BIC TIP #1296: The Do Not Call List and No Solicitation
Lead generation is the lifeblood of a real estate business, but there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Stephen Long, your Notorious BIC, is talking about two rules every prospecting broker must respect: the Do Not Call list and No Solicitation signs. If you cold call or door knock, you need to know these rules cold.
The DNC Is Not a Suggestion
If someone is on the Do Not Call list, you cannot call and solicit their business in any way. Not a quick check-in, not a “just curious if you have thought about selling,” not a friendly market update designed to lead into a listing pitch. If the purpose is to solicit business, the number is off limits.
Before you dial, make sure your calling list has been checked against the Do Not Call registry. Many brokerages and lead generation tools build this in, but it is your responsibility to know your list is clean. Your firm’s policies may also have specific requirements, so check with your broker-in-charge.
Read the Sign on the Door
Door knocking has its own version of the rule. If a home has a No Solicitation sign posted, that means you do not knock there. Period. It does not matter how great your door hanger is or how hot the neighborhood is.
The same goes for neighborhoods that post No Solicitation signs at the entrance. Read the signs, respect them, and move on to the next opportunity.
Compliance Is Part of Professionalism
Ignoring these rules is not just a compliance problem. It is a reputation problem. Homeowners who explicitly asked not to be contacted remember the broker who contacted them anyway, and they tell their neighbors.
Prospecting the right way shows consumers that you respect their choices, which is exactly the kind of broker they will want to call when they are ready.
The Practical Takeaway
If your lead generation involves cold calling or door knocking, learn the rules before you start. Scrub your call lists against the Do Not Call list, skip any home with a No Solicitation sign, and follow your firm’s prospecting policies. Read the signs, know the rules, and stay compliant.
