Expired listing script for a respectful first contact

A listing came off the market without selling, and the owners are tired, disappointed and fielding calls from agents they have never met. The agent who listens first and brings a clear plan is the one they remember.

The goalEarn a short, low-pressure conversation by acknowledging their frustration and offering one specific idea for what you would do differently.

Today

Hi [First name], [Your name] from [Brokerage]. Thanks again for the chat about your place on [Street]. No pressure at all; if a quick walk-through to test my ideas would help, I have [Day] at [Time]. Otherwise I'm here when you're ready. [Your name], [Broke…

When to send what

  1. Call

    One short, kind call where you listen more than you talk.

  2. Voicemail

    One calm message, then leave it for the day.

  3. Email

    Your three-point plan in writing, exactly as promised.

  4. Text

    A gentle check-in, only after you have spoken.

  5. Email

    A short note on nearby sales, with no ask attached.

01The scripts

Pick the moment. Copy the words.

Call script
  1. YouHi, is this [First name]? My name is [Your name], I'm a realtor with [Brokerage]. I saw your home on [Street] came off the market. I imagine it's been a long few months.
  2. Owner: It has. And you're the fifth agent to call today.
  3. YouI'm sorry about that. I'll be quick. Are you still hoping to move, or have plans changed?
  4. Owner: We still want to, just not like last time.
  5. YouThat makes sense. Can I ask what felt most frustrating?
  6. Owner: Hardly anyone came through, and we never heard why.
  7. YouThank you for telling me. Looking at the listing, I'd change [one specific thing, such as the lead photo or the showing hours]. I can email you a one-page plan, no strings attached. Would that be useful?
  8. Owner: Sure, send it.
  9. YouI'll send it today. And if you'd rather take a break first, that's completely fine too.

02Variations

When the moment is a little different.

  • Home was listed a long time

    You: It sounds like you gave it a real chance. Most homes that sit that long need one change, not ten. Can I tell you the one I'd start with?

  • Owners now plan to rent it out

    You: Renting can make a lot of sense. If you ever want to compare selling now with renting for two years, I'm happy to lay the numbers side by side.

  • Owners will relist with their agent

    You: That's fair, loyalty matters. I'll still send the one idea I mentioned, and I won't follow up with more calls.

Do

  • Acknowledge their frustration before you say anything about yourself.
  • Bring one specific, visible change you would make.
  • Ask what went wrong and listen to the whole answer.
  • Accept not now the first time you hear it.
  • Follow up in writing with exactly what you promised.

Avoid

  • Criticising the previous agent or hinting they failed.
  • Promising a price or a sale date to win the listing.
  • Calling the same owner several times in one day.
  • Reading a long script word for word; owners hear the rehearsal.

With Tanero

Or say it once. ORBIT sends it.

Once an owner has spoken with you, add them to your CRM and ORBIT keeps the follow-up gentle and on time. It sends the plan email from your own Gmail or Outlook with your signature and texts the day-10 check-in from your Tanero number. When the owner calls back, even late, ORBIT answers in 100+ languages, takes the details and books a walk-through in your hours. ORBIT places calls you ask for too, and reports what the owner said. Because Approval mode is the default, every message and call is held until you give the OK.

Add Leila and Sam Farouk, 2290 Pinecove Drive in Erin Mills. Draft my three-point plan email from my notes and remind me to check in on day 10.

ORBIT is working on it

Questions

Before you send it.

What makes a good expired listing script?

It is short, kind and specific. Acknowledge that the owners had a hard few months, ask what went wrong, and offer one concrete thing you would change. A script built on listening sounds nothing like the calls before yours.

Should I call an expired listing on the first day?

Call once, early, and keep it brief. If you reach voicemail, leave one calm message and don't ring again that day. Owners remember the agent who didn't pile on.

What if the owner is angry?

Let them finish, thank them for being honest and ask whether another time would be better. The anger is usually about the last few months, not about you. A respectful exit often leads to a callback.

What should my follow-up plan include?

Three changes at most: how the home is shown, how it is priced and who sees it. Add how you will keep them informed each week, because owners of expired listings often say the silence was the worst part.

Related

Words are the easy part. Sending them on time is the job.

ORBIT sends the right message at the right moment, from your number and your inbox.

Watch the demo [email protected]