SMS for Real Estate Agents: Proven Follow-Up Texts, Templates & Compliance Guide

As agents prepare for the new year, fast and consistent follow-up becomes even more critical.

Real estate leads move fast. Buyers jump between listings, agents, and platforms in minutes. If you wait even an hour to respond, someone else is already booking the showing.

Here’s the thing: texting cuts through all that noise.
It feels personal, it’s quick, and it matches how today’s buyers actually communicate. More than 90 percent of texts are read within minutes, which is exactly why sms for real estate agents has become the highest-converting communication channel in the industry.

But not all follow-ups work. The timing, tone, and clarity matter. You need messages that feel helpful, not pushy — and a workflow that continues the conversation without adding to your workload.
That’s what this guide breaks down: the best ways to text your real estate leads, the exact messages to send, and how to stay fully compliant while doing it.

Why SMS Works So Well in Real Estate

Real estate is built on speed, timing, and relationships. SMS naturally supports all three. For a broader view of how agents use texting across listings, follow-ups, and client communication, see How Real Estate Businesses Can Benefit from Business Texting.

1. Immediate response wins the lead

When a new inquiry comes in, a fast first touch is everything. Texting gives you a way to reply instantly without sounding automated or scripted. If you wait even an hour to respond, someone else is already booking the showing. This is the same reason many small businesses lose opportunities when messages go unanswered or follow-ups happen too late.

2. Buyers prefer low-pressure communication

Most people don’t want a phone call right away. A short text feels lighter, safer, and easier to answer — especially during work hours or while browsing listings.

3. Clear appointment coordination

Showings, open houses, directions, reminders — texting keeps details organized and reduces no-shows.

4. Higher conversion for follow-ups

When leads go cold, a thoughtful real estate follow-up text can bring them back into the conversation. SMS keeps your name at the top of their mind without overwhelming them.

5. Works seamlessly with automations

With a platform like Text My Main Number, you can trigger texts to new leads, send open house reminders, or drip messages over several days — all from one dashboard, without losing the personal touch.

Text Workflows: New Lead, After Showing, Long-Term Nurture

You don’t need dozens of messages. What you need is a clear rhythm — the right text at the right moment, matched to the lead’s intent. Let’s break down the three workflows every agent should have dialed in.

1. New Lead Workflow — First Touch Within 2–5 Minutes

A fresh inquiry is the highest-value moment in the entire sales cycle. Respond quickly, set the tone, and move them one step closer to a showing.

Your goals here are simple:

• Acknowledge the inquiry
  
  
• Confirm what they’re looking for
  
  
• Offer a next step (tour, details, call)
  

This is where automation shines. TMMN can send this first message instantly, while still allowing you to take over the conversation manually.

2. After Showing Workflow — Strike While It’s Fresh

Most agents lose deals here — not because the showing went poorly, but because the follow-up is slow or vague. Buyers want clarity: what’s next, what are their options, what do you recommend?

A strong after-showing text keeps momentum moving toward an offer or a second visit.

Your goals:

• Check how they felt
  
  
• Answer lingering questions
  
  
• Keep them engaged with alternatives if the property wasn’t a fit
  

3. Long-Term Nurture Workflow — Stay Present Without Hovering

Some buyers need days. Others need months. Texting lets you nurture without being intrusive.

Drip messages can include:

• New listings that match their criteria
  
  
• Open house reminders
  
  
• Price drops
  
  
• “Still searching?” check-ins
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With TMMN, these can be scheduled automatically so you stay top-of-mind without manually texting every lead in your pipeline.

Real Estate Text Templates for Each Stage

Templates aren’t meant to sound robotic — they’re meant to remove hesitation. When you already know what to say, you respond faster and stay consistent. Here’s a full library built around the highest-converting moments in a real estate lead’s journey. Adjust the tone, add the property address, and let automation do the rest.

If reducing missed showings is a priority, these same strategies mirror what works across industries, as outlined in our guide on 45 Free Appointment Reminder Text Templates to Reduce No-Shows.

1. New Lead Text Templates

These work for form fills, Zillow/Redfin leads, Facebook ads, sign calls, and walk-ins.

Warm Welcome (General Buyer Inquiry)

Hi [Name], this is [Agent] with [Company]. Thanks for reaching out about homes in [Area]. Are you looking for something move-in ready or open to renovations?

Why it works: You acknowledge their inquiry and ask an easy, low-pressure question that invites a reply.

Fast Response for High-Intent Leads

Hi [Name], I saw your request about [Address]. I can send details or book a tour today. Which works better for you?

Why it works: You give them two clear choices instead of an open-ended question.

Listing-Specific Follow-Up

Hi [Name], I received your inquiry about [Address]. It’s available — do you want photos, a video walk-through, or a showing?

Why it works: You offer multiple ways to preview the home so they don’t drift to another agent.

2. After Showing Text Templates

These keep the momentum while the visit is still fresh in their mind.

Simple Check-In

Hi [Name], thanks for coming to see [Address]. What did you think after seeing it in person?

Why it works: People want to be heard, not sold. This opens the door.

Next-Step Nudge

Glad we toured [Address] today. If you want to explore similar homes, I can send a shortlist that matches your style and budget. Want me to share it?

Why it works: You stay helpful without pressure.

If They Liked the Property

If [Address] felt like a strong match, I can prepare comps and next-step details. Want to review them together?

Why it works: You guide them toward an offer without being aggressive.

3. Open House Follow-Up Messages

Most agents send “Thanks for coming!” and call it a day. You’re leaving conversions on the table.

Engaged Follow-Up

Great meeting you at the open house today, [Name]. If [Address] isn’t the perfect fit, I can share a few similar options. Want the list?

Same-Day Re-Engagement

Hi [Name], if you’re interested in a second look at [Address], I can arrange a private showing. What time works for you?

Next-Day Touchpoint

Quick follow-up from yesterday’s open house — would you like disclosures or a video walk-through? Happy to send anything you need.

4. Long-Term Nurture Text Templates

These keep cold leads warm without overwhelming them.

New Listing Alert

Hi [Name], a new home in [Area] just hit the market and fits what you were searching for. Want me to send it over?

Price Drop Alert

Heads up — there was a price drop on a home similar to what you liked in [Area]. Want details?

Soft Check-In

Still keeping an eye on the market? I can update your search and send a few new options if you’d like.

90-Day Touch

Just checking in, [Name]. Still planning to move this year? Happy to help whenever you're ready.

5. Realtor Text Templates for Sellers

You didn’t ask, but this section lifts conversions — many real estate blogs skip it.

New Seller Lead

Hi [Name], thanks for your inquiry about selling your home. Want a quick value estimate or a full pricing analysis?

Post-Valuation Follow-Up

Hi [Name], I finished your pricing report. When’s a good time to review the numbers together?

Listing Prep Reminder

Hi [Name], small reminder that photographer arrives at [Time]. If you need staging tips, just let me know.

Speed-to-Lead Automation (High Conversion Tip)

Your first reply decides whether you keep the lead or lose it.

TMMN lets you:

• Trigger an automatic text the second a new inquiry comes in
  
  
• Keep the thread going from your unified inbox
  
  
• Add their contact to a nurture sequence
  
  
• Send templates instantly from your mobile or desktop
  

This is where sms for real estate agents becomes a real competitive advantage. You stay fast, present, and professional — without having to manually chase every lead.

Compliance and Opt-In Considerations

Real estate texting sits in a unique space. Leads often come from third-party platforms, open houses, IDX forms, or paid ads — which means you can text them, but you need to do it the right way. The goal is simple: reach your leads fast while staying fully compliant with TCPA and carrier rules.

Let’s break down what actually matters.

1. When You Can Text a Real Estate Lead Legally

This is the big PAA question: “Can I text real estate leads legally?”
Yes — if the lead took an action that clearly shows interest.

You’re generally allowed to text when they:

• Filled out a form about a listing
  
  
• Registered for an open house
  
  
• Requested details or a showing
  
  
• Opted in on your website
  
  
• Provided their phone number on a sign-in sheet
  
  
• Messaged you on social media asking about a home
  

In these cases, the lead has shown “express interest,” which permits a follow-up text that relates to their inquiry.

Important:
That permission only applies to the topic they inquired about. Don’t pivot into unrelated promotions without consent.

2. When You Need Explicit Opt-In

If the message is not triggered by their inquiry — such as:

• Market updates
  
  
• Monthly newsletters
  
  
• Weekly listing alerts
  
  
• Broad promotional texts
  
  
• General nurturing for leads who never opted in
  

Then you need clear opt-in.

A simple line at open house sign-in or IDX registration covers this:

“By providing your number, you agree to receive SMS updates from [Your Name/Company]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

TMMN allows you to store, track, and reference opt-ins automatically, which keeps everything clean and documented.

3. Include Opt-Out Language When Appropriate

If you’re sending any recurring or automated texts, always include a simple opt-out option:

“Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

It’s not just about compliance — it signals respect and transparency, and buyers appreciate that.

4. Don’t Over-Message

Real estate buyers are sensitive to pressure. Two things keep you safe:

• Stay relevant
  
  
• Keep your cadence reasonable
  

A quick rule of thumb:
If the message directly helps their home search, it’s appropriate. If it’s primarily for your benefit, pause.

5. Don’t Mix Categories Without Opt-In

If a lead asked about a property, you can:

• Send property details
  
  
• Offer tours
  
  
• Share comps
  
  
• Suggest similar listing
  

But you cannot drop them into:

• Market reports
  
  
• Broadcast campaigns
  
  
• Long-term promotions
  

Unless they explicitly agree.

TMMN makes this easy by letting you tag leads based on inquiry source, consent level, and follow-up workflow — so you never accidentally cross categories.

6. Keep Records of Lead Source + Opt-In

Every real estate CRM should store:

• Sign-in sheets
  
  
• Form submissions
  
  
• Landing page opt-ins
  
  
• Facebook/Google ad leads
  
  
• Web chat logs
  
  
• Timestamp of inquiry
  

With TMMN, these connect directly to your unified inbox and SMS automations, giving you a clean record of how and when permission was granted.

7. Use a Verified Sender to Improve Deliverability

Carriers heavily filter unregistered numbers in real estate because many agents still text from random VoIP lines. This is why proper carrier registration matters, and our 10DLC Registration: Complete 2025 Guide for Small Business Texting walks through how you can get approved for business texting.

TMMN solves this by:

• Registering your business for 10DLC compliance
  
  
• Improving text deliverability
  
  
• Reducing carrier filtering
  
  
• Keeping your number consistent across SMS & VoIP
  

Better deliverability means more responses — and more appointments.

Final Thoughts: SMS Gives Real Estate Agents a Real Advantage

The agents who win today are the ones who respond first, follow up consistently, and make communication effortless for their leads. SMS gives you that edge — speed, clarity, and human connection without the friction of calls or emails.

With Text My Main Number, you get:

• Automated speed-to-lead texting
  
  
• Industry-ready real estate templates
  
  
• Unified SMS + VoIP communication
  
  
• Smart nurturing workflows
  
  
• Better deliverability through 10DLC
  
  
• Review requests and appointment reminders
  
  
• A simple dashboard you can actually use every day
  

If you want to turn more inquiries into clients and more showings into offers, SMS isn’t optional anymore — it’s your most dependable channel.

Start your 14-day free trial and see how fast conversations convert when buyers actually reply.