Built for real estate agents
Real Estate Text Message Scripts: 40 Texts for Every Stage of the Deal
The real estate texts that get replies are short, use the person's name, mention the address and ask one question. Below are 40 scripts for new leads, after showings, open houses, offers, under contract, closing day, past clients, referrals, sellers and leads who went quiet. Tap Copy on any of them, then change the words until they sound like you.
Four rules every text follows
A text that gets a reply is under 40 words, specific, and ends with one easy question.
- Use their name and the address or area.
- One question, easy to answer from a phone.
- Carry something new: a listing, a comp, an answer.
- Sound like you. Read it out loud before you send.
New lead texts
The first text to a new lead gives their name, the address, one question and a real showing time.
- Hi [Name], it's [You] with [Brokerage]. Saw you looked at [address]. Want to see it? I can do [day] at [time] or [time].
- Hi [Name], [address] is still available. Is it the house or the area you like? I know two others close by.
- Hi [Name], quick one on [address]: are you working with a lender yet? If not, I can send you two good ones.
- Hi [Name], tried you a minute ago about [address]. Text is fine. What made this one stand out?
- Hi [Name], I pulled the recent sales near [address]. Want me to send them over?
After a showing
The after-showing text goes out the same day and asks what they liked, not whether they want to buy.
- Thanks for today, [Name]. What stuck with you most at [address]?
- Was [address] a maybe or a no? Either is useful. It helps me find the next one.
- The seller's agent says two other showings today. If you liked it, let's talk tonight.
- You mentioned the kitchen at [address]. I found one with a bigger one on [street]. Want to see it Saturday?
- Here's the disclosure for [address] you asked about. Anything in there you want me to find out?
Open house follow-up
Open house texts go out the same evening, and they are different for visitors who have an agent.
- Hi [Name], thanks for stopping by [address] today. What did you think of the backyard?
- Hi [Name], you asked about [question] at the open house. The answer is [answer]. Anything else?
- Hi [Name], good to meet you today. Are you selling a place before you buy, or just buying?
- Hi [Name], thanks for coming by. If your agent wants the disclosure packet, I can send it to them.
- Hi [Name], two more homes like [address] come up next week. Want me to send them before they hit the sites?
Offers and under contract
Deal texts keep everyone calm by saying what happened, what is next and when you will update them.
- Offer is in on [address]. Response due by [time]. I'll text you the minute I hear.
- Good news: they accepted. Next up is the inspection on [date]. I'll set it up.
- Inspection is done. Report is in your inbox. I'll call at [time] to go over the three items that matter.
- Appraisal came in at [amount]. Here is what that means for us: [one line].
- Quick update: lender says clear to close by [date]. Nothing needed from you today.
Closing day and after
Closing day texts are short and warm; the follow-up a week later is where referrals start.
- Keys are yours, [Name]. Congratulations. Proud of you.
- Utilities list for [address] is in your inbox. Text me if anything is not on.
- One week in. How is the new place? Anything not working that I can help with?
- Found the name of the contractor I mentioned: [name, number].
- Happy one month in [address]. Hope the move is behind you.
Past clients and referrals
Past client texts work when they are about the person, and the referral ask is one line with no pressure.
- Happy home anniversary, [Name]. Two years in [address] already.
- Saw [their team] won last night. Thought of you.
- Home values near you moved [up or down] this year. Want the numbers? No pitch.
- Hi [Name], if you know anyone thinking about moving this year, I'd love to help them the way I helped you.
- Thank you for sending [friend] my way. I'll take great care of them.
Seller and listing updates
Sellers stay calm when they hear from you every week with numbers, feedback and one clear next step.
- Hi [Name], quick weekly update on [address]: [number] showings, [number] online saves, and a second showing booked for [day]. Want to go over the feedback tonight or tomorrow?
- Feedback from today's showing at [address]: they loved the kitchen and thought the back bedroom felt small. Want me to set it up a little differently before the weekend?
- Hi [Name], two homes like yours just sold on [street] for [price] and [price]. Can I send you a one-page summary before we talk about pricing this week?
- Good news, [Name]: we have an offer on [address]. I'm reading it now and I'll call you at [time] to walk through it.
- Hi [Name], the photos for [address] are done. Here's the link: [link]. Anything you want swapped before they go live on [day]?
Waking up a lead who went quiet
A quiet lead usually replies to an easy question that gives them a polite way out, not to another listing blast.
- Hi [Name], are you still looking in [area], or did your plans change? Either answer is totally fine.
- Hi [Name], a [beds]-bed in [area] just came up under your budget. Want me to send it before it hits the sites this weekend?
- Hi [Name], rates moved a bit this week. Want me to have [lender] run your numbers again? No pressure either way.
- Hi [Name], should I keep sending you homes in [area], or would you like me to pause for a few months?
- Hi [Name], it's been a while and I'd love to hear how the search is going. Still thinking about [area] this spring?
The rules for texting clients and prospects
Federal law treats marketing texts like calls, so the quiet hours and do-not-call rules apply to texts too.
Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, no marketing texts before 8 am or after 9 pm in the recipient's time zone, and some states set tighter windows. Text people who contacted you or gave you their number.
Before you text a number that did not reach out to you, check the National Do Not Call Registry and your state's rules. Violations can cost $500 to $1,500 per text.
This is not legal advice; ask your broker.
Have Sifta send these for you
Scripts only work if someone sends them on time, and most follow-up dies because the agent was busy, not because the words were wrong.
Sifta is a personal AI assistant for realtors. It runs the busywork of your business, so you can spend your time with clients.
It notices the new lead, the quiet buyer and the past client's anniversary, writes the text in your voice, and sends it to you to approve. Sifta is one flat monthly price, and the plans are on the pricing page.
Three ways to start
You can try Sifta free for 7 days, see what it does, or read the pricing page.
The free week is the fastest way to see it: connect your email and calendar, add Sifta to your texts, and let it run your busywork for 7 days. Cancel any time before the week ends and you are not charged.
Every plan after that is a flat monthly price with no contract. If Sifta doesn't catch something worth more than the price in week one, you don't pay.
Keep reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I text a new real estate lead?
Their name, the address they asked about, one question and two real showing times, in under 40 words.
Is it legal for realtors to text leads?
Yes, with rules. Text people who contacted you or gave you their number, respect quiet hours of 8 am to 9 pm their time, and check Do Not Call rules before texting anyone who did not reach out. Ask your broker.
How often should I text a real estate lead?
Six or so touches in the first two weeks, then about once a month with something useful until they are ready.
Should I text or call a new lead?
Do both. Call first, then text right after, because many buyers will reply to a text before they pick up a call.
What do I text a lead who stopped replying?
One easy question that gives them a polite way out, like asking whether they are still looking in the area or would like you to pause for a few months. It gets more replies than another listing.
Related reading
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