Google Ads for Real Estate Investors: Step-by-Step Guide

Published By: The playhaus playrs:

December 9, 2024

Get Free growbot Marketing Plan

Tell us a little bit more about your business, budget, constraints, and goals; we’ll give you our best recommendation of how to deploy those resources.

We save business’ 30% or more on average. Learn more.

Table of Contents

Want to Grow Faster?

We save business’ 30% or more on average. Learn more.

In today’s competitive real estate market, online visibility is the cornerstone of success. 

Whether you’re investing in:

  • residential properties
  • commercial spaces
  • luxury homes
  • real estate development

A strategic approach to Google Ads can connect you with potential clients who are actively searching for investment opportunities.

This guide breaks down the essentials of creating high-performing Google Ads campaigns tailored to real estate investing. 

You’ll learn how to:

  • Target the right audience.
  • Craft compelling ad copy.
  • Optimize your ad spend.

By mastering these elements, you’ll not only generate high-quality leads but also enhance your sales pipeline. 

Let’s elevate your real estate marketing to the next level with data-driven Google Ads campaigns designed to deliver results!

5 Ways Google Ads Can Help Real Estate Investors

A well-structured Google Ads campaign can connect real estate investors with motivated sellers, buyers, or partners actively seeking investment opportunities. 

Here’s how Google Ads can transform your investment strategy:

1. Expand Visibility in Local Real Estate Markets

Google Ads ensures your properties and investment opportunities appear in front of the right audience.

By targeting location-specific keywords like:

  • “Foreclosure properties in [city/state]”
  • “Off-market homes for sale near me”
  • “Multi-family investment properties in [neighborhood]”

your ads reach users actively searching for real estate deals in your target markets.

2. Reach Investors Seeking Niche Opportunities

Real estate investors often have specialized interests. 

Google Ads enables you to target specific property types or investment strategies with keywords like:

  • “Fix and flip homes in [city]”
  • “Rental properties with high ROI”
  • “Luxury vacation rentals for sale”

These help you connect with other investors or buyers looking for unique opportunities.

3. Generate High-Intent Leads with Targeted Keywords

Drive leads ready to act by targeting phrases aligned with your investment goals, such as:

  • “Sell my house fast for cash”
  • “Real estate investment partnerships”
  • “Commercial properties with high cap rates”

These keywords position your ads in front of motivated sellers or collaborators.

4. Control Your Advertising Budget for Maximum ROI

Google Ads provides flexibility for investors working within strict budgets

Focus on impactful keywords like:

  • “Affordable real estate investments in [city]”
  • “Distressed properties for sale near me”
  • “Best property deals under $500k”

By closely monitoring ad performance, you can allocate your budget effectively to maximize ROI.

5.Refine Campaigns with Data-Driven Insights

Track your campaign’s performance using Google Ads metrics like clicks, impressions, and conversion rates.

 Use insights from high-performing keywords such as:

  • “Top real estate markets for investors in [year]”
  • “Best cities for real estate flipping”
  • “Current property market trends in [state]”

With continuous optimization, you can stay ahead of market shifts and improve lead quality.

With Google Ads, you can put your real estate investment opportunities right in front of the people who matter most. It’s a powerful way to boost your visibility, connect with motivated sellers or buyers, and stay ahead of the competition.

Keyword Research for Google Real Estate Investor Ads

Keyword research is the heart of any successful Google Ads campaign for real estate investors. 

It’s how you ensure your ads connect with the right people—motivated buyers, sellers, or potential partners actively searching for opportunities.

By pinpointing the right keywords, you can position your ads to show up exactly when your audience is looking for solutions, helping you drive more leads and grow your portfolio. 

Let’s break down how you can find and use these high-impact keywords to create campaigns that deliver results.

1. Target High-Intent Keywords to Connect with Ready Sellers or Buyers

Focus on keywords that signal a prospect’s readiness to act, connecting you with individuals looking to buy, sell, or invest quickly. 

Examples include:

  • “Sell my house fast in [City]”
  • “Cash home buyers in [City]”
  • “Real estate investors near me”

Action Tip: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to uncover these high-conversion terms. Pair them with calls-to-action like “Get a cash offer today!” to maximize engagement.

2. Focus on Property-Specific Keywords

Keywords that emphasize property types help attract a precise audience. 

Examples include:

  • “Fixer-upper homes in [City]”
  • “Multi-family properties for sale”
  • “Luxury investment properties”

Action Tip: Build separate ad groups around each property type, with tailored messaging such as “Discover prime multi-family opportunities in [City].”

3.Leverage Geo-Targeted Keywords for Localized Reach

Local keywords ensure you connect with prospects within specific areas or neighborhoods.

Examples include:

  • “Off-market properties in [Neighborhood]”
  • “Investment properties in [City]”
  • “Best rental neighborhoods in [City]”

Action Tip: Highlight local expertise in your ad copy. For instance, “Find exclusive deals in [City] with a trusted local investor.”

4. Use Keywords Centered on Real Estate Trends and Financing

Target investors interested in current real estate trends or financing options. 

Examples include:

  • “Real estate market trends in [City]”
  • “Property investment strategies for [Year]”
  • “Best loans for real estate investors”

Action Tip: Pair your ads with valuable content like “Download the ultimate guide to financing your next property in [City].”

5.Optimize for Specialized Real Estate Niches

If you focus on a specific market segment, tailor your keywords to stand out. 

Examples include:

  • “Short-term rental properties in [City]”
  • “Vacation homes near [Location]”
  • “Foreclosure investment properties”

Action Tip: Craft ad copy emphasizing your niche expertise. For example, “Unlock top foreclosure deals with high ROI potential.”

By incorporating these carefully chosen keywords into your campaigns, you can effectively target your ideal audience, drive quality leads, and grow your real estate investment business.

Google Ads Budget Allocation for Real Estate Investors

Allocating your Google Ads budget effectively is crucial for real estate investors aiming to maximize ROI. Here’s how you can ensure your budget delivers the best results for your campaigns:

1. Prioritize High-Value Investment Opportunities

Targeting niches like multifamily properties, commercial investments, and distressed real estate can deliver strong returns due to their high potential value and demand.

Examples of Keywords:

  • “Multifamily investment properties in [City]”
  • “Commercial real estate opportunities for investors”
  • “Distressed properties for sale in [City]”

Budget Allocation: 20–30%

Focus on these high-value areas, as they attract seasoned investors seeking lucrative opportunities. Though CPC might be higher, the payoff justifies the spend.

2. Focus on Local Market Opportunities

Real estate investing thrives on local knowledge. Cater to audiences searching for opportunities in specific neighborhoods or cities.

Examples of Keywords:

  • “Best neighborhoods to invest in [City]”
  • “Real estate investment deals near me”
  • “Top rental markets in [State]”

Budget Allocation: 20–30%

These searches often involve buyers actively researching profitable markets, making them a valuable segment to target.

3. Emphasize Niche Investment Strategies

Real estate investors often seek properties with unique attributes, such as fix-and-flip homes, vacation rentals, or REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).

Examples of Keywords:

  • “Fix-and-flip properties in [City]”
  • “Vacation rental investments in [City]”
  • “How to invest in REITs in [State]”

Budget Allocation: 10–15%

Optimize your ads to target niche strategies and align your campaigns with these highly specific interests.

4. Retarget Interested Prospects

Many real estate investors research extensively before committing. Retargeting campaigns help convert those who showed interest but didn’t take immediate action.

Retargeting Ideas:

  • Display ads featuring new investment listings.
  • Promoting webinars on “Profitable Real Estate Investing in [Year].”
  • Offering downloadable guides like “How to Analyze Cash Flow for Investment Properties.”

Budget Allocation: 10–15%

Retargeting is particularly effective for nurturing leads, especially when clients are evaluating multiple options.

5. Test Varied Ad Formats for Maximum Engagement

Experimenting with ad formats ensures you effectively communicate with your diverse audience of investors.

Examples of Formats:

  • Video ads explaining investment trends in [City].
  • Search ads for “real estate investment mentoring programs.”
  • Display ads highlighting “Top 10 Real Estate Investment Opportunities.”

Budget Allocation: 10–15%

Consistently A/B test your campaigns to refine messaging, visuals, and calls-to-action for better performance.

By focusing on these strategies and real estate investor-specific keywords, you’ll create campaigns that align with their interests and goals, driving better engagement and ROI.

Setting Up Google Ads Campaign for Real Estate Investors

Once you’ve identified your keywords and allocated your budget, launching an optimized Google Ads campaign tailored to real estate investors is the next crucial step. 

This guide breaks down the process to ensure your ads attract the right audience and generate qualified leads.

1. Create Your Google Ads Account

Visit ads.google.com and click on Start Now.

2. Structure Campaigns Around Investor Needs

Organize campaigns into categories to align with real estate investors’ interests, enabling better ad targeting and performance.

Examples of Ad Group Categories:

  • Residential Investments: “Profitable single-family homes in [City].”
  • Commercial Real Estate: “High-yield commercial properties for sale in [City].”
  • Distressed Properties: “Fix-and-flip deals in [City].”
  • Turnkey Investments: “Fully managed rental properties near [City].”

Action Step: Use Google Ads’ Campaign Manager to create distinct ad groups for these categories, crafting tailored messaging to resonate with investors.

3. Implement Precise Geographic Targeting

Investors prioritize local opportunities. 

Setting up geographic targeting ensures your ads reach those seeking properties in specific markets.

Action Steps:

  • In Google Ads, set geographic targeting to relevant cities, neighborhoods, or zip codes.
  • Use location exclusions to prevent wasting budget on areas outside your service zones.
  • Highlight local expertise in your ad copy to build trust with your audience.

4. Select Effective Campaign Types

Certain Google Ads formats perform better for real estate investors, depending on the audience and goal.

Recommended Campaign Types:

  • Search Ads: Best for high-intent queries like “investment properties in [City].”
  • Responsive Ads: Adjust automatically to different devices, helping broaden reach.
  • Call-Only Ads: Ideal for prospects needing immediate assistance, like inquiries about listings.

Action Step: Use Search Campaigns for property-focused ads and pair them with Responsive Ads for broader reach. For urgent inquiries, such as rental availabilities, leverage Call-Only Ads.

5.  Craft Persuasive Ad Copy

Your ad copy should quickly capture attention, emphasize key benefits, and drive action. Ensure it resonates with your target audience by addressing their needs.

Examples of Real Estate Investor Ad Copy:

  • “Discover Lucrative Fix-and-Flip Properties in [City] – Call Now!”
  • “Invest in High-Growth Rental Markets – Explore Listings Today!”
  • “Cash Flow Properties Ready for You – Schedule a Viewing!”

Action Steps:

  • Use action-oriented language with clear calls-to-action (e.g., “Contact Us Today!”).
  • Include high-value keywords for relevancy.
  • Emphasize unique selling points like ROI potential or expert services.

6. Develop Investor-Specific Landing Pages

Each ad should lead to a dedicated landing page that aligns with the user’s search intent.

 Avoid sending visitors to your homepage, as this could lead to confusion and lost conversions.

Direct users to specific landing pages relevant to their search intent instead of a generic homepage.

Examples of optimized landing pages:

  • Distressed Properties: Highlight ROI potential and past success stories.
  • Commercial Listings: Feature property specs, financial details, and contact options.
  • Turnkey Solutions: Provide cash flow analysis, management services, and investor testimonials.

Action Step: Design user-friendly pages with compelling headlines, clear CTAs, and trust-building elements like reviews or case studies.

7. Set Up Conversion Tracking

Measuring success is essential to improving your campaign. 

Conversion tracking helps monitor how many calls, form submissions, or appointments result from your ads.

Action Step:

  • Enable conversion tracking in Google Ads to monitor key actions like form completions or phone calls.
  • Integrate Google Analytics for detailed insights into user behavior and campaign performance.

8. Launch and Monitor Performance

Once your campaign is live, track its performance to ensure it meets your goals and adjusts accordingly.

Metrics to monitor:

  • Click-through rates (CTR): How often people click on your ads.
  • Cost-per-click (CPC): The cost of each click on your ad.
  • Conversion rates: How many clicks lead to bookings or form submissions.

Action Step:

  • Review campaign performance weekly.
  • Pause ads or keywords that are underperforming.
  • Run A/B tests with new ad copy, keywords, or targeting options to refine and improve your results.

By following these steps, you can create a highly targeted and effective Google Ads campaign that meets the unique needs of real estate investors, ultimately driving more leads and maximizing your ROI.

Measuring Success of Real Estate Investor Google Ads 

Launching a Google Ads campaign is just the beginning. 

To ensure you’re effectively generating real estate leads and inquiries, measuring performance is critical. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Track Key Performance Metrics (KPIs)

To ensure your Google Ads campaign is performing effectively, monitor these important KPIs:

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR): A high CTR shows that your ads are resonating with your target audience. For example, if your ad for “Investment Properties in [Location]” is getting many clicks, it indicates that potential investors are interested.
  • Conversion Rate: This metric shows the percentage of users who take the desired action, such as signing up for property alerts or requesting more details. A higher conversion rate means your ads and landing pages are effectively converting traffic into leads.
  • Cost Per Click (CPC): This measures how much you’re paying for each click. Managing this cost ensures that your ad spend remains efficient while attracting quality leads.
  • Cost Per Lead (CPL): Calculate how much you’re paying for each lead generated from your ads. For example, if you spend $300 on ads and generate 10 leads, your CPL would be $30.

Action Step: Use the Google Ads dashboard to track these KPIs and compare your results against real estate investment industry benchmarks to determine if you’re hitting your targets.

2. Analyze Phone Call Metrics for Property Investor Leads

For real estate investors, phone calls often indicate more serious inquiries about properties, which are a vital part of lead generation.

Action Step: Enable call tracking in Google Ads to to capture valuable phone metrics such as:

  • Call Duration: Longer calls are typically associated with qualified leads interested in investment properties.
  • Peak Call Times: Identify when potential investors are most likely to call and adjust your ad schedules to target these peak times.

3. Measure ROI (Return on Investment)

Ultimately, the goal of Google Ads is to generate more revenue than you spend.

Action Step: Calculate ROI by comparing the total revenue generated from your ads to the total ad spend. For instance, if your ad spend is $1000, and your sales generate $5,000 in commission, your ROI is 400%.

4.Leverage Conversion Tracking for Real Estate Investors

Tracking conversions helps measure how well your ads are driving leads that convert into actual real estate transactions.

Action Step: Set up custom conversion tracking using Google Analytics or Tag Manager  for actions like:

  • Investment Property Inquiries: Track how many leads are generated from property inquiries.
  • Property Viewings: Monitor the number of real estate showings or meetings scheduled via your ads.
  • Investor Leads: Track how many potential investors inquire about buying or selling investment properties.

5. Evaluate Campaign Performance by Property Type

Real estate investors typically focus on different types of properties, and evaluating performance by property type helps optimize budget allocation.

Action Step: Monitor the performance of ads targeting various property types such as:

  • Rental Properties: Ads targeting rental properties for long-term investment.
  • Commercial Real Estate: Ads focusing on office spaces or retail investments.
  • Fix-and-Flip Opportunities: Campaigns targeting distressed properties that can be renovated for a profit.

This will inform you to allocate more budget to high-performing property types while refining campaigns for underperforming ones.

6. Gather Feedback from Investor Leads

While data from Google Ads provides valuable insights, qualitative feedback from your leads offers additional context on campaign success.

Action Step: After a lead has engaged with your ad or purchased an investment property, ask questions like:

  • “How did you find out about our available investment properties?”
  • “Did one of our ads influence your decision to contact us?”

Use this feedback to fine-tune targeting and messaging for future campaigns.

By implementing these strategies, real estate investors can ensure that their Google Ads campaigns generate valuable leads, optimize advertising costs, and maximize returns on investment.

Optimizing Google Ads for Real Estate Investors

Once your Google Ads campaigns generate sufficient data, the next step is to fine-tune your approach for better ROI, enhanced audience reach, and a higher volume of quality leads. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Refine Your Keyword Strategy for Real Estate Investments

For real estate investors, targeting the right keywords is essential to attract motivated sellers, potential buyers, and renters.

Action Steps:

  • Pause underperforming keywords: If broad terms like “houses for sale” aren’t converting, switch to more targeted phrases such as “investment properties in [City]” or “fixer-upper houses in [Location].”
  • Add negative keywords: Exclude irrelevant searches that won’t generate useful leads, such as “real estate careers” or “how to become a realtor.”
  • Expand your keyword list: Focus on long-tail keywords that show clear intent, like “distressed properties for sale in [City]” or “wholesale properties in [Location].” These terms tend to attract sellers and investors with specific needs.

2. Optimize Ad Copy for Lead Generation

Your ad copy should address the pain points and goals of your target audience, such as finding profitable investment properties or getting quick sales.

Action Steps:

  • A/B test your ad copy: Try variations like “Sell Your Property Fast for Cash” vs. “Find Off-Market Investment Deals in [City].”
  • Use strong CTAs: Calls to action like “Get Your Free Property Valuation” or “Book a Consultation Today” drive immediate engagement.

3. Leverage Ad Extensions

Ad extensions provide additional information to make your ads more attractive and clickable, especially for real estate investors who might be looking for specific types of properties or deals.

Action Steps:

  • Sitelink Extensions: Link to pages like “Investment Property Listings,” “Sell Your Property Fast,” or “Real Estate Investment Opportunities.”
  • Call Extensions: Allow users to contact you directly for a quick consultation or more details.
  • Location Extensions: Highlight your office or service areas, which builds trust with potential clients and investors.

4. Adjust Bidding Strategy

Optimizing your bidding strategy ensures you’re getting the most out of your budget while reaching high-quality leads.

Action Steps:

  • Automated Bidding: Consider using automated bidding strategies like “Maximize Conversions” or “Target CPA” (cost per acquisition) to let Google optimize your bids for the best possible results.
  • Bid Adjustments: Prioritize areas with high demand or higher property values. For example, increase bids for properties in affluent neighborhoods or near upcoming developments.

5. Improve Landing Pages for Conversions

Your landing pages should match the intent of the ad and make it easy for visitors to take the next step, whether it’s scheduling a consultation, signing up for a property list, or submitting a property for sale.

Action Steps:

  • Ensure relevance: If your ad promotes “fixer-upper homes for sale,” your landing page should feature those specific types of properties.
  • Simplify navigation: Offer straightforward options like scheduling a property evaluation or downloading investment guides.
  • Mobile optimization: Since many users search on mobile, ensure your landing pages load quickly and look great on smaller screens.

6. Review Ad Scheduling 

Knowing when your audience is most likely to convert will allow you to allocate your budget more effectively.

Action Steps:

  • Analyze conversion data: Look at times of day or days of the week when your target audience is more likely to be active (e.g., weekends for open houses or weekdays for investment consultations).
  • Adjust your budget: Allocate more budget during peak times, like evenings or weekends, when buyers or sellers may be more active.

7. Track and Test Conversion Paths

Tracking how users navigate through your website helps you understand their journey and where they might drop off.

Action Steps:

  • Monitor user flow: Use tools like Google Analytics to track how visitors move from your ads to your property listings or contact forms.
  • Experiment with conversion methods: Test options like instant callback features or property request forms to see which convert best.

8. Use Remarketing to Re-Engage Visitors

Remarketing is essential for bringing back visitors who didn’t convert the first time, helping keep your real estate offerings top of mind.

Action Steps:

  • Create targeted lists: Retarget users who have visited specific property pages but didn’t take the next step (e.g., scheduling a consultation).
  • Offer incentives: Use time-sensitive offers, such as discounts on realtor fees or free property valuations, to encourage action.

By refining your keyword targeting, optimizing your ad copy, leveraging remarketing, and using data-driven adjustments, you can optimize your Google Ads campaigns for higher-quality leads and better ROI.

Conclusion

And there you have it!

I hope this guide has equipped you with the essential insights needed to leverage Google Ads for growing your real estate investment business. 

Whether you’re looking to invest in distressed properties, secure rental deals, or grow your portfolio, Google Ads allows you to reach these prospects at the right moment.

By refining your keyword strategy, crafting compelling ad copy, and continually optimizing your campaigns, you can increase your visibility, attract high-quality leads, and build a sustainable investment business that targets the right audience in your market.

So, are you ready to scale your real estate investment business with Google Ads? 

Start creating your campaigns today and watch your deal flow and returns improve!