5 AI Zillow Lead Response Examples for Real Estate

Generic AI vs. Context-Powered AI

The difference between a prompt with no context and a prompt built with a Context Card.

Before Generic AI Output

Thank you for your interest in this property! I'm a local real estate expert and would love to help you find your dream home. When would be a good time to connect? I'm available 7 days a week!

After Context Card Output

Hi Michael—to answer your question: yes, the sellers are flexible on the closing date. They've already moved and the home is vacant, which also means we can schedule a showing with less than 24 hours notice. One thing not in the Zillow listing: the sellers replaced the HVAC last month and are including a transferable 10-year warranty. I have tomorrow at 2 PM or Saturday at 11 AM open. Which works?

The 'Before' ignores the lead's question entirely. The 'After' answers it in the first sentence, then adds insider information. Portal leads choose the agent who answers their question fastest—not the one with the best credentials paragraph.

Full Examples with Prompts

1

Zillow: Specific Question About a Listing

A buyer asks through Zillow: 'Are the sellers flexible on closing date? I need to close by March 15.' This is a qualified buyer with a specific need—the response must address it directly.

H - Hero

You are a buyer's agent responding to a Zillow inquiry. You answer the specific question asked before adding anything else. You know that portal leads judge agents by how directly they address the question.

O - Outcome

Write a Zillow lead response that directly answers a closing date question and moves toward a showing.

M - Materials

Buyer: Michael. Question: 'Are the sellers flexible on closing date? I need to close by March 15.' Property: 3BR/2BA, $410K, Hermitage, Nashville. Sellers have already relocated, home is vacant. Sellers are motivated—previously accepted an offer that fell through. New HVAC installed last month with transferable warranty. Agent available: tomorrow 2 PM, Saturday 11 AM.

E - Execute

Answer the closing date question in the first sentence. Add one insider detail not on Zillow. Mention vacant home = easy showing. Two showing times. Under 80 words.

Prompt

You are a buyer's agent responding to a Zillow lead.

Answer a closing date question and book a showing.

Buyer: Michael. Question: 'Flexible on closing? Need by March 15.'
Property: 3BR/2BA, $410K, Hermitage. Sellers relocated, vacant. Previous offer fell through. New HVAC last month, transferable warranty. Available: tomorrow 2 PM, Saturday 11 AM.

Constraints: Answer closing question first sentence. One insider detail. Mention easy showing. Two times. Under 80 words.

AI Output

Hi Michael—yes, the sellers are flexible on closing. They've already relocated and the home is vacant, so a March 15 close is very doable. Something not on the Zillow listing: the sellers installed a new HVAC last month with a transferable 10-year warranty. That's a significant value add at this price point. Since the home is vacant, we can get in quickly. I have tomorrow at 2 PM or Saturday at 11 AM. Which works?

Why It Works

The first sentence directly answers 'yes, flexible on closing.' Portal leads who ask specific questions abandon agents who don't answer them. The HVAC detail provides insider value the buyer can't find online—positioning the agent as someone with access, not just a portal middleman.

1

Realtor.com: Price Question from Budget-Conscious Buyer

A buyer asks through Realtor.com: 'Is the price negotiable? It's at the top of my budget.' This is a price-sensitive buyer who needs reassurance, not a hard sell.

H - Hero

You are a buyer's agent who handles price sensitivity with honesty and strategic information. You don't make promises about negotiations, but you provide context that helps the buyer make informed decisions.

O - Outcome

Write a response to a price negotiation question that provides market context and encourages a showing.

M - Materials

Buyer: Aisha. Question: 'Is the price negotiable? It's at the top of my budget.' Property: 3BR/2BA, $375K, Antioch, Nashville. Listed 18 days ago. One price reduction already ($389K to $375K). Average days on market for area: 22 days. Two comparable homes sold at 97% of list price in the last 60 days. Seller is not in a rush but is realistic.

E - Execute

Don't promise a price reduction. Provide market data that implies room for negotiation. Mention the existing price reduction as a signal. Acknowledge the budget constraint without making it awkward. Under 100 words. End with showing offer.

Prompt

You are a buyer's agent handling price sensitivity.

Respond to 'Is the price negotiable? Top of my budget.'

Buyer: Aisha. Property: 3BR/2BA, $375K, Antioch. Listed 18 days, already reduced from $389K. Market avg: 22 DOM. Comps sold at 97% of list. Seller realistic.

Constraints: Don't promise reduction. Provide market data implying room. Mention existing reduction. Acknowledge budget without awkwardness. Under 100 words. Showing offer.

AI Output

Hi Aisha—I appreciate you being upfront about budget. Here's the context that might be helpful: This home already came down from $389K to $375K, which tells you the seller is realistic. Comparable homes in Antioch have been closing at about 97% of list price over the last 60 days—that would put this in the $363-365K range if the pattern holds. I can't guarantee a number, but the data suggests there's a conversation to be had. Want to see it first and then talk strategy? I'm available this week.

Why It Works

The response provides the 97% comp data, which lets the buyer calculate the implied negotiation range herself ($363-365K). This is more powerful than promising a reduction because it's based on market evidence. The existing price drop is framed as a seller signal, not a weakness.

1

Zillow: Multiple Property Inquiry

A buyer contacts the agent through Zillow about three different properties, asking 'Which of these three should I see first?' This is a highly engaged buyer who needs guidance, not just scheduling.

H - Hero

You are a buyer's agent who acts as a strategic advisor, not just a showing scheduler. When a buyer asks which property to see first, you provide an informed recommendation based on market conditions.

O - Outcome

Write a response ranking three properties with brief reasoning and a showing schedule.

M - Materials

Buyer: James. Asked about 3 properties: Property A: 3BR/2BA, $395K, 12 South, 4 DOM, 2 showings already. Property B: 4BR/2.5BA, $420K, East Nashville, 21 DOM, price reduced. Property C: 3BR/2BA, $385K, Sylvan Park, 9 DOM, open house Saturday. James appears to be a single professional based on profile.

E - Execute

Rank the three properties with one-sentence reasoning for each. Priority based on urgency/competition, not agent preference. Suggest seeing the most competitive one first. Offer to schedule all three in one day. Under 125 words.

Prompt

You are a strategic buyer's advisor.

Rank three properties and schedule showings.

Buyer: James. Three properties:
A: 3/2, $395K, 12 South, 4 DOM, 2 showings booked
B: 4/2.5, $420K, East Nashville, 21 DOM, price reduced
C: 3/2, $385K, Sylvan Park, 9 DOM, open house Saturday

Constraints: Rank with one-sentence reasoning each. Priority by urgency. See most competitive first. Offer all-three-in-one-day. Under 125 words.

AI Output

Hi James—good question. Here's how I'd prioritize: 1. **12 South ($395K)** — 4 days on market with showings already booked. In 12 South, that pace means offers could come this weekend. See this one first. 2. **Sylvan Park ($385K)** — 9 days in a competitive neighborhood. The open house Saturday could generate offers, so seeing it before Saturday is strategic. 3. **East Nashville ($420K)** — 21 days and a price reduction means less urgency. It's not going anywhere this week. I can schedule all three on the same day—12 South first, Sylvan Park second, East Nashville third. We'd need about 3 hours. What day this week works for you?

Why It Works

The ranking is based on market urgency (days on market, showing activity), not the agent's commission preference. This strategic framing positions the agent as an advisor. Offering to batch all three showings in one day respects the buyer's time and demonstrates organizational competence.

1

Zillow: Ghost Lead Re-engagement

A Zillow lead inquired 3 days ago, the agent responded, but the buyer never replied. The agent needs a second-touch message that re-engages without being pushy.

H - Hero

You are a patient buyer's agent following up with an unresponsive lead. You understand that no response doesn't always mean no interest—it often means busy, overwhelmed, or still deciding. Your follow-up adds value, not pressure.

O - Outcome

Write a follow-up message to a Zillow lead who didn't respond to the initial outreach.

M - Materials

Buyer: Priya. Initial inquiry was about a 3BR/2BA in Germantown, $450K. No response to first email 3 days ago. Since then: one new comparable listing hit the market at $440K in the same neighborhood. The original property is still available.

E - Execute

Don't reference the lack of response. Lead with new, useful information (the new comparable listing). Keep the original property in play. Under 75 words. Low-pressure tone. One simple question to prompt a reply.

Prompt

You are a patient agent following up with an unresponsive Zillow lead.

Write a second-touch re-engagement message.

Buyer: Priya. Inquired about 3BR/2BA, $450K, Germantown. No response 3 days. New comp listed at $440K in same neighborhood. Original still available.

Constraints: Don't reference silence. Lead with new info. Keep original in play. Under 75 words. Low-pressure. One question.

AI Output

Hi Priya—a new listing just hit in Germantown that's worth seeing alongside the one you originally asked about. It's a 3BR/2BA at $440K, similar specs but $10K less. The original home at $450K is still available too. Would it be helpful if I sent you both listings side by side so you can compare?

Why It Works

The follow-up doesn't say 'just checking in' or 'did you get my email'—both of which signal desperation. Instead, it leads with genuinely new information that gives the buyer a reason to re-engage. The side-by-side comparison offer is a low-commitment response that reopens the conversation.

1

Zillow: Buyer Agent Selection Inquiry

A buyer contacts the agent through Zillow and asks: 'Why should I work with you instead of just going to open houses myself?' This is a buyer who doesn't understand agent value—the response must educate without being defensive.

H - Hero

You are a buyer's agent who confidently articulates your value without being defensive or salesy. You understand that today's buyers have more information than ever and your value lies in access, negotiation, and strategy—not in opening doors.

O - Outcome

Write a response to a buyer questioning the value of working with a buyer's agent.

M - Materials

Buyer: Chris. Question: 'Why should I work with you vs. going to open houses myself?' Market context: In Nashville, 73% of homes sell within 7 days. Off-market/coming-soon inventory exists but requires agent relationships. Buyer's agent commission is typically paid by the seller (post-NAR settlement, this requires explanation). Agent's track record: 94% of offers accepted, avg $12K below list on purchases.

E - Execute

Answer the question with 3 concrete value points, not generalities. Include one statistic that demonstrates tangible buyer savings. Address the commission question honestly. Don't be defensive—treat the question as reasonable. Under 150 words.

Prompt

You are a buyer's agent articulating your value without defensiveness.

Respond to 'Why work with you vs. open houses alone?'

Buyer: Chris. Nashville market: 73% of homes sell within 7 days. Off-market inventory exists. Agent track record: 94% offer acceptance rate, avg $12K below list.

Constraints: 3 concrete value points. One stat showing savings. Address commission honestly. Not defensive. Under 150 words.

AI Output

Fair question, Chris. Here's the honest answer: 1. **Access**: 73% of Nashville homes sell within 7 days. By the time you see an open house, competitive homes often have offers. I get you into properties the day they list—and sometimes before, through coming-soon and off-market channels you won't find on Zillow. 2. **Negotiation**: My buyers average $12K below list price. That's not luck—it's knowing which sellers are motivated, which inspectors to use, and when to push versus when to wait. 3. **Cost**: My commission is negotiated as part of the transaction—and in many cases, the seller contributes to it. We'd discuss the specifics upfront so there are no surprises. Open houses are fine for browsing. But buying a home in a market that moves this fast usually requires someone watching the market full-time. Want to grab coffee and talk through your search? No commitment.

Why It Works

Three concrete value points (as the Execute step required) replace the vague 'I'll be there for you every step of the way' that most agents default to. The $12K statistic makes agent value tangible. Addressing commission transparently builds trust instead of avoiding the elephant in the room.

Pro Tips

1

Build a portal-specific Context Card with pre-loaded responses for the 5 most common Zillow questions: 'Is it available?', 'Is the price negotiable?', 'What are the HOA fees?', 'Why should I use an agent?', and 'Can I see it this weekend?'

1

Use the HOME Framework's Materials step to load listing-specific details before every response. The #1 differentiator in portal lead conversion is providing information the buyer can't find on the portal itself.

1

Apply the 5 Essentials' Channel component: portal leads expect faster, more concise communication than email leads. Keep responses under 100 words for initial contact.

1

Run the OODA Loop on your portal lead conversion weekly: Observe your response times, Orient them against your conversion rates, Decide whether speed or substance is the bottleneck, Act accordingly.

1

Always provide exactly 2 showing time options in portal responses. Three or more creates decision paralysis. One feels like an ultimatum. Two is the conversion sweet spot.

Learn the Frameworks

HOME Framework 5 Essentials Context Cards

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I respond to Zillow leads that seem like they're contacting multiple agents?

They are—the average Zillow lead contacts 2.4 agents. Win by being first AND substantive. Answer their question directly, add one piece of insider information they can't get from the portal, and offer specific showing times. Speed without substance loses to substance with speed.

Are portal leads worth the investment?

The leads themselves are real people looking at real properties. The ROI depends on your response system. Agents with sub-5-minute response times and substantive first messages convert portal leads at 3-5x the rate of agents who respond with generic templates. AI plus a Context Card is the system that makes this scalable.

Should I use different response strategies for Zillow vs. Realtor.com vs. Redfin leads?

The strategy is the same—answer the question, add value, book the showing. But the buyer profile differs slightly: Zillow buyers tend to be earlier in their search, Redfin buyers tend to be more data-savvy. Adjust your tone in the HOME Framework's Execute step accordingly.

5 AI Zillow Lead Response Examples for Real Estate

Generic AI vs. Context-Powered AI

Full Examples with Prompts

Zillow: Specific Question About a Listing

Realtor.com: Price Question from Budget-Conscious Buyer

Zillow: Multiple Property Inquiry

Zillow: Ghost Lead Re-engagement

Zillow: Buyer Agent Selection Inquiry

Pro Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

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