You don’t need a listing to start building your real estate brand on Instagram. But you do need permission.
That was one of the key takeaways from a recent Live with Krys BAMx Office Hours featuring Robert Cedeno, a Southern California agent who consistently films multiple home tours each week. Many of these are not his listings.
The content fuels his lead generation and helps drive hundreds of organic leads each month.
The strategy works, but only if you get the listing agent to say yes. Here’s exactly how Cedeno approaches it and why small adjustments in your phrasing can make a big difference.
Always Ask Permission and Give Proper Credit
If you’re filming a listing you don’t represent, always get permission from the listing agent. Cedeno emphasized this step, even when he’s filming four or five homes in a single day.
“We always get permission because you will get hit with a violation. So don’t do it without permission.”
He also makes sure every post gives credit to the agent who listed the property.
“We always give the listing agent credit for their listing because it’s not ours. They’re, you know, they’re being nice enough to let us do it.”
To protect yourself and maintain professional relationships, always include:
- The listing agent’s name and brokerage
- Your own license information (including DRE number, if required)
- Permission from the agent to film and post on social
Keep the Ask Simple and Direct
One of the biggest mistakes agents make is over-explaining why they want to shoot content. Cedeno keeps the ask short, professional, and easy to say yes to.
“Hey, this is Robert, the owner of the Cedeno Group. I want to do a video walkthrough of your listing on 123 Main Street. Is it okay if I check it out tomorrow?”
He added that responses vary. Some agents ask questions, others say no, and some give a simple yes. Regardless of the outcome, keep your tone respectful and don’t overthink it.
“Some people ask, ‘What’s this for?’ Some people say, ‘No, thank you.’ Some people say, ‘Yes.’ It’s all I’m looking for. And then I send them a business card. So I keep it real simple. I don’t tell them we’re going to market this on Instagram. I have permission to do a video walkthrough of their listing.”
Note: Don’t assume the listing agent knows you’ll be posting these online. Let them know which platforms their listing will be seen on. You’ll be tagging them in the post, giving them a chance to share your video with their client.
If They Don’t Respond, Pick Up the Phone
When DMs or texts go unanswered, Cedeno recommends calling instead. Put simply, a phone call often gets a better result.
“A lot of times what works even better is if you call them because I just say, ‘Hey, this is Robert with the Cedeno Group. I’m the team owner of the Cedeno Group.’”
This direct approach builds trust and eliminates confusion. It also helps you stand out from the dozens of agents sending casual requests over text.
Why “Team Owner” Language Works (Even If You’re a Solo Agent)
Cedeno encourages agents on his team to position themselves as team owners or team leaders when reaching out. It creates a more authoritative tone and increases the chances of getting a yes.
“Even if you don’t have a team…That’s one little trick that I didn’t use before. And I taught all my team to do it.”
This isn’t about misrepresenting your role. It’s about showing up confidently and professionally when you’re asking to borrow someone else’s listing for content.
After all, it does take a level of ownership to be a contributing member of a real estate team.
Final Takeaways for Agents
If you’re looking to expand your content strategy but don’t have many listings of your own, Cedeno’s approach is a proven way to get started. Just ask the right way.
Three quick takeaways:
- Always ask permission before filming and include proper credit and license info
- Keep your message short and respectful. Don’t oversell your intent
- When in doubt, call instead of text. And consider using “team owner” phrasing to elevate the ask
It’s not complicated, but it does take consistency. Cedeno films multiple homes each week using this exact strategy, and it has helped him build one of the most consistent content machines in his market.
Want to watch the full breakdown? This conversation took place during a Live with Krys BAMx Office Hours session. BAMx members can watch the full replay in our Skool community.
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