How Realtors Market Homes in 2026: Checklist

Short answer: A 2026 home marketing plan should go well beyond the MLS and a sign. Expect evidence-based pricing, professional photos and floor plans, video, placement on local web pages that rank in Google, targeted social media ads, an up-to-date Google Business Profile, clearly labelled AI tools where they help, and fast responses to buyers at any hour. Ask every agent you interview to show you each item.

When you’re choosing an agent, the marketing plan is where the differences really show. Here’s the checklist I’d hand to any seller in Vernon, Coldstream or the North Okanagan. Use it to compare agents, or to talk through your plan with the agent you already have.

1. Pricing and preparation

A written pricing analysis using recent comparable sales, expired listings and current competition
A clear explanation of how the suggested price was reached
Advice on small repairs, decluttering and staging that give the best return
A pre-listing walk-through, room by room

Marketing can’t fix a price the market won’t support, so this comes first. Your agent should give you honest numbers, not the number you want to hear.

2. Photos, floor plans and visuals

Professional photography, including exterior and twilight shots where they suit the home
A floor plan with room dimensions
Drone photos or video where they add value (views, acreage, lake access)
Virtual staging for empty rooms only if clearly labelled

On that last point: BCFSA’s consumer guide to advertising lists digitally altered or enhanced photos among forms of misleading advertising. Altered images should be labelled so buyers know what’s real.

Choosing an agent for a sale or purchase in the next year? Put me on your interview list. I’ll show you exactly how I’d market your home, or book a 10-minute chat. You can also get a free home valuation first. Text me at 778-363-0542.

3. Video

A walk-through video that follows the natural flow of the home
A neighbourhood segment: nearby parks, schools, shops, trails and views
Short vertical clips for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube Shorts
Publication on a YouTube channel where it can be found in search

I publish on my channel, @ChaletSean, and also use clearly labelled AI avatar video for some explainer content. See how AI and video marketing can help sell your home for more.

4. Local search (hyper-local SEO)

When buyers search “homes for sale in Coldstream” or “homes near Mission Hill Elementary,” what comes up? An agent with well-built pages for specific areas can put your listing in front of people already searching for it.

Neighbourhood pages, such as my Coldstream neighbourhood guide
School catchment pages, such as my Vernon and Coldstream schools guide
Building and complex pages for condos and townhomes
Blog posts and guides that answer buyers’ real questions

Ask each agent: “Which local searches do your pages show up for?”

5. Google Business Profile and reviews

An agent’s Google Business Profile is often the first thing local buyers and sellers see. It should have accurate information, recent posts and genuine reviews. It’s a quick check of how active and trusted an agent is online.

6. MLS, syndication and the basics

A complete, accurate MLS listing with strong photos, video link and floor plan
Syndication to the major listing sites
Signage and feature sheets
Open houses where they make sense for the home and the market
Outreach to other local agents who may have buyers

The basics still matter. Modern marketing adds to them.

7. Social media and targeted ads

Paid ads targeted to likely buyers by location and interest, including out-of-town markets like Alberta and the Lower Mainland
Organic posts on the agent’s own channels
Retargeting people who’ve viewed the listing or video

Ask for a sample of a recent ad campaign and what results it produced.

8. AI tools, used responsibly

AI can help an agent research the market, draft descriptions and scripts, and respond faster. It should never replace checking the facts. BCFSA’s artificial intelligence guideline expects licensees to review AI output, protect client privacy, label altered images and tell people when they’re dealing with AI tools like chatbots or avatars.

Ask: “How do you use AI, and how do you protect my information?”

9. Response and follow-up

Quick replies to enquiries, including evenings and weekends
Organised showings with feedback shared with you
Regular updates: what’s happening, what buyers are saying, what’s next

I use an AI info line, Sarah (604-227-4810), so buyers can get basic information 24/7. Sarah is an AI, and I follow up personally.

10. Negotiation and completion

A clear strategy for multiple offers or no offers
Careful handling of subjects, deposits and deadlines
Coordination with your lawyer or notary through to completion

How do you use this checklist?

Take it to every agent you interview and ask them to show you each item: real videos, real pages, real ads. Note what’s included in their fee and what costs extra. My post on what your realtor’s commission actually pays for explains how to compare.

If you already have an agent, use it as a conversation starter. Ask which items are part of your plan and whether others can be added. If you’re approaching renewal or your listing has expired, it’s a good time to compare. See how to interview a realtor.

None of this guarantees a particular price or timeline. A complete plan can help your home reach more of the right buyers and make a strong first impression. My selling your home page shows how I put it into practice.

Frequently asked questions

How do realtors market homes in 2026?

Beyond the MLS, strong agents use video, local web pages that rank in Google, social media ads, a maintained Google Business Profile, AI tools used responsibly, and fast responses to buyers.

Is video necessary for every listing?

Not required, but it helps buyers who can’t visit in person, and it’s increasingly expected.

Should virtual staging be disclosed?

Yes. Altered or enhanced images should be clearly labelled so buyers aren’t misled, as BCFSA guidance expects.

Do I pay extra for marketing?

It depends on the agent. Ask what’s included in the commission and what, if anything, is billed separately.

More Vernon guides

Questions about buying or selling in Vernon?

I’m Sean Phillips, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Executives Realty in Vernon, BC. I live in Okanagan Landing, and I help buyers and sellers across Vernon, Coldstream, SilverStar and the North Okanagan.

Text or call Sean: 778-363-0542
Call or text Sarah, my 24/7 info line: 604-227-4810

Book a 10-minute chat with Sean

This article is general information as of fall 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and conditions change, so confirm details with the appropriate professional or authority before making a decision.

Featured photo by mockupbee on Unsplash.

What a 2026 Home Marketing Plan Should Include: A Seller’s Checklist