Getting ready for tomorrow’s real estate market
The real estate market is poised for change. After years of elevated interest rates and limited transactions, signs of recovery are appearing. Consumers are browsing more listings, first-time buyers are preparing to enter the market, and renters are increasingly considering homeownership.
These shifts were at the center of Tom Ferry’s recent interview with Damian Eales, CEO of Move, Inc. (realtor.com), who shared what his team is seeing from more than 100 million monthly visitors to the site.
To understand what these insights mean for agents and how to act on them, we asked Luxury Presence’s own Chris Linsell for his take. Here, Chris reflects on the conversation and explains how Luxury Presence helps agents prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
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Renters are tomorrow’s buyers
Eales emphasized the importance of renters: “Everybody in this room should be talking to more renters today… renters become buyers. Yes, and there are a disproportionate number of renters in the market today, but renters are increasingly looking at buying.”
This observation highlights an often-overlooked group. Many renters are exploring both rent and buy options online, signaling that they are on the edge of transition. Agents who fail to engage them risk losing not just a rental lead, but a long-term client relationship.
Linsell says this matches exactly what he sees happening on the Luxury Presence platform: “Too often, agents dismiss renters as short-term relationships. But Damian is right — they are toggling between rent and buy online, and that intent is gold. In 2024 alone, Luxury Presence generated nearly half a million exclusive leads for our clients. With the right strategy, those renters become buyers and loyal clients.”
By equipping agents with home search tools, valuation features, and automated lead capture, Luxury Presence helps agents build relationships early and guide renters into ownership.
The market recovery is gaining momentum
Consumer behavior suggests stronger purchase intent. Eales noted, “We are going to get to a point pretty soon where you say, after every drought, massive recovery… I think that we’re on that cusp. I think the consumers know it.”
Luxury Presence clients are already proving what readiness looks like. In 2024, our clients grew sales volume by 17% year over year, which is nearly twice the pace of peers in the same markets. That kind of performance comes from preparation, not chance.
Linsell underscores that point: “I like Damian’s point here: Consumers can feel that a recovery is coming. But recovery isn’t evenly distributed. The agents who will benefit most are the ones who already have visibility, trust, and digital credibility in place. When the market accelerates, they’re the obvious choice.”
Momentum is building, and agents who strengthen their digital presence now will be best positioned to capture tomorrow’s transactions.
First-time buyers are waiting to enter
Eales also pointed to the delayed entry of first-time buyers: “There are a lot of first time home buyers… who have been working on their finances, who have been renting, who have been living in mum and dad’s home… waiting to now enter that market.”
These buyers represent significant pent-up demand. But their buying journey looks different: they expect digital-first experiences, mobile access, and seamless ways to connect with agents.
Linsell agrees: “We’re seeing this first hand. These buyers aren’t starting with open houses. They start with Google, ChatGPT, and Instagram. That’s why agents need a digital presence that captures attention right away. With more than 100 million visitors driven to our clients’ websites in 2024, Luxury Presence ensures that when these buyers start their search, our clients are the ones most visible.”
From modern websites to SEO, LLM optimization and lead capture, Luxury Presence ensures agents are ready to meet these buyers online.
Visibility and trust determine who wins
Trust remains the deciding factor. As Eales explained, “The most important aspect, from a consumer’s perspective, in terms of choosing a realtor, is trust. Do I trust this person that I’m about to make the biggest financial transaction of my life?”
Linsell underscores this point: “Damian is absolutely right. Trust doesn’t begin at the first meeting; it begins the moment someone searches your name online. If what they see is a dated website or no presence at all, confidence is lost before the conversation begins. That’s why nearly one-third of the nation’s top-producing agents use Luxury Presence. They know their digital brand is a direct reflection of their credibility.”
Visibility and trust go hand in hand. With Luxury Presence, agents can ensure that their first impression builds confidence and sets the stage for lasting client relationships.
What agents should do now
Eales reminded the audience: “It won’t be an equal opportunity recovery.” The agents who prepare now, by engaging renters, anticipating first-time buyer demand, and building trusted digital brands, will capture the disproportionate share of growth as conditions improve.
Linsell concludes: “Damian’s insights confirm what we see every day: Tomorrow’s market belongs to the agents who act today. Luxury Presence gives them the tools to not just participate in the recovery, but lead it.”
The path forward
Luxury Presence is proud to power more than 65,000 agents and 15,000 real estate businesses, including nearly one-third of the nation’s top producers. We know the market is shifting, and we know what it takes to win: Visibility, trust, and digital readiness. The time to prepare is now.
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Agents using Luxury Presence grew sales nearly 2x faster than their peers, increased sold listings by 6%, and closed over $300B in transactions. Ready to grow your business? Let us show you how.
