The 5-minute rule isn't new — Harvard Business Review documented the 9x multiplier over a decade ago. What is new is how easy it is to actually hit. The problem in 2026 isn't ignorance, it's plumbing: most agents' leads still land in an unmonitored inbox.
What the data says
- 0–5 min: 9x contact rate vs. 5+ min.
- 5–30 min: drops by 80%.
- 1+ hour: effectively dead for the average buyer.
How to actually hit it
Stop relying on email. Route every form submit to SMS, push notifications, and a shared dashboard. Parva does this by default — your phone buzzes the moment a lead fills any form on your hub.