How to Create Real Estate Newsletter Templates That Get Read

Listen, all you real estate agents, naysayers will try to tell you that no one reads real estate newsletters anymore. That they don’t work. That they’re old school. 

If your newsletter reads like a boring listing dump written by a robot, that could be the case. 

Otherwise, a done well real estate newsletter template could be the most simple, yet powerful marketing tool that works while you sleep. Nurturing your leads, your sphere of influence, and buyers and sellers in your market. 

Don’t just take our word for it. The data from the State of Email Newsletters, 2024,  suggest that agents who use real estate newsletter templates have an average open rate of 42% and a click rate of 1.7%. 

Do the math: from 100 people on your list, 42 will open your newsletter. Now, imagine calling 42 people individually. That’s days and sometimes weeks of dodged calls, and “Can I call you back?” conversations.

A well-designed real estate newsletter template layout enables you to scale those touchpoints by connecting with hundreds of leads simultaneously. 

It nurtures them with your expertise, keeps you in their sight, and feeds them content that positions you as the go-to agent. When these subscribers are ready to buy or sell, chances are it’s you that they will think back to over other agents. 

Yet here’s what kills us—so many real estate agents are sleeping on newsletter marketing. Either they tried it once and ceased trying. Or they think it’s too intimidating because of the terms like “deliverability” and “spam complaints,” which they know nothing about, so they move on. 

Any of those speak to you? Then this is a blog that’s absolutely for you. 

If you’re looking for a simple way to craft click-worthy real estate newsletter template layouts, ideas for what could be in your templates, and how to do it in a way that’s not overly technical or complicated, read on. 

Best Practices For High Leverage Real Estate Newsletter Template Designs

Start With a Head-turning Subject Line

Before your beautiful real estate newsletter template layouts have a chance to work their charm, subscribers have to open the email. A lot of that action depends on how captivating your subject lines are. 

The key to crafting newsletter subject lines that increase open rates is to keep them short, punchy, relevant, and intriguing. Maybe even a little unexpected. Whenever it fits, tap into a sense of urgency. 

Personalizing subject lines with the contact’s name and location is also a smart tactic that inspires them to open your email newsletter.  

Pro tip: Do keyword research. Type in the relevant term, say, “first-time home buyer” in Google or YouTube, and check the suggested autofill phrases. Use these insights to craft relevant subjects your audience is already interested in.

Some examples:

• “Don’t open this newsletter unless you want serious house envy.”
• “This week’s market update just ruined your productivity (you’re welcome)”
• “Don’t blame me if you start house hunting after reading this.”
• “The $200 fix that just added $10K to a home’s value”

Hold to Simple, Scrollable Layout

This is the point where most real estate agents overkill. You don’t need a pixel-perfect newsletter that takes hours to code or an overly designed real estate newsletter template. 

Instead, follow the scroll:

• Use a single-column layout, clear fonts, and just enough whitespace.
• It’s better not to stuff 20 listings, 1o tips, and 5 event recaps on one newsletter. One core message per email. Maybe two.
• Hero image or video thumbnail at the top. Ideally, clickable and leads to your site, YouTube channel, or landing page. 

Why clickable?

Higher click-through rates signal strong engagement. Which approves you as a legitimate sender in the eyes of inbox providers and better your email deliverability. 

• Clear call-to-action. Button or bold text that sends them to your site, social media, lead form, or listing. Your CTA should feel like the start of a conversation, not the end of a sales pitch.
• A couple of property teaser photos and make them clickable links that lead to your website for the full listing or gallery. If you add too many pictures, subscribers will get what they need from the email. They have no real hook to bother clicking through to your site.

Lead With Value-Driven Content

The truth is that getting the open is only half the battle. Your real estate newsletter template design should lock in their attention and give them a reason to engage.

However, many real estate agents make this mistake: they create newsletters that are never-ending sales pitches. If you’re one of those, you won’t see much result from your newsletters. Instead, provide value. If you give value to your subscribers, they’ll tolerate some promotions as entremets. 

To pull that off, don’t merely showcase a listing. Offer something extra that they care about. Your real estate newsletter should educate, entertain, and engage your audience.

Mix in:

• Market trends and wrap-ups
• Tips for buyers and sellers
• Local happenings 
• How-to guides
• Real estate memes
• Budget home decorating ideas
• Seasonal maintenance reminders
• And best of all: personal stories from your real estate business

Balancing promotional and informative content paints a picture that you’re a helpful expert, not just another agent pushing a property.

And hey, if you want to tap into the latest email design trends, try interactive content:

• Short surveys and quizzes.
• Embedded videos such as virtual walk-throughs, market explainer videos. 
• Image carousels of listings. 
• Dynamic content blocks personalized to each reader’s behavior. 

Add Video Thumbnails That Look Like Videos

Real video embeds don’t work well in most email clients. The workaround is to use a static thumbnail with a play button overlay that links to your video on YouTube or your site. It increases click-through rates and keeps users engaged.

The video adds personality and shows effort. Even if someone doesn’t watch the full thing, they’re getting to understand who you are.

Maintain Consistency

Consistency beats perfection when it comes to real estate newsletter template layout. You could send out your newsletter weekly, biweekly, or monthly. That’s fine. But pick a pace and maintain it. 

This will help you train your audience to expect and hopefully look forward to your newsletters.

However, Vanessa Riley, a popular realtor in Atlanta, Georgia, prefers weekly emails. 

She says that weekly frequency works for her real estate newsletters. It helps her to stay visible, keep listings top of mind, and reinforce her brand voice and market expertise. Biweekly is still fine. But monthly or quarterly emails? “You’ll lose traction. You won’t develop a reputation in inboxes, and they won’t recognize you,” warns Vanessa. 

Pro tip: Not all subscribers want your newsletter with the same frequency. So, segment your list and A/B test cadence to find your rhythm.

Wrapping Up 

Real estate newsletter templates are still one of the most underleveraged tools in real estate marketing. Here’s what most agents ask: “Do people even read real estate newsletters anymore?”

Yes—if they’re fun. If they’re valuable. If they’re written and designed with intention. And when they do, you build long-term trust. It makes you an agent of choice that subscribers can turn to when it’s time to buy or sell. Even if it’s months or years later. 

But while wearing multiple hats, when do real estate agents find time to create those newsletters every week?

That’s why smart agents turn to email template design services like Email Marvels. With readable layouts, responsive mobile-friendly design, and engaging content blocks for real estate, these services take a mountain off your plate. 

Because it’s 2025 and real estate agents aren’t winging it anymore. They’re building real, sustainable systems for staying visible and filling their pipelines—without burning out.

And it starts right here.