The "Coming Soon" Teaser Video: How Estate Agents Build Demand Before a Property Hits the Portals

The moment a property goes live on Rightmove-style portals, a quiet countdown begins. For the first few days the listing is new, saved-search alerts go out and the keenest buyers react quickly. After that, it becomes just another property in the results. That is why the first days are the most valuable part of any marketing campaign.

The trouble is that most estate agents arrive at that moment with nothing prepared: they upload the listing and wait. The best agents do the opposite. They build anticipation first, collect a list of interested buyers and, on launch day, already have people queuing up to view. The simplest tool for this is the "Coming Soon" teaser video.

Why the pre-launch matters

• You make the most of the "new listing" window: if buyers are already primed when the property hits the portals, interest is concentrated in those first days rather than trickling in over weeks.
• You create a sense of genuine demand: several viewings booked in the first week signal to the market, and to your vendor, that the home is wanted.
• You grow a richer database: every person who responds to the teaser is a qualified lead you can use for this property and the next ones.
• Your vendor sees the work: the seller watches their home being promoted before it even appears online.

What exactly is a teaser video?

A teaser is a short video, 15 to 30 seconds long, that reveals only part of the property. It is not the full listing video; it is a taster. It usually includes:

• A hint about the location (the neighbourhood, the view, a well-known landmark), without the exact address.
• The two or three strongest rooms: the light-filled reception room, the new kitchen, the garden, the view.
• A clear "Coming Soon" message with the launch date.
• An invitation to get in touch and receive the full video first.

The aim is not to sell the property in the teaser. It is to spark enough curiosity that people raise their hand.

Making the teaser in minutes with imovpro.ai

You do not need a film crew or days of editing. With imovpro.ai, you upload a handful of property photos and the tool turns them into a professional video with motion, transitions and a vertical format ready for social media.

1. Pick four to six photos: one exterior or view shot plus the best rooms.
2. Generate a short vertical video (9:16) for Stories, Reels and WhatsApp Status.
3. Add "Coming Soon" and the launch date as on-screen text.
4. Keep the remaining photos for the full video on launch day.

Because it only takes minutes, you can produce a teaser for every new instruction, not just the premium ones.

A teaser script that works

1. Hook in the first 3 seconds

The first frame has to stop the scroll. Use your most striking photo and a short line: "Three-bed with a south-facing garden, coming to Clifton" or "River views. Coming soon."

2. Three highlights

Show three strengths, one at a time: the light in the living room, the kitchen, the outside space. Three is enough to create desire without spoiling the surprise.

3. Curiosity gap

Deliberately hold something back: "And you haven't seen the best bit yet." Curiosity is what makes people send a message.

4. Call to action

End with a direct instruction: "Message me to get the full video before anyone else" or "Book your slot for the first viewings now".

Where to publish the teaser

• Instagram, TikTok and Facebook: as Reels and Stories, with an approximate location and local hashtags.
• WhatsApp Status and broadcast lists: send it to your buyer database, segmented by area and budget.
• Email: to registered applicants looking for that type of home.
• Google Business Profile: a post with the video strengthens your local presence.
• Local groups: neighbourhood groups and online communities, always following each group's rules.

A 7 to 10-day pre-launch calendar

• Day -7: teaser. Publish the "Coming Soon" video with the date and start collecting contacts.
• Day -4: detail reveal. Show a new feature (the main bedroom, the garden at sunset, the period details) to keep interest alive.
• Day -2: private preview list. Send interested buyers the key details and open viewing bookings for launch day.
• Day 0: launch. The listing goes live on the portals with the full video and is shared across every channel.
• Days 1 to 3: first viewings block. Group viewings into back-to-back slots. It creates momentum and makes feedback to the vendor easier.

From curiosity to viewing: converting the list

Every reply to the teaser should go into a simple list (spreadsheet or CRM) with name, contact details, budget, mortgage position, whether they have a property to sell and their timescale. Ask two or three quick questions to qualify. On day -2, send these contacts the full video first and offer specific viewing times. People who answered the teaser feel they have privileged access, and that feeling tends to improve viewing attendance.

Using the teaser to win the instruction

Take a sample teaser to your valuation appointment. Show the vendor how their home would be presented before it reaches the portals and walk them through the pre-launch calendar. They realise you will not simply "put it on Rightmove": you will run an active marketing plan. It is a strong argument for winning the instruction, especially against agents who offer nothing similar.

Ethics and rules to respect

• Vendor consent: only publish the teaser with the seller's explicit permission, ideally recorded in your terms of business.
• Accurate information: do not exaggerate size, finishes or views. The teaser must match the real property, in line with consumer protection rules.
• Portal and network rules: some portals, listing networks and professional bodies have rules about marketing a property before it is widely advertised. In the US, for example, "Clear Cooperation"-type policies restrict public marketing outside the MLS. Check the rules that apply to your agency and market; this is not legal advice.
• Privacy: avoid showing the exact address, number plates, family photos or valuables.

Common mistakes

• Revealing everything in the teaser, leaving no reason to get in touch.
• Leaving out a date, which removes urgency.
• Making the teaser too long, over 30 seconds.
• Having no system to capture interested buyers.
• Leaving too long a gap between teaser and launch.
• Publishing without the vendor's permission.

8-step checklist

1. Get the vendor's written consent.
2. Check your market's rules on pre-portal marketing.
3. Select four to six strong photos.
4. Create the vertical teaser with imovpro.ai.
5. Write the hook, three highlights and call to action.
6. Publish on the right channels on day -7.
7. Log and qualify every interested buyer.
8. Launch with the full video and cluster the first viewings.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead of launch should I post the teaser?

Seven to ten days is usually enough. Any less leaves little time to gather interest; much more and the excitement fades.

Should I include the asking price?

It is not essential. You can give a guide range or share the price with people who get in touch, as long as you are transparent when asked.

Does it work for mid-market homes?

Yes. Any property benefits from reaching the market with buyers already waiting. Teasers are not just for the luxury end.

What if the vendor does not want any exposure before launch?

Respect that. You can run a quieter version sent only to your buyer database, or go straight to launch with the full video.

Conclusion

A "Coming Soon" teaser video turns a property launch into an event. Instead of uploading and waiting, you arrive on the portals with a list of interested buyers, viewings booked and a vendor who can see the effort you are putting in. It all starts with a few photos and a simple script.

Create your next teaser in minutes with imovpro.ai and launch every instruction with demand from day one.