Realtor leads: turn a request into a useful first conversation

Qualify the move without turning it into an interrogation

Start by asking whether they are buying, selling or coordinating both. Confirm the location, desired timing and what triggered the move. Ask whether they already have an agent or an exclusive representation agreement before proposing your services.

For buyers, discuss financing readiness, priorities and flexibility without treating a preapproval as proof that every property will qualify. For sellers, ask about occupancy, preparation needs and any purchase contingent on the sale. Record what the person actually says rather than inferring urgency from a form submission.

Make the first appointment useful

Offer a specific next step: a buyer planning call or a seller consultation with a comparable-sales discussion. Explain what you will cover, who will attend and what information would help. A clear purpose gives the homeowner a reason to keep the appointment.

For sellers, distinguish a pricing analysis from a guarantee of sale price. For buyers, explain how you evaluate comparable sales, contingencies and the total ownership costs they should investigate. Be explicit about when specialist legal, tax or inspection advice is needed.

Explain representation and negotiable compensation early

Before asking anyone to sign, explain whom you represent, the services included, the agreement's duration, exclusivity and cancellation terms. Discuss potential conflicts and any brokerage-specific requirements using the forms approved for your practice.

Compensation is negotiable and is not set by law. Explain how your fee is calculated, when it is due, who may pay it and what the client could owe if another contribution does not cover it. Follow applicable buyer-agreement requirements before touring; do not imply a seller will necessarily pay the buyer agent's compensation.

Follow up with permission and a reason

Respond promptly with your name, brokerage and the reason you are contacting them. Ask how they prefer to communicate. Keep notes on consent and honor opt-outs; a submitted request is not permission for unlimited calls or unrelated marketing.

Agree on the next contact rather than sending repetitive check-ins. A seller might need a preparation checklist, while a buyer might need a financing conversation before discussing showings. If they choose another agent, close the loop respectfully and stop pursuing representation that conflicts with an existing agreement.

Choose counties based on service capacity

Cover areas where you can explain neighborhood differences, travel for appointments and coordinate the transaction. A broad coverage map is not useful if you cannot respond or lack the local context clients need.

Homeowner Henry costs $5/month per county with three agent spots per county. Every buyer and seller request in your counties is included, with no commission cut. Requests are not exclusive to one agent, and neither volume nor closings are guaranteed. There is no license check at signup; agents remain responsible for their professional requirements.

Measure relationships and closings, not just inquiries

Track requests received, conversations held, appointments attended, representation agreements signed and transactions closed. Keep buyer and seller pipelines separate, and record why people decline. This shows whether the bottleneck is contact, fit, trust or transaction timing.

Compare total channel spending and follow-up time with actual closed business over a period long enough for your market's transaction cycle. Do not treat an unsigned pipeline or projected commission as earned revenue. Expand county coverage only when you can serve additional clients without weakening communication.

Questions agents ask

Does Henry take a referral fee?

No. County coverage is $5/month per county with no commission cut.

Are requests exclusive?

No. Each county has three agent spots, and requests go to agents covering that county.

Can I cancel?

Yes, county coverage can be canceled any time. Review the billing and cancellation policy before subscribing.