Stop Calling Me! Understanding the Do-Not-Call List for Real Estate

We are constantly looking for new ways to prospect in the real estate industry. Social media and digital marketing have taken a spotlight in past years, since they are automated and a more efficient means of attracting future clients. While we may be focused on newer legislation surrounding communication with consumers via email, social media and digital mediums, it's important to remind ourselves of the laws and regulations surrounding more traditional marketing methods, like picking up the phone and calling a prospect.

Beginning in 2005 for the United States and 2008 for Canada, telemarketing businesses have been held to strict guidelines of who they can call and for what purposes. Each country has implemented their own Do Not Call list, managed and regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), respectively. These laws and regulations are to protect consumers from businesses making calls with the sole purpose of solicitation. Make no mistake—real estate brokerages and professionals are subject to these laws.

We can try to interpret the laws and find loopholes in wording or ambiguous definitions, but the courts have made it clear that the consumer has the right not to be contacted once they register on the Do Not Call List (DNCL). Don't let these rules scare you. They are there to protect you just the same as any consumer, and there is plenty of business to generate using the phone. It takes understanding the rules to get the leg up on your competition:

1. You are not breaking the law by calling a friend or someone you know on a personal level

Even if they are on the Do Not Call List and even if you're calling to solicit business.