Why Estate Agencies Can't Afford to Miss After-Hours Enquiries

Most estate agencies operate within standard business hours. Buyers and tenants don't. Many browse property listings in the evening, send enquiries late at night, and expect a quick response.

This shift in client behaviour creates a challenge. If your agency isn't equipped to engage with leads outside working hours, you're likely missing opportunities.

The problem with delayed responses

A significant proportion of property enquiries now arrive between 6pm and midnight. These represent moments of high intent—someone has found a property they like and wants to act.

Waiting until the following morning to respond often results in:

• Lost viewings to competitors who responded faster

• Cold leads who've moved on to other properties

• Instructions going to agencies with better availability

Speed matters. The longer a lead waits, the lower your chance of conversion.

What AI can handle when you're closed

AI assistants provide coverage across time, responding to enquiries when your team is unavailable. They're not simply automated messages—they create genuine interactions that progress the conversation.

An AI assistant can:

• Reply instantly to enquiries from your website, email, or property portals

• Ask qualifying questions based on property type and buyer requirements

• Answer common queries about price, council tax, lease terms, and availability

• Book viewings or arrange callbacks for the next day

• Log all information directly into your CRM for morning follow-up

The result is a lead that's been acknowledged and moved forward, not just left in a queue.

Why autoresponders aren't enough

Most agencies use after-hours autoresponders. These confirm receipt of an enquiry but rarely do more than that.

AI assistants go further. They ask questions, offer relevant information, and guide the enquirer toward a specific outcome—whether that's booking a viewing, requesting a valuation, or scheduling a call.

This creates the impression of a responsive, attentive agency, even when your team is offline.

Making 24/7 availability practical

True 24/7 availability isn't realistic for most agencies. But clients increasingly expect fast, accessible communication regardless of when they make contact.

AI makes this possible without extending your team's working hours. It doesn't replace your staff—it fills the gaps between human interactions, ensuring no lead waits unnecessarily.

This level of coverage is becoming part of standard service expectations. Agencies that adopt it now will be better positioned to deliver consistent client experiences at any time of day.