How to Generate Real Estate Leads in Texas (Without Breaking the Law)

The Texas real estate market is booming—but the old ways of generating leads are changing fast. As of September 1, 2025, Texas Senate Bill 140 (SB 140) expanded the definition of "telephone solicitation" to include text messages, graphic messages, and other electronic transmissions. This means cold calling and texting people you don't personally know is now restricted and carries serious penalties unless you're registered as a telemarketer.

The good news? Texas agents are still generating plenty of leads—they're just doing it smarter. Here's exactly how to generate real estate leads in Texas using strategies that are effective, compliant, and built for the long term.

 

 

Key Takeaways for Texas Agents

• Cold calling and texting strangers is now restricted under SB 140 unless you're registered as a telemarketer, with potential penalties up to $1,500 per violation

• Warm connections, referrals, social media, and in-person events are your best lead sources under the new law

• HAR.com delivers about 5 million engaged visits per month and generated over 5.5 million listing detail views in a single week—nearly half of all detail views in Texas

• Over 10,000 Texas REALTORS® have claimed their free HAR.com profile to generate leads

• Consistency in social media and relationship-building beats expensive paid lead sources every time

 

 

Step 1: Understand What's Changed—SB 140 Explained

Texas Senate Bill 140 took effect September 1, 2025. It expands the definition of a "telephone solicitation" to include:

• Text messages

• Graphic or image messages

• Other electronic transmissions sent to a phone number

What this means for you: You can no longer cold call or cold text people you don't already know to offer your real estate services unless you're registered as a telemarketer. Violating this law could put you and your broker at serious risk of penalties and lawsuits.

Potential penalties: Each violation can lead to penalties and consumers can sue for damages. For a team making thousands of calls, exposure can reach millions.

Key exemptions: The restrictions generally don't apply to:

• People who asked you to contact them

• Current or recent clients (within 12 months of the relationship ending)

• Calls made during allowed hours: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday and noon–9 p.m. Sunday

The bottom line: Don't panic—just pivot. SB 140 changes the how, but not the why. REALTORS® who adapt will continue to thrive. For a complete approach to generating leads without cold outreach, visit our guide on how to generate real estate leads in Texas without cold calling.

 

 

Step 2: Claim Your HAR.com Profile (Free Lead Source)

If you're a Texas REALTOR® and you haven't claimed your HAR.com profile, you're leaving leads on the table.

HAR.com is the dominant player in Texas real estate search. In one week in August 2025, HAR.com accounted for nearly half of all listing detail views (48%) in Texas—outpacing both Zillow and Realtor.com with over 5.5 million detail views.

How to claim your profile:

• All Texas REALTORS® are eligible for a free HAR.com profile

• You'll receive an email from HAR.com approximately 24–48 hours after claiming

• Add your photo, bio, designations, specialties, client reviews, and past transactions

What claiming does for you:

• Your contact information appears prominently with your listings

• A lead capture form connects consumers directly to you

• Your profile appears in the "Find a Pro" directory

• You can answer questions in the Real Estate Q&A section to demonstrate expertise

 

 

Step 3: Build Warm Connections and Your Sphere of Influence

Your sphere of influence—past clients, friends, family, neighbors, and casual acquaintances—is your most valuable asset. All of broker Angie Shires's business comes from referrals.

What works in Texas:

1. Offer value first, without obligation. With a winter storm approaching Houston, agent Brian Buster distributed 400 flyers with essential tips to protect homes from freezing temperatures. Recipients saw him as a neighbor who cared, not a salesperson. "By choosing to forego traditional marketing in favor of genuine outreach, I was able to build trust and demonstrate my commitment to the people within these neighborhoods," he said.

2. Send personalized data. Amarillo agent Amanda Williams searched for homeowners who bought homes with two to three bedrooms about eight to ten years ago. She reached out with insights about their home's value, and many had built significant equity. One couple used that equity to move into a larger home.

3. Be consistent with your network. Angie Shires's advice: "Don't always make the conversation about your business or even real estate. Ask them about themselves. It will make them feel special or heard."

Prospecting truth: A 24-year-old in Houston closed 11 deals in his first year with no sphere and no money for leads. His success came from consistent follow-up, energy, and outperforming agents who didn't answer their phones or follow up properly. If you're ready to take your lead generation to the next level, explore real estate lead generation strategies for Texas Realtors.

 

 

Step 4: Use Social Media Consistently and Authentically

Social media has become one of the most popular ways for Texas agents to get leads—but only when done with consistency and authenticity.

What works in Texas:

1. Create a recurring series. Austin team leader Laura Gutierrez runs "Talk About It Tuesdays" on Instagram, where she posts about a new educational topic every week. "I never miss a week. It's become so popular that when I walk into a room, it becomes a conversation starter! People look forward to it."

2. Be yourself. "If you do as others do, your true self will not shine. Not everyone is comfortable sharing their personal life on social media, and you do not have to. You can still attract people if you stay true to yourself."

3. Build a targeted online community. San Antonio agent Lynn Kirkman started a private Facebook group for military personnel moving to the area. "I consistently get two to three leads per month who either buy or rent." She vets members strictly, and the group grew to 500 members before the algorithm pushed it to the top of relevant searches.

 

 

Step 5: Target Exurbs and Growth Areas

Texas growth is moving to the exurbs, not the urban cores. The fastest-growing county in the state was Kaufman County, east of Dallas—and Liberty and Montgomery counties on the Houston side both ranked among the nation's top ten fastest-growing counties.

Key growth counties for agents to target:

• Kaufman (DFW exurbs, east) — Forney, Terrell, Kaufman, Crandall

• Rockwall (DFW exurbs, northeast) — Rockwall, Royse City, Fate, Heath

• Ellis (DFW exurbs, south) — Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Red Oak

• Comal (Austin–San Antonio corridor) — New Braunfels, Bulverde, Garden Ridge, Canyon Lake

• Hays (Austin metro, south) — San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs

• Montgomery (Houston exurbs, north) — Conroe, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Willis

In these counties, being the "known local name" is still winnable—unlike the saturated urban cores where competition is fierce. For a focused approach on generating listings, check out our guide on how to get more seller leads in Texas.

 

 

Step 6: Use the Property Tax Angle

Texas has no state income tax, but it has some of the highest property taxes in the country. The average effective property tax rate in Texas runs around 1.3% of a home's value.

How to use this:

• Proposition 4 (November 2023) raised the school-district homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000—every homeowner has a reason to ask what their exemption is worth

• Send homeowners personalized information about their exemption and property tax bill

• Use property tax season as a built-in reason to reach out every year

• Help buyers compare true monthly costs between towns with different tax rates

This turns a stressful annual event into a relationship touchpoint that produces listings.

 

 

Step 7: Leverage Small Leads for Big Results

Some of the best business comes from humble beginnings. Agent Jackie Carlson started with a lead on a $6,000 lot—and within months, five members of that client's family also became clients. Another time, she started with a lead on a $25,000 lot that eventually turned into a $230,000 home sale. Those small transactions helped her close 45 transactions in one year.

The lesson: All leads matter. Small leads turn into big leads quickly, and big leads turn into big referrals. For strategies specifically tailored to buyer-side opportunities, visit our guide on how to get more buyer leads in Texas.

 

 

Step 8: Build a Daily Prospecting Habit

The agents who win treat lead generation as a daily discipline, not something they do when business slows down.

A quick daily formula:

1. Start with your sphere—make personal calls or texts to past clients and contacts

2. Post valuable content—one Instagram post, one LinkedIn post, or one Facebook update

3. Check your HAR.com lead notifications—respond within 5 minutes

4. Follow up—it often takes multiple touches before a lead converts. Most agents give up after two

Why this works: According to top coaches, 87% of buyers use the first agent they come across. The quickest way to build momentum is to get in front of people and have real conversations.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Texas Senate Bill 140 and how does it affect real estate agents?

SB 140 expands the definition of telemarketing to include text messages and other electronic transmissions. It prohibits unsolicited calls or texts to people you don't already know unless you're registered as a telemarketer. Violations can lead to penalties and lawsuits.

Q: Is cold calling completely illegal in Texas now?

No—but cold calling people you don't know is restricted unless you are registered as a telemarketer. Existing clients and people who have asked to be contacted are exceptions. You should also check the Texas No-Call List at least quarterly and honor opt-out requests.

Q: How can I generate real estate leads in Texas without cold calling?

Focus on warm connections: your sphere of influence, referrals, past clients, social media content, in-person community events, open houses, and your HAR.com profile. For more detailed strategies, explore our guide on how to generate real estate leads in Texas without cold calling.

Q: What is the SB140 30-Day Leads Challenge?

A step-by-step plan designed to help Texas agents regroup, stay compliant, and keep filling their pipeline with qualified leads without relying on cold calls or texts. You can access free tools and training through the Houston Association of REALTORS®.

Q: Why should I claim my HAR.com profile?

HAR.com accounts for nearly half of all listing detail views in Texas. Claiming your free profile ensures your contact information appears with your listings, consumers can connect directly with you, and your profile is optimized in search results—giving you a competitive edge over agents who haven't claimed theirs.

Q: How do small leads turn into big business?

Agent Jackie Carlson closed a $6,000 lot that led to five family members becoming clients. Another $25,000 lot turned into a $230,000 home sale. Small transactions build momentum and generate referrals.

 

 

Final Thoughts

The Texas real estate market is changing—but the fundamentals of lead generation haven't changed. It's still about building relationships, providing value, and being the person people think of when they need a real estate professional.

The agents who win in 2026 and beyond will be the ones who:

• Adapt to SB 140 by focusing on warm connections

• Claim their HAR.com profiles and optimize them

• Use social media consistently and authentically

• Target growth areas and exurbs

• Build a daily prospecting habit

For a complete overview of Texas real estate leads for Realtors, visit our dedicated Texas lead generation hub. If you're ready to compare lead sources, check out our guide on best real estate lead sources for Texas Realtors. And when you're ready to start generating leads with a partner who understands the Texas market, explore how iPropLy can support your business growth.

Start with one strategy today. Add another next week. Before you know it, your pipeline will be full—without ever making a cold call you'd regret.