Expired Listing Text Message Scripts That Get Replies

The most effective expired listing text messages are short, specific to the seller's property, sent within 24 hours of expiration, and include a clear opt-out — here are ready-to-send scripts plus the timing and compliance basics that keep you legal.

Why Expired Listings Are Worth Texting At All

Sellers whose listings expire are already motivated — they tried to sell and it didn't work. The frustration is real, and so is the opportunity. The problem is everyone else in your market knows it too. On day one after expiration, that seller may receive a dozen voicemails, a handful of letters in the mail, and a few door-knocks. A well-timed, well-worded text message stands out because it's direct, readable in three seconds, and easy to respond to.

That said, texting expired listing sellers is not a free-for-all. There are real compliance requirements — specifically around 10DLC registration and opt-out language — that matter whether you send 10 texts or 1,000. We'll cover both the scripts and the compliance layer so you don't undo good prospecting with a regulatory problem.

The Compliance Basics You Can't Skip

Before any script, understand the framework. The TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) requires that you have a legitimate business reason to contact someone and that every commercial text includes an opt-out mechanism. 10DLC (10-digit long code) registration is the carrier-level requirement that ensures your messages are delivered reliably and that your sending identity is verified.

• Register your 10DLC brand and campaign before you send at volume — carriers can filter unregistered traffic.
• Every first text to a new contact must include an opt-out instruction (e.g., 'Reply STOP to opt out').
• Keep your message content consistent with what you registered — don't register a 'property updates' campaign and send cold solicitations.
• Never text numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry without an established business relationship.
• Document your lead source — where you got the number matters legally.

When Should You Send the First Text?

Timing is as important as the script itself. Here's how to think about the cadence:

Expired Listing Text Scripts by Stage

These scripts are designed to be copied and lightly personalized. Swap in the address, your name, and your brokerage. Do not send them word-for-word to hundreds of contacts without personalizing — generic blasts get ignored and reported as spam.

Day 1: The First Touch

1. 1Script 1 — Empathy-first: "Hi [First Name], I noticed 123 Maple St came off the market today. That's a tough spot after all the effort of listing. I work with sellers in [Neighborhood] and have some thoughts on what might have held it back — happy to share if it'd be useful. I'm [Your Name] with [Brokerage]. Reply STOP to opt out."
2. 2Script 2 — Curiosity-opener: "Hi [First Name] — your home at 123 Maple St just expired. I pulled the data and I think I know why it didn't sell. Worth a quick conversation? I'm [Your Name], [Brokerage]. Reply STOP anytime."
3. 3Script 3 — Ultra-short: "Hi [First Name], saw 123 Maple St expired today. I sell a lot in [Neighborhood] — mind if I share what I'm seeing in the market? — [Your Name], [Brokerage]. Reply STOP to opt out."

Day 2–3: The Specific Follow-Up

1. 1Script 4 — Price observation: "Hi [First Name], following up on 123 Maple. The 3 homes that sold in your zip in the last 60 days all came in 4–6% below your list price. That gap is usually fixable with the right positioning. Want to talk through it? — [Your Name]. Reply STOP to opt out."
2. 2Script 5 — Presentation angle: "Hey [First Name] — one thing I noticed about the 123 Maple listing: the photos didn't show the backyard. Little things like that move the needle. I do professional photos as part of my listing package at no extra cost. Worth a conversation? — [Your Name], [Brokerage]. Reply STOP."

Day 5–7: The Direct Ask

1. 1Script 6 — Offer a call: "Hi [First Name], I know you've probably heard from a few agents this week. I won't pitch you — I'd just like 10 minutes to walk you through what I'd do differently for 123 Maple. If it doesn't make sense, no hard feelings. Does [Day] or [Day] work for a quick call? — [Your Name]. Reply STOP to opt out."
2. 2Script 7 — Free analysis offer: "Hi [First Name] — I put together a quick pricing analysis for 123 Maple based on what's sold nearby in the last 30 days. Happy to text it over or walk you through it. — [Your Name], [Brokerage]. Reply STOP anytime."

Week 2–4: The Low-Pressure Check-In

1. 1Script 8 — Nearby sale: "Hi [First Name], just wanted to pass along — 118 Maple St (2 doors down) went under contract this week at $[X]. Thought it might be useful context if you're still thinking about re-listing. — [Your Name], [Brokerage]. Reply STOP to opt out."
2. 2Script 9 — Market update: "Hi [First Name], quick update for [Neighborhood]: inventory dropped 12% this month, which typically pushes offer prices up. If your timing was off before, now might be a better window. Happy to talk it through. — [Your Name]. Reply STOP."

30–60 Days: The Re-Engagement

1. 1Script 10 — Fresh start angle: "Hi [First Name], it's been a few weeks since 123 Maple expired. The market's shifted a bit since then — I think there's a real case for re-listing now. No pressure, but I'd love to show you the updated numbers if you're open to it. — [Your Name], [Brokerage]. Reply STOP anytime."

What Makes These Scripts Work (and What Kills Response Rates)

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Expired Listing SMS Campaign?

With InfinitySMS, the math is straightforward: $99/month flat, plus $0.02 per message sent. There are no per-seat fees, so a team of five agents all prospecting expired listings pays the same $99 base. Credits don't expire.

For context: if you're running a 10-touch sequence on 100 expired listings per month, that's roughly 1,000 messages — $119 total. At 5,000 sends (a busy team), you're at $199/month. The per-message cost drops steadily as volume climbs.

How InfinitySMS Compares for This Use Case

A few platforms come up often when real estate agents research SMS tools. Here's an honest look at how they compare for expired listing outreach specifically:

A Note on Using AI to Personalize at Scale

If you're prospecting 50–200 expired listings a month, writing a fully custom message for each one isn't realistic. A practical middle ground: use a script template with merge fields (address, neighborhood, days on market, list price), then use a tool like ChatGPT to generate light variations based on those inputs. This keeps messages feeling specific without requiring you to write each one from scratch. The key is that the data in the message — the address, the price, the observation — must be accurate. A wrong detail damages trust immediately.