The Formula For Making a Good-Looking Real Estate Blog Post

The Template I Use to Help in Making a Good Looking Blog Post

Blogging is hard. I’m not going to lie. Choosing the blogging platform (CMS) you should use, coming up with ideas, writing content, creating headlines, finding or creating images or videos, SEO… MG!

“Your post should display how much of a professional writer and blogger you are! The more professional your post looks the more respect and trust you will earn! ” ~ Phillip Dews

Why a Professional-Looking Blog Post Matters

If you have a WordPress Blog, and have decided that you are willing to INVEST in your “Inbound Marketing” with a “Content Marketing” Campaign, then you will want to know how to create a good-looking blog post.

This may be the #1 question that I get from my real estate clients. I created an e-book called the Simple Guide to Real Estate Blogging to help answer this question.

Pro Tip: To make the blogging process easier, consider using AI tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid for grammar and style checks. These tools can help ensure your posts look professional, polished, and SEO-friendly, which is essential to building credibility with your readers.

This post assumes that you already have a WordPress Blog, and that you have the idea and content for the post. You just want help in getting that idea onto your WordPress Website as a Good-Looking Blog Post.

WordPress Backend – Where You Post Your Blog

This is for the “Just Getting Started” Bloggers.

To create a WordPress Blog Post, you’ll need to “Login” to your WordPress Backend. You can find the Login screen by adding /wp-admin to the end of your WordPress domain name –

This will pull up a login screen that looks similar to this:

Once Logged In, you will see the WordPress Dashboard, which looks similar to this:

To start blogging, just click on Posts and Add New as shown below. This will pull up a screen that looks like this:

Like a painter, your fresh canvas awaits your artistic strokes.

If you’re looking for extra support with the writing process, AI-driven plugins like ChatGPT for WordPress can help you generate content outlines, suggest headings, and even create draft content directly within the editor, streamlining each step from idea to publish.

The Steps to Creating the Blog Post

1. I get a blog post idea (usually a client question)

For Example:

• • What the first step of the home buying process?
  • How do I prepare my home before I sell it?
  • How long does it take to buy a home?
  • When is the best time to sell my home?
  • What is a seller’s market?
  • How long will it take to sell my home?
  • What is a buyer’s market?
  • How can I figure out how much a home is worth?
  • What is a stratified market?
  • Why is my home’s assessed value different than the market value?
  • How much do I have to pay an agent to help me buy a house
  • Are real estate prices negotiable?
  • What kind of credit score do I need to buy a home?
  • How much of the sale price do I get?
  • How much do I need for a down payment?
  • Is paying 6% to sell a home required?
  • Should I sell my current home before buying a new one?
  • Do discount agents provide the same service as more expensive agents?
  • How many homes should I view before buying one?
  • What is a home buyer rebate?
  • What is earnest money?
  • Should I sell my home before buying a new one?
  • How long can the seller take to respond to my offer?
  • What if my offer is rejected?
  • Why do I need a mortgage before I buy a house?
  • Should I order a home inspection?
  • Can I back out of buying a house?
  • Do I need to do a final walk-through?
  • How can a real estate agent help me buy or sell a home?

2.   I create the title of the blog post (this will be the H1, or Heading 1 tag)

Make sure your title is clear, engaging, and relevant to the topic. A strong headline draws readers in and tells them what to expect.

Important:  only use a single H1 header for a blog post as this represents the primary topic.

Pro Tip: Use tools like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer or AI suggestions to refine your title. Keep it under 70 characters and make it match what your audience is searching for.

3. I plan my blog post structure with headers

Headers (H1, H2, H3, H4, etc.) not only organize your content but also make it easier for readers to skim and understand. Start with a single H1 for the title, then break your content into sections with H2 headers. If a section has multiple sub-points, use H3 and H4 tags to nest those ideas under the relevant H2.

For example:

• • H1: What is a Seller’s Market?
    • H2: How to Identify a Seller’s Market
      • H3: Key Economic Indicators
      • H3: Local Housing Market Trends

4. I add images to complement my content

Images make your blog post more engaging, break up long sections of text, and help convey your message visually. Here’s how to include them effectively:

• Use tools like Canva to create or edit images, adding text overlays or branded elements.
• Find high-quality royalty-free images on sites like Unsplash, or Pixabay.
• Use AI-powered tools like Flux Pro AI (my current favorite), DALL-E or Midjourney to create custom visuals that match the tone of your post.
• If the post is instructional, like this one, you may want to use screen shots instead of photos.

When adding images:

• Place them strategically to enhance the content, such as after introductions, before sub-topics, or alongside statistics.
• Make sure to set ALT text for each image. ALT text improves accessibility and boosts SEO by helping search engines understand the image content.

Example: If your blog is about “Preparing Your Home for Sale,” an image of a staged living room with the ALT text “Modern staged living room with neutral decor” adds both aesthetic value and context.

5.  I create a featured blog post image using Canva

• Open Canva.com and select a custom size (850px x 400px works well for most blogs).
• Choose a clean, professional template or start from scratch.
• Add your blog title or a relevant keyword as text on the image.
• Include your branding elements, like a logo or consistent color palette.

6.  I add the image to the “Featured Image” link of my post.

• (making sure to add a keyword to the ALT Text tag area)

7. I write an introduction that hooks the audience

Write a few paragraphs explaining what your blog post will be about and why it matters. The introduction should answer questions like:

• Why should the reader care?
• What value or solution will they get from reading your post?

Try to add a statistic or a question here to keep things interesting.

8. I add my first Sub-Topic Heading and wrap it in H2 tags

This will be the first main point of your blog. Make sure it aligns with the title and gives the reader a clear idea of what’s coming.

Use H3 tags for any sub-points or deeper explanations under the main sub-topic.

9.  I write 2-5 paragraphs of content under each sub-topic

Break the content into manageable chunks. Use short sentences, bullet points, and bold text to emphasize key ideas.

Pro Tip: Add interactive elements like infographics, videos, or even an AI chatbot to provide additional depth to the section.

10. I repeat steps 8 & 9 for additional sub-topics (2-5)

Each sub-topic should build on the previous one to provide a complete answer or solution. Try to naturally include internal links to other relevant posts or pages on your website for added value.

11. I search for a relevant quotation or statistic to support my idea

This step is optional depending on the blog post topic you are writing but it’s a great addition. Quotes and statistics add authority to your post. You can find them through tools like Statista or trusted industry blogs.

When adding a quote used the WordPress block quotes feature to highlight this information.

12. I add links to external sources and my own content

• External links to credible sites improve trustworthiness.
• Internal links help readers explore related topics on your site and improve SEO.

13. I type the word ‘Conclusion’ or ‘Summary’ or ‘Final Thoughts’ and wrap it in H2 tags

Summarize the blog post in a few sentences. Restate your main points and leave your reader with something actionable or thought-provoking.

14.  I Select a Category OR Tags for the blog post (I use categories)

Categories help organize your blog, while tags make it easier for readers (and search engines) to find related content.

15.  I use a plugin called Yoast SEO to make sure that I am remembering to Optimize my blog post for the search engines

Once installed the tool can be accessed at the very bottom of your blog post page, and looks like this:

16.  Before publishing, I use the Yoast SEO plugin to enter my desired keywords and check if my blog post is fully optimized

17.  I re-read my blog post for grammatical errors, formatting issues, and clarity.  Then run a spell check

Look for grammatical errors, readability issues, and awkward formatting. Run a spell check and make any necessary revisions.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Grammarly to catch advanced grammar and style issues. It can help refine your tone and flag awkward sentences, ensuring a polished post. Additionally, reading your post out loud can help you identify missing words or awkward phrasing that tools might miss.

18.  I publish my post or schedule it to post to a future date

Timing can be everything, especially if your blog aligns with seasonal trends or current events.

Resources

• HTML Tricks for a Better Looking Blog Post
• The Necessities of Successful Real Estate Blogging
• Turning Your Emails Into Blog Posts
• Turning Real Estate Videos Into Blog Content
• Recycling Your Old Blog Content
• 110+ Real Estate Blog Topics
• Yoast WordPress SEO Plugin
• Canva.com
• HubSpot Blog Ideas Generator
• ChatGPT or Claude.ai
• Surfer SEO for Content Optimization
• DALL-E for AI-Generated Images

FAQ: Crafting a Good-Looking Real Estate Blog Post

Why does my blog post need to look professional?

A professional-looking blog post builds credibility and trust with your readers. It reflects your expertise, keeps readers engaged, and helps establish your authority in the real estate industry.

How long should my blog posts be?

Aim for at least 1,000 words to provide value and depth, but posts between 1,500-2,500 words often perform better for SEO and reader engagement. Focus on answering your audience’s questions thoroughly.

What is the best way to structure my blog post?

Organize your content using headers:

• Use a single H1 for the title.
• Use H2 headers for main sections.
• Use H3 and H4 headers for sub-points or detailed explanations.
  This structure makes your post easy to read and skimmable for your audience while improving SEO.

How can I make my blog post visually appealing?

Incorporate images to break up text and convey your message visually. Use tools like Canva to create or edit images, and include ALT text for accessibility and SEO. For custom visuals, try AI tools like DALL-E or Midjourney.

Should I use AI tools when writing my blog posts?

Yes! AI tools can streamline the process. Use ChatGPT or Jasper to brainstorm ideas, generate headlines, or refine your writing. AI tools like Surfer SEO or Frase can also help optimize your post for readability and search engines.

What are the must-have elements of a successful blog post?

A successful blog post includes:

• An attention-grabbing headline.
• A compelling introduction.
• Subtopics with clear headers.
• At least one high-quality image.
• Links to internal and external content.
• A strong conclusion with an actionable takeaway.

How can I optimize my blog for SEO?

Use tools like Yoast SEO to optimize for keywords, readability, and meta descriptions. Add internal and external links, include keywords naturally in your text, and ensure all images have ALT text.

Why is skimmability important in blog posts?

Most readers skim blog posts rather than reading every word. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, bold text, and headers to make your content easy to scan while highlighting key points.

How can I generate ideas for real estate blog posts?

Pull inspiration from:

• Common client questions (e.g., “How do I prepare my home for sale?”).
• Tools like the HubSpot Blog Ideas Generator.
• AI tools like ChatGPT with prompts like, “What are some blog topics for first-time homebuyers?”

What should I do after writing my blog post?

Re-read your post for errors, formatting, and readability. Use tools like Grammarly for grammar checks and read the post out loud to catch awkward phrasing. Once polished, publish or schedule it at an optimal time for your audience.