A real estate agent benefits from a branching path. The first question divides people into those who want to buy, rent, or sell, and then each has their own two questions. A request comes in via WhatsApp with the type of transaction, area, and budget, allowing you to know who to call first.
Why do realtors need a 'Message' button?
Because under the listing, people ask "Is it still available?" and "What’s the price?", and such messages don’t distinguish a ready buyer from someone just browsing the market. Each person has to be questioned again. A day is spent figuring out who is worth talking to, while a hot client is messaging the next agent.
How to set up a branching path?
The first question: "What are your plans?" with options "buy", "rent", "sell or lease". In Mate, you can attach a specific set of questions to each option, and the person only sees those relevant to their task.
Branch for buyers:
What area are you interested in?
What’s your budget? Ranges and "I don’t know yet"
Branch for sellers:
What are you selling: apartment, house, commercial property?
When do you want to close the deal: now, within three months, still evaluating?
For the "rent" option, create the same branch as for buyers, but with your own budget ranges. Rental and purchase prices are not comparable.
What messages come in the chat?
From buyers, something like: "Hello! I want to buy, interested in the center, budget in the average range." From sellers, it’s different: "Hello! I’m selling an apartment, want to close the deal within three months."
You immediately respond to the buyer with a selection of two or three properties. For the seller, you offer a time to view the apartment and discuss the price. No follow-up questions are needed: everything for the first step is already in the message.
How does the path help prioritize?
The question about timing acts as a sorting mechanism. A seller who answers "now" gets a call within the hour. Someone who is "still evaluating" receives a calm response and useful market material, plus a reason to revisit the conversation in a month. This way, you spend time on those ready to transact and don’t lose those who will be ready later.
Where to place the path link?
In the profile header and on the business card with a QR code. On the "For Sale" sign at the property: a passerby scans the code and messages you with a task. For each major property, it’s convenient to create a separate path with questions like "view in person", "clarify details", "discuss mortgage" and place its link in the post about that property. Check the rules for external links on listing platforms. You can create your first path for free in Mate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will asking about the budget scare them off?
No, if you provide ranges and the option "I don’t know yet". People aren’t ready to give an exact amount, but choosing a wide range is easy for them. This is enough to avoid suggesting properties outside their budget. The option "I don’t know yet" keeps those who are just starting to think.
Do I need to ask for name and phone number?
No. The person messages you on WhatsApp, and you already have their number and profile name. Each contact field in the path just adds a step where they might drop off. The path collects what isn’t visible in the chat: task, area, budget, and timeline, while the contact comes with the first message.
What to do with those who chose "still evaluating"?
Don’t push. Respond briefly and to the point, send them a price overview for their type of property, and ask if you can follow up in a month. These people are looking at agents long before a deal, and when they decide, it’s natural for them to reach out to someone who was helpful without pressure.
What about agencies with multiple agents?
Give each agent their own path. The phone number is set at the end of the path, so requests from the agent’s path come directly to their WhatsApp. In the analytics for each path, you can see how many people started, reached the end, and messaged, making it clear whose links and properties generate more inquiries.
How to know if the path is working?
After a month, check two things. In the path analytics, see at which question people drop off, and shorten it if there’s a noticeable drop. In the chats, check how many first messages came with area and budget instead of "is it still available?" If the majority are like that, the path is doing its job.
