If you’ve ever wondered why some experts get quoted constantly while others never hear back, here’s the inside track. Real-estate reporters are flooded with requests. They scan fast, verify faster, and only use sources who make their story clearer, stronger, and more trustworthy. This guide breaks down exactly what journalists look for.
First, what is a “source request”?
Reporters file a brief asking for experts on a tight deadline—often same-day. They want short, clean, quotable answers from credible people (agents, brokers, developers, lenders, appraisers, economists, proptech founders) who can speak to the requested angle with precision. Linkifi monitors these journalist requests daily and pitches you as a real person with verified expertise, not a generic brand. That matters.
How reporters evaluate your response (in seconds)
1) Clear relevance. Does your role match the brief? “Broker/owner, Phoenix resale market” beats “real-estate enthusiast.” We position the most relevant person on your team as the spokesperson before we ever pitch.
2) Verifiable credibility. A tight 1–2 line bio (position, market, years, niche) + link to your homepage/about page helps journalists vet you quickly—and safely. (Editorial placements from recognized outlets also raise trust on sight.)
3) Specificity over fluff. Vague claims die in the inbox. Reporters want concrete, local-to-national signals (“pending listings in South Austin under $600k rebounded after rate dips; builders offered 2-1 buydowns, not price cuts”).
4) Quotability. Clean, crisp sentences that make a point. No jargon. No sales pitch. We edit for newsroom-ready soundbites.
5) Speed + availability. Hitting a deadline wins half the battle. Offering same-day follow-ups seals it.
The quote styles reporters actually use
- Define & demystify. Short, plain-English definitions (“A 2-1 buydown lowers the borrower’s rate by two points in year one, one point in year two…”) that a general audience can grasp.
- “So what?” interpretation. Not just the stat—what it means for buyers/sellers/investors right now.
- Local window → national frame. A concrete city/zip example that illustrates a broader pattern the story is covering.
- Before/after contrasts. “Six months ago vs. today” is inherently quotable because it shows movement.
- Contrarian (with context). A respectful, evidence-backed counterpoint that sharpens the piece—not hot takes.
Topics that consistently earn pickups
Reporters’ beats evolve, but these buckets generate steady demand for expert voices:
- Rates & affordability: Payments, buydowns, points, first-time buyer hurdles.
- Inventory & pricing: New-build vs. resale, concessions vs. cuts, days on market.
- Migration & lifestyle trends: Remote-work relocations, school districts, commutes.
- Policy & regulation: Zoning, short-term rental rules, landlord-tenant changes, Fair Housing implications.
- Insurance & climate risk: Premiums, flood/fire zones, insurability and lending impacts.
- Construction & labor: Material costs, timelines, permitting friction.
- Rental market dynamics: Multifamily pipeline, vacancy, renewals, rent control chatter.
- Luxury, second homes, STRs: Financing shifts, amenity trends, occupancy patterns.
- Proptech & AI: Virtual tours, pricing models, fraud prevention, workflow tech.
Data and proof points journalists love (and how to share them)
- Sourced numbers with scope. Always add timeframe and geography (“MLS data, Jan–Mar 2025, Travis County”).
- Method notes in one line. Where it came from and what it doesn’t cover (caveats build trust).
- Micro examples. “Three of our March closings used 2-1 buydowns” is better than “we see more buydowns”—without revealing private client info.
- Clean comparisons. Year-over-year, month-over-month, or versus pre-pandemic—pick one and stick to it.
We package your data responsibly and keep it editorial (white-hat), so it helps both your brand and your search visibility when the piece links back.
Red flags that get sources ignored
- Sales pitches (“call us today!”), affiliate asks, or backlink demands.
- Vague, hedged answers with no location/time context.
- Over-promising (“guaranteed price surge”) or legal/financial advice without disclaimers.
- Unverifiable claims or copied content.
Our team acts as your newsroom filter—tightening language, removing promotional fluff, and aligning your response to the brief so it lands.
The anatomy of a winning reply (copy/paste template)
Subject: Expert for [Topic/City] — [Role], can talk by [time]
Bio (a few lines): “I’m [Name], [Role] at [Company], specializing in [niche/market].”
Answer (3–5 bullets or 2 short paragraphs):
- One sentence with your takeaway.
- Two specifics (numbers or concrete examples) with timeframe/market.
- A quotable line that translates the takeaway for consumers.
Proof/links: Homepage or About page; (if applicable) published guides or data notes.
Availability: “Happy to answer any additional questions you might have.”
Bottom line
Reporters want clarity, credibility, and specificity—delivered fast. Give them that, and you’ll see your name in the bylines that shape buyer and seller perception. Linkifi makes it turnkey: we structure your expertise for the newsroom, get it quoted where it counts, and turn those wins into enduring brand and search authority.
No spam. No shortcuts. Just earned, editorial coverage that compounds.
Find out more about Real Estate Digital PR.