Is Cold Calling a Dying Industry for Real Estate?

Ah, cold calling. The timeless strategy of dialing for dollars—interrupting dinner, braving rejection, and hoping that one out of a hundred might say, “Sure, I’ll sell my house!”

But in 2025, with smartphones screening calls, AI handling lead gen, and marketing getting more personal than ever… is cold calling still alive in real estate? Or is it on life support?

Let’s break it down.

The Harsh Truth: It’s Getting Harder

Cold calling is not dead, but it’s definitely aging—and not gracefully.

  • Spam filters & call blockers: With apps like Truecaller and built-in call screening on iPhones and Androids, your “Hi, this is Mike with XYZ Realty…” may never make it past the ringtone.

  • Consumer fatigue: Sellers are bombarded. Not just with calls, but with texts, emails, and social DMs. Cold calling often feels like the most intrusive of the bunch.

  • Legal risks: DNC lists, TCPA violations, and fines make it harder to scale without serious compliance headaches.

What’s Replacing It?

As cold calling fades, other marketing channels are taking the spotlight—because they’re less intrusive and more effective.

  • Handwritten Direct Mail: Real estate investors and agents are seeing huge response rates with letters that feel personal and authentic. (Yes, shameless plug: we specialize in this at First Touch Letters.)

  • SMS & Voicemail Drops: While not totally cold, these feel less aggressive and can be scaled (carefully).

  • Inbound Marketing: Content, SEO, and lead magnets are long games—but they build trust and authority.

  • Social Ads: Highly targeted and way less awkward than a cold call. Plus, nobody hangs up on a Facebook ad.

When Cold Calling Still Works

To be fair, there are still scenarios where cold calling works:

  • Warm lists: Calling owners you’ve already mailed, or who opted in somewhere? That’s a different game.

  • High-dollar commercial deals: Where relationships still trump everything else.

  • Follow-up: Not the first contact, but the third or fourth? A cold call can turn into a warm one.

The New First Touch

Cold calling used to be the first handshake. Now? Your first impression often starts with a letter, a message, or a post on social. If you're relying solely on cold calls in today’s market, you’re probably missing out on sellers who want to feel something before they talk.

So no, cold calling isn’t officially dead. But in real estate, it’s no longer king. It’s that guy still wearing a Bluetooth earpiece in 2025—outdated, ignored, and a little awkward.

Ready to try a first touch that actually gets noticed?
Check out our handwritten letters made just for real estate pros → FirstTouchLetters.com

Back to blog