SMS Benchmarks for Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing

Real estate, rental and leasing teams rely on SMS to coordinate showings nurture leads and manage resident relationships. Here we explore SMS benchmarks that reveal how messages perform across this dynamic and time sensitive sector.

The following stats come from analyzing 137,669 engaged contacts.

Average Response Rate

The average response rate in real estate, rental, and leasing is 70.25%, reflecting how often renters, buyers, and owners actually reply to SMS updates about listings, showings, and lease details.

Response rate describes the proportion of recipients who answer texts, found by dividing the number of responses by the total delivered messages. In this industry, a strong figure signals that communication feels relevant and timely, so teams can coordinate tours, handle applications, and address questions more smoothly.

When people consistently respond, it becomes easier to keep deals moving, reduce confusion, and maintain a more reliable experience across properties.

Average Opt-Out Rate

The average opt-out rate for real estate, rental, and leasing is 0.56 percent, reflecting a moderate level of audience churn in a message heavy industry.

Opt-out rate is the percentage of subscribers who text STOP or otherwise remove themselves from your SMS list after receiving your messages.

It is calculated by dividing the number of opt-outs by the number of successfully delivered texts, then multiplying by one hundred.

In real estate, rental, and leasing, this metric signals whether property alerts, application updates, and leasing reminders feel helpful or overwhelming.

Keeping a low opt-out rate supports consistent communication with prospects and tenants and helps maintain trust over multiple touchpoints.

Average Click-Through Rate

The average click-through rate in real estate, rental, and leasing is 11–19% and shows how often prospects and tenants engage with links they receive in SMS updates and promotional texts.

Click-through rate measures the portion of delivered messages that result in at least one tap on a tagged URL.

To find it, divide total tracked link taps by total messages successfully delivered, then multiply that result by 100.

In real estate, rental, and leasing, this metric reveals whether listings, appointment links, application forms, or payment portals truly capture interest, helping teams make sure their messaging stays relevant and timely.

Average Conversion Rate

The average conversion rate for real estate, rental, and leasing is 11–19%, reflecting how many people who receive an SMS later complete a meaningful next step such as submitting an application or booking a viewing.

Conversion rate is calculated by dividing the number of completed actions like signed leases, scheduled tours, or listing inquiries by the total text messages successfully delivered.

This figure matters in real estate, rental, and leasing because it shows how effectively messaging turns interest into occupied units and closed transactions.

By tracking conversion rate over time, property professionals can make sure each campaign supports healthier pipelines, lower vacancy, and better alignment between inventory and tenant demand.

Average Delivery Rate

The average delivery rate for real estate, rental, and leasing is 98–99%, indicating that text messages almost always reach prospects, tenants, and owners as intended.

This high level of reliability supports everything from new listing alerts to appointment reminders and rent notifications.

Delivery rate is calculated by dividing the number of messages that successfully arrive on the device by the total sent, excluding texts that fail because of invalid numbers or carrier filtering.

In real estate, rental, and leasing, this metric matters because teams depend on fast, consistent SMS to coordinate viewings, handle applications, manage renewals, and communicate urgent updates.

Average Open Rate

The average open rate is 98%, which shows that people almost always read text messages in real estate, rental, and leasing.

Such a high open rate reflects how closely clients watch updates about property listings, applications, and lease details.

Open rate describes the percentage of delivered text messages that are actually opened by recipients.

It is calculated by taking the number of opened texts, dividing by the total number of delivered texts, then multiplying the result by 100.

In real estate, rental, and leasing, open rate is crucial because time sensitive notices about showings, approvals, and renewals must be seen quickly.

Strong open rates make sure clients stay fully informed, reducing missed appointments and miscommunication.

Average Time to Read

The average time to read an SMS in real estate, rental, and leasing is 3 minutes.

Time to read describes how long it takes recipients to open and view a text once it is delivered.

It is calculated by tracking the delay between message delivery and first open across many conversations, then averaging those delays.

This measure matters in real estate, rental, and leasing because delayed reading can slow responses to viewing requests, lease renewals, maintenance notices, and payment reminders.

Knowing typical read times helps teams schedule messages so clients and tenants see critical information when they are most likely to act on it.

Average Response Time

The average response time for real estate, rental, and leasing is 90 seconds, showing how quickly clients typically respond after receiving a text message.

Response time is the span between when a text is delivered to a customer and when their first reply is recorded.

It is calculated by measuring this gap for each conversation and then finding the average across all client interactions.

In real estate, rental, and leasing, a short response time supports faster appointment setting, quick updates on listings, and smooth handling of applications or lease questions.

Average Bounce Rate

The average bounce rate for real estate, rental, and leasing is 1–2%, which means only a tiny fraction of SMS updates never reach their recipients.

This low share hints at reliable contact data and solid message delivery throughout the customer journey.

Bounce rate is calculated by dividing undelivered texts by total messages sent, then converting that number into a percentage.

In real estate, rental, and leasing, this metric matters because dependable messaging supports viewing reminders, application updates, lease renewals, and payment notices.

A consistently low bounce rate also keeps databases clean, so communication stays timely, relevant, and easier to manage.

Average Messages per Conversation

The average message per conversation is 4.6.

This reflects high engagement.

Average messages per conversation captures how many total texts are exchanged within one ongoing thread between a client and a business.

It is found by taking the total number of messages in a period and dividing that by the number of unique conversations.

In real estate, rental, and leasing, a higher average often means renters and buyers are actively asking questions, comparing options, and confirming details.

This depth of interaction can highlight serious intent, surface objections early, and make sure agents refine follow ups for smoother transactions.

Overview of Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing

The real estate, rental, and leasing sector relies on rapid communication to keep transactions moving smoothly and reduce friction for clients.

Customers expect quick updates on availability, pricing, and next steps, often while balancing busy schedules and making high value decisions.

Traditional channels like phone calls and email can be slow, difficult to track, or easily missed, which creates frustration and operational bottlenecks.

SMS offers immediacy, near universal reach, and very high engagement rates, giving firms a dependable way to deliver time sensitive information.

By using SMS, businesses in real estate, rental, and leasing make sure communication stays timely, transparent, and efficient, strengthening client trust and supporting daily operations.

SMS Use Cases in Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing

SMS offers fast, documented touchpoints that keep property managers, leasing agents, and tenants aligned through time-sensitive workflows in real estate, rental, and leasing.

This communication channel reduces missed appointments and accelerates leasing cycles while maintaining a clear audit trail for interactions.

Use SMS links to collect rental applications, identity documents, and e-signatures quickly, speeding background checks and move-in timelines.

Send targeted showing windows, automated reminders, and last-minute availability alerts to reduce no-shows and optimize agent schedules.

Allow tenants to report repairs via SMS with photo uploads and status updates to make sure vendors arrive prepared and repairs close faster.

Deliver rent reminders, secure payment links, and proactive lease renewal prompts to improve cash flow and tenant retention.

FAQs About SMS Benchmarks for Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing

How can property managers use SMS to handle maintenance requests more efficiently?

Property managers can invite tenants to text photos and short descriptions of issues, which helps staff diagnose problems before visiting. This speeds up scheduling, reduces unnecessary trips, and keeps tenants informed at every step.

They can also send SMS updates when a work order is created, assigned, and completed. This creates a clear communication trail that is easy for both tenants and staff to follow.

What role does SMS play in the leasing application and screening process?

Leasing teams can use SMS to remind prospects to submit documents, schedule showings, and confirm application milestones. This keeps applicants engaged and reduces delays caused by missed emails or calls.

SMS can also be used to share secure links to application portals and screening forms. Applicants appreciate the convenience of accessing everything directly from their phones.

How can landlords use SMS to improve communication with long-term tenants?

Landlords can send SMS messages for important notices like upcoming inspections, scheduled repairs, and policy updates. This helps tenants feel informed and reduces misunderstandings that might otherwise lead to disputes.

They can also invite tenants to reply with questions or concerns, making communication feel more personal and accessible. When tenants know how to reach their landlord quickly, they are more likely to report issues early.

How can real estate agents use SMS to manage property showings and open houses?

Agents can send SMS reminders with dates, times, and access details before each showing or open house. This reduces no-shows and helps prospects arrive prepared.

They can also follow up by text to share listing links, answer quick questions, and gather feedback. Keeping the conversation in SMS makes it easier for buyers and renters to stay engaged while on the go.