In a fast-moving industry like real estate, communication is everything. Property updates, listing launches, open house invites—they all go out through email. And sometimes, they go out wrong. And unfortunately, emails are not editable once they’re sent.
Maybe you sent a listing with the wrong square footage. Maybe you emailed your buyers the wrong showing time. Or maybe you, like Max (the streaming platform), hit send a bit too soon. Recently, they sent out an email with the subject line:
“Correction: The Righteous Gemstones…”
…and a preview that read:
“To forgive is divine.”
It wasn’t disastrous—but it was clumsy. And they owned it with a subtle, on-brand joke. No panic. No over-apologizing. Just a correction and move on. The key isn’t to avoid them forever. It’s to handle them quickly, clearly, and with the right tone. Here are smart ways to respond when something goes sideways:
1. Decide Your Tone Based on the Severity
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Light and Friendly:
Great for small errors like a missing image or a typo. Humor and humility go a long way. -
Professional and Clear:
Best for more serious issues—wrong pricing, incorrect property details, or sensitive miscommunication. -
Reassuring and Personal:
Useful when the error could have impacted a client relationship (like double-booking or revealing the wrong buyer’s info).
We highly recommend creating an “oops” template before the moment happens so you’re not stressed and scrambling. Here are a few templates for each of the situations outlined above:
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Real Estate Email Correction TemplatesSent the wrong info in an email? It happens. This free template pack gives you quick, polished ways to fix it, whether it’s a small typo or a bigger mix-up. Real estate–specific, easy to use, and ready when you need it. DOWNLOAD HERE |
2. Send a Follow-Up Quickly
The longer you wait, the more confused your recipients become. Send a correction email as soon as possible with clear, updated info and don’t bury the correction at the bottom.
3. Use Subject Lines That Clarify, Not Confuse
Avoid vague subjects like “Update” or “About that last email.” Be direct:
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Correction: Open House Time for 789 Elm St.
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Updated Showing Schedule – 456 Pine Ave
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Oops! Here’s the Right Link to the Listing Photos
4. Keep a Correction Template Handy
Create a quick-response correction template with placeholders. That way, when a mistake happens, you can act fast without scrambling to sound composed. Download some template ideas here.
5. Use It as a Brand Moment (When It Makes Sense)
Like Max, sometimes you can turn a slip-up into a chance to sound more human. A real estate brand that’s warm, authentic, and quick to own its mistakes builds more trust than one that tries to hide them.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes in email happen, even to massive media brands. In real estate, what matters most is how you respond: quickly, clearly, and with a tone that fits the moment.
When you handle an error well, you don’t lose trust…you earn it.
