When someone asks about a listing, the agent who answers first usually gets the conversation. Here's how to get a real reply out in minutes — evenings and weekends included — and keep following up without nagging.
The best-known numbers on response speed are old, cross-industry, and partly from a sales-software company. They're still worth knowing, because newer real-estate data points the same way.
So: don't quote the 100× to clients. Do answer first.
Portal inquiries, website forms, sign calls and social messages all land in one place, and every lead gets a named owner the moment it arrives. Leads that sit in a portal's app are leads nobody owns.
An automatic, honest reply by text or email: what you received, and when a person will call. Never pretend an automated message is a person — say who'll follow up and when.
During office hours, a "first responder" rotation: whoever is up drops what they're doing and calls. No answer? Leave a short voicemail, then send a text (if they gave a mobile number and agreed to texts) or an email.
Pick one and write it down: an on-call agent rotation, an answering service, or an assistant that answers listing questions and books showings — clearly labeled as automated, handing off to a person. Make the auto-reply promise match ("I'll call you by 8:30 tomorrow").
Stop the moment someone says no — people can opt out of texts any reasonable way, even after giving consent.6
Minutes from inquiry to first human contact, by lead source and by agent. The number you track is the number that improves.
Swap in your names. Keep what you ask for identical for every buyer — see the fair-housing note below.
Hi {first name}, thanks for asking about {address}. This is an automatic reply from {office} — {agent} will call you within 10 minutes from {phone}. If text is easier, just reply here.
Hi {first name}, thanks for asking about {address}. Our office is closed for the night — {agent} will call you by 8:30 tomorrow morning. Want to see it this weekend? Reply with a day and time that works and we'll hold it.
Hi {first name}, it's {agent} with {office} — you asked about {address}. It's still available and I can show it {day}. Call or text me at {phone}. Again, {agent}, {phone}.
Hi {first name}, {agent} from {office} — just tried you about {address}. When's a good time for a two-minute call? Or text me your questions here.
Hi {first name}, are you still looking around {area}? A couple of new listings came up that fit what you asked about. Want me to send them, or should I hold off?
Hi {first name}, I don't want to crowd your inbox. Should I send a short monthly update on {area}, or close your file for now? Either is fine — just reply "monthly" or "stop".
Sources opened and checked October 10, 2026.
We're a small Long Island team that builds lead response around how your office already works: every inquiry in one place, an instant honest reply, showings booked, and a person called in minutes. We host it and keep improving it — every change you ask for starts with a plan you approve.
A two-minute form about your office. A person — usually Timmy — replies within one business day. No pitch deck.