"Is This Home Still Available?": How Real Estate Agents Reply and Turn the Inquiry into a Booked Showing

It comes in through Zillow, a text, WhatsApp or email, almost always in the same words: "Hi, is this home still available?". It's the most common first message a real estate agent gets. It's also one of the most wasted.

The typical reply is a quick "Yes, it is!" The buyer reads it, doesn't know what to say next, and the conversation fizzles out. Not because they weren't interested, but because nobody gave them a next step. This guide shows you how to reply so that one-line inquiry ends with a showing on your calendar.

Why this message is so common (and so poorly handled)

For buyers, "is it still available?" is the easiest way to reach out. It doesn't require sharing a budget, a timeline or any commitment. Many listing sites even offer it as a pre-filled message. So the sender might be a casual browser, or a pre-approved buyer messaging five agents at the same time.

A one-word "yes" hands all the work of keeping the conversation going back to the buyer. And that buyer, with a dozen other listings open, just moves on to the next agent who makes things easier.

Speed beats perfection

Someone asking whether a home is available has the listing open right now. A few minutes later, they're scrolling through another one. Replying while interest is still hot makes a big difference in whether the conversation keeps going.

• Turn on notifications for listing sites, texts and WhatsApp Business on your phone.
• Keep quick replies ready so you never start from scratch.
• Set a personal rule: during business hours, reply in minutes, not hours.
• After hours, use an auto-reply that confirms you got the message and says when you'll follow up.

The structure of a great reply

A strong reply has four parts and fits in a few lines:

1. Confirm: yes, it's available (or the actual status).
2. Value hook: one line about something the listing doesn't show well, like the morning light, the backyard or the quiet cul-de-sac.
3. One qualifying question: just one, and easy to answer.
4. A concrete showing proposal: two time options, never "whenever works for you".

Two specific options make the decision easy. An open-ended "when are you free?" forces the buyer to think, and people who have to think tend to put it off.

Reply scripts

Text or WhatsApp

"Good morning, Sarah! Yes, the 3-bed on Maple Street is still available. The kitchen gets sun all morning, it's one of the best things about the house. Are you looking for a home to live in yourself? I can show it to you Thursday at 6:30pm or Saturday at 11am. Which works better?"

Email

"Hi Mike, thanks for reaching out. The 4-bedroom on Oak Drive is still available. One thing the photos don't capture: the kitchen was fully remodeled last year. So I can plan the showing, will you need to sell your current home before buying? I have Tuesday at 7pm or Wednesday at 12:30pm open. Just let me know which one works."

Listing portal message

"Hi there! Yes, it's still available. I can text you a short video tour of the home if that helps. Are you already pre-approved, or still working on that? I could get you in Friday at 6pm or Saturday at 10am."

When the home is pending or sold

Even without that listing, the lead still has value. Pivot the reply to alternatives and capture the buyer's search criteria:

"Hi Emily, this one went pending yesterday, but I have two similar homes in the same neighborhood, and one hasn't even hit the market yet. So I can send you the right ones: what's your top budget, and what are your must-haves (garage, yard, number of bedrooms)?"

If the home is under contract but hasn't closed, say so and offer to let the buyer know right away if the deal falls through.

Qualify without interrogating

The goal isn't to complete an intake form in the first message. It's to ask one question at a time throughout the conversation, always framed around helping the buyer. The four essentials:

• Timing: "Do you have a move-in date in mind?"
• Financing: "Have you talked with a lender yet, or would it help if I connected you with one?"
• Must-haves: "What's the one thing your next home absolutely needs?"
• Selling first: "Is your purchase contingent on selling your current home?"

Asked one at a time, these questions feel like genuine interest, not screening.

Send a short video to pre-sell the showing

A 30 to 60 second video sent with your reply does two things: it keeps the buyer focused on that specific listing, and it warms them up for the showing. A buyer who walks in after watching the video already knows the floor plan and shows up more motivated.

With imovpro.ai, you can create that video in minutes from your listing photos, no filming required. Keep it saved on your phone, ready to send every time another "is this still available?" comes in.

Follow-up sequence when there's no answer

• Same day: "Here's a quick video of the home to check out when you have a minute. If either time works, just let me know."
• Next day: "Good morning! Another buyer just asked to see this one. Want me to hold a time for you?"
• Three days later: "Are you still looking in this area? I have a couple of similar homes if you'd like to compare."
• Seven days later: "I don't want to keep bugging you. If your search has changed, tell me what you're looking for now and I'll reach out when the right home comes up."

Every message should bring something new: a video, a detail, an alternative. Never just "any update?".

Using templates without sounding robotic

Quick replies save time, but buyers can tell when they get a canned message. The rule is simple: the template provides the structure, you personalize two things. The buyer's name and one specific detail about the home are enough to make the message feel written just for them. It helps to keep one template per property type, or one for each featured listing, with the value hook already written.

Track what works

Two metrics are enough to improve this process:

• Response time: how long it takes between the inquiry and your first reply.
• Inquiry-to-showing rate: what share of these inquiries turns into a booked showing.

Logging these in a simple spreadsheet or your CRM for a few weeks quickly shows which scripts and time slots convert best.

Common mistakes

• Replying with just "yes" or "it's available".
• Taking hours, or waiting until the next day.
• Sending five qualifying questions in one message.
• Asking "when are you free?" instead of offering times.
• Saying only "it's sold" and losing the buyer.
• Follow-ups that just repeat the same question.
• Copy-pasted templates with no name and no detail about the home.

8-step checklist

1. Reply within minutes whenever possible.
2. Confirm availability (or the actual status).
3. Add a value hook about the home.
4. Ask a single qualifying question.
5. Offer two specific showing times.
6. Send a short listing video.
7. If it's pending or sold, suggest alternatives and capture criteria.
8. Run the follow-up sequence and log the outcome.

Frequently asked questions

Should I reply by text or call right away?

Reply first on the channel the buyer used. If the conversation moves forward, suggest a quick call. Calling someone who chose to send a message can feel pushy.

What if the buyer immediately asks for the seller's lowest price?

Don't negotiate by text before a showing. Explain that the seller reviews written offers and that seeing the home is the best way to know whether it's the right fit.

Is it worth following up with someone who didn't reply?

Yes, with a short sequence and something of value in every message. Many buyers were simply busy. After the fourth touch, stop and leave the door open.

Does the video replace the showing?

No. The video filters and builds excitement. Buyers who book after watching it show up closer to a decision.

Conclusion

"Is this still available?" isn't a yes-or-no question. It's a request for help disguised as a short message. The real estate agent who replies fast, adds value, asks one question and offers two times turns the most common inquiry in the business into a calendar full of showings.

Want a ready-to-send video for every listing so you can reply with more impact? Try imovpro.ai and create a professional video from your listing photos in minutes.