What to Say in Your First Follow-Up Text (5 Scripts That Get Replies)

Your first text decides whether a lead becomes a conversation or a ghost. Five copy-paste scripts that get replies — one for each lead type.

Most agents lose leads in the gap between “someone reached out” and “we had a real conversation.” That gap is usually a bad first message: too long, too salesy, or sent too late. The fix is not complicated. Text fast, keep it short, and ask one easy question. Here is exactly what to send, word for word, for the five lead types that land in every realtor’s inbox.

The Rules Every Script Follows

Before the scripts, four rules that make all of them work:

1. Send it within 5 minutes. Speed is the single biggest factor in whether a lead replies. An automated first response buys you the window your personal follow-up needs.
2. One question, never three. Every script below ends with a single easy question. A question is a reply trigger; a paragraph is a chore.
3. Sound like a person, not a system. No “Dear valued client.” Use your first name, the brokerage, and normal language.
4. Always include an easy out. “Either way is totally fine” and “no pressure” are not weakness — they remove the pressure that stops people from replying at all.

Script 1: New Web Lead

When to send: within 5 minutes of the inquiry arriving — portal alert, website form, or IDX inquiry.

Hi [First Name], this is [Your Name] with [Brokerage]. You just asked about [address or “that home on Zillow”] — I can send you the full details plus 2–3 similar homes nearby. What’s the best time for me to call you today?

Why it works: It promises something specific and useful (full details plus similar homes) instead of the generic “let me know how I can help.” The question “what’s the best time to call” assumes the call is happening — the lead only has to pick a time, not decide whether they want a call. If they reply “don’t call,” that’s still a reply, and you adjust from there.

Script 2: Open House Visitor

When to send: within 1 hour of the open house ending, while your face is still fresh in their memory.

Hi [First Name], thanks for coming by [address] today — great meeting you! I just put together the price sheet plus a few neighborhood stats if you’d like them. Are you looking to move soon, or just browsing for now?

Why it works: “Just browsing for now” is a deliberate escape hatch. Open house visitors are allergic to pressure, so giving them permission to say “browsing” gets you an honest answer instead of a ghost. And every answer is useful: “moving soon” goes to your hot list, “browsing” goes to your nurture plan, and both got the price sheet that keeps your name attached to the home. This is the first step of a full 48-hour open house follow-up system that turns visitors into clients.

Script 3: Missed Call

When to send: automatically, within 60 seconds of the missed call — before they call someone else.

Hi, this is [Your Name] with [Brokerage] — sorry I missed your call. Were you calling about buying or selling? I’ll get right back to you.

Why it works: A missed call is the hottest lead type there is — they picked up the phone to call YOU. But if you’re showing a home or in a meeting, that lead is gone in minutes. An instant text-back catches them while they’re still thinking about it, and the buying-or-selling question starts the conversation immediately. Learn how missed-call text-back works so this fires automatically even when you’re under contract showing homes.

Script 4: Old Database Lead

When to send: during a reactivation push — a lead you haven’t spoken to in 6+ months. Mid-morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday gets the best reply rates.

Hi [First Name], this is [Your Name] — you reached out about homes in [city/neighborhood] a while back. Are you still thinking about a move, or is the timing different now? Either way is totally fine.

Why it works: This is a permission-based opener, not a pitch. Old leads expect to be sold to, which is why they ignore “just checking in!” The phrase “either way is totally fine” disarms that expectation, and the direct question forces a real answer: yes, no, or “timing’s different now” — all of which tell you exactly what to do next. Most agents sit on hundreds of leads like this; a proper database reactivation system works through them systematically instead of all at once.

Script 5: Referral Lead

When to send: within an hour of getting the referral’s number — referrals go cold fast too.

Hi [First Name], this is [Your Name] — [Mutual Friend’s Name] suggested I reach out. They mentioned you’re thinking about [buying/selling] in [area]. I’d love to help — when’s a good time for a quick call?

Why it works: The mutual friend’s name does 90% of the work — borrow the trust. Naming what they were referred for (buying or selling, and where) proves this isn’t a mass text. Keep the ask tiny: “a quick call” is five minutes, not a commitment.

What to Do When Nobody Replies

Even good scripts get ignored — people are busy, not rejecting you. Send one polite second touch 2 days later, then one more at day 7. After that, the lead goes into your regular nurture rotation, not your daily follow-up list.

Day 2 touch: “Hi [First Name], just bumping this up — did you still want those details on [address/neighborhood]? Happy to send them over.”

Day 7 touch: “Hi [First Name], last nudge from me — if the timing’s not right, no worries at all. Just let me know and I’ll check back down the road.”

If day 7 gets silence, stop chasing and start nurturing: market updates, new listings in their area, seasonal tips. The cadence that keeps you top of mind without annoying people is spelled out in our lead follow-up frequency guide. And when it’s time to send longer nurture emails, these follow-up email templates pair with the texts above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I call or text first?

Text first, almost always. A cold call from an unknown number goes to voicemail; a text sits on their screen and gets read. Once they’ve replied to a text, the call feels expected, not intrusive. The only exception is a missed call — they’ve already shown they want to talk, so text-back first, then call within minutes.

How long should a first follow-up text be?

Two to three short sentences, max. If your text needs scrolling, it’s an email, not a text. Name, brokerage, one value promise, one question. That’s the whole formula.

What if they reply “just looking” or “not interested”?

Don’t argue — thank them and pivot to nurture. “Totally fine! I’ll send you new listings in [area] now and then — just reply STOP anytime you want off the list.” A “not now” is often a “yes” six months later, and you’d rather be the agent they remember than the one they blocked.