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Sales Strategy10 min read

How to get Sales as a Real Estate Agent in Canada

Shifting from passive marketing to active prospecting: A comprehensive guide for Canadian agents to generate leads and convert sales.

Real Estate Insights
December 13, 2025

Getting sales as a real estate agent in Canada, particularly in a competitive market like Surrey, BC, requires shifting from "passive marketing" (waiting for calls) to "active prospecting" (hunting for business). Based on current market practices for late 2025, the following strategy is tailored for a BC-based agent to generate leads and convert them into sales.

  1. The "Low-Hanging Fruit": Sphere of Influence (SOI)

The most consistent source of sales for Canadian agents is their existing network. You do not need to "sell" them; you just need to remind them you exist.

The "Pop-By" Strategy

Drop off small, low-cost items to past clients or friends in your area (e.g., a pumpkin in October, a Tim Hortons gift card in winter). It triggers the "reciprocity rule" where they feel compelled to help you with a referral.

The "Orphan" Client

If you are at a brokerage, ask your managing broker if there are "orphan clients"—past clients of agents who have left the business. These are warm leads who need a new point of contact.

LinkedIn/Social Content

Since you are already active on LinkedIn, use it to post market stats specifically for Surrey/Fraser Valley. Don't just post "Just Listed." Post insights, e.g., "Why townhomes in Fleetwood are selling faster than condos right now." This builds trust before the sale.

  1. Geographic Farming (The "Surrey Strategy")

Instead of trying to sell to all of Surrey, pick one specific neighbourhood (300–500 homes) and become the "mayor" of that area. Consistency beats intensity here.

Best Neighborhoods to Farm

  • Cloverdale & Fleetwood: High family demographic; good for move-up buyers (selling a condo to buy a detached home).
  • South Surrey / Grandview Heights: Higher price point, often involves luxury or downsizer clients.
  • Newton/Guildford: Higher volume, often more first-time buyers.

Tactics

  • Mailers: Send monthly market updates (sold prices, active listings) specifically for that subdivision.
  • Community Presence: Sponsor a local youth soccer team or attend community events. In Surrey, visibility at local events (like those by the Downtown Surrey BIA) builds face-to-face trust.

  1. Open Houses (Active Prospecting)

Open houses are not just to sell the specific house; they are your free office to meet unrepresented buyers.

The "Nosy Neighbor" Approach

Neighbors often come to open houses. Treat them like gold. They are potential sellers.

"I see you live nearby. How does this home compare to yours? We are seeing high demand for homes with [feature X] like yours."

Use a tablet for sign-ins to automatically capture emails. Follow up immediately (within 1 hour) with a text message thanking them. Speed is the #1 factor in conversion.

  1. Partner with Local Businesses (B2B)

Referrals shouldn't just come from past clients. Build a "vendor network" in Surrey that sends you leads in exchange for you sending them business.

  • Divorce Lawyers & Estate Attorneys: They deal with people who must sell.
  • Immigration Consultants: With Surrey's high newcomer population, these consultants often have clients looking to buy immediately upon arrival.
  • Tradespeople (Painters/Renovators): They are often the first to know when someone is fixing up a home to sell.

  1. Critical BC Compliance (Don't Get Fined)

BCFSA Warning

In British Columbia, aggressive marketing is heavily regulated by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). Ignoring these rules can lead to significant penalties.
  • 1Cold Calling: You must scrub numbers against the National Do Not Call List (DNCL). Brokers are required to have a subscription to this list. Calling a number on this list can result in massive fines.
  • 2Door Knocking: While not illegal, it is risky in strata (condo) buildings where it is often considered trespassing or a bylaw nuisance. Stick to detached homes. If a sign says "No Soliciting," do not knock.
  • 3CASL (Anti-Spam): You cannot add open house visitors to your email newsletter without their express consent. Have a checkbox on your sign-in sheet.

  1. Digital Lead Generation

  • Google Local Services Ads (LSA): These appear at the very top of Google for "Surrey Real Estate Agent." You pay per lead, not per click. It is often more effective than standard Google Ads for realtors.
  • Realtor.ca: Ensure your profile is updated. Many Canadian buyers browse Realtor.ca exclusively. Having a high-quality photo and bio there is basic but essential.

Summary Checklist for This Week

  • 1Pick a Farm: Select 500 homes in a Surrey neighborhood (e.g., Clayton or Fleetwood).
  • 2Contact 5 Past Leads: Call or text 5 people you know with a simple value-add (e.g., "Interest rates just dropped, thought of you").
  • 3Network B2B: Connect with 1 Immigration Consultant or Divorce Lawyer in Surrey.
  • 4Update Profiles: Ensure Google Business Profile and Realtor.ca are current.

The Hidden Cost of "Old School" Websites

Maintaining a custom real estate website is notoriously expensive and time-consuming. You are often paying developers thousands of dollars upfront, plus monthly retainer fees, just to keep the lights on.

The Trap

Depending on a developer every time you need to upload a new listing or change a photo is a bottleneck that slows down your sales cycle.

This is where RealtyChat changes the game. It solves these headaches by letting agents manage their own listings instantly without writing a single line of code.

"RealtyChat gives you a personalized, AI-powered link to share with buyers—eliminating the need for expensive hosting while delivering features that actually convert."

1. The "Master Link" (Link-in-Bio)

Replace your fragmented social presence with one elegant Master Link. It hosts all your listings, your "Contact Agent" button, Calendly booking link, and direct icons for TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. It's the only link you'll ever need in your bio.

The RealtyChat Master Link containing all your listings and contact profiles.
The RealtyChat Master Link containing all your listings and contact profiles.

2. AI Listing Assistant (The Location Expert)

Every individual listing comes with a dedicated Location Expert AI. Powered by Google Maps and Gemini, it uses the property address to answer hyper-local questions with surgical precision. Buyers can ask "Where are the nearest Asian restaurants?", "How far is the gym?", or about local schools, getting accurate, real-world data instantly.

The Listing-specific AI answering hyper-local community questions using Google Maps data.

3. Lead AI Chatbot (Your Digital Twin)

Located on your Master Link-in-Bio, this chatbot acts as your digital twin. You can configure it with your own knowledge base (PDFs, text files) to represent your brand 24/7. It greets visitors, collects lead requirements automatically, and proactively recommends listings from your entire portfolio that match their needs.

The Lead AI Chatbot acting as your digital twin to capture leads and recommend listings.

4. AI Leads Dashboard

Stop guessing who is visiting your links. Your AI Leads Page gives you a real-time view of every lead captured by your Link-in-Bio chatbot. View their email, property requirements, and the full conversation history so you can step in when they're ready to talk.

Manage your leads and view conversation transcripts in your dashboard.
Manage your leads and view conversation transcripts in your dashboard.

5. Neighborhood & Lifestyle Intelligence

The Listing-specific AI answering hyper-local community questions using Google Maps data.

Our platform leverages Google's Gemini AI combined with Google Maps data to create rich, location-aware listing descriptions, automatic commute analysis, and interactive lifestyle maps for every listing.

Instant Neighborhood Analysis:

  • Commute Analysis: Instant drive vs. transit times to major work hubs.
  • Lifestyle Maps: Auto-populated maps with nearby grocery stores, parks, and schools.
  • AI Descriptions: Compelling narratives with precise walking distances to local cafes and gyms.

Start Now

Ready to modernize your business with a Master Link and AI Assistant? Join RealtyChat for free today.

Ready to Upgrade Your Real Estate Business?

Join thousands of agents who are saving time and closing more deals with RealtyChat's AI-powered tools and beautiful link-in-bio listings.

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