Read time: ~10 minutes
Welcome back.
In this edition, you’ll learn exactly how to get eye-catching images generated by AI, our favorite new tool for AI-generated virtual tours, and the possible impact of Zillow’s new offer strategy feature on agents.
If you're new here, don't worry. We've got you covered. Our previous editions are a treasure trove of tips, tools, and news. Check them out to stay ahead of the game.
Or, if you’re caught up, let’s jump right in.
In this, and every, edition you can expect…
One actionable tip that can immediately boost your lead generation
One handy tool that can simplify your tech stack management
One essential news story
…and to get at least 1% better at generating more of the right type of leads.
Ready to save precious time and let AI do the heavy lifting?
Save time and simplify your unique workflow with HubSpot’s highly anticipated AI Playbook—your guide to smarter processes and effortless productivity.
How to Create Scroll-Stopping Image Ads with AI
Listing portals may outrank you in Google, but on social feeds you control the stage.
A single thumb-stopping image ad can nudge buyers to book a showing or persuade homeowners to request a valuation—often for pennies per click.
The problem?
Most AI-generated ads look like sloppy clip art: warped photos, grandpa-level copy, off-brand colors.
Below is a repeatable workflow that turns ChatGPT-4o (or Midjourney/Firefly) into a rough-draft engine—getting you 90 % of the way to a polished ad, then handing off to a junior designer for final shine. No expensive agency, no endless revisions.
1 | Build a “Brand DNA” JSON file (10 min)
AI tools crave structure. Instead of typing vague prompts (“use my colors”), create a mini style guide in JSON. Example for a made-up firm we’re calling Lakeview Home Group:
{
"brandName": "Lakeview Home Group",
"tagline": "Boutique Expertise. Big-Lake Results.",
"colors": ["#1B3A4B", "#F7F6F2", "#E2B714"],
"fonts": ["Lora", "Montserrat"],
"tone": "Confident, neighborly, data-driven",
"valueProps": [
"Average days on market: 12",
"97% list-to-sale price ratio",
"Top 1% Chicago agents by volume"
],
"targetAudience": "Move-up buyers & lake-front sellers, ages 35–55",
"callToAction": "Book a private tour today"
}No coding required: Paste your info into ChatGPT and tell it, “Output as JSON.”
Add a full-page screenshot of your website (GoFullPage Chrome extension) so GPT can extract missing details—logo placement, photo style, testimonial wording.
2 | Let ChatGPT draft its own prompt
Instead of guessing, ask:
“Using this JSON and the attached reference ad, write the most detailed prompt you would give yourself to recreate a version for Lakeview Home Group.”
GPT will return a gold-standard, multi-step prompt specifying layout zones, font hierarchy, color hex codes, and messaging angles. Tweak any line you dislike.
3 | Gather the right imagery
AI performs best when you feed it on-brand assets:
Product equivalence: For a listing ad, upload the hero exterior photo (wide, high-res, good lighting).
Lifestyle overlays: If your reference ad shows a family on a deck, provide a similar stock or team-shot image.
Badges & icons: PNG of your logo, “Top 1%” badge, or “3D Tour” button.
Store these in a single folder to drag into ChatGPT.
4 | Generate a rough-draft creative in ChatGPT 4o
Provide:
The brand JSON.
The optimized prompt GPT wrote for itself.
The image assets (upload up to 20 MB).
Within 1–2 minutes you’ll receive a 1024×1024 (or chosen ratio) image—often 80–90 % correct. Expect minor flaws: odd line breaks, slight font mismatch, or tiny spelling errors.
Real-estate example
Reference ad: Zillow “New-Listing Snapshot” (clean hero photo at top, three bullet benefits, price tag, CTA).
GPT output: Same layout using your lake-front listing photo, headline “Wake Up to Skyline Sunrises,” bullets referencing 3 beds | Boat slip | 5 min to CTA, brand colors applied.
5 | Polish with a junior designer (or Canva skills)
Hand the AI draft + brief:
“Keep layout. Swap headline font to Lora Bold 48 pt. Replace body copy with exact bullets below. Tighten padding to 60 px all sides.”
Because the designer isn’t starting from scratch, a $25 Fiverr gig or 15 minutes in Canva Pro suffices. You preserve creative control while removing AI’s telltale glitches.
6 | Deploy & test like a pro
Placement: Facebook Feed, IG Reels cover, TikTok Spark ad.
CTAs to match funnel:
Buyer ad → “View 3D Tour” leads to listing page with lead capture.
Seller ad → “Instant Lakefront Valuation” goes to valuation landing page.
Metrics to watch (first 72 hours):
Thumb-stop ratio (3-second views ÷ impressions) ≥ 30 %.
Click-thru rate ≥ 1.5 % for warm audiences, ≥ 1 % cold.
Cost per lead at least 20 % below previous creative.
Meta’s own benchmark report (2024) shows imagery that highlights one clear focal point plus 3–5 concise words improves click-thru by 21 % vs. cluttered designs.¹
Bonus: Save everything in a ChatGPT Project
Projects let GPT “remember” uploads. Add:
Brand JSON
Approved fonts & hex codes
Media kit folder link
Successful past ads
Next time you need an open-house blast, ask: “Using our stored brand guidelines, create a 1200×1500 vertical ad for Saturday’s twilight open house. Highlight wine-and-cheese theme.” GPT recalls all styling, delivering a draft in seconds.
Pitfalls & Pro Tips
Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
Overloaded value props | Limit to 3 concise bullets per ad. |
Generic stock photos | Hire a photographer for 20 high-end listing shots; reuse forever. |
AI hallucinating prices | Always replace numeric details manually before publishing. |
Brand drift over time | Update the JSON quarterly after any rebrand or new accolades. |
Final Takeaway
AI isn’t a miracle designer—but it is a tireless intern that drafts dozens of layout variations at warp speed. By giving ChatGPT structured brand constraints, an exemplar prompt, and the right images, you cut creative production time from hours to minutes, then use low-cost human polish to finish the job. The result: on-brand, scroll-stopping ads that drive more showings, valuations, and ultimately closings.
Steal the workflow today:
Build your brand JSON.
Let GPT engineer its own prompt.
Feed it assets.
Polish.
Launch & measure.
In one afternoon you can pivot from portal-dependent traffic to a predictable ad engine you fully control—no blurry AI disasters required.
¹ Meta for Business, “Creative Proven Playbook,” 2024.
Turn Boring Listings Into Engaging AI-Generated Virtual Tours
Captivating potential buyers online is more crucial than ever.
Static photos often fall short in conveying a property's true essence, leading to missed opportunities.
This edition’s recommended too offers an AI-powered solution to transform ordinary property photos into engaging virtual tours, enhancing listings and attracting more qualified leads.
Tool: PropZella – AI-Powered Virtual Tour Creation
Overview: PropZella is an AI-driven platform that converts standard property photos into professional virtual tours with narration, animations, and multilingual support. Designed for real estate professionals, PropZella aims to increase listing engagement and reduce time on the market by providing immersive property presentations.
Key Features:
AI-Generated Virtual Tours: Transform static images into dynamic tours with professional narration and animations.
Multilingual Support: Create tours in over 20 languages to reach a broader audience.
Custom Branding: Incorporate agent information and branding into each tour.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure tours are responsive and visually appealing on all devices.
Quick Turnaround: Generate and share virtual tours within minutes without the need for specialized equipment or technical skills.
Benefits for Real Estate Agents
PropZella offers several advantages tailored to the real estate industry:
Enhanced Engagement: Listings with virtual tours can experience up to a 300% increase in engagement and time spent by potential buyers.
Faster Sales: Properties showcased with PropZella's virtual tours have been reported to sell 25–30% faster than those with static images.
Cost Efficiency: Avoid the high costs of traditional video production, with PropZella offering a more affordable and faster alternative.
Reduced In-Person Showings: Pre-screen buyers with virtual tours, potentially reducing unnecessary showings by 40–50%.
Global Reach: Multilingual tours help attract international buyers, expanding your market reach.
How to Get Started with PropZella
Sign Up: Visit PropZella and create an account.
Add Property Details: Input key information about your listing, including description, features, price, and location.
Customize Your Tour: Select your preferred language, voice, and video orientation (landscape or portrait).
Upload Photos: Choose and upload images of various areas of the property, such as interiors, exteriors, and unique features.
Generate and Share: Let PropZella's AI create your virtual tour in minutes, ready to download and share across platforms.
Why PropZella is a Game-Changer for Real Estate Marketing
By automating the creation of immersive virtual tours, PropZella enables real estate professionals to showcase properties more effectively, attract a wider audience, and close deals faster. Its user-friendly interface and AI capabilities make it a valuable tool in modern real estate marketing strategies.
Ready to elevate your property listings?
Explore PropZella today and transform your photos into compelling virtual tours that captivate and convert.
Zillow’s New ‘Offer Strategies’ Feature: What It Means for Agents and How to Leverage It
Zillow has quietly introduced a new feature on select listings called “Explore Offer Strategies.”
This tool provides prospective buyers with four different offer scenarios—labeled as "strong," "competitive," "moderate," and "weak"—along with the estimated likelihood of each being accepted.
The feature utilizes local market data, including how long the home has been on the market and neighborhood trends, to inform these recommendations. After exploring these options, users can connect with a Zillow partner agent to discuss the property and offer strategies.
Impact on Realtors and Lead Generation
This development underscores Zillow's ongoing efforts to provide more data-driven tools directly to consumers, potentially influencing how buyers approach making offers.
For agents, this means clients may come to discussions with preconceived notions based on Zillow's suggestions. It's essential for Realtors to be prepared to address and contextualize this information, ensuring clients understand the nuances beyond algorithmic recommendations.
Actionable Strategies for Realtors
Educate Clients on Local Market Dynamics: While Zillow provides generalized data, agents can offer specific insights into local market conditions, recent comparable sales, and seller motivations that may not be reflected in the tool's suggestions.
Highlight Personalized Negotiation Strategies: Emphasize the value of tailored negotiation tactics that consider the unique aspects of each transaction, something automated tools can't replicate.
Stay Informed and Adapt: Regularly monitor updates to Zillow's features to understand how they might influence buyer behavior and adjust your approach accordingly.
By proactively addressing the information provided by Zillow's new feature, Realtors can reinforce their expertise and the personalized value they bring to the home buying process.
What did you think of this week's email?
Thanks for reading.
See you next week.
The Real Estate Marketing Update Team @ imFORZA