Templates · Updated October 2026
8 Expired Listing Letter Templates for 2026
Below are eight expired listing letters you can copy, from a short handwritten note to a letter built on local numbers. Mail the first one within days of the listing expiring, then follow up by phone or with the next letter. Swap in the details in brackets before you send.
Do expired listing letters still work?
Yes, because 91% of sellers still hire an agent, and a letter reaches owners you cannot call.
Sales by owner fell to a record low of 5% in NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, so most expired owners will list again. The question is with whom.
A letter that shows you understand why the home did not sell is how you get that call.
- 91% of sellers used an agent, the highest on record (NAR, 2025 Profile).
- 66% of sellers found their agent through a referral or had used them before (NAR).
- The typical home sold in 4 weeks, and sellers had owned it for 11 years (NAR).
- The Do Not Call Registry covers sales calls. The FTC's rules for it say nothing about mail.
When to send each letter
Send the first letter within three days of the listing expiring, then one more touch every week or two.
Owners hear from many agents in the first week. The agents who are still writing a month later are the ones they remember.
This is a schedule we suggest, not a rule.
| When | What to send |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 3 | Letter 1 or Letter 2 |
| Days 7 to 10 | Letter 3, then a phone call if the number is not on Do Not Call |
| Day 14 | Letter 4 or Letter 5 |
| Day 30 | Letter 6 |
| Day 60 | Letter 7 |
| Day 90 | Letter 8 |
Letter 1: The short, honest note
Use this as a handwritten card in the first three days, when owners are getting the most mail.
Letter 2: The local numbers letter
Use this when you can pull real numbers for the neighborhood, because specific data is what sets you apart.
Letter 3: The three-changes plan
Use this as the second letter, about a week in, to show exactly what you would do differently.
Letter 4: The no-pitch letter
Use this for owners who may be taking a break, because it gives them room instead of pressure.
Letter 5: The moving-plans question
Use this when the owner likely had a reason to move, such as a new job, a growing family or downsizing.
Letter 6: The 30-day market update
Use this a month after the listing expired, because new sales give you a fresh reason to write.
Letter 7: The 60-day check-in
Use this two months in, when most other agents have stopped writing.
Letter 8: The season-change letter
Use this around 90 days, timed to a change in season, when buyers return and listings get a second look.
What to write in the first line
The first line should show you know this home and this owner, not that you saw a list.
- 01Name the street and how long the home was on the market.
- 02Acknowledge the frustration before you mention yourself.
- 03Skip lines like "Your listing expired", which every other letter opens with.
- 04Offer something useful, such as a one-page sales comparison, instead of asking for a meeting.
Handwritten or typed?
Handwrite the first short note, and type the longer letters that carry numbers or a plan.
A handwritten envelope with a real stamp is more likely to be opened. A Forever stamp costs 82 cents since July 12, 2026, so 100 first letters cost $82 in postage before paper and printing.
Rules before you mail an expired
Wait until the listing has actually expired, and check the status in your MLS before you write.
Under NAR's Code of Ethics, Realtors should not solicit a listing that is still under an exclusive agreement with another broker. A withdrawn listing can still be under contract with that broker, so check the status before you write.
The national Do Not Call Registry limits sales calls. If you follow up by text, the TCPA rules apply as well.
Where Sifta fits
Letters start the conversation, and the follow-up that comes after is the work Sifta handles.
Sifta is a personal AI assistant for realtors. It runs the busywork of your business, so you can spend your time with clients.
When an expired owner calls or texts back, Sifta keeps track of what they said, drafts your next message in your voice and reminds you when it is time to follow up.
Sources
5 sources
Every figure was checked on the source page on October 2, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do expired listing letters still work?
Yes. 91% of sellers hire an agent and only 5% sell on their own, per NAR, so most expired owners list again. A specific, useful letter is one of the few ways to reach owners you cannot call.
How soon should I send an expired listing letter?
Within three days of the listing expiring, then another touch every week or two. Owners hear from many agents in the first week, so persistence after that is what stands out.
Should expired listing letters be handwritten?
Handwrite the first short note and type the longer letters that carry numbers or a plan. A handwritten envelope with a real stamp is more likely to be opened.
Can I mail an expired listing owner who is on the Do Not Call list?
The Do Not Call Registry covers sales calls, and the FTC's rules for it say nothing about mail. Texts fall under the TCPA, so check those rules before texting.
How many letters should I send to an expired listing?
Plan on six to eight over about 90 days, mixed with calls where allowed. Most agents stop after the first week, so the later letters face less competition.
Related reading
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