Zillow/Trulia/Realtor Cost Per Lead?

[Carl Ohai]

I am trying to learn about lead sources for real estate agents. Can anybody provide some insights on what the various RE-specific online lead sources cost in their area?

[Heather Greene]

It isn't a pay per lead system on Zillow.  You pay for a percentage of representation on a particular zip code (or multiple zip codes but each needs to be bid on individually).  Zillow has a calculator to figure out how many leads you might get for $X amount of money but in my experience it isn't that accurate (most of the time I got more leads than it indicated I would, but in some zips I got less).  Also if some agent comes in mid-month and bids way more than anyone else that would effect how many leads you get, especially if you were getting 100%+ exposure which means you're always into that 3 pack, and someone bids enough to knock you below 100%.