As a real estate agent, you put a lot of time, energy, and money into marketing and creating a great customer experience. You’ve invested in social media, a user-friendly website, professional property fliers, client appreciation events, and more.
But you may have overlooked a crucial touchpoint that will either reinforce or detract from the brand or message you’ve worked so hard to create — your voicemail message.
While it may seem inconsequential, your greeting is often the first interaction you’ll have with a new lead. It’s your chance to make an impression and provide a glimpse of what it would be like to work with you.
However, creating a voicemail greeting that resonates with your current and prospective clients requires a few key, deliberate choices. In this guide, we’ll cover the elements of a great voicemail. Then we’ll share some realtor voicemail script examples and two real-world examples. Plus, we’ll provide expert tips for crafting your voicemail.
Let’s get started.
What should my real estate voicemail greeting say?
You’ll want to include some key elements in your voicemail message. Here’s a rundown.
- A greeting: “Hello,” “Hi,” “Greetings,” “G’day,” or however you greet people
- Your name and business name: Identify yourself and the business they’re calling
- A thank-you: Thank them for calling or say how much you appreciate their call
- When you’ll call back: Let the caller know when they can expect to hear from you (i.e., by the end of the day, within business hours, etc.), and then make sure you do it.
- A request for details: Ask the caller to share a few details about why they reached out. That way, you can do a little homework to ensure your conversation is productive when you do connect live.
- Alternative contact method: Offer callers the opportunity to reach you another way for easier or expedited communication, like texting to the same number they called.
- A sign-off: End the call by thanking them for reaching out or try some creativity with a favorite catchphrase like “Make it a great day.”
5 realtor voicemail script examples
You’ll need to use specific greetings to accommodate various circumstances. Here are some realtor voicemail templates you can use to create your voicemail script.
1. Concise business voicemail greeting
Here’s an example of a brief message for when someone reaches your voicemail during normal business hours.
Hi, you’ve reached [your name] with [company name]. I’m meeting with another client now, but I’m so glad you called. Please leave me a message, and I’ll call you back by the end of the day. I hope you’re having a great day.
2. Business voicemail greeting with a text CTA
Suggesting an alternative contact method for expedited assistance can prevent new leads from slipping through the cracks.
Hello, this is [your name] with [agency]. While I can’t take your phone call now, it is important to me and I’ll call you back as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can text this number for a quicker reply. Enjoy the rest of your day.
3. Voicemail for inbound number
Don’t overlook the importance of your office’s general phone number — it’s often the first point of contact for someone who discovered your business through your marketing efforts. When someone can’t pick up, you’ll be glad you asked callers to leave enough information so you can quickly route their call to the right person.
Hi, thank you for calling the [team or agency name]. We’re glad you called. Someone on our team will get back to you within an hour. In the meantime, please leave a few details about the home you hope to buy or sell so we can hit the ground running when we connect. Thanks and have a great day.
4. After-hours voicemail script
Yes, real estate is a fast-paced, competitive industry, so it’s no wonder if people assume you’re always “on.” That’s why creating an away voice message clearly establishes your availability is important.
Hello. Thanks for calling [team or agency name]. We’re thrilled you called, but you’ve reached us outside of our normal office hours. We’ll return your call promptly between [business hours]. In the meantime, please leave any details that will help us better serve you. Again, thanks and we look forward to speaking to you.
5. Vacation script
Whether you plan to work a little or not at all while you’re on vacation, your message should ensure your clients that their interests aren’t on hold while you’re away. 🏖️
Hi, this is [your name]. I am on vacation from [start date] to [end date]. While I will be keeping up with voicemail and email, please call my assistant [name] at [phone number] for any pressing matters. Thanks, and I look forward to speaking with you when I return.
Professional voicemail greeting examples from other working realtors
Whether you want to flex your creative muscles or prefer a more traditional approach, here are two voicemail greeting examples from successful realtors for inspiration.
1. Creative script
Injecting personality into your voicemail greeting can really set you apart from other realtors. Wade Perry, President of Perry Properties Group, changes his creative message every day and signs off with the same catchphrase for added flair.
Hi, and thanks for calling. This is Wade Perry from Perry Properties Group and today is Tuesday, August 9th, National Book Lovers Day. You know, besides the fact there’s a popular phrase, “readers are leaders,” reading’s just good for your brain. You want to age well? Read more books! So what are your favorite titles — because I’d love your recommendations. In the meantime, thanks again for your call and all your referrals. I’ll call back asap. It is truly a great life.
Wade found he got more engagement when he recorded more creative messages. Asking specific questions spurs great conversations and builds a connection with his existing and potential clients.
2. Traditional script
It can be difficult to reach anyone, let alone a successful veteran realtor, on the first call. Mary Bartos, CEO and Lead Agent of The Bartos Group, wears many hats leading a busy agency and team of 25 real estate agents. Still, she still manages to deliver for individual clients. Her voicemail message focuses on providing alternative contact methods.
Hi, this is Mary Bartos with The Bartos Group of Premiere Plus Realty here in Southwest Florida. I am away from my desk at the moment. You can leave a message or press 0 and ask to be connected to my assistant Mikayla. You can also text me at this number for a quicker response. Thanks for calling, and I look forward to speaking with you.
Mary leverages texting auto-replies (with links to her email and website) to reiterate her appreciation and a suggested next step with this follow-up message:
Sorry I couldn’t answer, but I’ll respond as soon as possible! In the meantime, feel free to visit my website to check out the latest properties for sale in your area. Talk to you soon!
11 tips for crafting your realtor voicemail script
We’ve compiled a list of best practices based on discussions with the realtors mentioned above and other sources. Keep them in mind as you create your own script.
1. Practice makes perfect
Your voicemail recording may be your first interaction with a potential client, so it’s worth taking your time. By practicing what you plan to say out loud a few times, you’ll be more likely to come across as someone they’d like to work with.
2. Keep it short
While it’s important to include as many realtor voicemail script elements as possible, we’re all pressed for time, so try to keep your message under a minute.
3. Express gratitude
Most people reach out to three realtors when they decide to buy or list a home. Expressing genuine gratitude that they chose to connect with you helps create a positive first impression and a preview of what it would be like to work together.
4. Offer other ways to contact you
Playing phone tag can lead to frustration or, worse, missed opportunities. That’s why it’s important to offer alternative contact information to help expedite communication. Keep in mind, most people prefer texting businesses, so if you’re using a cell phone or a modern business phone system, suggest texting to the same number for a faster response.
Check out our texting guide for realtors to learn how to use text effectively. 💬
5. Be mindful of your surroundings
Keeping noise and other disruptions to a minimum will help you project professionalism and focus. Consider recording your message in your closet or car for optimal acoustics. Otherwise, any quiet place will do.
If you’d prefer to have someone else record your greeting, you can hire a voiceover artist through Voices or On Air to get your voicemail greeting.
6. Be memorable
Since you’re probably not the only realtor prospective customers are evaluating, try to make your message memorable. Whether it’s sharing a bit of trivia about your market region, incorporating a unique signoff, or sprinkling in some humor, make an effort not to sound like everyone else.
7. Use auto-replies
Missed calls are frustrating, especially when people don’t leave voicemails. While it might be tempting to call back and ask for the reason for their call, you can choose a less awkward, more productive approach. By incorporating text auto-replies, you can acknowledge their call and offer your assistance. This will help keep new leads from slipping through the cracks that call but don’t leave a voice message.
8. Ask for details
Getting specifics about the purpose of their call or what they’re looking for in a home helps minimize the unproductive back and forth associated with phone tag. In addition, if you understand the basics early, you can do some leadwork to make your live conversation more productive.
9. Set expectations
While “as soon as I can,” “earliest convenience,” and ”asap” project urgency and a service-minded approach, they are subjective. Set callers’ expectations by providing a more definitive time frame for a return call. For instance, you can say you return all calls within one business day or sooner.
One major reason realtors use a separate business number for their clients: they can set up business hours and an away voicemail greeting that provides clear expectations when you’re unavailable whether it’s the evening — or you’re on vacation.
10. Prioritize a professional greeting
Many realtors use their personal cell phone for work — a generic message is a dead giveaway. By recording something like, “Hi, this is Katie. I can’t take your call now. Leave a message,” you’re missing an opportunity to market your services and make a strong impression on potential customers.
Ready, set, create the perfect voicemail greeting
Your voicemail is an essential part of your overall marketing strategy. Our realtor voicemail scripts and expert tips can help you leverage it effectively to serve your customers better and build your business.
In addition to giving you a clear way to see when incoming calls are work related and dozens of other features that can support your business, OpenPhone lets you easily add a custom voicemail greeting to your number. You can record your voicemail greetings directly in the app, upload a recording, or type out your voicemail script for a text-to-speech greeting.
In the meantime, try OpenPhone free for seven days to see how a dedicated business number can streamline all your communication.
