# How to contact expired listings on Mac: a week-long plan for realtors in 2026

> Contact expired listings without guesswork. Check for relists, send one clear first message, and run a follow-up routine you can track in Sheets.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/for/realtors/problems/contact-expired-listings-sequence
Updated: 2026-11-06

To contact expired listings, pull the list from your MLS, check whether each home has relisted, then send one short and specific message. An expired listing is a home whose listing agreement ended without a sale, and the MLS removed it automatically. This page covers the costs, the causes, free fixes, and where Lazur helps on a Mac.

## Quick answer

- Pull expired listings from your MLS status search, not from the active feed you check every day.
- Check for a relist before you call. A relisted seller may already have another agent or a plan.
- Send one short message that names the address and offers a useful next step, with no blame.
- Log every touch in a sheet, with a next date on every row, so no owner falls through.
- Lazur points, guides, drafts, and dictates on your Mac. It does not send messages or click for you.

## What reaching expired-listing sellers costs you

- **Hours spent on homes that already moved on.** Outreach takes time, and your week has a fixed amount of it. The 2026 NAR Member Profile, as reported by HousingWire, shows a median of 35 hours per week in 2025. Every call to a home that already relisted is time you did not spend on a live client.
- **Lower income for newer agents.** The same NAR profile reports median gross income from real estate of $59,200 in 2025. Agents with two years or less of experience had a median of $8,000. A wasted month of outreach hits newer agents hardest, because one lost listing can change the whole month.
- **Slow growth in new business.** The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts median pay for real estate brokers and sales agents at $57,400 per year in 2025. It projects 2% growth from 2025 to 2035, which it calls slower than average. Slow growth means you cannot count on new business arriving without effort.
- **Sellers who tire of the process.** A home that sat for months can wear an owner down. In the Massachusetts study summarized by RISMedia, relisted homes had a median of 155 cumulative days on market. Single-listing sales had 42. Late or pushy contact can lose an owner before you start.

## Why it happens

1. **The contract ends, and the MLS drops the home.** Redfin says an expired listing reaches its end date without a sale, and the MLS then removes the home automatically. The owner may have expected the listing to keep running. So the drop can feel abrupt, and the owner may not expect a call from another agent yet.
2. **The owner did not sell the first time.** A home that did not sell can make an owner doubt the price, the marketing, or the agent. That doubt is normal. It also makes a cold message from a new agent feel like one more pitch. Expect defensiveness, and do not argue with it.
3. **The owner has several options.** Redfin says a seller can relist with the same agent, hire a new one, adjust the price, make improvements, or pause the sale. Each path puts a different agent or plan in the picture. Some owners pause, and a pause can last longer than your follow-up window.
4. **Contact details are old or missing.** The MLS record usually holds the listing agent's details, not the owner's. Phone numbers and emails change after a move or a job change. Old details lead to wrong numbers and bounced emails, so verify before you dial or send.
5. **The relist rule is easy to misread.** MLS PIN treats a gap longer than 90 days as a new listing rather than a relisting. If your sheet uses another rule, your counts will not match the MLS. You may also call a home twice, once as an expired listing and again as a new one.

## How to fix it

- **Pull the list from the expired status, every week.** Open your MLS and run its status search for expired homes in your farm area. Export the results to a file, then open that file in Google Sheets. Menu names change by board, so look for export in the results toolbar. Refresh the export every week, because new expirations keep coming.
- **Check each address for a relist before you dial.** Search each address in the MLS for any newer listing after the expired date. Look for a new agent, a new price, or a pending sale. If you find one, mark the row as relisted and stop. Do not call an owner who already has a plan in motion.
- **Verify contact details the way your brokerage allows.** Start with your brokerage CRM and any records you are allowed to use, such as public tax rolls. Confirm a phone number or email before you use it. If your brokerage has rules about paid lookup tools, follow them before you buy one.
- **Write one short first message with a real detail.** Name the address and say you saw the listing end. Skip blame, and skip any debate about the old price. Offer one useful next step, such as a short call or a look at recent nearby sales. Read the message aloud once before you send it.
- **Set a follow-up sequence and write each date down.** Send the first message on the day you check the address. Follow up a few days later, then a week after that. After that third touch, switch to a monthly check or stop. Put every next date in the sheet, so no row sits without one.
- **Test handwritten mail on a small batch first.** Some vendors promote handwritten mail for expired listings and cite response gains. Those figures have no published method you can check here. Mail a small batch, keep a comparison group that receives no mail, and compare replies after a few weeks.

## What an expired listing means for you

An expired listing is a home whose listing agreement reached its end date without a sale. Redfin describes it this way, and the MLS then removes the home automatically. A canceled listing works differently. The listing ends early, so it leaves the MLS before the contract date.

This matters for your search. An expired home drops out of the active feed you probably watch each morning. You need an expired status search in your MLS, or an export, to see it at all. Each board names its statuses and filters a little differently, so check your own menus.

## How many expired sellers relist

Nobody has a clean number for this. No independent survey measures how many expired sellers relist. Vendor blogs publish relist rates, but those figures conflict, and none came with a method you can check. Treat any single percentage you read as a hint, not a rule.

The best hard number comes from one state. A 2025 study in the Journal of Housing Economics used Massachusetts MLS PIN records from 2000 to 2019, about 670,000 transactions. It found 45,000 relisted homes, or 6.7% of the sample. The figures here come from a RISMedia summary of that study. The sample only includes homes that eventually sold, so it cannot tell you how many expired homes never sell.

- **6.7%** of eventually sold Massachusetts single-family listings, 2000 to 2019, were relisted ([source](https://www.rismedia.com/2026/07/22/relistings-impact-sale-academic-on-the-ground-investigation/))
- **155 days** median cumulative days on market for relisted sales, vs 42 for single-listing sales ([source](https://www.rismedia.com/2026/07/22/relistings-impact-sale-academic-on-the-ground-investigation/))
- **$59,200** median gross income from real estate for Realtors in 2025 ([source](https://www.housingwire.com/articles/nar-2026-member-profile-experience/))
- **35 hours** median work week for Realtors in 2025, unchanged from the prior year ([source](https://www.housingwire.com/articles/nar-2026-member-profile-experience/))

| Sale path | Median cumulative days on market | Sample |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Single listing, then sold | 42 | Massachusetts MLS PIN, 2000 to 2019 |
| Relisted, then sold | 155 | Massachusetts MLS PIN, 2000 to 2019 |

_Median days on market by sale path, per the RISMedia summary of the 2025 study._

Relisted homes spent far longer on the market before a sale. That time is a cost the seller already paid. It can make an owner tired, skeptical, or ready to try a different plan. Let that shape your tone, not your pitch.

The study also gives a 90-day rule. MLS PIN treats a gap longer than 90 days as a new listing, not a relisting. If your sheet uses a different rule, your counts will not match the MLS. Pick the MLS rule and use it everywhere.

Price results depend on timing. The study says most periods showed some price discount. The exception was a peak from May 2005 to March 2006, when relisted homes sold at a premium of up to 13.7%. Do not promise a higher price on a relist. Your market may not look like that peak.

## How to contact expired listings, one step at a time

Work through these steps in order, because each one changes the next. Check status first, then find a contact, then send, then track. Skipping the first step sends you to homes that already moved on.

## A worked example: one expired home, start to finish

Say a three-bedroom in your farm area expired on a Friday. Your MLS status search shows it as expired, and the active feed shows nothing. You search the address for a newer listing and find none. Now you know the home is open for outreach.

![A house with a for sale sign out front, the kind of listing an owner may see expire](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/problem/contact-expired-listings-sequence/contact-expired-listings-3-a830b9.jpg)

Next, find a contact that you are allowed to use. Public tax records often list the owner name and mailing address. Your brokerage may have its own tools for this. Use those first, and follow your brokerage rules before you dial or text.

Then write one message. It names the address, says you saw the listing end, and asks one open question. For example, you might ask what the owner wants to do next. Log the send with a next date a few days out. If there is no reply, follow up once. If the seller relists with a new agent, mark the row and stop.

## Speed matters, but a fast reply is not a fast list

Speed matters once an owner writes back. Answer the same day, from a phone you check often. An owner who replies has opened a door, and a slow answer can close it.

Speed does not fix a weak list. Calling expired homes before you check for a relist wastes time and annoys owners. Put the check first, then move fast.

Lazur runs on macOS, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Windows is planned, not available. Lazur is not a plugin or add-in for Gmail, Google Sheets, or any MLS, and it has no partnership with any app maker. It helps you work inside the apps you already use.

## Mistakes that waste expired-listing outreach

- Calling a home before you check for a relist or a new agent.
- Opening with the price the owner did not get, or with blame.
- Sending one blast to every expired seller, with no personal detail.
- Logging nothing, so you forget who you already told.
- Setting no next date, so the owner never hears from you again.
- Using a personal phone or account for owner contact your brokerage does not allow.

Most of these share one cause. People treat outreach as a single event. Outreach is a sequence, so plan the second and third touches before you send the first.

> **Check before you send:** Check your MLS rules and your brokerage policy before you contact an owner from a list. Some boards limit how listing data can be used. Your state may also set rules for calls and texts.

## Privacy, brokerage rules, and client data

Your brokerage, your MLS, and your state set the rules here. Lazur does not replace them. Before you paste owner or listing details into any AI tool, check whether your brokerage allows it. If it does not, leave owner details out and describe the situation in general terms.

Here is how Lazur handles data, as Lazur describes it. Lazur listens and looks at the screen only while you hold the shortcut. Audio and the screenshot go to AI providers to answer you, and they are not stored. Content is never used to train AI models.

> **Screens hold personal data:** An MLS page can show owner names, phone numbers, and notes. Hold ⌥ ⌘ only when the screen is safe to share under your rules. Close sensitive tabs first.

## Tools for tracking: Sheets, Apple Contacts, or a CRM

A sheet is enough for a small list. Start with columns for address, expired date, relist check, first touch, next touch, and outcome. The [Google Sheets setup for realtors](https://www.lazur.app/for/realtors/google-sheets) covers the basics on a Mac.

![A realtor works on a laptop and reviews a list before contacting expired listings](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/problem/contact-expired-listings-sequence/contact-expired-listings-1-8f441e.jpg)

Apple Contacts can hold your owner list as a Smart List. Apple's Contacts guide covers creating Smart Lists, and importing and exporting contacts. To bring in a file, go to File > Import in Contacts. If your menu differs, check Apple's guide for your version.

A CRM adds automated follow-up, but read the fine print first. Follow Up Boss lists automated drip emails on its Grow, Pro, and Platform plans. Grow is $69 per user per month, or $58 with annual billing. Its pricing page does not mention expired-listing features, so check that before you buy.

## Measure whether your outreach works

Count four things each week: messages sent, replies, appointments, and listings won. Compare the replies from your new message with the old one. Change one thing at a time, or you will not know what helped.

Do not chase rates you cannot check. Vendor figures for conversion and mail response have no published method here. Test a small batch of a new approach, and keep the old approach as a comparison. Your own replies tell you more than a vendor chart.

## When to stop, and when to nurture

Stop active outreach when the owner says no, or when a new agent signs the home. Do not argue. Thank the owner, and ask whether you can check in later.

Some owners need a season. Move them to a slow list with a monthly check. Keep short notes on what they said, so your next message fits their situation. Set a reminder on the row, so the check does not depend on memory.

![Hands writing a short note at a desk, a common format for first contact with expired listings](https://lfobmih1tpj3sgpo.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/content-images/problem/contact-expired-listings-sequence/contact-expired-listings-2-837563.jpg)

If you want the email side, the [Gmail setup for realtors](https://www.lazur.app/for/realtors/gmail) covers templates, scheduled sends, and voice help. When you are ready to compare plans, see [pricing](https://www.lazur.app/pricing).

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Where is the expired status filter on this screen?”: Lazur draws a circle and a label around the filter on your screen, and answers out loud. (Points at it)
- “Show me where the expired status filter is on this screen.”: Lazur circles the filter and labels it. You still click it yourself.
- “Walk me through exporting these results to a file.”: Lazur guides you one click at a time and waits for each click before the next step.
- “Hold fn and dictate my first message to an owner.”: Lazur types clean, formatted text at the cursor in any app, with snippets and your personal dictionary.
- “Draft three short first messages to an expired owner. No blame.”: Lazur drafts and types the text for you. You read it, edit it, and send it yourself.
- “Remind me Tuesday morning to check relists.”: Lazur adds the reminder to Apple Reminders, by voice.
- “Research public guidance on contacting expired-listing owners.”: Lazur runs research in its own Chrome tabs and returns a summary and a report. Check any site's terms before you use it.

## A plan you can start this week

- **Monday: Pull this week's expired list.** Run the MLS expired status search for your area. Export the results, open them in Google Sheets, and add columns for relist check and next touch.
- **Tuesday: Check each address for a relist.** Search each address in the MLS for newer activity. Mark relisted homes and remove them from the send list. Note any new agent names in a comment on the row.
- **Wednesday: Verify contacts and write the message.** Confirm phone numbers and emails through your brokerage's approved tools. Draft one message and read it aloud. In Gmail, try Settings > See all settings > Advanced to turn on Templates, if your brokerage allows it.
- **Thursday: Send in small batches and log each touch.** Send from Gmail in small batches, or use the arrow next to Send, then Schedule send, to pick a morning time. Log each send in the sheet with a next date. Send only as many as you can answer that week.
- **Friday: Answer replies and set the next dates.** Reply to every owner who wrote back, the same day if you can. Set Apple Reminders for each follow-up date. Mark dead ends so you stop touching them.
- **Next week: Compare results and change one thing.** Look at replies by message, not by feeling. Change one part of the message, such as the first sentence, and run the next small batch. Keep whatever gets answers.

## FAQ

### What does contact expired listings mean in real estate?

It means reaching out to owners whose listing agreement ended without a sale. The home leaves the MLS at that point. Your job is to confirm the status, find a working contact, and send one clear message. Follow your brokerage rules at each step.

### Where do I find expired listings on a Mac?

Start in your MLS, using its status search for expired homes. Export the results to a file, then open it in Google Sheets or Numbers. Some brokerage CRMs also show expired homes. Public sites can lag behind the MLS, so confirm the status there before you call.

### Is an expired listing the same as a canceled listing?

No. Redfin says an expired listing reaches its end date without a sale. A canceled listing is removed before the contract ends. Both can lead to outreach, but the seller's options and timing can differ.

### How soon should I contact an expired seller?

Sooner is better, but check for a relist first. The research behind this page does not give a safe number of hours. Test your own timing, and track replies by how fast you answered.

### Can Lazur send messages or update my sheet for me?

No. Lazur does not click buttons, edit files, or operate other apps for you. It can point at things, guide each click, draft text, and take dictation. You send the message and update the sheet yourself.

### Do I need consent to call or text an owner?

The rules depend on your state, the type of contact, and your brokerage policy. This page does not give legal advice. Ask your brokerage compliance contact before you start a call or text campaign.

### Do the relist numbers apply to my town?

Maybe not. The clearest hard figure comes from Massachusetts, covers 2000 to 2019, and includes only homes that sold. Use your own MLS data to measure relists in your market.

## Sources

1. [RISMedia: Reframing a Relisting: What the Data Says, and How Timing, Market Cycles and 'Censoring' Affect Outcomes](https://www.rismedia.com/2026/07/22/relistings-impact-sale-academic-on-the-ground-investigation/), RISMedia, checked 2026-11-07
2. [NAR 2026 member profile shows Realtors more experienced](https://www.housingwire.com/articles/nar-2026-member-profile-experience/), HousingWire, checked 2026-11-07
3. [Occupational Outlook Handbook: Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, checked 2026-11-07
4. [An Expired Real Estate Listing: What To Know If You're a Buyer or a Seller](https://www.redfin.com/blog/expired-real-estate-listings/), Redfin, checked 2026-11-07
5. [Follow Up Boss pricing](https://www.followupboss.com/pricing), Follow Up Boss, checked 2026-11-07
6. [Contacts User Guide for Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/contacts/welcome/mac), Apple, checked 2026-11-07