Real Estate Prospecting Ideas For Real Estate Agents

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TL;DR: Top Real Estate Prospecting Ideas (2025)

  • Host engaging open houses and create virtual tours.
  • Engage buyers via hyperlocal video and social media campaigns.
  • Use direct mail and community events to connect with potential sellers.
  • Combine modern tech (CRM, AI, SMS) with traditional local relationships.
  • Focus on consistency by building weekly prospecting routines to generate leads.

Real estate prospecting is the lifeblood of an agent’s success. Mastering prospecting ideas tailored to your local market can dramatically boost your business by generating a steady stream of listing leads and sustaining repeat business. From tried-and-true methods like cold calling to modern digital marketing, these tips are invaluable for any listing agent.

Want 3 Plug-and-Play Prospecting Scripts?

Download our Free Lead Script Bundle to get proven scripts for expireds, FSBOs, and open house follow-ups.

What Are the Best Prospecting Methods for Buyers?

To attract potential buyers, focus on providing value and showcasing your local expertise. These methods are designed to connect you with active homebuyers in your market.

A family smiling after buying a new home from their real estate agent.

1. Host Effective Open Houses

Open houses provide an excellent opportunity to connect with hot leads. To make your open houses more effective, use high-quality property brochures and a digital sign-in sheet to gather valuable contact information from attendees.

2. Leverage Virtual Tours and Social Media

Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Instagram to promote virtual tours. High-quality social media posts showcasing new listings or insights into neighborhood events can help attract potential buyers and demonstrate your expertise.

3. Create Educational Content & Workshops

Develop a blog or video series addressing topics like first-time homebuyer tips or local market trends. Hosting homebuyer workshops about financing or home inspections also builds credibility and attracts motivated prospects. For more marketing ideas, check out these tips on how to write catchy radio ads.

How Do You Prospect for FSBO and Expired Listings Effectively?

Prospecting for sellers, especially For Sale By Owner (FSBO) and expired listings, requires a strategic approach. These homeowners are often motivated and need an expert to guide them through the home selling process.

Expired listings are the single best source of immediate listings for you. 40 to 50 percent of expired listings re-list with an agent within 72 hours. This is now-business.

0:00 hey guys welcome back to my channel in 0:03
this video I’m gonna tell you exactly 0:06
what to do to take one expired listing a 0:10
week as a brand new real estate agent 0:13
now why I’m actually really excited 0:17
about this video for you if you’re brand 0:18
new real estate because you probably 0:21
already know even if you’re brand new to 0:24
real estate that being a listing agent 0:28
is the way to go being a buyer’s agent 0:32
is uh insane okay I’m very biased toward 0:36
towards listings but working with Buyers 0:40
is very ineffective it’s time consuming 0:43
you’re gonna get very discouraged and 0:45
you already know listing agents control 0:48
the market and you can start being a 0:52
listing agent from day one now 0:55
expired listings write this down 0:58
expired listings are the single best 1:02
source of immediate listings for you 1:06
that’s why we’re gonna talk about this 1:08
today and I’m gonna give you 10 points 1:10
so hang in there okay I’m gonna tell you 1:12
exactly what to do how to do it when to 1:14
do it what to say all of it okay now 1:17
write this down 1:19
expired listings are now business 1:24
m-o-w now write it in capital letters 1:27
and circle it over and over and over 1:29
because 1:31
you’re gonna hear a lot of people out 1:33
there saying well you know you gotta 1:35 follow up and it takes time and they 1:37 give you this objection and that 1:39 objection they’re lying to you okay 1:42 maybe the people saying that to you I 1:44 don’t know who it is maybe they never 1:45 called expireds or maybe they’re the 1:48 agents who are calling expireds and 1:50 listing them the same day that they 1:52 expire and they don’t want you to know 1:54 that that’s possible so they’re telling 1:55 you oh you’re gonna have to follow up no 1:57 no no 1:58 now business this is critical and I’m 2:02 going to talk a little bit about that 2:03 again at the end of the video but for 2:05 now just remember that 2:08 40 to 50 percent 2:11 of expired listings released with an 2:15 agent within 72 hours that three days 72 2:19 hours it’s right now it’s so exciting 2:23 and even as a Brand New World Series you 2:26 can do it so here’s Point number one 2:29 probably one of the most important 2:31 things use an effective script when your 2:36 calling expired listings I’m going to 2:38 give you the script right now so if you 2:40 don’t have a pen and paper get it pause 2:41 the video go get a pen and paper so you 2:44 can write it down you could always 2:45 rewind to and get it again 2:48 so let me tell you let me give you the 2:51 script which is short and then I’m gonna 2:53 tell you why this is an effective script 2:56 because when you understand the the 2:58 reasoning behind what you’re saying 3:00 you’re gonna do it better it’s gonna 3:03 make sense to you’re more likely to 3:04 actually get results so the script goes 3:07 like this they answer the phone ring 3:10 ring hello you’re gonna say hi this is 3:13 Jackie I’m a local real estate agent 3:16 don’t say your last name don’t say your 3:18 company name 3:20 I’m sure you know that your house came 3:22 off the market today 3:24 and I’m calling you because I am 3:27 confident that I can sell your house and 3:32 I’d like to meet with you for just 20 3:34 minutes and show you exactly how I can 3:36 do that for you are you available today 3:39 around three o’clock or would four be 3:41 better for you 3:42 that is the entire script 3:46 how easy is that now 3:48 let’s talk about this because 3:51 I’m telling you this is an effective 3:54 script 3:55 and you probably heard other coaches 3:59 other agents or whoever telling you no 4:01 no use this script and it has like 10 20 4:04 questions on it 4:06 why that is ineffective and it doesn’t 4:10 make any sense first of all expired 4:13 listings are not happy people they don’t 4:14 want to sit on the phone and talk to you 4:18 an agent who they don’t know after 4:20 they’ve expired and they were listed for 4:23 six months they’re getting calls from a 4:26 lot of real estate agents on the day 4:28 they expire they’re gonna sit on the 4:29 phone and tell you well if you sell the 4:31 home where are you going to they’re not 4:32 interested in that conversation 4:34 the only thing they’re interested in the 4:38 40 to 50 percent are gonna re-list right 4:40 away 4:41 all they’re interested in is can you you 4:46 the agent talking to them can you make 4:48 me feel confident that you’re actually 4:52 the right agent and I’m not wasting my 4:55 time speaking with you that’s all 4:57 they’re interested in listen I’ve listed 5:00 a lot of expireds in my real estate 5:03 career and a lot of physicals more 5:04 physicals than expireds because I was 5:06 working in a very hot market for several 5:08 years and there were more fsbos but 5:11 the ex the the script that I just gave 5:13 you 5:14 I’ve used it my clients are using it 5:18 every day and setting appointments why 5:20 because it’s what the expire wants to 5:23 hear they don’t want to sit on the phone 5:25 and talk to you and answer your 5:27 questions and be interrogated they’re 5:29 looking for a confident agent that can 5:32 sell their house so when you say that it 5:36 actually catches their attention as long 5:38 as you say it confidently you don’t want 5:41 to sound uh like you have no confidence 5:45 you can do it when you say it so make 5:47 sure that what you say and how you say 5:48 it is congruent I’ll talk more a little 5:51 bit about that later which is right now 5:53 this is point number two actually I 5:55 thought I had put it later on my list I 5:57 have my notes Here Point number two is 5:59 speak with authority 6:01 with confidence 6:03 because when you’re saying I am 6:06 confident that I can sell your house it 6:09 needs to sound like that the tone of 6:12 your voice goes down it gives you 6:14 automatic Authority you don’t want to 6:16 say I’m confident that I can sell your 6:19 house like totally weird like you you’re 6:22 you the way you’re saying it sounds like 6:25 you really have no confidence so be 6:27 congruent because otherwise to them it 6:29 sounds weird and when you speak like 6:31 that if you do they’re gonna feel weird 6:34 they’re gonna say no no no I’m busy I’m 6:36 not interested I’m not and they’re going 6:38 to hang up on you okay that was Point 6:39 number two the speaking with authority 6:43 the third thing you’re gonna do is 6:45 you’re going to read this one line on 6:50 the script out loud as fast as you can 6:55 ten times right before you get on the 6:59 phone to make calls and I’m gonna tell 7:01 you the time to do it hang in there okay 7:03 so let me show you what reading out loud 7:07 as fast as you can sound like I already 7:10 gave you the script 7:12 now you’re warming up that’s why I’m 7:15 asking you to do this just like if you 7:18 if you watch 7:19 professional players play the game they 7:22 don’t just run in the field or the court 7:24 and just start playing they warm up 7:26 you’re warming up and reading a lot of 7:30 stress as you can is going to help you 7:31 actually internalize the script so you 7:34 want to do it every day it’ll take you 7:36 uh three or four minutes to do it so it 7:39 sounds like this 7:40 hi this is Jack I’m a local real estate 7:42 agent I’m sure you know your house came 7:44 off the market today and I’m calling 7:45 because I’m confident that I can sell 7:46 your house and I’d like to meet with you 7:47 for just 20 minutes and show you exactly 7:49 how I can do that for you three o’clock 7:51 work for you today would far be better 7:52 that’s it how long did that take 15 7:54 seconds so you do it 10 times over and 7:57 over and over in the beginning you might 7:59 not be able to do it as fast but you 8:01 want to practice it like that okay and 8:06 then you’re gonna get on the phone 8:07 that’s Point number four you’re going to 8:11 call new 8:14 expires and unconditionally withdrawn 8:18 listings at 8 AM Monday through Friday 8:23 and at 9 00 a.m on Saturdays so let me 8:28 Define what a new expired 8:31 unconditionally drawn is they’re new on 8:34 the day the listing expires so today 8:38 whatever day is today 8:40 they expire today they’re new today 8:43 tomorrow they’re not new anymore okay 8:46 they’re old tomorrow so you’re gonna 8:49 focus on the brand new ones that just 8:53 expired today 8 AM you’re on the phone 8:55 you’re calling them 8:57 now 8:58 right after you finish calling the new 9:02 ones 9:04 inspired unconditionally drones 9:06 you’re going to text the ones that 9:11 didn’t answer the phone and the text 9:14 message is gonna say the following copy 9:17 paste so you don’t waste your time 9:20 I have a 9:21 this is Jackie local real estate agent I 9:25 have a quick question about your house 9:27 please give me a call at give your 9:30 number 9:31 look forward to talking to you soon 9:33 thanks that’s it that’s your text 9:37 should you leave messages when you come 9:40 they don’t answer the phone no don’t 9:42 leave messages we’re working effectively 9:45 you let the phone ring four times they 9:48 don’t answer hang up dial the next 9:50 number 9:51 and 9:53 chat after you’re done with all the 9:55 calls all right depending on your Market 9:57 how many you have is whatever time 10:00 you’re gonna finish you’re going to text 10:04 the script I gave you then 10:07 you’re going when you’re done with that 10:09 you’re going to call Old 10:13 expireds up to one month old in 10:18 chronological order backwards so today 10:22 you’re you call the new ones and then 10:25 you’re gonna call yesterday’s expireds 10:28 and then the day before and then the day 10:30 before and then the day before okay up 10:33 to going back for a month 10:37 you don’t have to you don’t text them 10:38 again you only text them on the day 10:40 they’re new they already got your text 10:42 hopefully some of them will answer 10:44 when you’re done with the old expires 10:47 and chronological and unconditional 10:49 withdrons you know I always when I say 10:51 expires I mention I’m combining both 10:53 okay when you’re done calling the old 10:56 ones up to a month 10:58 you’re going to get out of your home or 11:01 office and you’re going to go door 11:05 knocking the new expires the ones that 11:09 you called at 8am that didn’t answer the 11:13 phone and the ones that are on the Do 11:16 Not Call list 11:18 this should still be happening before 11:21 lunchtime for you so take the ones that 11:25 are on the Do Not Call the ones that 11:26 didn’t answer 11:28 create a route map It Out Create a route 11:32 that makes sense so you’re not driving 11:33 from here to here and then from here and 11:35 back 11:36 create a route 11:38 that makes sense go out and speak with 11:42 them at the door this is so powerful 11:45 you’re gonna notice when you’re calling 11:48 new expireds in the morning 11:50 that there are a lot of Agents calling 11:52 why there are a lot of Agents calling 11:54 because they know it’s the single best 11:56 source of an immediate listing today if 11:58 it was not good nobody would be calling 12:00 now one thing that very few if any 12:04 agents are doing is door knocking so 12:07 you’re gonna probably be the only one to 12:11 talk to them what script do you use when 12:14 you go to the door the same one used 12:17 over the phone oh hi my name is Jackie 12:20 I’m sure a local real estate agent I’m 12:23 sure you know your house came off the 12:24 market today and I was around the 12:26 neighborhood wanted to stop by and speak 12:29 with you set up a time 20 minutes to 12:31 meet with you because I’m confident that 12:33 I can just say the same scripture just 12:35 gonna say it in person 12:37 if they are not home when you go to the 12:40 door create a one-page flyer one page 12:45 that obviously has your your company 12:48 logo your name and on that flyer just 12:53 type up the script 12:55 I’m sure you know your house came out 12:57 Dear homeowner 12:59 generic so you’re not typing up you can 13:01 print a whole bunch at the same time uh 13:04 dear homeowner I’m sure you know your 13:06 house came off the market today and I 13:08 stopped by to speak with you because I’m 13:11 confident that I can sell your house I’d 13:13 like to set up a time to meet with you 13:14 for just 20 minutes and show you exactly 13:16 how I can get this property sold for you 13:18 please give me a call so we can set up a 13:20 time to meet my number is look forward 13:23 to hearing from you soon sign your name 13:25 your information your contact 13:27 information that’s it they’re not home 13:29 leave that at the door 13:33 now 13:35 while you’re door knocking you might as 13:39 well just knock 13:41 five doors on each side of of the 13:45 expireds that you just not just go to 13:47 the neighbor’s house you know sometimes 13:48 you you actual door knocking 13:51 neighborhood calls can be very effective 13:53 you may find somebody next door that’s 13:57 looking to sell the house now or a month 13:59 from now or two months from now or know 14:01 somebody who wants to sell so just speak 14:03 with people face to face then go to the 14:05 next expire and then to the next one 14:07 okay great now 14:09 Point number 14:12 I think this point number eight right 14:14 now 14:15 call the new expireds you already know 14:19 what a new expired is again at six pm so 14:23 if they didn’t answer the phone at 8 AM 14:25 if they were not home when you got there 14:29 if they didn’t return your text you’re 14:32 gonna call them again at 6 00 PM only 14:35 the new ones new expires unconditionally 14:37 withdrons here’s Point number nine I 14:40 think I actually stopped numbering these 14:44 things don’t worry okay I’m I you got 14:46 all of them even if the numbers are a 14:48 little confusing to you right now number 14:50 nine or number next 14:53 watch this is on my YouTube channel you 14:57 can search it in the videos click on 14:59 videos and and find it there watch the 15:03 top this is the title of the video top 15:06 five expired listing objections every 15:11 day I want you to watch that video 15:13 because 15:15 you’re brand new to real estate when you 15:18 call you’re gonna get some objections 15:20 you’re gonna read the script and you’re 15:22 gonna say I want to meet with you for 15:23 just 20 minutes so three o’clock work 15:25 for you today will probably be better 15:26 and they’re saying no I’m not selling 15:28 anymore or no I’m gonna release with the 15:30 same agent so go so you need to know 15:32 what to say right so you’re gonna watch 15:36 that video every day because you need 15:38 repetition I used to do this so much 15:41 when I first got into real estate I used 15:42 to listen to role plays I used to listen 15:44 to a lot of stuff and make a lot of 15:47 calls that’s how I got better and better 15:49 and better and the first day you do it 15:53 the first time you watch this video I 15:55 want you to 15:56 transcribe the objection 15:59 the responses that I’m giving you on the 16:02 video I want you to actually write it 16:04 down so then you can read it to yourself 16:06 you could study it you could learn it 16:08 you could have it in front of you so 16:10 when you’re calling expires tomorrow and 16:12 they give you the objection you don’t 16:13 know what to say you could just read the 16:16 answer ideally obviously you’re gonna 16:18 get to a point where you’re not gonna 16:19 have to read it anymore because you’re 16:21 gonna memorize it and internalize it but 16:23 in the beginning that’s what you need to 16:24 do and listening to it every single day 16:28 repetition is the mother of skill that’s 16:30 how you’re gonna get great at this 16:33 and point number 10 is 16:37 and this is going back to the first 16:39 thing I said to you expired listings are 16:42 now business and point number 10 is 16:46 focus on setting appointments not 16:50 getting leads 16:53 they’re not 16:55 long-term leads at all you in a few 16:59 believe that they are well then when 17:03 they say to you I’m not selling anymore 17:05 you’re gonna say oh okay or when they 17:08 say well I’m taking it off the market 17:10 for a couple of months call me call me 17:12 in a few months you’re gonna say oh okay 17:15 and then you’re gonna call them back a 17:16 month later and they listed the house 17:18 with an agent two days after they 17:20 expired or the same day they expire and 17:22 you’re gonna be scratching your head 17:23 trust me it’s happened to me it happens 17:25 to every age and I’ve coached and I’ve 17:27 coached thousands of Ages you’re gonna 17:28 call them back you’re gonna be like what 17:30 happened they told me they weren’t 17:32 selling anymore they told me they 17:33 weren’t listening for a couple of months 17:35 what do you mean you listed uh-huh yeah 17:38 because you bought into the fact that 17:40 this is a lead they’re not leads their 17:43 immediate business 17:46 and I want to end with this okay you’re 17:50 brand new you’re starting this this week 17:52 you’re gonna really focus on it you’re 17:54 gonna do everything I say will you list 17:56 an expired on week one maybe that’s 18:00 totally possible a hundred percent 18:02 possible I have agents that join my 18:05 coaching got the script started calling 18:07 and like I I have one client I’ve 18:10 actually interviewed her from my YouTube 18:11 channel she within a month uh one week 18:14 that I I actually gave him a big pep 18:17 talk on the live call she says okay I’m 18:19 gonna do it she listed like five 18:21 expireds within three days I’m like what 18:24 I don’t know that I’ve ever listed 18:27 five expires in a three day period I 18:31 mean this girl like she’s killing it and 18:33 she’s she was fairly new she was a 18:35 buyer’s agent not necessarily brand new 18:37 three years in real estate always a 18:39 buyer’s agent then decided to start 18:41 calling experts so could you do that 18:43 could you take one or two or three 18:45 listings the first week yes you can will 18:48 you I don’t know but that’s not don’t 18:52 don’t even get in your head you have to 18:55 stay consistent in doing everything I 18:57 told you to do 18:58 and do it every day because the results 19:02 might take a little bit of time maybe 19:04 not maybe yes and when you stay 19:07 consistent and you do this every day you 19:10 are gonna get results you’re gonna see 19:13 results and I said to you that expired 19:17 listings are now business is it possible 19:19 that you may get some leads yes you’re 19:23 gonna have some leads and when you have 19:24 leads you make sure you follow up very 19:27 aggressively follow up soon and ask for 19:32 the appointment when you call the 19:34 problem is when you get on the initial 19:37 call if you’re thinking you’re gonna get 19:39 leads then you’re definitely not going 19:41 to get appointments because you’re gonna 19:42 buy into their objections they’ll become 19:45 a condition for you and somebody else is 19:48 going to list those properties and the 19:50 last thing 19:51 that I want to say I told you to go door 19:54 knocked the the ones that are on the Do 19:56 Not Call List don’t call or text the 20:01 ones that are on the Do Not Call List 20:03 you go to the door 20:07 period end of story okay and there are 20:12 Services out there you can use to get 20:14 phone numbers for expireds I recommend 20:16 espresso agent and Vulcan 7. if you want 20:19 a special code and get special pricing 20:22 and so on go to my website either Jackie 20:26 kravitz.com or salesextraining.com it’s 20:29 the same website it just redirects 20:31 whatever is easier for you 20:33 and there’s a tab there for dialer and 20:36 you’ll be able to get the special code 20:38 right now I think it’s jackie22 for 20:41 espresso agent there’s a link for Vulcan 20:44 7 they’ll give you all of the expired 20:47 information every day you could actually 20:50 create a system for calling those old 20:52 expireds is a great service that’s it 20:55 for this video put your comments and 20:58 questions below I read them I respond to 21:01 them I know you can do this if you’re 21:04 not subscribed to the channel yet of 21:06 course make sure you do it ring the bell 21:08 next to it so you get a notification 21:10 when we upload new videos thanks for 21:12 watching go list those expireds and I 21:15 will see you soon

1. Target Expired Listings with a Confident Script

Many sellers with expired listings are eager for a new strategy. Approach them with a direct script that focuses on your ability to sell their home where the previous agent failed. Combine phone calls with door knocking for maximum impact, as very few agents take this extra step.

2. Provide Value to FSBO Sellers

FSBOs often struggle with marketing and negotiations. Offer them free, valuable resources, like a guide on the home-selling process or examples of how you’ve helped other FSBOs secure a higher price. This value-first approach builds trust and positions you as the expert they need.

3. Utilize Targeted Email and Direct Mail Campaigns

Segment your email list to address homeowner-specific concerns using email newsletters. For direct mail, send personalized postcards to high-demand neighborhoods sharing recent sales data to spark their interest in listing with you. Consider adding QR codes on mailers that link directly to a custom landing page or virtual tour.

Prospecting for Buyers vs. Sellers: A Comparison

StrategyBest For BuyersBest For SellersNotes
Open Houses🔄Great to meet new buyers in-person.
FSBO OutreachSellers often need agent assistance.
Facebook Marketplace🔄Effective for targeting buyer-side groups.
Door Knocking🔄Ideal for farming specific seller neighborhoods.
Local Events & SponsorshipsExcellent for overall brand awareness.

Modern Prospecting Tactics for 2025

To stay ahead, integrate these modern tactics into your prospecting routine:

Two real estate professionals celebrating a successful deal.
  • AI-Powered Lead Scoring: Use your CRM to score leads based on their online behavior, allowing you to focus your energy on the most engaged prospects.
  • Hyperlocal Video Content: Create short, engaging videos for Instagram Reels or TikTok using geotags to showcase specific neighborhoods, parks, and local businesses.
  • SMS Drip Campaigns: Implement automated text message follow-ups for leads from open houses or community events to stay top-of-mind.

Even new agents can carve out a successful career by combining these strategies with persistence and a focus on building meaningful relationships.

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Check Back for Updates to Effective Real Estate Prospecting

Prospecting never really ends for a successful real estate agent, it’s the foundation of a steady pipeline. As new tools and trends emerge, we’ll keep updating this guide with fresh real estate prospecting strategies to help you generate more real estate leads and convert potential clients into loyal real estate clients. If you’re reconnecting with past clients, sending personalized real estate prospecting letters, or experimenting with digital outreach, then consistent prospecting efforts are what separate average agents from top performers. Bookmark this page and check back often as we share more proven real estate prospecting efforts to strengthen your relationships, re-engage past clients, and grow your book of business.

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Joseph E. Stephenson, REALTOR®

License #00054082 | Kansas & Missouri

Affiliated with Welch & Company (License #CO00000477)

Joseph E. Stephenson is a licensed real estate professional in Kansas and Missouri with a career built on dedication to integrity and client-focused service. To learn more about how Joseph can assist you in your real estate endeavors, visit his REALTOR® profile at realtor.com.

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