Jimmy Mackin: 7 Best Listing Attraction Tactics Working RIGHT NOW

It's a rough market out there. But even with record-low transaction volumes, smart agents are finding ways to thrive. Jimmy Mackin, co-founder and CEO of ListingLeads.com, recently shared his top seven listing attraction methods that are generating results right now. 

Let's dive into Jimmy's proven tactics to help you fill your pipeline with listing opportunities:

1. The "Bad Timing" Text

This approach directly addresses the objection in a potential seller's mind — whether it's their 3% mortgage rate, family situations, or job uncertainty.

Sample script: "Hey [Name], I know this is probably the wrong time. But I've been talking to a lot of buyers who are very serious about buying in the next 90 days. Would you be open to the idea of selling if you got a great offer?"

This text works because it:

• Acknowledges the objection upfront
• Provides context for why you're reaching out now
• Offers an easy-to-answer question that starts a conversation

Jimmy shared that one agent generated 13 responses and 3 listings from this single script!

Read how the Locale Group got 54 listing appointments from one text script →

2. The Zillow Zestimate (ZMA) Text

This personalized approach leverages home value data to start relevant conversations.

How it works:

1. Identify contacts with high lead scores in your database / Fello dashboard
2. Go to their home's Zillow page and take a screenshot of their estimate history
3. Send this text: "Hey [Name], you're going to love this. I was on Zillow earlier today checking out your home. Since you bought the house in [year], Zillow estimates your home's value has increased $[amount]. Your current estimate is $[amount]. What do you think? I have my opinion. I'd love to hear your thoughts."

Jimmy states that for every 10 of these you send, you'll typically get 3–4 conversations started.

Also, Fello has an app integration with Zillow Zestimate, so you can see the Zestimates from your dashboard.

3. The "$100 Million Email"

This email tactic is designed to generate CMA requests, which according to Jimmy's data, have a 20%–25% conversion rate to listings within 12 months.

Sample email:

• Subject: "How much equity did you gain in 2024?"
• Body: "I'm setting aside a few hours this week to put together equity reports for my clients. These reports are more comprehensive and accurate than you get from an online tool. Can I send one for your home? Let me know. Sincerely, [Your Name]"
• P.S.: "I just did this for my client Ryan, and he was surprised to learn that he gained $65,000 in the last 24 months."

You can send this email quarterly to continually generate new opportunities.

4. The "Name Your Price" Campaign

This direct response campaign gets potential sellers to reveal their motivation level.

Sample email:

"Hey [Name], could you finish a sentence for me? If I could sell my house for $_______, I would list my house this spring. I can't wait to hear your answer."

This approach works because it gets prospects thinking about their "magic number" — the price at which they'd be willing to move despite other objections.

Check out Sarah Reynolds's reflective listening to get sellers to reveal their true motivations →

5. Expired Listing Marketing

With expired listings increasing last year, this is a significant opportunity. Most agents use generic approaches, but Jimmy recommends a more empathetic take.

The winning approach:

• Show empathy for their frustration
• Acknowledge they're probably annoyed by agent calls
• Offer specific insights: "If a home doesn't sell, it's usually for one of three reasons: 1) The price didn't reflect the market, 2) It didn't get proper exposure, or 3) It wasn't presented to buyers effectively."
• Then explain: "If you believe it's because of #1, the solution is simple — just lower the price. But if you believe it's #2 or #3, that's where we can help."

Send a sequence of letters to demonstrate persistence — some sellers respond after the fifth or sixth contact.

Book a demo to see how Fello's pre-built, automated Expireds marketing campaigns work → (There are also pre-built campaigns for CMAs, Home Value, and Cash Offers.)

6. Downsizing Campaign

Research shows 6% of homeowners over 60 plan to sell their homes in 2025, primarily to downsize. This presents a targeted opportunity.

The strategy:

1. Create a list or a Fello segment of homeowners who have owned their homes for 20+ years
2. Send them customer-voice messaging that speaks to their specific situation
3. Use postcard copy like: "If you've ever said: 'Most of these rooms just sit empty... Keeping up with all the maintenance is just too much... Our utility bills are way higher than they need to be... This house feels like it's just too big for us now' — it might be time to downsize."

7. The Magic Buyer Letter

This powerful tactic uses your existing buyers to generate listings from off-market homes.

Sample letter:

"I know you're probably not even thinking of selling your home in 2025. But if you believe there might be a serious buyer out there willing to pay top dollar for a house like yours in your neighborhood, you're absolutely right. My client [Name] is exclusively looking for homes in [Area] within the next 3 months, and your home stood out as a potential fit for their needs. They're pre-approved for $[amount]... I promised them I would do everything I can to help them find their new home, and that's the reason why I'm reaching out."

The key line: "I promised them I would do everything I can to help them find their new home." This shows your commitment to buyers, which impresses potential sellers who will also be buyers after they sell.

Reverse prospecting is one of our favorite strategies!
Book a demo to see how Fello's homeowner rich data takes this strategy to next level →

The Bottom Line

Jimmy emphasized throughout his presentation, "The market sets the floor, but your strategy sets the ceiling." Even in a challenging market, these tactical approaches can help you generate listing opportunities.

The key to success with any strategy or tactic is consistency. Don't just try them once — build them into your regular routine and execute them systematically. Remember, these aren't just theoretical ideas — they're proven tactics generating results right now for agents across the country. Which one will you implement first?

Supercharge Your Listing Strategy

As a Fello agent himself, Jimmy understands how these approaches pair perfectly with Fello's AI-powered platform. When you combine these proven listing attraction tactics with Fello's strategic automation and personalization capabilities, you become a true listing machine. 

Ready to transform your listing business? Book a demo today to learn how Fello can help you strategically and efficiently implement these methods at scale to keep your pipeline consistently full — without buying leads!

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