Facebook Ads vs Google Ads for Realtors: Why Google Wins Every Time

facebook ads vs google ads for realtors

At Digital Dream Homes, we’ve spoken to countless real estate agents over the years. One thing keeps coming up in those conversations: the ongoing debate of Facebook ads vs Google ads for realtors. It’s a hot topic because every agent wants to know which one will get them the most leads and, more importantly, the most closings.

We’ve seen agents pour thousands into Facebook campaigns and we’ve watched others dominate their market using Google. And the truth is clear. While Facebook ads can look promising on the surface, Google ads consistently bring in more serious buyers and sellers who actually convert.

Why Facebook Ads Tempt So Many Realtors

On paper, Facebook ads sound amazing. You can reach thousands of people in your area, target specific demographics, and get a ton of clicks for relatively little cost. The problem? Most of those clicks don’t turn into deals.

Here’s why. People go to Facebook to scroll, watch videos, and catch up with friends, not to shop for homes or hire a realtor. Even if they click on your ad, they’re often just curious. They might fill out a form, then immediately keep scrolling and forget they ever interacted with you.

When you try to follow up, you get the dreaded silence. Calls go unanswered. Texts get ignored. Emails bounce around in their inbox unopened. You’ve just spent money to generate a lead who isn’t even thinking seriously about buying or selling.

This is why so many agents say Facebook ads give them “a lot of leads but no closings.” The audience is cold. You’re interrupting them with a message they weren’t looking for. That’s called disruptive marketing, and in real estate, it often leads to wasted time and money.

If you’ve read our post on real estate website conversion tips, you know that the warmer the lead, the easier the conversion. And that’s where Google ads completely outshine Facebook.

Why Google Ads Deliver Warmer, More Qualified Leads

When someone searches for “homes for sale in Phoenix” or “sell my house fast in Dallas” on Google, they’re telling you exactly what they want. These are high-intent searches. They’re not casually browsing, they’re actively looking for solutions. And that makes them the perfect audience for your services.

With Google ads, you can target these exact keywords and show up at the very top of the search results. Not just on page one, above Zillow, Realtor.com, and all the other big players. Imagine a local homeowner typing in “best realtor near me” and seeing yourname.com sitting above the competition. That’s an instant credibility boost.

Once they click your ad, they land on your website where they can explore listings, read about your services, and get to know you. You’re not trying to convince them to think about real estate, they’re already there mentally. Now you just need to show them why you’re the right agent for the job.

If you’ve followed the strategies in real estate SEO best practices, your site will not only capture their attention but also keep them engaged long enough to convert.

The Targeting Power of Google Ads

The beauty of Google ads is how precise you can get with targeting. You can choose:

  • Location: Only show ads to people in your city or a specific radius

  • Keywords: Bid on exact phrases your ideal clients search for

  • Time of day: Run ads when people are most likely to search for homes

  • Device type: Focus on mobile users if that’s where most of your leads come from

This means you’re not paying for clicks from people outside your market or from those who aren’t anywhere near ready to move. Every dollar goes toward reaching people who are actively in the market for a home or a realtor.

Compare that to Facebook ads, where your targeting is mostly based on demographics and interests. You might be able to narrow it down to “people interested in real estate in Chicago,” but you can’t guarantee they’re actually planning to buy or sell in the near future.

realtors celebrating after getting closings from google ads

The Big Credibility Boost

There’s another hidden advantage to Google ads for realtors: perception. When someone sees your website listed above national real estate portals, it positions you as a local authority. It tells them you’re serious, established, and capable of competing with the big brands.

This credibility can tip the scales in your favor during listing presentations. Sellers want to work with the agent who can get their property the most visibility, and showing them your ad placement at the top of Google is a powerful proof point.

This strategy works even better when paired with the tips in how to attract high-end sellers online, since those clients are especially influenced by perception and authority.

The Problem With Disruptive Marketing

Let’s be clear. Facebook ads do work for some agents, especially if they’re paired with a strong nurture system. But for most realtors, they fall short because they rely on disruptive marketing. You’re trying to insert your message into someone’s social feed when they’re not actively looking for it.

Google ads, on the other hand, are based on intent. You’re simply showing up when someone asks for what you offer. That’s why the lead-to-close ratio is almost always better with Google.

Think about it like fishing. Facebook ads are like tossing a net into a crowded swimming pool and hoping you catch a fish. Google ads are like casting your line into a river full of hungry fish swimming directly toward you.

How We Use Google Ads for Realtors at Digital Dream Homes

At Digital Dream Homes, we run Google ads for our realtor clients because we’ve seen the results firsthand. We build luxury real estate websites that integrate IDX search, high-converting landing pages, and lead capture tools. Then we drive targeted traffic from Google ads directly to those sites.

The process looks like this:

  1. Keyword research to find the most profitable search terms in your market

  2. Ad creation with compelling headlines and copy that speak directly to your ideal client

  3. Landing page optimization so visitors convert into leads

  4. Tracking and tweaking campaigns to maximize return on ad spend

We’ve helped agents outrank Zillow in their own backyard, generate seller leads who are ready to list, and consistently add closings to their calendar. When paired with a professional website built for conversion, Google ads are a game-changer.

The Verdict: Google Ads Beat Facebook Ads for Realtors

While Facebook ads can be useful in certain scenarios, like brand awareness or retargeting, Google ads win when it comes to generating ready-to-act leads. The intent is higher, the targeting is sharper, and the credibility boost is undeniable.

If you’re a realtor who’s tired of chasing cold Facebook leads that never pick up the phone, it might be time to shift your focus to where the serious buyers and sellers are already looking: Google.

The Only Real Con of Google Ads for Realtors

If we’re being completely transparent, Google ads aren’t a magic light switch you can flip on and expect instant, consistent closings. Yes, you can get leads right away, but the real power of Google ads comes after a few months of optimization.

Google ads work best once they’ve “matured,” which usually takes about 3 to 6 months. This time allows your campaign to collect data on which keywords, ads, and audiences perform best in your market. In the beginning, you’re essentially buying data while generating early leads. As you analyze that data and make adjustments, your ads become more efficient and cost-effective.

Think of it like farming. You don’t plant seeds and expect a harvest the next morning. You plant, water, and nurture them until they grow strong enough to produce a steady supply. Once your Google ads hit this maturity stage, they can provide a consistent flow of high-quality leads month after month.

 

This is why patience and proper tracking are critical. If you’re expecting overnight dominance, you might be tempted to quit too soon. But if you commit to the full growth cycle, the results can completely transform your business.

That is why at Digital Dream Homes, when we run google ads for our clients, we recommend doing it for at least 6 months to get momentum. We consistently track and optimize our clients’ campaigns over time…but we need data to work with. We are not saying results do not happen quickly. They certainly do all the time. The review from Hollye below shows that we got her 3 listings in her first week with our google ads.

Your Next Step

If you want to dominate your local market, we can help. At Digital Dream Homes, we specialize in creating luxury, high-converting realtor websites and running targeted Google ad campaigns that get results. 

Book a free consultation today and see how we can put your name at the top of Google—above Zillow, above Realtor.com, and above the competition.

Picture of Matt Pieczarka

Matt Pieczarka

Matt is the founder and CEO of Digital Dream Homes. He loves building websites and working with his clients personally to achieve a common goal. He is currently working on building a CRM that integrates the top two most visited platforms on the planet (Facebook and Google) with lead generation and websites.

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