Advice on lead generation services

[Jeff Boardman]

Has anyone ever used paid lead generation services?  Is this a waste of money or a serious time saver?  How much is a single successful lead worth?  How much are 20 worth?  What percentage of your "warm" leads result in a deal?  I am just getting in to the business seriously and don't want to be a spendthrift needlessly, but I am also working abroad presently and thus out of town by default, making in person networking and lead generation more difficult. 

[Melissa Kirchhoff]

@Jeff Boardman - I'd assume the leads you mean are different than what I get via my company, but the number of warm (to just super cold!) leads is likely high no matter what. My suggestion with anything, is try it and track it!

I do this on all my real estate related things, and see where my time/money is best spent. Personally, I've found some of the easiest and free things are boss for me! Craigslist has been better than anything I've forked out money for and craigslist is barely used in my market too, I can only imagine using that in a bigger market! I'd probably never be able to step away from my phone I'd be getting so much!