Special offer
Jason Johnson, Jason Johnson (HomeSmart ICare)

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Rainer
1,690
Matt Raulerson

I had a call with them a few days ago. They run social ads, call the leads, and set appointments. Payment is a large setup fee and small referral per closed transaction. They would not provide any references or allow any decision time. Immediately after the demo, they asked for payment in full. Very high pressure situation. I also got the feeling that their ISAs would ask questions that they were not allowed to ask as an unliicensed ISA. The rep said they would qualify the lead and ask things like what a buyers credit score was... I don't think they can ask that, at least not in NC. They are also out of Canada, and I never feel comfortable handing large sums of money to someone inanother country.

Nov 22, 2021 07:27 PM
Rainmaker
289,719
Dario Ferreira
Attleboro, MA
Internet Marketing & SEO

Stay away from these people.

 It's not a good sign when you have to resort to fake people for testimonials.

The testimonials on the home page are most likely all fake - why would you hide the last names?

Found three obviously fake:

Callan W. is actually Daniel Romeo:
https://www.rhcommercial.com.au/sa/team/daniel-romeo-commercial

Simona B. is actually Franca Katsaris:
https://topagentmagazine.com/top-real-estate-agent-in-australia-franca-katsaris/

Pierce W. is David Cortous:
https://www.realestate.com.au/news/agent-john-mcgrath-in-geelong-office-shows-confidence-in-citys-market/

 

Nov 23, 2021 06:41 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I've never heard of Phaners.  They all promise the moon and the stars. Without a guarantee of results, I would be skeptical. 

Nov 22, 2021 05:36 PM
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

What Dario Ferreira said!

Nov 23, 2021 06:45 AM
Ambassador
3,587,835
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Jason I have never bought leads and never suggested any of our agents buy leads.  You're better off building and developing a strong SOI and referral base - which yes - does take time, effort and $$ and so worth it. It has worked well for us for many years and continues to do so.  Plus....bonus....we have developed so many awesome relationships and friends in the process.

Nov 22, 2021 08:38 PM
Rainmaker
4,160,270
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Jason Johnson I haven't use Phaners yet. You are right, many over promises and under deliver.

Nov 22, 2021 08:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,196,588
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Never heard of them Jason Johnson 

Nov 23, 2021 07:18 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

Run Forest. Run!

Nov 23, 2021 06:57 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

The best lead generator is you and your database with the help of a great coach or mentor in the beginning; all others can only over promise and under deliver from my 22 years experience with these charlatans.

Nov 23, 2021 04:50 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,337
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Never heard of them. A large upfront fee with no evidence of results is a definte "PASS" for me.

Nov 23, 2021 04:15 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Vetted and prequalified leads! Well it doen't get any better than that.
And you get a 30 trail to confirm there is substance behind the smoke.
And they do not ask for you CC so they can snare you in their Auto-billing trap.
And when you call their client support line, there a voice attached to a person to give all the assistance needed.
What can go wrong beside they commit all three RED FLAG errors.
All of these lead generation work.
They simply do not work for everyone.
If I had to choose Phaney or Zdevil, I would choose Phaney  but only if the exits were not blocked.

Nov 23, 2021 05:28 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,313
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have not used them. Good luck.

Nov 23, 2021 05:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,878
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Sorry, never heard of them.

Nov 22, 2021 10:23 PM
Ambassador
6,392,919
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Never heard of them.

What are they doing to earn their money, is there a guarantee of closed transactions?

Nov 22, 2021 09:36 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I have not heard of them, however, you are better off working on your own business model.  I have (in the past) bought leads and can assure you that you will spend more money and time (or should i say waste) then if you just work on your SOI.  It took me a while to recognize it, but I can honestly say as I look back it was a waste - waste - waste.  I am currently at 95% repeat and referral business from existing and past clients. Can't beat that!

Nov 23, 2021 10:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Uh oh, Dario pulled back the curtain on these guys.

Nov 23, 2021 10:41 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Have never heard of Phaners, but then again, never have paid for leads in 25 years.

Nov 23, 2021 06:10 AM
Rainer
5,735
Teri Lawrence
United Real Estate Preferred - Orange City, FL
Real estate agent serving Central FL

Phaners Real Estate is at it again.  I asked straight forward questions which they did not answer.  They will not answer a direct question which is a huge red flag for me.  If it turns out that they are the greatest thing to agents, I guess I missed my shot.  But for right now, I will trust my instinct and stay away!

Apr 08, 2022 11:19 AM
Rainmaker
540,997
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Dave Martin (703) 585-4687  I received a text from Jan on the 15th (not that I believe that Jan is a real person) asking if I covered Essex. Duh, that's my office location! I have since received 5 more spam texts from her.

Jan 02, 2022 07:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Paying upfront "startup fees" is always a huge warning sign to me.  Why should I want to pay someone for the privillage of charging me money?!?!?

I also don't appreciate the manner which they use to directly market to agents. I received a text to my phone...

"Hey my name is Jan from Phanners Real Estate. I found you online. I could be way off here...but you do cover Falls Church and surrounding areas right?"

Sounds like they have a referral for me doesn't it... also strikes me as deceptive. So, if they use such less than transparent marketing to reach agents it's probably very likely they do the same with the potential leads (sellers, buyers) they pursue for agents. Honestly its not the way I would want to portray myself to new clients.

I'll pass
Looking to sell, buy a home in Northern Virginia?
ComeHomeVirginia.com

Dec 14, 2021 11:30 AM