SMS marketing has quickly become an essential tool for real estate agents to connect with clients, generate leads, and close deals. With its high open rates and instant communication capabilities, SMS marketing offers a direct and effective way to engage with potential buyers and sellers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the benefits of SMS marketing for real estate, best practices for creating successful campaigns, and how GoHighLevel can help you leverage this strategy to grow your business.
Start your GoHighLevel free trial today!
Why SMS Marketing is a Game Changer for Real Estate
In today’s competitive real estate market, staying ahead of the curve is essential. SMS marketing offers several advantages that can help you achieve this:
- High Open and Response Rates: Compared to email marketing, SMS messages have significantly higher open and response rates. Studies show that 90% of people read a text message within the first three minutes of receiving it, and consumers are 4.5 times more likely to reply to an SMS marketing message than an email. This makes SMS an ideal channel for time-sensitive information and urgent updates.
- Instant Communication: SMS allows for real-time communication with clients, enabling you to respond to inquiries quickly and efficiently. This is crucial in the fast-paced real estate market, where timing can be critical in securing a deal.
- Personalization: SMS messages can be personalized to cater to individual clients’ needs and preferences. This helps build stronger relationships and increases engagement.
- Cost-Effective Marketing: SMS marketing is a relatively inexpensive way to reach a large audience. With low costs and high returns, it offers a significant advantage for real estate agents looking to maximize their marketing budget.
- Improved Client Engagement: SMS provides a more interactive and engaging experience for clients compared to traditional methods. This can lead to increased interest, faster responses, and ultimately, more closed deals.
- Industry Leader: More and more businesses are incorporating text messaging into their marketing efforts. Reports indicate that while only…source for SMS marketing1.
Best Practices for SMS Marketing in Real Estate
To make the most of your SMS marketing campaigns, consider these best practices:
| Best Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Establish a Strategy | Before diving into SMS marketing, define your goals, target audience, and how SMS fits into your overall marketing plan. |
| Adhere to Regulations | Ensure you comply with all relevant regulations, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which requires obtaining express written consent from contacts before sending them marketing messages. |
| Use Relevant Opt-in Keywords | Encourage clients to opt in to your SMS list by using relevant keywords. For example, you can include keywords like “NEWLISTINGS” or “OPENHOUSE” on your website, social media, and marketing materials. |
| Craft Compelling Messages | Keep your messages concise, engaging, and to the point. Use clear and simple language, and avoid real estate jargon that might confuse potential clients. While conciseness is important, remember that modern SMS messages can exceed 160 characters and may be delivered as segmented messages. |
| Create SMS Message Templates | Develop a variety of SMS templates for different purposes, such as new listing alerts, open house invitations, price reduction notifications, and appointment reminders. This will save you time and ensure consistency in your communication. |
| Choose the Right Timing and Frequency | Avoid bombarding clients with too many messages. Find a balance that keeps you top-of-mind without being intrusive. Consider sending messages during business hours and tailor your frequency based on client preferences and engagement patterns. |
| Segment Your Audience | Divide your audience into different segments based on their interests, preferences, and buying/selling stage3. This allows you to send more targeted and relevant messages, increasing engagement and conversion rates. |
| Automate Your SMS Marketing Workflow | Use marketing automation tools to streamline your SMS campaigns. This can include automated responses, drip campaigns, and personalized messages triggered by specific actions or events. |
| Make Unsubscribing Easy | Every message should include a clear and simple way for recipients to opt out, such as replying with “STOP.” Respecting user preferences and providing a clear opt-out option is crucial for building trust and maintaining a positive brand image. |
| Measure Success and Adjust Your Strategy | Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use this data to analyze the effectiveness of your campaigns and make adjustments as needed. |
Legality of SMS Marketing for Real Estate
Before launching any SMS marketing campaign, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements, particularly the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This act restricts telemarketing calls, text messages, and facsimiles, placing limitations on the use of automatic dialing systems and prerecorded or artificial voice messages.
The TCPA requires obtaining express written consent from individuals before sending them marketing text messages. This means you cannot simply text any phone number you find; you need clear and documented permission. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines – up to $10,000 per message!
There are different types of consent:
- Implied Consent: This is when someone initiates a text conversation with you. You can reply with relevant information and maintain a two-way conversation.
- Express Consent: This means you need explicit permission (verbal, written, or online) before sending informational messages like welcome texts, reminders, or updates.
- Express Written Consent: This is required for promotional messages, such as calls to action or sales-related texts. You need written permission on a signed form, an online field or checkbox, or directly in writing.
Ensure your SMS marketing practices comply with these regulations to avoid legal issues and maintain a positive brand reputation.
GoHighLevel: Your All-in-One SMS Marketing Solution
GoHighLevel is a powerful marketing automation platform that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for real estate agents, including robust SMS marketing capabilities. Choosing the right SMS marketing provider is crucial for the success of your campaigns, and GoHighLevel offers a seamless and integrated solution. Here’s how GoHighLevel can help you elevate your SMS strategy:
- SMS Conversations: Manage all your SMS conversations from a single dashboard, ensuring prompt responses and improved customer satisfaction.
- Keyword-Based SMS Marketing: Set up automated responses to specific keywords, providing instant information and capturing leads.
- Effective SMS Opt-In Campaigns: Create compelling opt-in campaigns to build your SMS list and engage potential clients.
- Personalized SMS Text Messages: Send personalized messages to foster stronger relationships and increase engagement.
- Automated Marketing: Automate responses, follow-up messages, and drip campaigns to save time and resources.
- Missed-Call Text Back: Capture leads and provide instant support by automatically sending text messages to missed calls.
- After-Hours SMS Service: Provide 24/7 client support and lead capture by setting up an automated after-hours SMS service.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Track the performance of your SMS campaigns with analytics and reporting tools.
By integrating GoHighLevel into your real estate business, you can streamline your SMS marketing efforts, improve client communication, and generate more leads.
Start your GoHighLevel free trial today!
New Listing Alerts
Send instant notifications to potential buyers about new properties that match their criteria.
For example:
“Hi , exciting news! A property that I think you’d like just hit the market in . It has a white kitchen, just like you requested! Check out the details here . Let me know if you’re interested in scheduling a viewing!”
Open House Invitations
Invite potential buyers to open houses with targeted SMS messages.
For example:
“Hi , you’re invited to an open house at \ this Sunday from 2-4 PM. This beautiful 3-bedroom home features a spacious backyard and modern upgrades. We’d love to see you there!”
Price Reduction Alerts
Notify interested buyers about price drops on properties they’ve shown interest in.
For example:
“Great news, ! The price on the property at \ has just been reduced by $10,000! Now’s the perfect time to schedule a viewing. Reply ‘YES’ to book a showing.”
Capturing Leads with Irresistible Offers
Use SMS marketing to capture leads by offering something valuable upfront. This could be a free market report, a guide to buying a home in your area, or an exclusive preview of upcoming listings.
For example:
“Want to know the secrets to getting the best deal on your dream home? Text “DREAMHOME” to \ and receive a free guide packed with insider tips and tricks!”
Appointment Reminders
Send reminders to clients about upcoming appointments or showings.
For example:
“Hi , just a friendly reminder about your showing scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM at . Please let me know if you have any questions.”
Follow-Up Messages
Follow up with leads after open houses or showings to answer questions and gauge their interest.
For example:
“Hi , it was great meeting you at the open house today! What were your thoughts on the property? I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.”
Market Updates
Share relevant market updates and insights with your clients.
For example:
“Calling all \ family! This month, the housing market in \ dipped by \ percent, which means it’s the perfect time to buy. Schedule a call with us at \ and let’s get started!”
SMS Marketing Keywords for Real Estate
Using relevant keywords in your SMS marketing campaigns can help you attract the right audience and generate more leads. Here are some examples of effective keywords for real estate:
| Keyword Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| General | NEWLISTINGS, OPENHOUSE, DREAMHOME, BUYNOW, SELLNOW, INFO, PROPERTY |
| Location-Specific | \HOMES, \LISTINGS, \REALESTATE |
| Property Type | CONDO, TOWNHOUSE, SINGLEFAMILY, LUXURYHOMES |
| Client Needs | FIRSTTIMEBUYER, RELOCATION, INVESTMENT |
By incorporating these keywords into your SMS campaigns and marketing materials, you can make it easier for potential clients to find you and express their interest.
Case Studies: Successful SMS Marketing Campaigns for Real Estate
Several real estate companies have successfully implemented SMS marketing campaigns to boost their lead generation and client engagement. Here are a few examples:
- Realtor.com: Realtor.com used SMS to target users who showed interest in specific properties online but didn’t take further action. By sending follow-up texts with additional information and contact options, they increased lead conversion rates.
- Regional Real Estate Company: A regional real estate company used SMS to promote open houses, resulting in higher attendance rates and increased engagement with agents19.
- Trulia: Trulia implemented an SMS program to instantly notify agents about new leads, enabling faster response times and improved lead conversion.
- Josh Barker (RE/MAX): Josh Barker and his team used easy opt-in keywords to manage interest in each property they represent, providing potential buyers with instant access to property information.
These case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of SMS marketing in driving results for real estate businesses.
Start your GoHighLevel free trial today!
SMS marketing offers a powerful way for real estate agents to thrive in today’s competitive market. Its high open rates, instant communication, and personalization capabilities make it an ideal channel for engaging clients, generating leads, and closing deals. By adhering to best practices, such as obtaining proper consent, crafting compelling messages, and segmenting your audience, you can maximize the impact of your SMS campaigns.
GoHighLevel provides a comprehensive platform to streamline and automate your SMS marketing efforts. With features like automated responses, drip campaigns, and after-hours SMS service, GoHighLevel empowers you to nurture leads, provide exceptional client support, and drive business growth. By integrating GoHighLevel into your real estate business, you can leverage the full potential of SMS marketing and stay ahead of the curve in 2025 and beyond.
Works cited
1. Closing Deals with SMS: Real Estate Marketing Tips | Mailchimp, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://mailchimp.com/resources/sms-for-real-estate/
2. SMS Marketing for Real Estate [Best Practices] – VoiceSpin, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://www.voicespin.com/blog/sms-marketing-for-real-estate/
3. SMS Marketing for Real Estate Businesses | Textback.ai, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://textback.ai/industry/sms-marketing-for-real-estate-business/
4. Your real estate SMS marketing guide – Textline, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://www.textline.com/blog/real-estate-sms-marketing-guide
5. SMS marketing for real estate has changed… 2025 guide – Call Porter, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://callporter.com/blog/real-estate-sms-marketing/
6. The Agent’s Guide to Real Estate Text Messaging – REDX, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://www.redx.com/blog/agents-text-messaging-guide/
7. How to Use Targeted Real Estate SMS Marketing to Get More Clients – Luxury Presence, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://www.luxurypresence.com/blogs/sms-real-estate-marketing/
8. How To Use SMS Marketing For Real Estate | Xara Cloud, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://www.xara.com/real-estate-sms-marketing/
9. SMS Marketing For Real Estate Agents: Everything You Need to Know – Textdrip, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://textdrip.com/blog/sms-marketing-for-real-estate-agents-everything-you-need-to-know
10. Texting Compliance for Real Estate Investing: 3 Questions to Keep in Mind, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://blog.leadsherpa.com/texting-compliance-for-real-estate-investing
11. A2P / 10DLC: Read This Before You Send Real Estate SMS Campaigns – REISift, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://www.reisift.io/blog-posts/10dlc-guide-for-real-estate
12. 5 Essential SMS Compliance Basics for Real Estate Agents – SimpleTexting, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://simpletexting.com/real-estate-text-message-marketing/how-to-start/understand-compliance-basics/
13. A Detailed Guide To Real Estate SMS Marketing – Launch Control, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://launchcontrol.us/blogs/a-detailed-guide-to-real-estate-sms-marketing/
14. The Ultimate Guide To GoHighLevel SMS Keyword Marketing In 2024 – Ray O’Daniel, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://rayodaniel.com/gohighlevel-sms-keyword-marketing/
15. Why SMS Marketing is Critical in 2024 and How to Master it with HighLevel – GoHighLevel blog, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://blog.gohighlevel.com/how-to-master-sms-marketing-with-highlevel/
16. GoHighLevel Texting & SMS – Feature Overview (2024) – SupplyGem, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://supplygem.com/gohighlevel-texting-sms/
17. 6 Ways to Use SMS Marketing as a Real Estate Professional – Skipio, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://skipio.com/blog/sms-marketing-for-real-estate/
18. These SMS Examples for Real Estate Marketing Actually Worked – SimpleTexting, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://simpletexting.com/real-estate-text-message-marketing/examples/
19. SMS Marketing for Real Estate Professionals: The Comprehensive Guide – Textla, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://www.textla.com/post/sms-marketing-real-estate
20. Top 20 SMS Marketing Examples/Case Studies to Inspire You – Avada Commerce, accessed on December 17, 2024, https://avada.io/blog/sms-marketing-examples-case-studies/
