targeting people who recently changed jobs, had children, got married, or have been living at the same address for 5+ years.
- Who it works for: Agents comfortable with digital marketing who can create compelling content.
- Budget: Start with $300-500 monthly to test different audiences.
- Pro tip: Create separate campaigns for different Canadian cities or neighborhoods you serve for better targeting.
14. Canadian Real Estate Investment Groups
Connect with investors looking to grow their real estate portfolios.
- How it works: Join paid membership groups focused on Canadian real estate investing or sponsor their events.
- Who it works for: Agents interested in working with investors and repeat clients.
- Budget: $500-2,000 annually for memberships or sponsorships.
- Canadian example: Vancouver agent Michael Chen specializes in investment properties. He gets 40% of his business through real estate investment networks.
15. New Construction Partnerships
Getting real estate leads for new agents can feel challenging. Partner with developers building new homes and condos in Canada.
- How it works: Approach builders about representing them or hosting events at their show suites.
- Who it works for: Agents who understand new construction enjoy working with developers.
- Investment: Time building relationships and possibly $1,000-3,000 for co-marketing materials.
- Pro tip: Focus on smaller Canadian developers who may not have in-house sales teams.
16. Relocation Services for Canadian Companies
Partner with businesses that regularly bring employees to Canada. It is a great way to generate real estate leads.
- How it works: Create relationships with HR departments at companies that frequently relocate employees to your area.
- Who it works for: Agents in Canadian cities with major employers, tech hubs, or universities.
- Budget: Approximately $1,000-2,000 annually for marketing materials and relationship building.
- Canadian example: Calgary agents partnering with energy companies to help relocated employees find housing.
17. Paid Lead Generation Services
Several companies specialize in providing real estate leads for Canadian markets.
- How it works: Companies like Point2Homes, Zoocasa, and Real Estate Wire generate leads and sell them to subscribing agents.
- Who it works for: Agents with strong follow-up systems and conversion skills.
- Budget: $250-1,000 monthly, depending on volume and exclusivity.
- ROI expectation: Conversion rates typically 2-5%, improving over time with nurturing.
18. Retargeting Ads to Website Visitors
Stay visible to people who have visited your website but haven’t reached out to you yet.
- How it works: Install a pixel on your website that allows you to show ads to visitors as they browse other websites.
- Who it works for: Agents with decent website traffic who want to improve conversion rates.
- Budget: $200-500 monthly for most Canadian markets.
- Pro tip: Create different ad content for people who viewed specific neighborhoods or property types.
19. Branded Real Estate Search Apps
Offer potential clients a branded app to search for properties.
- How it works: Several Canadian providers offer white-label real estate apps that connect to your MLS and carry your branding.
- Who it works for: Tech-forward agents in competitive markets.
- Investment: $1,000-3,000 setup plus $100-300 monthly.
- ROI expectation: Each active user is a potential client, with a typical conversion of 1 transaction per 25-30 active users annually.
20. Local Newspaper and Magazine Advertising
Print isn’t dead in real estate, especially for reaching certain demographics.
- How it works: Advertise in local community papers, lifestyle magazines, or newcomer guides in your Canadian city.
- Who it works for: Agents focusing on established neighborhoods with older homeowners or luxury markets.
- Budget: $500-2,000 monthly, depending on publication and ad size.
- Canadian example: Montreal agent Sophie Tremblay maintains a regular column in a local French-language community paper, generating 3-4 leads monthly from readers.
Finding Your Winning Formula
The most successful Canadian real estate agents don’t depend on just one lead source. They try different methods, track what works, and focus on the best ones for their style and market. Our real estate marketing company provides dedicated support to help our brokerage agents implement these strategies effectively, offering tools to track lead sources and optimize conversion rates.
Start by using a mix of free and paid strategies. Keep an eye on where your leads come from and which ones turn into real sales. With the backing of our in-house marketing company, agents receive customized reports and analytics to identify their most productive lead channels, along with professional guidance to refine their approach.
Consistency is key—don’t worry about being perfect. Choose a few strategies from this list that match your strengths and give them time to show results. Our brokerage’s marketing company support ensures you have the resources and coaching to maintain momentum while adapting to market changes.
