Mukesh Kumar / Jun 08, 2025 / Marketing

Text Message Follow-Ups That Convert Renters to Buyers

Learn how to use SMS follow-ups to turn renters into home buyers in real estate. Includes 5 smart steps with AI tools for automated, personalized outreach.

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In real estate, follow-up is everything. But how do you ensure your message gets read in a world filled with emails, cold calls, and missed voicemails?

Simple: you text.

Text message marketing (SMS) has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for real estate professionals. Why? Because it’s instant, direct, and personal. And when done right, it can convert curious renters into committed buyers.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to craft SMS follow-ups that turn interest into intent, and intent into closed deals. Plus, we’ll show you how to use AI tools to automate, personalize, and optimize your efforts.

Why SMS Follow-Ups Work in Real Estate

The average open rate for SMS is a staggering 98%, compared to about 20% for email. Even better? Most texts are read within 3 minutes of being received.

For renters browsing properties, timing is everything. If you can reach them with the right message at the right time, you’re far more likely to secure a showing, answer objections, or push them toward the next step.

Text messages feel conversational. They allow agents to build rapport quickly, especially when messages are personalized. With SMS, you’re not just marketing—you’re building a relationship.

Step 1: Segment Your Renter Leads Intelligently

Not all renters are created equal. Some are exploring neighborhoods. Some are ready to buy but are testing rental options. Others are stuck in analysis paralysis.

To convert them, you need to know where they are in their journey.

Use AI-powered CRM tools to automatically:

• Tag and segment leads based on behavior (e.g., property views, inquiries, appointments)
• Score leads based on engagement
• Prioritize hot leads for real-time SMS engagement

Step 2: Craft Personalized, Conversational Texts

Nobody likes robotic messages. Personalization is key.

Here’s a before-and-after example:

Generic: “Hi, are you still interested in buying a home? Let me know.”

Personal: “Hi Jake! Noticed you viewed 2-bed condos in East Austin again. Want me to send you a few listings that just dropped below $500k?”

What makes a follow-up text effective?

• Use the renter’s first name
• Reference specific property types or areas they browsed
• Keep it short, friendly, and helpful
• End with a clear CTA (call to action), like “Want to schedule a tour this weekend?”

Tip: Use natural language generation (NLG) tools like Copy.ai or Jasper to help generate personalized message templates at scale.

Step 3: Automate Timely Follow-Ups Without Sounding Robotic

Timing matters. Follow up too late and you miss the window. Follow up too soon, and you come off as pushy.

Set up an automated SMS follow-up sequence that feels human:

1. 1 hour after the inquiry
   • “Hey Sarah! Got your request about the downtown loft. Do you want to schedule a quick walkthrough this week?”
2. 24 hours later
   • “Hi again! I have a couple more listings similar to that loft you viewed. Want me to send them over?”
3. 3 days later
   • “Quick check-in: Are you still leaning toward renting, or have you thought about buying as an option too?”

Tools like Salesmsg, Twilio, or SimpleTexting let you build automated SMS flows, triggered by user actions—like when they submit a form, view a listing, or book a tour.

Tip: Use A/B testing with AI analytics to determine which messages get the highest response rate, then automatically favor those over underperforming ones.

Step 4: Transition Renters to Buyers with Education + Incentives

Renters often sit on the fence because they think buying is too expensive or complicated.

Your texts should help them see the bigger picture:

• “Did you know your monthly rent could cover a mortgage for a 2-bed townhouse in this area? Want to chat?”
• “Hey Alex, just ran the numbers—owning could cost you less than your current rent. Want me to send you a breakdown?”
• “We’re seeing reduced closing costs this month for first-time buyers. Want to see what you’d qualify for?”

Combine your SMS with AI-powered mortgage calculators or home affordability tools on your site. Send the results via text and keep the dialogue going.

Step 5: Use Contextual Triggers to Send the Right Message at the Right Time

AI lets you track renter behavior and trigger texts based on key actions:

• Viewed a property twice?
  • Text: “Hi Jamie! Still thinking about that 3-bed near Greenlake? It just had a $10k price drop. Want to take another look?”
• Visited the mortgage calculator?
  • Text: “Hey! Looks like you’re crunching numbers. Want me to connect you with a lender to explore options?”
• Didn’t respond for 7 days?
  • Text: “Still house hunting, or did you find something? Happy to help if you’re still looking.”

With AI tools like ActiveCampaign or Drift, you can build behavior-based automation flows that adapt based on user signals, not just static timelines.

Final Thoughts: Smart Texting Converts Renters into Buyers

In real estate, fortune favors the fast and the personalized.

By combining smart segmentation, friendly automation, behavioral triggers, and AI-driven optimization, your SMS follow-ups can do more than keep you top-of-mind. They can drive real results—moving renters off the fence and into their dream home.

Want to build a smarter, scalable SMS strategy that works 24/7? Let Demandloft help you integrate AI into every step of your real estate funnel.