Marketing: What Candidates Need to Know About the Market Right Now 

Marketing professionals in property now have more choice than at any point in recent memory, and that is reshaping what it takes to attract and keep good people in the sector. Here is what our 2026 Real Estate Salary Guide & Trends Report, combined with insight from our Workforce Sentiment Survey, tells us about where things stand. 

1. You are being courted by more than just property 

Marketing professionals now have real freedom to move between sectors, often finding more flexible working arrangements, stronger benefits and clearer progression outside of property. If you feel like you are being pulled in different directions right now, that is not a coincidence, it is the market. 

2. Total reward is doing more of the heavy lifting than salary 

Candidate expectations have shifted decisively towards total reward packages, with annual leave, hybrid working and culture now carrying as much weight as base salary. It is worth thinking about your next move in those terms rather than chasing the highest number alone. 

3. Junior roles face real competition 

There is currently a surplus of early career marketing talent willing to move sectors if remuneration or flexibility falls short. If you are early in your career, it is worth being proactive about building experience and progression conversations rather than waiting for them to come to you. 

4. Digital and commercial skills command a clear premium 

Mid-level and senior roles that combine digital expertise with strong commercial acumen continue to attract premium salaries. Employers want marketers who can show a clear return on investment and translate digital activity into measurable commercial outcomes, not just deliver campaigns. 

5. Property specific digital experience is in short supply 

Digital specialists with genuine property sector experience remain hard to find. If that describes you, you are in a strong position, and it is worth making sure your CV makes this specialism obvious rather than getting lost among more generalist marketing experience. 

6. Flexibility and culture are non-negotiable for many 

Our Workforce Sentiment Survey found that while 41% of professionals still rank salary as their top priority, this is closely followed by work life balance, flexibility, culture and career development. Some professionals are prepared to accept slightly lower pay in exchange for improved work life balance and autonomy, and marketing is one of the clearest examples of this trend in action. 

If you are considering your next step in property marketing, remember that employers are competing with every other industry for your attention. Know what total reward actually looks like for you before you start weighing up offers. 

About the Author 

Tabitha Allingham | Manager, New Homes & Later Living 

With 4 years of experience working in real estate recruitment, Tabitha's passion for customer service and her enthusiasm for a challenge have led her to head deverellsmith's New Homes team. Her team specialise in connecting sales and aftercare professionals with London's top developers and agencies. In addition to her work within the New Homes space, Tabitha has founded deverellsmith's Later Living department, a sector she is profoundly passionate about.