Texting Isn’t Dead (But Cold Texting Will Get You Burned)

SMS Best Practices for Real Estate Investors: Protect Your Wallet and Skyrocket Your Deals

Let’s cut to the chase—following SMS best practices for real estate investors isn’t optional; it’s essential. Cold texting isn’t just a bad idea. It’s illegal. And if you’re thinking about taking the risk, it could cost you big time. We’re not talking about a slap on the wrist. We’re talking massive financial penalties.

I just talked to an investor the other day who thought they could “fight the system.” They ended up paying over $20K after the judge was done with them. You can’t afford to make this mistake.

But don’t let that scare you off. When you follow the right SMS best practices, texting becomes your secret weapon.

Texting is AWESOME… if you do it right.

Why Texting is Still Your Secret Weapon

Here’s the good news: when used correctly, texting is one of the absolute best ways to communicate with leads, buyers, and everyone in between. The open rates? Through the roof. The response rates? Unmatched. People pay attention to their texts.

So, if you’re following the rules, texting can be the most powerful tool in your arsenal. Imagine sending a quick update to a motivated seller or shooting a hot new deal to your buyer’s list. No long emails, no waiting—just instant communication. That's why SMS best practices are essential.

How to Use Texting the Right Way

• Get Permission, No Exceptions – It’s not just about doing the right thing; it’s about staying compliant and protecting your business. To follow SMS best practices for real estate investors, always get clear, written permission before sending any text.
• Make It Personal – Texting is intimate. Don’t treat it like a billboard ad. Speak directly, keep it relevant, and always offer value. When you follow best practices for SMS, you’ll build relationships, not just send messages. (Need help writing better copy)
• Opt-Out? Make It Easy – Make sure people can unsubscribe whenever they want. It’s about respect and staying compliant. The last thing you need is a lawsuit.

How REI BlackBook Makes Following SMS Best Practices Easy

REI BlackBook is designed with SMS best practices for real estate investors in mind. With built-in 2-way texting, you’re not just sending messages—you’re having real conversations. Whether it’s keeping sellers engaged, notifying buyers about new deals, or updating everyone on a transaction, it all happens seamlessly.

Even better, REI BlackBook has built-in webforms to make sure you’re compliant from the start. Need to use keywords for opt-ins? We’ve got you covered. And don’t worry about keeping track—REI BlackBook automatically stores a record of all your opt-ins, so you can focus on what really matters—closing deals.

SMS Best Practices for Real Estate Investors

1. Always Get Consent Before You Send Any Text

You must have express written consent before sending promotional text messages. This is a core part of SMS best practices. This can be obtained in several ways:

• The user enters their phone number on your website and checks a box agreeing to receive messages.
• A customer signs up for text alerts at a point of sale or fills out a physical form.
• The user initiates a text conversation with you (responding with only relevant information is permitted).
• Customers can also opt-in through SMS keywords, like texting “JOIN” to your number.

Keep a record of how and when you received consent, including the phone number, IP address, and timestamp.  Don’t worry, REI BlackBook has you covered 😉 

2. Include Opt-Out Instructions

You need to make it clear that recipients can opt-out at any time. The standard way to do this is by including language like:

• “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
• “Text STOP to end messages.”

After they opt out, you can send one final message confirming their request, but nothing beyond that. Again, don't sweat the small stuff, REI BlackBook manages this for you automatically.

3. Be Clear with Your Call-to-Action

Before someone opts in, they need to know exactly what they’re signing up for. Your call-to-action should be clear and conspicuous. Include:

• What kind of messages they’ll receive.
• The frequency of the messages.
• Any fees or charges associated (if applicable).
• How they can contact you for support (e.g., “Reply HELP for support”).

4. Regularly Update Your Lists

Make sure you’re scrubbing your contact lists to remove numbers that have been deactivated or opted out. You’re responsible for maintaining up-to-date opt-in and opt-out records, and failing to do so can lead to compliance issues. (For More – CTIA Messaging and SMS Best Practices)

The Bottom Line

Texting is far from dead. When done right, it’s still the fastest, most direct way to connect with your leads. Just make sure you’re playing by the rules. Get permission, stay compliant, and watch your response rates soar.