Special offer
Wayne Zuhl, The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate (Remax First Realty II)

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Rainmaker
2,390,037
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I think it's the stupidest thing a Realtor can do. It only feeds the beast that is already robbing us Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl 

Nov 03, 2019 07:57 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,917
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

There are all kinds of strategies with many success stories.  You can likely find some dismal failures as well.  My opinion really doesn't matter as much as what works for you, your situation and your business model.  

Nov 03, 2019 08:23 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,313
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I recommend generation of your own leads.

Nov 03, 2019 11:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

I wouldn't do it but I did once a trial with Trulia back in the day. The majority of the leads were either fake or spam and I only got one actual legitimate lead the whole time. If it's not a long term committment and you are prepared to lose the money if it doesn't pan out, go for it. But use a throwaway credit card for your protection.

 

Nov 03, 2019 10:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,345
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

If you wish to throw your money away, please send it to me. I'll at least send you a  thank you note!

Nov 03, 2019 09:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

don't do it!!!!  if you want buyers, blog posts are what they read....buyers start online....sellers are offline with print marketing and open house events...

THAT'S MORE REALISTIC FOR ANYONE.... do open house events and YOU market online to spread the word.... most listing agents are lazy and don't want to spend the time.... we do and we get business.... tammy had one saturday for 1.5 hours and there were 3 buyers....one is without an agent...  they want to work with her in the $800-$900k range..... good buyers...nothing to sell... but have a two family home.

Nov 03, 2019 08:42 AM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I tried Realtor.com listing enhancements when that was still a thing, years ago.  I also paid for buyer leads from Zillow in the more recent past.  None of the leads I ever got online were woth the money I spent.

The real power in this business is the power to generate your own leads.  Being a baby bird, relying on someone else to feed you is not a good business model.

Nov 03, 2019 08:36 AM
Ambassador
2,061,594
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

5-8% return is an excellent return ... IF... they're truly getting that return.  In my experience, agents who are buying leads, when talking to their colleagues tend to "exaggerate" (read that as "lie") their success.

But $50 isn't much of a risk if you wanna take a shot.  My guess, most of the leads you will get will be rentals, and very low quality.

Best of luck.

Nov 03, 2019 08:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

At $50/month doesn't sound scary... they cost hundreds of dollars a month here in my area and the leads are not worth it.

Nov 03, 2019 08:03 AM
Ambassador
1,026,893
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

RUN, FORREST, RUN!!! 

Nov 03, 2019 08:34 PM
Rainer
2,490
John & Sheema Harris
RE/MAX North-San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
Because... Results Matter!

I've only been a Realtor for 8 years with my husband, but it appears that Realtor.com is not what it used to be. He is going on his 17th year, and had let his account lapse. We signed up in May 2018 at a Jared James Advance Conference, for a 12 year term where all of our listings would only go to us, but we received "0" ZERO leads or inquires for that whole 12 month contract... only to find out that because we didn't cancel before the 12 month term, it auto-renewed. Once we realized we were still being billed, they stuck us with another 6 months. Absolute waste of money! 

Nov 03, 2019 05:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,357
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

It is not the cost of buying leads...which our Team does...that is the problem. It is not having a well constructed plan to follow and convert those leads that is the prohibitive cost of buying leads.

Lead follow up must be swift and repetitive. Those who do it should have  measureable goals and hold themselves strictly accountable or it is likely that money will be wasted without beneficial results.

 

Nov 03, 2019 02:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,156
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

OK, the prevailing sentiment around here as you know is 'no buying leads' but if you decide to proceed, I would STRONGLY suggest that you review any contract carefully, and as Alan mentioned, use a 'disposable CC' in case they try to hold you hostage.

Nov 03, 2019 09:10 AM
Ambassador
3,125,386
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

In the past, I tried this once and was excited when Jennifer Lopez wanted to buy a home here...got a lot of spam and fake email addresses! I will pass.

Nov 03, 2019 08:23 AM
Rainmaker
757,885
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

Sounds like a good amount of leads for the money. I don't buy leads from them but everyone has their own business plan & what works for one person may not work for another. The key is, have a good plan & stick with it. 

Nov 04, 2019 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

I don't recommend buying leads - why do you want to "pay" someone to remain in between you and the public. Spend the money on marketing yourself. Have a drawing for $50 cash or a free $50 gift card at your local hardware store or whatever.

Nov 04, 2019 08:02 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I do not buy leads from anywhere.  I believe doing so is an enormous waste of time and money. I generate m my own leads from y website. It works for me. 

Nov 04, 2019 06:49 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Many believe buying leads in any way shape or form is the worst of decisions.

I do not agree.

An agents needs to spread seeds somewhere and start filling the pipeline somehow. 
It has been my observation that when I am in need of a gasoline, I must go to a gas station. If an agent needs leads they need to go where the leads are until they are able to create and open their own station.

Wayne and Jean have been in business for a long time. I would suggest opening your own station. But, $50 a month is pretty close to the price of shiny things. REALTOR.com has never been an ally of the real estate agent. Who owns them? In whose favor will the bias go?

Nov 04, 2019 04:50 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

I have had no luck. Most of them send to the list agent first before you.

Nov 03, 2019 07:32 PM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

My knee jerk response is "Don't feed the bear" HOWEVER, the reality is that the majority of consumers use Realtor.com, Zillow etc...   If it's "only" $50 per month, even if you get one closed deal a year, you're good (I'm assuming your closing check would be well above $600!!).  As another potential pillar of leads, it would make sense to consider it.  Just my humble opinion. 

Nov 03, 2019 04:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,032
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

No experience, but not sure it works in all markets.  We have a lot of vacationers  here just looking.

Nov 03, 2019 12:49 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,113
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Find what works and where it works and how.....Then put legs on it

Nov 03, 2019 10:42 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

If you run your business on buying leads , the cost usually outweighs the benefits 

Nov 03, 2019 10:41 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I do not pay for leads.

Nov 03, 2019 08:37 AM
Rainmaker
289,719
Dario Ferreira
Attleboro, MA
Internet Marketing & SEO

Let me get this right, he does about one closing per month for $50?
That's an incredible deal if it's true.

Nov 03, 2019 08:31 AM
Ambassador
2,178,533
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

5% - 8% sounds pretty decent.  If you sign up then do you get the same leads as the other agent in your office (and who knows how many other agents)?  That wouldn't be good. 

Personally, I was never one to buy leads. My blog & website, repeat business and referrals generated all the leads I could handle.

Nov 03, 2019 08:26 AM
Ambassador
6,392,919
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

List some homes, advertise these and you will have plenty of buyers to sell to these other people.

Nov 03, 2019 05:11 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Worth to try

Nov 03, 2019 03:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I don't leads from anyone,.

Nov 03, 2019 03:17 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I haven't.  And the most I ever converted from on line ads is 2 to 2.5 %, but that was a good ROI for my spend.  I am still using Google ads to drive traffic to my site.  NOT all the leads that land there are from the ads, but the traffic from there isn't something I can sort by the person so I can't say how many come from the ad convert now vs. the total that converts.

Nov 03, 2019 02:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

$50 worth 

It is always good to try and see.

Nov 03, 2019 02:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,878
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Not a fan of buying leads.  Prefer to get them for free.

Nov 03, 2019 01:31 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,337
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Read the comments of Alan May. Just saying!

Nov 03, 2019 10:06 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

And I can sell you the Empire State Building...A

Nov 03, 2019 09:42 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,567
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Not a fan, try Truia and never got a deal!

 

 

Nov 04, 2019 09:06 AM