Lead follow-up
How Quickly Should Realtors Respond to Online Leads?
Data-backed response time benchmarks for real estate leads - why minutes matter and how automation makes speed-to-lead achievable.
By ARI Team · October 2, 2026 · 5 min read
Reviewed for accuracy by the ARI product team. Last updated October 2026.
Minutes, not hours
Research on sales response time suggests contact rates often drop as minutes pass. For paid portal and ad leads, aim for the fastest acknowledgment you can sustain - often via a configured first SMS after import.
What 'response' means
A response doesn't have to be a 30-minute consultation. An automated text - 'Hi [Name], got your inquiry, I'll call you in 20 minutes' - counts and buys critical time.
How to hit 5 minutes every time
You can't manually respond to every lead in showings. Automated SMS after import is a scalable approach. Configure a first text in ARI on the schedule you set and follow up personally when you're available.