Real Estate Lead Generation: Insights from Ielove Group's Survey

Understanding Real Estate Lead Generation

The real estate sector is undergoing significant transformation, particularly regarding lead generation strategies. A recent survey conducted by Ielove Group—a leading provider of DX support services in the real estate industry—shed light on the current methods employed by real estate companies for attracting clients. The survey ran from January 23, 2025, to October 27, 2025, with 1,338 valid responses submitted by professionals in the field.

Survey Background

The method of gathering leads is crucial in real estate, significantly impacting customer engagement, foot traffic to physical offices, and subsequent sales contracts. In recent years, the utilization of social media for lead generation has risen but remains challenging for many firms to implement effectively. This dichotomy has prompted Ielove Group to investigate how real estate businesses currently approach client acquisition and the effectiveness of different platforms.

Key Findings from the Survey

Dominance of Portal Sites in Lead Generation

When asked about their primary lead generation sources, approximately 70% of the surveyed real estate companies cited "portal sites" as their most effective channel. This was followed by referrals, which accounted for just 14.9%. The overwhelming preference for portal sites indicates their vital role in reaching potential clients. Notably, usage varied by business type; rental agencies showed a higher reliance on portal sites, while the sales segment leaned more towards referrals.

In response to the question about the second most effective method for generating leads, 37.4% of respondents pointed to their own company websites, followed by referrals (22.6%) and portal sites (15.3%). This preference for company websites can be attributed to their ability to highlight the unique strengths and branding of each firm—a key factor in guiding customers down the sales funnel.

Satisfaction with Portal Sites and Related Challenges

Survey respondents expressed a general level of satisfaction with the performance of portal sites. Approximately 67% of respondents indicated they were either very satisfied (11.8%) or moderately satisfied (55.2%) with the results from these sites. The primary advantages cited included a large volume of end-users engaging with these platforms (45.4%) and the ease of input (23.8%). Such feedback highlights the operational efficiency and lead generation capabilities fostered by these platforms.

However, some dissatisfaction remains, as about 26.2% of respondents flagged concerns like high advertising costs (48.1%) and the necessity for additional features to obtain substantial leads (26.9%). This shows that while portal sites are effective, financial considerations continue to be a considerable barrier for companies, alongside challenges relating to data entry processes.

Implications and Strategic Recommendations

The feedback gathered through this survey emphasizes the importance of strategically selecting the appropriate portal site and effectively utilizing the related systems. Companies can enhance their lead generation efficiency and engagement levels by carefully weighing costs, exploring different marketing channels, and integrating their website efforts with social media and SEO initiatives.

Kenichi Niwayama, Executive Director of Ielove Group commented, “This survey highlights the current landscape of lead generation methods in the real estate sector, revealing that while portal sites remain the primary sources of inquiries, issues like high costs and labor-intensive processes need addressing.”

Moving forward, Ielove Group pledges to empower real estate companies by providing comprehensive support for optimizing their engagement strategies—be it through effective usage of portal sites, counselor websites, or complementary social media channels.

About Ielove Group

Founded in January 2008, Ielove Group aims to create a future where everyone can navigate the housing market confidently. The company’s solutions are indispensable for over 44,000 businesses nationwide, facilitating their digital transformation. Through various services ranging from housing guarantees to AI floor plans, Ielove Group continues to reinforce its commitment to elevating the real estate industry.

For more information about Ielove Group’s services and survey details, visit Ielove Group and Ielove Cloud.