Guide · Updated October 2026
The Best Time to Call Expired Listings, and the Hours You're Allowed
Call an expired listing the first morning it shows as expired, as soon as calling hours open, then try again in the late afternoon or early evening. Federal rules allow 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the seller's time zone, and several states are stricter. Check the Do Not Call Registry before you dial.
Why the first morning matters
Expired sellers decide fast: the lead service Vulcan7 says 40% relist within 30 days, and 51% relist with a different agent.
Those are a vendor's own figures, but the pattern is familiar to anyone who works expireds: the seller's phone rings all morning on day one, and the agent who stands out is the one who calls with something useful, then follows up when others have stopped.
We found no independent study that measures the best hour to reach expired sellers. The schedule below follows two plain facts: other agents call the first morning, and many sellers are at work during the day.
A 7-day schedule for each expired
Two calls on day one, a letter on day two, and a final call later in the week covers both the early birds and the sellers at work.
| When | What | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1, when calling hours open | First call | Be early, before the seller stops answering |
| Day 1, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Second call | Reaches sellers who were at work |
| Day 2 | Mail a letter | Arrives when the calls have slowed down |
| Day 3, early evening | Third call | Mention the letter |
| Day 7 | Final call | Most agents have given up by now |
Legal calling hours by state
The FTC allows sales calls from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the person's local time, and these states set tighter hours.
Always use the seller's time zone, not yours. State rules change, so check your own state's law before a calling session.
This list is a starting point, not legal advice.
| State | Allowed hours | Sundays, holidays and other limits |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (all states) | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | No federal Sunday ban |
| Pennsylvania (from Oct 18, 2026) | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | No Sundays or legal holidays |
| Florida | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Also limits calls on the same subject to 3 in 24 hours |
| Maryland | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Also limits calls on the same subject to 3 in 24 hours |
| Oklahoma | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Also limits calls on the same subject to 3 in 24 hours |
| Washington | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | See state law for repeat-call rules |
| Connecticut | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | No extra limit |
| Texas | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Sundays noon to 9 p.m. |
| Louisiana | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | No Sundays or state holidays |
| Alabama | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | No Sundays or holidays |
| Rhode Island | Weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | No Sundays or holidays |
| Mississippi | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | No Sundays |
| Utah | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | No Sundays or legal holidays without consent |
Before you dial: the Do Not Call check
If the seller's number is on the National Do Not Call Registry, you generally cannot cold call it.
The seller's relationship was with the listing agent, not with you, so you have no existing business relationship to rely on. Most expired lead services mark registry numbers.
Scrub your list, and use a letter or a door knock for the numbers you cannot call.
Cold texting an expired seller's cell phone carries its own risk under the TCPA. Calling by hand or mailing a letter is the safer first touch.
What to say when they pick up
Lead with something the seller does not already know, then ask one question.
Where Sifta fits
Expireds are won on day seven, not day one, and day seven is the follow-up most agents forget.
Sifta is a personal AI assistant for realtors. It runs the busywork of your business, so you can spend your time with clients.
It keeps track of who you called and when, and has the next follow-up drafted and waiting for you to approve.
Sources
6 sources
Every source was checked on October 6, 2026.
- FTC, Complying with the Telemarketing Sales Rule
- Vulcan7, Real estate expired leads: the facts (vendor figures)
- NumberBroom, Calling hours by state 2026, with statute citations
- Kixie, Telemarketing calling hours by state for 2026
- Kelley Drye, Pennsylvania telemarketing changes
- National Do Not Call Registry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to call expired listings?
The first morning the listing shows as expired, as soon as calling hours open, then again between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. for sellers who were at work.
What time can realtors legally make cold calls?
Between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the person's local time under federal rules. Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland, Texas and several other states are stricter.
Can I call expired listings on Sunday?
Federal rules allow it within calling hours, but several states do not, including Pennsylvania (from October 18, 2026), Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Utah and Rhode Island. Texas only allows Sunday calls from noon.
How soon should I call an expired listing?
The first morning. A lead vendor, Vulcan7, reports 40% of expired listings relist within 30 days, so waiting a week means competing with agents who already called.
Can I call an expired listing that is on the Do Not Call list?
Generally no, for a sales call, because you have no existing business relationship with the seller. Send a letter or knock on the door instead.
Should I text or call expired listings?
Call or mail first. Cold texts to a seller's cell phone carry more legal risk under the TCPA and state laws like Pennsylvania's.
Related reading
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