Scroll Down for Great Real Estate Prospecting Ideas
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.

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.
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hey guys welcome back to my channel in
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this video I’m gonna tell you exactly
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what to do to take one expired listing a
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week as a brand new real estate agent
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now why I’m actually really excited
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about this video for you if you’re brand
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new real estate because you probably
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already know even if you’re brand new to
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real estate that being a listing agent
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is the way to go being a buyer’s agent
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is uh insane okay I’m very biased toward
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towards listings but working with Buyers
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is very ineffective it’s time consuming
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you’re gonna get very discouraged and
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you already know listing agents control
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the market and you can start being a
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listing agent from day one now
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expired listings write this down
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expired listings are the single best
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source of immediate listings for you
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that’s why we’re gonna talk about this
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today and I’m gonna give you 10 points
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so hang in there okay I’m gonna tell you
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exactly what to do how to do it when to
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do it what to say all of it okay now
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write this down
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expired listings are now business
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m-o-w now write it in capital letters
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and circle it over and over and over
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because
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you’re gonna hear a lot of people out
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there saying well you know you gotta
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follow up and it takes time and they
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give you this objection and that
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objection they’re lying to you okay
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maybe the people saying that to you I
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don’t know who it is maybe they never
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called expireds or maybe they’re the
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agents who are calling expireds and
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listing them the same day that they
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expire and they don’t want you to know
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that that’s possible so they’re telling
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you oh you’re gonna have to follow up no
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no no
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now business this is critical and I’m
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going to talk a little bit about that
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again at the end of the video but for
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now just remember that
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40 to 50 percent
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of expired listings released with an
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agent within 72 hours that three days 72
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hours it’s right now it’s so exciting
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and even as a Brand New World Series you
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can do it so here’s Point number one
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probably one of the most important
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things use an effective script when your
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calling expired listings I’m going to
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give you the script right now so if you
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don’t have a pen and paper get it pause
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the video go get a pen and paper so you
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can write it down you could always
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rewind to and get it again
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so let me tell you let me give you the
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script which is short and then I’m gonna
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tell you why this is an effective script
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because when you understand the the
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reasoning behind what you’re saying
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you’re gonna do it better it’s gonna
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make sense to you’re more likely to
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actually get results so the script goes
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like this they answer the phone ring
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ring hello you’re gonna say hi this is
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Jackie I’m a local real estate agent
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don’t say your last name don’t say your
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company name
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I’m sure you know that your house came
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off the market today
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and I’m calling you because I am
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confident that I can sell your house and
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I’d like to meet with you for just 20
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minutes and show you exactly how I can
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do that for you are you available today
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around three o’clock or would four be
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better for you
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that is the entire script
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how easy is that now
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let’s talk about this because
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I’m telling you this is an effective
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script
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and you probably heard other coaches
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other agents or whoever telling you no
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no use this script and it has like 10 20
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questions on it
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why that is ineffective and it doesn’t
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make any sense first of all expired
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listings are not happy people they don’t
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want to sit on the phone and talk to you
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an agent who they don’t know after
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they’ve expired and they were listed for
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six months they’re getting calls from a
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lot of real estate agents on the day
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they expire they’re gonna sit on the
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phone and tell you well if you sell the
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home where are you going to they’re not
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interested in that conversation
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the only thing they’re interested in the
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40 to 50 percent are gonna re-list right
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away
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all they’re interested in is can you you
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the agent talking to them can you make
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me feel confident that you’re actually
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the right agent and I’m not wasting my
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time speaking with you that’s all
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they’re interested in listen I’ve listed
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a lot of expireds in my real estate
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career and a lot of physicals more
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physicals than expireds because I was
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working in a very hot market for several
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years and there were more fsbos but
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the ex the the script that I just gave
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you
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I’ve used it my clients are using it
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every day and setting appointments why
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because it’s what the expire wants to
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hear they don’t want to sit on the phone
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and talk to you and answer your
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questions and be interrogated they’re
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looking for a confident agent that can
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sell their house so when you say that it
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actually catches their attention as long
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as you say it confidently you don’t want
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to sound uh like you have no confidence
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you can do it when you say it so make
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sure that what you say and how you say
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it is congruent I’ll talk more a little
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bit about that later which is right now
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this is point number two actually I
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thought I had put it later on my list I
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have my notes Here Point number two is
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speak with authority
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with confidence
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because when you’re saying I am
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confident that I can sell your house it
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needs to sound like that the tone of
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your voice goes down it gives you
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automatic Authority you don’t want to
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say I’m confident that I can sell your
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house like totally weird like you you’re
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you the way you’re saying it sounds like
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you really have no confidence so be
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congruent because otherwise to them it
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sounds weird and when you speak like
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that if you do they’re gonna feel weird
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they’re gonna say no no no I’m busy I’m
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not interested I’m not and they’re going
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to hang up on you okay that was Point
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number two the speaking with authority
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the third thing you’re gonna do is
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you’re going to read this one line on
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the script out loud as fast as you can
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ten times right before you get on the
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phone to make calls and I’m gonna tell
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you the time to do it hang in there okay
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so let me show you what reading out loud
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as fast as you can sound like I already
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gave you the script
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now you’re warming up that’s why I’m
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asking you to do this just like if you
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if you watch
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professional players play the game they
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don’t just run in the field or the court
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and just start playing they warm up
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you’re warming up and reading a lot of
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stress as you can is going to help you
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actually internalize the script so you
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want to do it every day it’ll take you
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uh three or four minutes to do it so it
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sounds like this
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hi this is Jack I’m a local real estate
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agent I’m sure you know your house came
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off the market today and I’m calling
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because I’m confident that I can sell
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your house and I’d like to meet with you
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for just 20 minutes and show you exactly
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how I can do that for you three o’clock
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work for you today would far be better
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that’s it how long did that take 15
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seconds so you do it 10 times over and
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over and over in the beginning you might
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not be able to do it as fast but you
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want to practice it like that okay and
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then you’re gonna get on the phone
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that’s Point number four you’re going to
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call new
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expires and unconditionally withdrawn
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listings at 8 AM Monday through Friday
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and at 9 00 a.m on Saturdays so let me
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Define what a new expired
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unconditionally drawn is they’re new on
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the day the listing expires so today
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whatever day is today
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they expire today they’re new today
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tomorrow they’re not new anymore okay
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they’re old tomorrow so you’re gonna
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focus on the brand new ones that just
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expired today 8 AM you’re on the phone
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you’re calling them
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now
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right after you finish calling the new
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ones
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inspired unconditionally drones
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you’re going to text the ones that
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didn’t answer the phone and the text
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message is gonna say the following copy
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paste so you don’t waste your time
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I have a
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this is Jackie local real estate agent I
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have a quick question about your house
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please give me a call at give your
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number
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look forward to talking to you soon
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thanks that’s it that’s your text
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should you leave messages when you come
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they don’t answer the phone no don’t
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leave messages we’re working effectively
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you let the phone ring four times they
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don’t answer hang up dial the next
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number
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and
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chat after you’re done with all the
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calls all right depending on your Market
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how many you have is whatever time
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you’re gonna finish you’re going to text
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the script I gave you then
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you’re going when you’re done with that
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you’re going to call Old
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expireds up to one month old in
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chronological order backwards so today
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you’re you call the new ones and then
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you’re gonna call yesterday’s expireds
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and then the day before and then the day
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before and then the day before okay up
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to going back for a month
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you don’t have to you don’t text them
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again you only text them on the day
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they’re new they already got your text
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hopefully some of them will answer
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when you’re done with the old expires
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and chronological and unconditional
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withdrons you know I always when I say
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expires I mention I’m combining both
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okay when you’re done calling the old
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ones up to a month
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you’re going to get out of your home or
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office and you’re going to go door
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knocking the new expires the ones that
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you called at 8am that didn’t answer the
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phone and the ones that are on the Do
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Not Call list
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this should still be happening before
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lunchtime for you so take the ones that
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are on the Do Not Call the ones that
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didn’t answer
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create a route map It Out Create a route
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that makes sense so you’re not driving
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from here to here and then from here and
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back
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create a route
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that makes sense go out and speak with
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them at the door this is so powerful
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you’re gonna notice when you’re calling
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new expireds in the morning
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that there are a lot of Agents calling
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why there are a lot of Agents calling
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because they know it’s the single best
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source of an immediate listing today if
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it was not good nobody would be calling
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now one thing that very few if any
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agents are doing is door knocking so
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you’re gonna probably be the only one to
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talk to them what script do you use when
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you go to the door the same one used
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over the phone oh hi my name is Jackie
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I’m sure a local real estate agent I’m
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sure you know your house came off the
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market today and I was around the
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neighborhood wanted to stop by and speak
12:29
with you set up a time 20 minutes to
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meet with you because I’m confident that
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I can just say the same scripture just
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gonna say it in person
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if they are not home when you go to the
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door create a one-page flyer one page
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that obviously has your your company
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logo your name and on that flyer just
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type up the script
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I’m sure you know your house came out
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Dear homeowner
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generic so you’re not typing up you can
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print a whole bunch at the same time uh
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dear homeowner I’m sure you know your
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house came off the market today and I
13:08
stopped by to speak with you because I’m
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confident that I can sell your house I’d
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like to set up a time to meet with you
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for just 20 minutes and show you exactly
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how I can get this property sold for you
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please give me a call so we can set up a
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time to meet my number is look forward
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to hearing from you soon sign your name
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your information your contact
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information that’s it they’re not home
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leave that at the door
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now
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while you’re door knocking you might as
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well just knock
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five doors on each side of of the
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expireds that you just not just go to
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the neighbor’s house you know sometimes
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you you actual door knocking
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neighborhood calls can be very effective
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you may find somebody next door that’s
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looking to sell the house now or a month
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from now or two months from now or know
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somebody who wants to sell so just speak
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with people face to face then go to the
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next expire and then to the next one
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okay great now
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Point number
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I think this point number eight right
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now
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call the new expireds you already know
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what a new expired is again at six pm so
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if they didn’t answer the phone at 8 AM
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if they were not home when you got there
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if they didn’t return your text you’re
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gonna call them again at 6 00 PM only
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the new ones new expires unconditionally
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withdrons here’s Point number nine I
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think I actually stopped numbering these
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things don’t worry okay I’m I you got
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all of them even if the numbers are a
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little confusing to you right now number
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nine or number next
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watch this is on my YouTube channel you
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can search it in the videos click on
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videos and and find it there watch the
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top this is the title of the video top
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five expired listing objections every
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day I want you to watch that video
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because
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you’re brand new to real estate when you
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call you’re gonna get some objections
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you’re gonna read the script and you’re
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gonna say I want to meet with you for
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just 20 minutes so three o’clock work
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for you today will probably be better
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and they’re saying no I’m not selling
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anymore or no I’m gonna release with the
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same agent so go so you need to know
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what to say right so you’re gonna watch
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that video every day because you need
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repetition I used to do this so much
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when I first got into real estate I used
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to listen to role plays I used to listen
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to a lot of stuff and make a lot of
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calls that’s how I got better and better
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and better and the first day you do it
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the first time you watch this video I
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want you to
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transcribe the objection
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the responses that I’m giving you on the
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video I want you to actually write it
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down so then you can read it to yourself
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you could study it you could learn it
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you could have it in front of you so
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when you’re calling expires tomorrow and
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they give you the objection you don’t
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know what to say you could just read the
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answer ideally obviously you’re gonna
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get to a point where you’re not gonna
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have to read it anymore because you’re
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gonna memorize it and internalize it but
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in the beginning that’s what you need to
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do and listening to it every single day
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repetition is the mother of skill that’s
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how you’re gonna get great at this
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and point number 10 is
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and this is going back to the first
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thing I said to you expired listings are
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now business and point number 10 is
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focus on setting appointments not
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getting leads
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they’re not
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long-term leads at all you in a few
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believe that they are well then when
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they say to you I’m not selling anymore
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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
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in a few months you’re gonna say oh okay
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and then you’re gonna call them back a
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month later and they listed the house
17:18
with an agent two days after they
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expired or the same day they expire and
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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
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weren’t listening for a couple of months
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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
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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
Strategy | Best For Buyers | Best For Sellers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Open Houses | ✅ | 🔄 | Great to meet new buyers in-person. |
FSBO Outreach | ❌ | ✅ | Sellers often need agent assistance. |
Facebook Marketplace | ✅ | 🔄 | Effective for targeting buyer-side groups. |
Door Knocking | 🔄 | ✅ | Ideal for farming specific seller neighborhoods. |
Local Events & Sponsorships | ✅ | ✅ | Excellent for overall brand awareness. |
Modern Prospecting Tactics for 2025
To stay ahead, integrate these modern tactics into your prospecting routine:

- 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.
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.

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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Joseph E. Stephenson also operates a business named Stephenson Residential, LLC. You can verify the business at the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
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