In the fast-paced, ever-changing world of real estate, seasoned agents know that networking is the secret to long-term success. Building strong relationships remains the key to unlocking opportunities and scaling business—even in the digital age.

Like most industries, real estate is becoming saturated with younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z now make up a significant percentage of buyers, sellers, and agents—and those numbers will only continue increasing in the years to come.

So, how are new generations expected to navigate the competitive world of real estate, especially when industry networking looks so different than it did 20-30 years ago? Well, they’ll continue doing what they do best—harnessing the power of the internet!

Who Are Millennials and Gen Z?

Pew Research refers to Millennials as those born between 1981 and 1996 and Generation Z—or Gen Z—as those born after 1997. While this demographic represents a wide age range, this group of 40-somethings and younger have one major factor in common: technology.

In contrast to previous generations, Millennials have had access to the internet for most of their formative years—even though technology has evolved drastically over the past two decades. Most Gen Z, however, don’t remember a time before the internet. Millennials likely jumped on the social media bandwagon in college; Gen Z’s parents may have documented most of their childhood milestones on Facebook. Millennials may have researched assignments on the internet in the school library; most Gen Z have had laptops or tablets at their fingertips since elementary school.

Even though preferred media has changed through the years, technology has primarily defined most adolescent and young adult experiences for Millennials and Gen Z—and followed them into their career-building years.

Millennials and Gen Z in Real Estate

In 2022, the National Association of REALTORS^® reported that more millennials were buying homes than ever. Furthermore, approximately 65% of those buyers purchased homes they found via internet searches. Still, most millennials used a real estate agent to facilitate their home purchase.

Networking Tips for Millennials and Gen Z

Whether you’re networking with Millennials and Gen Z—or if you fall into this category yourself—remember these tips to make the most of your connections: 

• Maximize social media. Millennials and Gen Z are social media natives. Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok are powerful tools that empower real estate agents to showcase their expertise, build their brand, and engage with clients.
  
  
• Attend virtual events. In the post-pandemic era, in-person presence is rarely required at networking events. Attend webinars and online conferences to connect with colleagues, expand your knowledge, and keep up with industry trends.
  
  
• Seek mentorship. Networking involves building your client base and seeking advice from industry veterans. Seek mentorship from experienced real estate agents who can encourage you, share trade secrets, and help you navigate fluctuating markets.
  
  
• Attend local events. While the digital world provides almost as much interaction as in-person events, nothing can replace face-to-face interaction—primarily when you depend on the local market. Attend mixers, community events, and conferences to establish yourself as a leader in the community.
  
  
• Keep it real. Millennials and Gen Z have been the target of digital marketing campaigns for most of their lives, and it may have sharpened their ability to identify inauthenticity. Stay genuine both on and offline. Actively listen, share personal stories, use humor, and show a sincere concern for others. Authentic connections will lead to more opportunities than shallow, surface-level interactions.

In summary, digital networking is here to stay. Remember to use social media when connecting with younger demographics—and stay authentic! Millennials and Gen Z represent the future of every industry. Recognize the value of their perspectives and reap the rewards of engaging with this demographic.

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