Text message (SMS) is a new notification channel — alongside email and push — that keeps homeowners in the loop with quick text alerts about their home. It's off by default and requires the homeowner to opt in and verify their phone number.
This article covers:
How SMS notifications work
How buyers turn SMS on
What buyers get texted about
Quiet hours
How buyers turn SMS off
Availability
Message formats (what the texts say)
System messages (opt-in, opt-out, help)
How SMS Notifications Work
SMS is delivered through Twilio and is enabled on a per-builder basis — your Foundation team activates it for your company once your Twilio registration and required compliance details (business info, privacy policy, terms of service) are approved. Once enabled, individual buyers can choose to opt in.
How Buyers Turn SMS On
From Contact Settings, the buyer finds the SMS row (alongside Email).
If the buyer doesn’t already have a mobile number on their profile, they’ll be prompted to enter one.
Foundation sends a one-time verification code via text message. The buyer is told that this number will be saved as their number on file.
The buyer enters the code and taps Verify to confirm. If the code is entered incorrectly, the buyer sees an "Invalid code. Please try again." message and can retry.
At the verification step, the buyer sees this disclosure: "By tapping Verify, you consent to receive recurring automated text messages from [Builder Name] at the number provided, including updates and account alerts. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help." If the buyer changes their phone number later, they'll need to re-verify the new number the same way.
Buyers may also see a one-time opt-in prompt the first time they log in after SMS becomes available for their builder. Declining just dismisses the prompt — they can still opt in later from Contact Settings.
If the phone number has changed, the buyer need to update it under More → Profile→ Edit first so the code reaches the right phone.
What Buyers Get Texted About
At launch, SMS notifications are sent for:
Unread messages
Action items
Construction progress
Documents uploaded
Event reminder
Updates posted
Only buyers receive SMS notifications — builders, operators, and vendors continue to receive updates only by email and in-app.
Quiet Hours
To avoid disruptive late-night or early-morning texts, SMS messages are only sent between 11:00 AM and 9:00 PM Eastern Time, regardless of where the builder or buyer is located. Messages that would otherwise go out outside that window aren't dropped — they're automatically scheduled to be sent for the next day at 11:00 AM ET instead.
How Buyers Turn SMS Off
Buyers can text STOP to any message to unsubscribe, or turn the SMS toggle off from Contact Settings. Texting HELP returns a message with the builder's support contact.
Availability
SMS is rolling out builder by builder as Twilio campaign registration is approved. Reach out to your Foundation contact to check on the status of your rollout.
Message Formats
Examples:
Notification | Sample message |
Unread messages | "New activity on your [Builder Name] home. View update: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help." |
New action item | "A new action item has been added to your [Builder Name] home. View details: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help." |
Event reminder | "[Builder] Home Reminder — [Event Title] is scheduled for [Month Day] @ [Time, Timezone]. View details: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help." |
Construction progress | "New construction progress on your [Builder Name] home. View update: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help." |
Documents uploaded | "New documents uploaded to your [Builder Name] home. View now: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help." |
System Messages
Opt-in confirmation: "You are now subscribed to recurring automated text messages about your home, including activity updates and account alerts. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel."
Opt-out (STOP) confirmation: "You have been unsubscribed and will no longer receive SMS notifications about your home."
HELP response: "For support, contact [Builder Name] at [builder support email/phone]."
Key Notes
SMS is opt-in only — no buyer is texted without first verifying their number and consenting.
Message content is fixed and cannot currently be customized by builders.
SMS supplements email and push notifications; it doesn't replace them.
If you'd like to request a change to this messaging, reach out to your Foundation contact.