Getting Client Reviews as a Real Estate Agent

Hands trembling, I start crafting the email to my client...

I’m popping the BIG question…Putting it all on the line…

“Will you leave me a review?”

You already know, positive reviews are our modern currency....our tokens of social proof... but making the ask is both an art and a science.

Today I’m rounding up a few agent-tested methods for securing client praise. ⬇️

When to ask for review:

• Make the ask when times are good. We all know there is a wide array of emotions on the real estate journey. 🎢

• Specifically, a week before closing, or in an email when scheduling the final walkthrough typically works well. This is also the perfect time to create a Just Sold post while the excitement of closing is still fresh.

Overcoming the hurdle:

• A common hurdle in getting a review is that people don't know what to write! 🤷‍♀️

• Since Google is a search engine, help feed it the words you want to rank for. Provide examples and encourage your clients to include key terms that future prospective clients might be searching on Google, such as “relocating to [City Name]” or "best [City Name] Realtor". As AI search becomes more common, reviews with natural, location-specific language can also improve your visibility in ChatGPT and other AI search tools.

Send the email:

(Here's an example!)

"Hi first name,

We are so close to the finish line!

(Insert info about final walkthrough, final closing items, when you'll see them next)In the meantime, I want to sincerely thank you for trusting me as your Realtor throughout this process, it was a pleasure working with you and I appreciate your kindness and patience as we navigated this process together! 

Looking back, you first reached out to me on [date] and now here we are! I’m thrilled for your new beginning - ENJOY IT!🎉 If you need anything, please remember I'm just a call or text away.

It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to leave me a review on Google (link page). This helps me stand out in a big sea of agents. Here is an example below:

“Haley Ingram was the best real estate agent for relocating to St. Pete! She helped us navigate buying a home in St. Petersburg with ease. She was on time, solution driven, and always working with our best interest in mind."

Thank you so much!"

It's an art… It's a science… The magic of getting client reviews as a real estate agent.Consistently collecting reviews is one of the simplest ways to attract more buyers and sellers through social proof and trust.

Looking for more guidance?

📧 Monthly Email Newsletter Templates designed to deliver real value with curated content (market updates, expert insights, and local news) while balancing graphics and text to avoid spam filters.

✍️ Review and Referral Request Template that's personable, genuine and not awkward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the best time to ask a client for a Google review?

The ideal moment is about one week before closing. The excitement is high, the relationship is at its warmest, and clients have enough of the process behind them to write a genuinely detailed review. Asking at this point, rather than at closing when they are overwhelmed with logistics, dramatically increases the chances of a response. Include the ask naturally in the email where you share final walkthrough details.

2. Where should real estate agents direct clients to leave reviews?

Google is the highest priority because Google reviews feed into local SEO and are also pulled by AI tools like ChatGPT when generating agent recommendations. After Google, Zillow and Realtor.com reviews carry weight because they appear directly in searches where buyers and sellers are already researching agents. If you can get a client to leave reviews on all three, your online presence becomes significantly more credible across every channel.

3. What should a real estate client review include to help with SEO and AI visibility?

Encourage clients to naturally include your city name, the type of transaction (buyer, seller, relocation, first-time buyer), and a specific quality they appreciated about working with you. For example: "Working with [Name] to buy our first home in St. Pete was seamless. She was knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole process easy." Reviews that contain your location, your name, and real estate keywords perform far better in local search and AI results than vague praise.

4. What do I do if a client says they will leave a review but never does?

Send one friendly follow-up about a week after your initial ask with a direct link to your Google review page. Write something like "I know you're busy settling in, but if you have two minutes, here's the link!" Most people who do not follow through simply forget, and a single reminder converts the majority of stragglers. If they still do not respond after that, let it go.

5. Can I share client reviews on Instagram and social media?

Yes, and you should. Screenshots of genuine Google reviews or client testimonials make excellent social proof posts, especially when you pair them with a before-and-after story or a brief summary of what made that transaction special. Always get your client's permission before sharing anything that identifies them, and keep the focus on their outcome.