The FCC’s “One-to-One Consent Rule” had real estate agents bracing for impact. Then, at the last minute, it was canceled. No headlines, no major announcements—just gone. So what happened? And more importantly, what does it mean for your business in 2025? Here’s what you need to know to move forward with clarity and confidence.
What is the One-to-One Consent Rule?
Why Was the One-to-One Consent Rule Canceled?
What Does the One-to-One Consent Rule Mean for Real Estate Agents?
How to Ensure You Never Call a Number on the DNC List
Move Beyond Cold Calling
What is the One-to-One Consent Rule?
In December 2023, the FCC introduced the One-to-One Consent Rule to regulate telemarketing calls more strictly. The rule aimed to prevent lead generators from using a single consumer’s consent across multiple sellers, which is common in online comparison shopping.
The rule stated that consumers could not consent to telemarketing or advertising robocalls unless:
- Consent was given to only one seller at a time.
- A clear and conspicuous disclosure was provided, informing consumers they would receive telemarketing calls or texts using an automatic telephone dialing system or prerecorded voice.
- The consent was limited to calls directly related to the consumer’s original interaction.
So What Happened?
On January 24, 2025, just days before the rule was set to take effect, the FCC postponed implementing it by 12 months, citing ongoing litigation and concerns about industry readiness. Later that day, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit vacated the rule, stating that the FCC had exceeded its statutory authority.
The court found that the new consent restrictions conflicted with the ordinary statutory meaning of “prior express consent” as outlined in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Source: foley.com
Why Was the One-to-One Consent Rule Canceled?
The rule would have required businesses using telemarketing to overhaul their consent-collection processes, creating significant operational burdens. The court’s decision reflects an effort to balance consumer protection with business feasibility.
What Does the One-to-One Consent Rule Mean for Real Estate Agents?
For real estate agents, largely nothing has changed–you still need to remain compliant with the original TCPA rules and regulations. If you need a brush-up on those guidelines, check out our Real Estate Guide to the Do Not Call List.
In short, the regulations mean real estate agents need to adhere to:
- The DNC List: Real estate agents cannot cold call individuals on the Do-Not-Call Registry.
- Past clients are exempt: If you have an existing business relationship with a prospect, they are not subject to DNC restrictions.
How to Ensure You Never Call a Number on the DNC List
Any number can be looked up on the National DNC list (and your state’s DNC list). Check these numbers before calling.
If you use Vortex to manage leads, you can automatically remove DNC-listed numbers from your prospecting lists.
Even if you aren’t a REDX customer, you can import leads into Vortex and we will scrub the data against the DNC list.
Move Beyond Cold Calling
While cold calling has been a cornerstone of real estate prospecting for decades, industry trends and consumer behaviors continue to evolve. Successful agents today use a variety of methods to generate leads and maintain compliance.
Alternative Prospecting Strategies
- Postcards and Direct Mail: Direct mail campaigns remain a powerful way to get in front of prospects. With Vortex, you can send custom letters to your leads from one platform.
- Social Media Ads: As one user pointed out on Reddit, when done right, leads on social media are cheap and come directly from YOU. If you’re new to this, REDX’s Ad Builder can help you create and manage your social media campaigns.
- Hosting Open Houses: Hosting an open house is one of the best ways to get leads. The most important part is to always get their information at the door. Don’t let them leave without giving you their email or phone number!
- Build a Neighborhood Brand: Every real estate agent knows to target their Sphere of Influence, but equally as important is expanding your sphere. Position yourself as the go-to real estate expert in your market. With Brand Builder, you can establish authority and top-of-mind awareness.
- Build a Database: Top agents know that consistent outreach builds long-term success. See how Ricky Carruth built his business with a simple weekly email.
The Bottom Line
Although the One-to-One Consent Rule won’t impact your real estate business, it’s a reminder that compliance matters. Stay informed, follow TCPA guidelines, and expand your prospecting strategies beyond cold calling to build a sustainable business.
If you’re ready to enhance your prospecting while ensuring compliance, explore REDX’s suite of tools to help you navigate these regulations effortlessly.
