By Sean Colón
Instagram continues to be one of the most powerful platforms for real estate marketing, and its newest features are giving Arizona realtors fresh ways to connect with clients and showcase listings. With Repost, Instagram Maps, and the Friends Tab in Reels, the platform is becoming more interactive and hyper-local, making it an essential tool for building your brand and generating leads in Arizona’s competitive housing market.
Why Instagram Still Matters for Realtors in 2025
According to Hootsuite, more than 2 billion users log into Instagram every month, with nearly half of them engaging with Stories and Reels daily. In Arizona, where homebuyers often begin their property search online before contacting an agent, a strong Instagram presence can make the difference between winning and losing a client.
For realtors, Instagram’s latest updates aren’t just flashy features. They are opportunities to build trust, highlight expertise, and convert casual followers into serious leads.
1. Repost: Expand Your Reach with Social Proof
The new Repost feature allows users to share posts directly to their feed without using third-party apps. For Arizona realtors, this is a game-changer.
Share client testimonials or success stories in your feed to build trust.
Repost community events in Scottsdale, Tempe, or Mesa to position yourself as the neighborhood expert.
Highlight local builders, stagers, and partners to grow referral relationships.
Pro Tip: Combine Repost with professional listing photography. When past clients or local businesses reshare your posts, your reach multiplies — and with high-quality visuals, your brand looks even stronger.
2. Instagram Maps: Hyper-Local Visibility for Listings
Instagram Maps now allows users to discover businesses and locations nearby. For real estate agents, this means your content can show up when potential buyers explore neighborhoods.
Tag your listing locations in Phoenix, Gilbert, or Chandler so buyers browsing Maps see your posts.
Showcase “hidden gem” coffee shops, parks, and restaurants around your listings to sell not just the home but the lifestyle.
Use Maps to highlight your expertise in specific neighborhoods where buyers are searching.
With inventory still tight in Arizona, showcasing community features alongside listings helps attract buyers who are making lifestyle-driven decisions.
3. Friends Tab in Reels: Build Community and Trust
The Friends Tab lets users keep up with Reels from people they actually know, versus being lost in the algorithm. Realtors can use this to deepen connections.
Share quick Reels that explain market trends in plain language.
Post behind-the-scenes content: staging prep, twilight photography sessions, or virtual tour walkthroughs.
Encourage past clients to follow and engage, so your Reels appear in their Friends Tab — keeping you top of mind for referrals.
Practical Ways Arizona Realtors Can Leverage These Tools
Create a listing campaign that tags the home’s location on Maps, uses professional photos, and is reshared through Repost.
Develop neighborhood “Reel series”, one week spotlighting Old Town Scottsdale, the next week Goodyear’s new builds.
Encourage sellers to share your professional listing photos in their own networks via Repost, amplifying exposure at no cost.
Why Professional Photography Still Matters
These new Instagram tools are only as effective as the content behind them. Blurry cell phone shots don’t perform well on Reels, Maps, or in reposts. Professional photography: twilight shoots, virtual staging, and 360 virtual tours, ensures your listings stand out in a crowded feed. Quality visuals not only attract buyers but also boost engagement rates, which tells Instagram’s algorithm your content is worth showing to more people.
Final Takeaway
Instagram’s Repost, Maps, and Friends Tab in Reels aren’t just social media updates — they’re opportunities for Arizona realtors to stay ahead of the competition in 2025. By combining these features with strong listing photography and local expertise, you can build trust, attract more buyers, and win more listings. For instagram’s official announcement on these newest features, visit instagram’s official blog!
Ready to level up your social media strategy with high-impact visuals? Visit SeanColon.com to see how professional real estate photography can help your listings dominate Instagram and beyond. Follow me on Instagram yet? Check me out here:
By the way, I help realtors improve their online and social media presence by providing beautiful photos of their listings. That is why I’ve created this FREE HOME PREP LIST for your clients to help your listings look their best. Feel free to share.