You sacrificed your Sunday afternoon. You set up the signs, baked the cookies (or bought them), and smiled for three hours straight. You collected five names on your sign-in sheet.

Now, the hard truth: If you do not follow up within 24 hours, those leads are dead.

Most real estate agents make one of two mistakes: they either never call, or they call on Monday morning with a generic "Did you like the house?" script. Both approaches fail because they lack value.

The "3-Touch" system is designed to be persistent without being annoying. It uses a mix of SMS (for speed) and Email (for depth) to position you as a helper, not a salesperson.

Why the "3-Touch" Works

Psychologically, buyers at open houses are in the "Discovery Phase." They are guarded. They expect you to push a sale. When you pivot to providing data and speed, you break down that wall.

Before you start your follow-up, it is crucial to understand your own motivation. Why are you chasing these leads? To build your pipeline and your income. Use our Commission Calculator to visualize exactly what one conversion from this open house means for your net profit.

Touch 1: The "Immediate" SMS

Timing: 30 minutes to 1 hour after the Open House ends (Sunday approx. 4:30 PM).

Goal: To anchor your name to the face they just saw. Do not ask a question yet; just provide gratitude.

SMS / TEXT SCRIPT

Hi [Name], this is [Agent Name] from the open house at [Address]. 👋 Just wanted to say thanks for stopping by! It was great meeting you. I'm heading back to the office to wrap up, but I'll shoot you an email later with the full property details in case you missed anything. Enjoy your Sunday!

Touch 2: The "Value-Add" Email

Timing: Sunday Evening (approx. 7:00 PM) or Monday Morning (8:00 AM).

Goal: To deliver value. Do not just ask "Do you want to buy it?" Instead, offer information that isn't on Zillow, such as a disclosure document, a floor plan, or a neighborhood guide.

EMAIL TEMPLATE

Subject: Quick follow up re: [Address] / Great meeting you Hi [Name], Thanks again for coming by [Address] today. It was a busy open house! I know it's hard to remember every detail after seeing multiple homes, so I wanted to send over a few things you won't find on the public listing: 1. The Seller's Disclosure (details on the roof/HVAC age). 2. A quick list of similar homes currently for sale in this specific neighborhood. 3. An estimate of the monthly utility costs. [LINK: Click here to view the documents] Quick question: Was this home close to what you’re looking for, or would you prefer something with a different layout? Best, [Agent Name] [Brokerage] [Phone Number]

-- Google AdSense In-Article --

Touch 3: The "Feedback" SMS

Timing: Tuesday Morning (approx. 10:00 AM).

Goal: This is your "bump" message. If they haven't replied to the email, this text gets a 40%+ response rate because it asks for an opinion, not a commitment.

SMS / TEXT SCRIPT

Hey [Name], the seller is asking for feedback on the price/condition of the house. If you have 10 seconds, what was your honest thought on the price at [Address]? Too high, too low, or fair? No wrong answer, just trying to help them out!

Categorizing Your Leads

Not everyone who walks through the door is a buyer. To keep your sanity, categorize your leads immediately after the open house:

A Leads (Hot): Pre-approved, motivated, looking to buy in 30-60 days. (Apply the 3-Touch system religiously).
B Leads (Warm): Just started looking, maybe need to sell a home first. (Add to your weekly newsletter).
C Leads (Lookie-Loos): Neighbors just being nosey. (Be polite, but don't waste time).

Pro Tip: Even "nosey neighbors" are valuable. They are potential sellers! If a neighbor comes in, change the script: "Are you checking on the value of your own home?"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting Until "Office Hours"

Real estate happens on weekends and evenings. If you wait until Monday at 9:00 AM to follow up, the buyer has already forgotten you and moved on to the next shiny listing. Speed is your competitive advantage.

2. Being Too Generic

"Let me know if I can help" is the worst sentence in sales. It puts the burden of work on the client. Instead, offer specific help: "Would you like me to set up a private showing for [Address] on Tuesday?"

3. Ignoring Your Numbers

Hosting open houses costs money (marketing, signs, gas, snacks). You need to treat this like a business.

Are you actually making a profit on your time? Use our Net Profit & Commission Calculator to determine your break-even point. If you spend $200 on an open house and 5 hours of time, you need to know exactly what conversion rate makes that profitable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What if they refuse to sign in?

This is common. Try the "Safety" approach. Say: "The seller requires us to keep a record of everyone who enters the home for insurance and security purposes. I just need a name and number, I promise not to spam you."

Should I use an automated CRM?

Yes! Tools like LionDesk, Follow Up Boss, or KVCore can automate the "Touch 1" and "Touch 2" steps. However, ensure the texts sound human, not robotic.

What if they already have an agent?

Respect that relationship immediately. Reply with: "Great! I will send the disclosure documents to your agent directly. Who are you working with?" This confirms if they are actually represented or just using it as a defense mechanism.

Conclusion

The "3-Touch" system isn't magic; it is simply consistent. Most agents quit after one text. By touching base three times in 48 hours with genuine value, you demonstrate that you are a hardworking, organized professional.

That is the kind of agent buyers want to hire.

Next Step: Bookmark this page so you have these scripts ready for next Sunday. And check your potential earnings with our Commission Calculator to stay motivated!