Do you buy Leads?

Question

Hey! Short version: Do you think buying leads is worth it? Where do you buy them from?

Long version: I'm a relatively new agent just trying to generate more income for my investments. I'm having a really hard time generating my own leads. I'm really confident in what I know but pretty bad at talking to people and selling myself as an agent. I also just moved to my location a year ago so I don't even know that many people here to begin with. I'm starting to get discouraged and I'm paying fees out the wazooo it feels like to maintain my license! I'm wondering if I should double down and buy some leads or cut my loses and just let my license go. I also just feel stupid talking to my husband and investing more money in this venture when I haven't gotten a single sale... He's super cool and encouraging but I hate the feeling of being a drain on the finances. Anyone have an opinion?

James Hamling · Answer

In a simple answer; No, as a new agent no, NEVER buy leads, it won't ever work how you think it will.

Buying leads can work BUT it's an action item for Teams, it really is. It requires one who has a well oiled, time tested "machine" because those "leads" are just Opportunities, and they only translate into $$$$ is handled in a very precise, action-centric manner that turns them into such.

A more important answer for you Sara is, as an agent, your in the wrong fit. It's so rarely explained at start but as a R.E. Agent there is about a bazillion different ways one can practice real estate, and at start it's crazy overwhelming where to go to start. So very VERY often where a person starts IS the wrong fit, and it takes some time to learn this and learn what a "right" fit is.

Truth is 98% of new agents should start on a Team. On a correct, decent Team, your going to get extensive guidance, coaching, direction AND leads all but spoon feed to you, free of charge, at least up front charge.   Yes, teams take more of one's split BUT focus on what one is getting. Also most often a Team drastically lowers your cost of operation because it's designed for that new agent, and they "get-it", starting out is rough, you need to make $ not spend $.

The truth of it is new agents make MORE on Teams, with those "big splits" vs solo. because on a Team, your actually doing things, on average 10x more then the solo new agent if not more. So it's about having less of more, a lot more. Most new solo agents do "as many as" 3 whole sides there 1st year. On a Team, many have a requirement of doing AT LEAST 18+. And the Team will equip a person to achieve and exceed that mark.

Teams also assist on the personal development side of things.

I don't hear that you have a lead issue, I am hearing you have a PLACEMENT issue. You put in all this time work and energy, nobody ever said it was going to be easy, right. I can tell you, if your willing to invest, in self, time, effort, intelligent action, it will be better then easy, it will be WORTH IT.

Your fortunate to have your husbands belief in you for when yours fails you, that's an amazing wealth, I hope you recognize this. Don't let the two of you down for it, and quitting would make it all for nothing right. Make it worth-it, do it smarter. You have successfully discovered what does not work, so, change those things, do it differently, seek out teams, contact, interview, and get into a more supportive environment and situation to fuel your success.

Eliott Elias · Answer

You should not buy leads if you do not know how to close them. Work on your sales skills, then buy the leads. Don’t use game time to practice.

Bruce Lynn · Answer

Leads are everywhere....I've never understood why many people think buying leads are the answer.

Just a simple idea....you create some flyers about selling...go view every listing your brokerage has.  When you hit that listing, you leave a flyer/door knock on every house 5 doors down either side, and 10 on the other side of the street.   Talk to everyone you see in the neighborhood.   You can just ask them 3 questions....1. Do you like living in the neighborhood.  2.  Do you know of any vacant or problem homes?   3. Do you know of any FSBO or someone that might be moving soon.    You follow up will all those people....you're door knocking, you're calling them, you're putting them on your mailing list.  You call them 1x a month until they list with you or someone else.

You do 3 open houses a week on your brokerages listings.  Sat/Sun and one day during the week.   Circle prospect around that listing...200 homes before the open house.

Introduce yourself to every other realtor in your office.  Ask them if there is something you can do to assist them.  Are they busy, are they going on vacation, do they have buyers or sellers they can't help, but want a referal fee.

Since you are new to town, you can also get referral business from your old contacts.  Refer an agent to them for 30% of the sale.  Have you called every name in your phone, your FB, your IG, your Linkedin?   That's where you start.

Do you buy Leads?

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