How to Auto-Reply to "Is this still available?" (Rentals)

You’ve just posted a stunning walkthrough of a new two-bedroom apartment in the city center. The lighting is perfect, the kitchen is modern, and the price is right. Within minutes, your DM notification badge starts climbing. "Is this still available?" "How much is rent?" "Can I see it tomorrow?"

It’s the dream scenario for any leasing agent or property manager, but it quickly turns into a nightmare if you’re stuck in a meeting, showing another property, or simply sleeping. In the fast-paced world of 2026 real estate, a delay of just a few hours can mean losing a qualified tenant to a competitor who responded faster. This is where mastering the auto reply rentals Instagram DM strategy becomes a game-changer.

Instead of manually typing "Yes, it is!" fifty times a day, imagine a system that handles these repetitive inquiries for you, instantly qualifying leads and scheduling viewings while you focus on closing deals. By implementing a free Instagram DM automation tool, you can ensure every potential renter gets an immediate, professional response, no matter the time of day. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to automate your rental availability responses and turn your Instagram into a 24/7 leasing assistant.

Introduction – Handling Rental Availability Questions

Managing rental inquiries on social media has evolved from a casual task to a critical business operation. As Instagram solidifies its place as a primary search engine for Gen Z and Millennial renters, the volume of direct messages regarding property availability has skyrocketed. The challenge isn't just getting leads; it's managing the influx efficiently without burning out.

Missed Inquiries Cost You Rentals

Speed is the currency of the modern rental market. When a prospective tenant asks, "Is this available?", they are often messaging three or four other listings simultaneously. The first agent to respond and provide a booking link or application form usually wins the engagement. If you wait until the next morning to reply, that tenant may have already scheduled a viewing with someone else.

This isn't just anecdotal; it's backed by hard data. A classic study referenced by the Harvard Business Review found that firms that tried to contact potential customers within an hour of receiving a query were nearly seven times as likely to qualify the lead as those that waited even an hour longer. In 2026, where instant gratification is the norm, that window has likely shrunk even further. Failing to have an auto reply rentals Instagram DM system in place is effectively leaving money on the table. For more on optimizing your toolkit, check out our guide on the Top 5 Instagram Tools for Real Estate Agents.

Common Volume of "Is it available?" Questions on Instagram

If you manage multiple listings, you know the fatigue of the "Is this available?" button. Instagram's interface makes it incredibly easy for users to send this pre-filled message with a single tap. While this friction-less experience is great for user engagement, it creates a flood of low-intent noise mixed with high-intent leads for agents.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 75% of realtors utilize social media in their business, with it remaining a top lead-generating tool. This high usage correlates with the massive volume of inquiries agents face daily. Filtering through these manually to find the serious renters is inefficient. Automation allows you to acknowledge every message instantly, filtering out the window shoppers from the serious applicants. To understand the broader scope of this technology, read The Ultimate Guide to Instagram DM Automation for Small Business Growth.

Setting Up Auto-Replies

The goal of an auto-reply system isn't to replace human interaction but to bridge the gap between interest and action. A well-structured automation flow acknowledges the inquiry, confirms availability, and guides the user to the next step—whether that's booking a tour or viewing the full listing on your website.

Defining Keywords/Triggers

To set up an effective auto reply rentals Instagram DM, you first need to identify the keywords that will trigger your bot. The most obvious one is the standard "Is this still available?" prompt provided by Instagram. However, users might also type variations like "still free?", "available?", "rent price", or "when can I visit?".

Using a smart automation platform like ButterScotch AI, you can configure your system to recognize these specific keywords and intent signals. For example, you might set up a trigger for the word "price" to send a pricing sheet, or "location" to send a Google Maps pin. This segmentation ensures the user gets a relevant answer, not just a generic "Hello." For a deeper dive into capturing lead details through these interactions, see our article on Real Estate Bot: Collecting Emails and Phone Numbers.

Crafting the Perfect Response

Your auto-reply needs to strike a balance between professional and conversational. It should sound like a helpful assistant, not a cold robot. Avoid one-word answers. Instead, provide value and a clear call to action (CTA).

Bad Example: "Yes, it is."

Good Example: "Hi there! 👋 Yes, this unit is currently available. It features 2 beds, 1 bath, and in-unit laundry. We are scheduling viewings for this Thursday. Would you like the link to book a slot?"

This response answers the question, highlights key features, and drives the user toward a conversion action. You can even automate the delivery of property brochures or video tours. Learn more about this specific tactic in our guide: How to Send Property Listings Automatically via DM.

Implementation Steps

Ready to build your auto reply rentals Instagram DM system? You have a few options ranging from basic native features to advanced AI solutions. Choosing the right one depends on your volume and the complexity of your listings.

Using Instagram Quick Replies vs. AI Bot

Instagram's native "Saved Replies" (or Quick Replies) are useful but require manual activation. You still have to open the message, tap the shortcut, and hit send. This doesn't solve the problem of responding while you sleep or are busy with clients.

True automation requires an external tool that connects to Instagram's API (like ButterScotch AI). These tools listen for triggers 24/7 and fire off responses without you lifting a finger. An automated Instagram DM tool can handle complex logic, such as checking if a user has already asked a question or routing them to a specific agent based on the property location.

For a comparison of the top tools on the market, check out The 7 Best Instagram DM Automation Tools to Skyrocket Engagement (2025). The difference between a manual saved reply and a fully automated bot is the difference between working in your business and working on your business.

Automating Updates

One common fear agents have is automating a response that says "Yes, it's available" when the unit actually rented an hour ago. To avoid this awkward situation, your automation strategy needs a simple update protocol.

With platforms like ButterScotch AI, you can easily toggle specific automation flows on or off. Alternatively, you can use generic responses that direct users to a live inventory page: "Thanks for your interest! You can check the real-time status of this unit and apply directly here: [Link]." This ensures your auto reply rentals Instagram DM is always accurate, even if you haven't had time to update the bot configuration manually.

Best Practices

To get the most out of your automated rental inquiries, follow these best practices to ensure a high conversion rate and a positive user experience.

• Personalize Where Possible: Even automated messages can feel personal. Use the user's first name (which automation tools can pull from their profile) to start the message. "Hey [Name], thanks for asking about the downtown loft!"

• Don't Be a Dead End: Every auto-reply should end with a question or a clear next step. Never leave the conversation hanging. Ask, "Do you want to see the floor plan?" or "Are you looking to move in immediately?"

• Monitor and Intervene: Automation handles the repetitive 80%, but the final 20% often needs a human touch. Check your DMs daily to handle complex questions or negotiate terms with serious applicants.

• Leverage Data: Use the insights from your automation tool to see which properties are getting the most DMs. This data can help you adjust your pricing or marketing strategy.

According to Inman, 91% of buyers and renters who worked with an agent preferred to communicate via text or messenger apps. Meeting them on their preferred platform with instant responses is the key to modern client satisfaction.

Conclusion & CTA – Never Miss a Rental Inquiry Again

The rental market moves fast, and your response time needs to move faster. Setting up an auto reply rentals Instagram DM system is no longer just a "nice to have"—it's a necessity for scaling your real estate business in 2026. By automating the initial "Is this available?" interaction, you free up hours of your time, ensure no lead goes unanswered, and significantly increase your chances of placing a tenant.

Don't let your next commission slip away because you were busy showing a home. Embrace automation to capture every lead, qualify them instantly, and fill your vacancies faster than ever before. Ready to transform your Instagram DMs into a lead generation machine? Try our Instagram automation solution today and start converting followers into tenants on autopilot.