10 Top SMS Techniques for Real Estate Sales

Do you use SMS techniques for real estate sales?

The real estate market is now so fierce that traditional marketing methods won’t work. You need to use all marketing channels with a strong strategy to be able to generate leads and boost your sales.

SMS marketing is still an effective method for reaching out to potential customers and generating leads. Of course, you can’t send some random text messages and expect great success. You need to use SMS marketing best practices to outperform your competitors.

That’s why we’ve gathered top SMS techniques for real estate sales that can be of use in 2024. Try to follow these tips to make the most out of your real estate SMS marketing campaigns.

Does SMS Marketing Work for Real Estate?

First, let’s review if SMS marketing is still worth trying in real estate. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of using sms marketing for real estate agents:

Benefits of SMS Marketing for Real Estate

• Instant communication: SMS is one of the fastest methods of communication. Text messages are delivered immediately so you can use them for real-time pricing updates and quick responses.

• High open rates: SMS messages have a high open rate of around 98% which is significantly higher than that of emails.

• Personalization: You can easily customize your text messages. This way, your clients feel valued and appreciated.

• Cost-effectiveness: SMS marketing has a high ROI compared to other marketing channels.

Disadvantages of SMS Marketing for Real Estate

• Limited character count: SMS messages have a limited character count of 160. So it’s a bit challenging to convey complex information in a single SMS.

• Opt-in requirements: One of the challenges in SMS marketing is that your business must obtain explicit consent from recipients. In fact, you can’t send SMS ads before getting consent.

• Potential for spam: Many people consider SMS ads as spam and try to block the number.

Top SMS Techniques for Real Estate Marketers

Now, let’s get familiar with some essential tips for improving your SMS marketing results in the real estate industry:

1# Segmenting Real Estate Customers & Personalizing Messages

One of the most important matters in SMS marketing is customizing your messages according to the target audience.

Of course, there are various types of customers when it comes to real estate. You have to be able to segment your audience based on important factors. For example, here are some factors for segmenting your real estate customers:

• Age
• Gender
• Income
• Type of property
• Homeownership status
• Property preferences

After segmenting your audience, you can customize your messages for each group. This way, each group will receive a message that resonates with their interests. 

Also, you have to personalize your message using some tips. For example, you can include the name of your recipient or use their previous communications. This will make them feel intimate so they don’t consider the message spam.

Here is an example of a personalized message for real estate:

Hi Tom! I wanted to let you know that we have a good home on Str. 5. Feel free to call anytime to go over it. – Sam from RealEstate

As you can see in this message, the realtor used the first name of the customer and mentioned something related to his location.

To segment your subscribers, you can use the WP SMS plugin on your WordPress website. Using our plugin, you can easily define different groups in your subscribers’ list and then customize your message for each group.

2# Offering Incentives in Real Estate SMS Messages

Remember that people are receiving an endless stream of text messages and they ignore many of them. So if you want to make your text message stand out and make them read it and even take action, you have to offer something special.

Try to include incentives in your text messages to encourage your target audience to visit your website or take any other action you want.

Here is an example of an update message with incentives:

Hi Sara! I’ve got some exciting open houses for you to check out this week. Would you like to schedule a virtual tour? – Sam

3# Using Automation for Your Real Estate SMS Campaigns

The efficiency of your SMS marketing campaign is of paramount importance. You have to do all tasks quickly and effortlessly. 

This is not possible unless you use the right tool to boost the process of sending text messages. 

In real estate, you need to send some messages right after certain events. For example, take a look at the following example of automated sms marketing for real estate that has been sent after the customer signs up on your website:

Hi Nick! Thanks for signing up for texts from RealEstate! Are you looking to buy or sell a home? – Sam

Of course, you can’t send these types of messages manually. So what to do? Fortunately, there is a tool for everything. Many SMS platforms offer automation features that simplify sending automated text messages like:

• Notifications
• Reminders
• Sign-Up Confirmations
• Follow-Ups

WP SMS Pro has some add-ons that provide automation features. WP SMS WooCommerce Pro is one of the add-ons you can use to send automated text messages to your subscribers.

4# Sending Messages at the Best Time

Timing is key to higher engagement rates in SMS marketing. You need to send your text messages at the best time to get maximum exposure.

Remember that SMS is different from email and if you send a text message late at night or early in the morning, your audience might be annoyed. This will dent your reputation and increase the opt-out rates of your messages.

Overall, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are the best days to send SMS blasts. Also, Noon and 2 pm are the best hours for SMS marketing. You must also consider your local time zone and refine your SMS marketing timing.

Another important matter about timing is that you might forget to send your SMS at the right moment. Don’t worry! Scheduling tools allow you to prepare a text message and set it to be sent later.

WP SMS has a simple scheduling feature that lets you set a time for your messages to be sent. Using this feature, you can also easily repeat an SMS as many times as you want.

5# Sending Property Listings and Pricing Updates

You must leverage SMS marketing as a powerful tool for keeping potential buyers informed about new properties and important updates.

In fact, you must use SMS for

• Sharing listings
• Showcasing properties
• Delivering timely notifications to prospects

Sending timely and concise notifications about new properties is an effective SMS technique for real estate sales. You can easily grab the attention of potential customers with a short and engaging message.

Here is an example of a new property notification:

“New Listing Alert! 🏡 Spacious 3BR home in downtown just hit the market. Starting at $350K. Reply ‘INFO’ for details or to schedule a tour!”

Remember that you need to be short and direct, and include a clear call to action. If you continue sending these types of texts, after a while, potential customers will be encouraged to avoid searching through other channels. This way, you can appear like a market leader that customers in the region rely on.

Apart from new property notifications, you can send real-time updates via SMS when properties undergo price changes.

Of course, you have to target the home buyers who have shown interest in the property. Here is an example of such text messages:

“Price drop! The 2BR condo on Main Street is now $15K less – the new price is $275K. Don’t miss out! Reply ‘SCHEDULE’ for a private tour or more details.”

6# Closing Real Estate Deals Faster with SMS

SMS can also be useful in the closing process. Here are some SMS techniques for closing a real estate deal.

Sending Contract and Document Reminders

Before closing a real estate deal, you have to ensure that all necessary documents are signed and submitted on time. Sometimes delays in this process can be frustrating but don’t worry! SMS reminders can help prevent delays by notifying buyers and sellers of paperwork and deadlines.

Here is an example of a document reminder:

“Hi Jack, just a quick reminder that the purchase agreement for the property needs your signature by Friday. You can sign it online here: [Link]“

Sending reminders via SMS will bring peace of mind because you ensure that your clients are aware of important deadlines.

Time-Sensitive Offers & Deal Closures

One of the SMS techniques for boosting real estate sales is creating a sense of urgency. This can motivate buyers to act quickly. Of course, this is effective when there are time-sensitive offers or competing interests in a property. 

Here is an example of a time-sensitive SMS:

“Great news! The seller has just reduced the price of the property by $10K for the next 48 hours only. Don’t miss this chance – reply ‘OFFER’ to submit your offer now or schedule a final viewing!”

This message not only informs the buyer of the price drop but also encourages immediate action by informing them of a time constraint on the offer.

Finalizing Appointments for Inspections or Closing Dates

Appointments and closing dates are really critical in the real estate industry. You need to think of an efficient means of keeping track of important appointments like:

• Property inspections
• Final walk-throughs
• Closing dates

Here are some examples of real estate SMS reminders that can help you reduce delays in your deals:

1. “Reminder: Your home inspection for the property is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM. Please confirm by replying ‘YES’ or let us know if you need to reschedule.”

2. “Congrats! 🎉 Your closing date for the property is confirmed for Sept 28 at 2 PM. Please bring your ID and any remaining documents. Feel free to contact us with any questions.”

7# Boosting Engagement with SMS Polls & Surveys

Getting customers’ feedback is an excellent way to show them you value their opinions and gain their trust.

Also, this will help you improve your SMS marketing campaigns according to your customers’ preferences. 

Here are some examples of sms formats for real estate marketing polls and surveys. You can send these to get better results in your real estate business:

Example 1:

“Hi Sara, thanks for viewing the property today! We’d love your feedback. What did you think of the property? Reply with a number: 1 = Loved it, 2 = It was okay, 3 = Not for me.”

This SMS survey provides instant feedback and gives buyers a convenient way to express their opinions. You can use this feedback to improve your sms marketing for real estate, find your property’s weaknesses, and align your future interactions with the buyer.

Example 2:

“We’re helping you find the perfect home! What’s most important to you? Reply with your top choice: 1 = Location, 2 = Price, 3 = Size, 4 = Features (pool, garage, etc.).”

If you can gather such useful data from your customers, it will be possible to tailor property suggestions to match each buyer’s priorities. As a result, your follow-up strategy will be optimized because you know what they want.

8# Combining SMS with Other Marketing Channels

SMS is useful in real estate but it’s not enough! You have to combine your SMS campaigns with other marketing strategies to get maximum results.

If you want to make the most out of your time and money, you can use a cross-promotion strategy in your marketing efforts.

For example, you can ask your customers to watch your social media pages in your SMS. This way, you can grow your social media followers and also show other properties to your customers. 

As another example, you can use email marketing to showcase your properties and then follow up on the email using text messages. This way, your customers feel that you’re serious.

9# Compliance with SMS Marketing Laws

An important matter about SMS marketing is its regulations. Please bear in mind that you can’t send text messages like email. You have to learn about certain rules like GDPR and TCPA before starting your SMS campaigns.

Here are 3 important rules you have to consider:

1. Opt-in requirements: You must get consent from your customers before sending text messages.

2. Opt-out option: You have to include an option for unsubscription so that your recipients can opt-out from your list. For example, you can include something like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

3. Customer data: Most importantly, you have to ensure that your audience’s data will not be leaked in any way.

10# Analyzing The Performance of Your SMS Marketing Campaign

Last but not least, you have to track and analyze the performance of your SMS marketing campaign to recognize its strengths and weaknesses.

It’s essential to measure the ROI of your SMS campaigns to see if your strategy has any benefit for your business. Of course, this is only possible if you’ve defined SMART goals before running your campaign.

You can use the following SMS marketing analytics tools to analyze your campaign and optimize it accordingly:

1. Klaviyo
2. ClickSend
3. OmniSend

Final Thoughts

SMS marketing in real estate has numerous benefits, including high ROI and engagement rates. Of course, you need to follow some rules and strategies to reach success or you’ll waste your time and money. 

Try to pay special attention to personalization and build a strong relationship with your customers. 

Also, use suitable tools and platforms to boost your SMS marketing campaigns and save time. 

WP SMS is a great SMS marketing software for real estate agents that lets you easily send SMS directly from your website’s dashboard. If you want to combine your SMS marketing with your website’s strategies, it’s your best chance. So why wait? Try the demo of WP SMS to make sure about its capabilities.

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