Key Best Practices for Real Estate SMS
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 4:51 am
Real estate SMS text messages are a powerful tool for agents and brokers to engage with leads, clients, and manage properties. They are concise, direct, and have high open rates. However, it's crucial to follow best practices and legal compliance (like obtaining consent) to avoid being flagged as spam.
Here are categories of real estate SMS texts with examples, along with key best practices:
Get Consent (Opt-in): This is the most critical rule. You must have explicit permission from recipients to send them text messages. This can be via a web form, open house sign-in, or a verbal gambling data mexico agreement where you then send a confirmation text with opt-out info.
Identify Yourself: Always include your name and brokerage name in your messages.
Keep it Concise: SMS messages have character limits (around 160 characters for a single SMS, though longer messages can be sent as multiple parts). Get straight to the point. Use abbreviations like "3BR" for 3 bedrooms.
Provide Value: Every message should offer something useful or interesting to the recipient
Include a Clear Call to Action (CTA): What do you want them to do? (e.g., "Reply YES for details," "Click here to view," "Call me to schedule").
Personalize Messages: Use the recipient's name and tailor content to their interests or past interactions.
Time Your Messages Wisely: Send messages during business hours (avoid early morning or late night). Weekends can be good for open house invites.
Allow Easy Opt-Out: Always include instructions for how to unsubscribe (e.g., "Reply STOP to unsubscribe"). This is legally required.
Use Multimedia (MMS) Strategically: Include photos, videos, or virtual tour links to make messages more engaging. Shortened URLs are crucial here.
Segment Your Audience: Send different messages to buyers vs. sellers, new leads vs. past clients, or based on property type/location interests.
Automate When Possible: Use SMS platforms to schedule messages, send automated welcome texts, and set up drip campaigns.
Track & Analyze: Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and opt-out rates to refine your strategy.
Real Estate SMS Text Examples:
Here are some categorized examples you can adapt. Remember to replace bracketed information [ ] with specifics.
1. Initial Lead Inquiry Follow-Up:
"Hi [Client Name], thanks for your inquiry about [Property Address]! Are you free for a quick call this week to discuss? - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
"Hey [Client Name], I saw your request on [Website/Platform]. I have some great listings matching your search in [Neighborhood]. Reply YES for a link! - [Your Name]"
"Hi [Client Name], I noticed you're Browse homes in [Neighborhood]. What are you looking for in your ideal home? - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
2. New Listing Alerts:
"New Listing Alert! Hi [Client Name], a 3BR, 2BA home in [Neighborhood] just hit the market at [Price]. View photos: [Link]. Reply INFO to schedule a showing! - [Your Name]"
"Hi [Client Name], a home similar to [Property Address] just became available in [Area]. I think you'll love it! Details here: [Link] - [Your Name]"
"Exclusive! Hi [Client Name], get early access to an off-market listing in [Area] perfect for [Your Needs]. DM me for details! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
3. Open House Invitations & Reminders:
"Open House! Hi [Client Name], join me this [Day], [Date] from [Time] at [Property Address]. Come see this stunning [Bed/Bath] home! Map: [Link] - [Your Name]"
"REMINDER: Hi [Client Name], open house for [Property Address] is TODAY from [Time]! See you there! Directions: [Link] - [Your Name]"
"Did you miss it? Hi [Client Name], sorry we missed you at [Property Address] open house. Would you like to schedule a private viewing? - [Your Name]"
4. Price Reduction Alerts:
"PRICE DROP! Hi [Client Name], the home at [Property Address] just reduced its price by $[Amount]! New price: [New Price]. Interested? Reply YES! - [Your Name]"
"Great news, [Client Name]! The price on [Property Address] you were interested in has been cut by $[Amount]. Let me know if you'd like to place an offer! - [Your Name]"
5. Scheduling & Confirmations:
"Hi [Client Name], are you free Thursday afternoon or Saturday morning for a tour of [Property Address]? Let me know your preferred time! - [Your Name]"
"Confirming: Your showing for [Property Address] is [Date] at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or CALL to reschedule. Thanks! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
"Just a friendly reminder: Our meeting to discuss your selling goals is [Date] at [Time]. See you then! - [Your Name]"
6. Post-Showing/Open House Follow-Up:
"Hi [Client Name], thanks for attending the open house at [Property Address] today. What did you think? Any questions? - [Your Name]"
"It was great showing you [Property Address]! Do you have any questions or would you like to see similar properties? - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
7. Seller Lead Outreach & Updates:
"Hi [Client Name], are you still considering selling [Address]? I can provide a free, no-obligation home valuation. Reply FREE for details. - [Your Name]"
"Update: [Client Name], we just received an offer on your property at [Address]! Please call me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss. - [Your Name]"
"Market Update: Hi [Client Name], demand in [Neighborhood] is strong! Your home could sell for [Estimated Value]. Let's chat! - [Your Name]"
8. Client Engagement & Nurturing:
"Hi [Client Name], how's your home search going? Just checking in, always here to help! - [Your Name]"
"Happy Holidays, [Client Name]! Wishing you a wonderful season. If you have real estate plans for 2025, I'm just a text away! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
"Hi [Client Name], could you please share your feedback on our service? Your opinion helps us improve! [Link to Survey] - [Your Name]"
9. General Information / Market Updates:
"Hi [Client Name], quick market update for [Suburb]: Prices are trending [up/down]! Thinking about buying or selling? Let's chat. - [Your Name]"
"Homeowner Tip: Did you know [fact about home maintenance/taxes/etc.]? Stay tuned for more tips! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
By using these templates and adhering to best practices, real estate professionals can significantly enhance their communication, lead nurturing, and overall client experience.
Here are categories of real estate SMS texts with examples, along with key best practices:
Get Consent (Opt-in): This is the most critical rule. You must have explicit permission from recipients to send them text messages. This can be via a web form, open house sign-in, or a verbal gambling data mexico agreement where you then send a confirmation text with opt-out info.
Identify Yourself: Always include your name and brokerage name in your messages.
Keep it Concise: SMS messages have character limits (around 160 characters for a single SMS, though longer messages can be sent as multiple parts). Get straight to the point. Use abbreviations like "3BR" for 3 bedrooms.
Provide Value: Every message should offer something useful or interesting to the recipient
Include a Clear Call to Action (CTA): What do you want them to do? (e.g., "Reply YES for details," "Click here to view," "Call me to schedule").
Personalize Messages: Use the recipient's name and tailor content to their interests or past interactions.
Time Your Messages Wisely: Send messages during business hours (avoid early morning or late night). Weekends can be good for open house invites.
Allow Easy Opt-Out: Always include instructions for how to unsubscribe (e.g., "Reply STOP to unsubscribe"). This is legally required.
Use Multimedia (MMS) Strategically: Include photos, videos, or virtual tour links to make messages more engaging. Shortened URLs are crucial here.
Segment Your Audience: Send different messages to buyers vs. sellers, new leads vs. past clients, or based on property type/location interests.
Automate When Possible: Use SMS platforms to schedule messages, send automated welcome texts, and set up drip campaigns.
Track & Analyze: Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and opt-out rates to refine your strategy.
Real Estate SMS Text Examples:
Here are some categorized examples you can adapt. Remember to replace bracketed information [ ] with specifics.
1. Initial Lead Inquiry Follow-Up:
"Hi [Client Name], thanks for your inquiry about [Property Address]! Are you free for a quick call this week to discuss? - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
"Hey [Client Name], I saw your request on [Website/Platform]. I have some great listings matching your search in [Neighborhood]. Reply YES for a link! - [Your Name]"
"Hi [Client Name], I noticed you're Browse homes in [Neighborhood]. What are you looking for in your ideal home? - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
2. New Listing Alerts:
"New Listing Alert! Hi [Client Name], a 3BR, 2BA home in [Neighborhood] just hit the market at [Price]. View photos: [Link]. Reply INFO to schedule a showing! - [Your Name]"
"Hi [Client Name], a home similar to [Property Address] just became available in [Area]. I think you'll love it! Details here: [Link] - [Your Name]"
"Exclusive! Hi [Client Name], get early access to an off-market listing in [Area] perfect for [Your Needs]. DM me for details! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
3. Open House Invitations & Reminders:
"Open House! Hi [Client Name], join me this [Day], [Date] from [Time] at [Property Address]. Come see this stunning [Bed/Bath] home! Map: [Link] - [Your Name]"
"REMINDER: Hi [Client Name], open house for [Property Address] is TODAY from [Time]! See you there! Directions: [Link] - [Your Name]"
"Did you miss it? Hi [Client Name], sorry we missed you at [Property Address] open house. Would you like to schedule a private viewing? - [Your Name]"
4. Price Reduction Alerts:
"PRICE DROP! Hi [Client Name], the home at [Property Address] just reduced its price by $[Amount]! New price: [New Price]. Interested? Reply YES! - [Your Name]"
"Great news, [Client Name]! The price on [Property Address] you were interested in has been cut by $[Amount]. Let me know if you'd like to place an offer! - [Your Name]"
5. Scheduling & Confirmations:
"Hi [Client Name], are you free Thursday afternoon or Saturday morning for a tour of [Property Address]? Let me know your preferred time! - [Your Name]"
"Confirming: Your showing for [Property Address] is [Date] at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or CALL to reschedule. Thanks! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
"Just a friendly reminder: Our meeting to discuss your selling goals is [Date] at [Time]. See you then! - [Your Name]"
6. Post-Showing/Open House Follow-Up:
"Hi [Client Name], thanks for attending the open house at [Property Address] today. What did you think? Any questions? - [Your Name]"
"It was great showing you [Property Address]! Do you have any questions or would you like to see similar properties? - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
7. Seller Lead Outreach & Updates:
"Hi [Client Name], are you still considering selling [Address]? I can provide a free, no-obligation home valuation. Reply FREE for details. - [Your Name]"
"Update: [Client Name], we just received an offer on your property at [Address]! Please call me at [Your Phone Number] to discuss. - [Your Name]"
"Market Update: Hi [Client Name], demand in [Neighborhood] is strong! Your home could sell for [Estimated Value]. Let's chat! - [Your Name]"
8. Client Engagement & Nurturing:
"Hi [Client Name], how's your home search going? Just checking in, always here to help! - [Your Name]"
"Happy Holidays, [Client Name]! Wishing you a wonderful season. If you have real estate plans for 2025, I'm just a text away! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
"Hi [Client Name], could you please share your feedback on our service? Your opinion helps us improve! [Link to Survey] - [Your Name]"
9. General Information / Market Updates:
"Hi [Client Name], quick market update for [Suburb]: Prices are trending [up/down]! Thinking about buying or selling? Let's chat. - [Your Name]"
"Homeowner Tip: Did you know [fact about home maintenance/taxes/etc.]? Stay tuned for more tips! - [Your Name], [Brokerage]"
By using these templates and adhering to best practices, real estate professionals can significantly enhance their communication, lead nurturing, and overall client experience.