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Ambassador
3,350,439
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Yes. Create your own WordPress site. Integrate IDX. Write excellent content. You will get your own leads. Do the work and they will come!

Feb 05, 2017 09:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,506,773
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Check the lawsuits against Zillow.  Paying any company for questionable leads is a quick way to bankruptcy.

Feb 05, 2017 11:42 AM
Ambassador
2,684,769
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Lots of excellent answers including Kathleen Daniels and Julie Larson Realtor® Sarasota and Carol Williams 

Feb 05, 2017 04:22 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,693
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

John,

You have some great advice from all the responders.  Save your money and invest in a great site.  In the meantime, get out in the community and meet people face to face.  A

Feb 05, 2017 09:29 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,013
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I am not a fan of lead can companies and would rather generate my own business organically. It takes a little longer but it is better business.

Feb 05, 2017 06:48 PM
Rainmaker
5,032,969
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I'm with Kathleen Daniels ..do the work and get you own leads, it will happen!!

Feb 05, 2017 04:43 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

If I were you, I'd pay someone who knows what they're doing to set up a website with a wordpress blog.... and I'd learn SEO.... you need to be an independent marketer....you need to create your own business and not rely on  Z or T....I don't write those names!!! 

Feb 05, 2017 02:14 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,308
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

z and t are not PROFESSIONAL real estate sites.  They are lead gen sites that use your listing to lure people their way and then sell you them back to you at an astonomical price.

Feb 05, 2017 03:30 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

The best source of leads for me is right from my Active Rain blog, it far out paces any and all other web sites or paid for so called lead sites

Feb 05, 2017 01:46 PM
Rainmaker
151,633
Julie Larson Realtor® Sarasota FL 941-284-9826
White Sands Realty Group FL | 941-284-9826 | Serving Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte Counties - Sarasota, FL
When you're thinking of moving...ThinkSuncoast.com

If I were you, rather than spending money on leads, I'd spend it to have a WordPress website built and then start blogging like crazy on your website and right here in ActiveRain.

If you invest some time and money into your website, you can create blog posts that will continue to generate leads for years to come versus having to always be paying for leads.

If you add some local business networking and social media to the mix, you should do just fine!   :)

Feb 05, 2017 10:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,791
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Use your own website(s) to generate leads.

Feb 05, 2017 09:04 AM
Ambassador
3,048,835
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Get your own leads. 
Build a wordpress website or have someone design one for you ( I can do that:)). 

Here is a free tutorial on how to set one up:

 http://katerinagasset.com/how-to-start-your-blog/

Then build out your high quality pages and blog content based on your keywords. 

Add IDX ( I recommend IDX Broker). 

Then add some landing pages to run your FB ad traffic to. 

Place FB ads to get more leads. Own your own leads:) 

Feb 06, 2017 02:32 PM
Rainmaker
991,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

At least you learned your lesson about Z and T!

Feb 06, 2017 06:47 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,773
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

John Landskroener - the best way to generate leads is Work By Referrals, thanks to Buffini & Company.

Feb 05, 2017 11:33 PM
Ambassador
2,672,939
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Ads on Craigslist are still free, just be sure to make a compelling offer.

Feb 05, 2017 08:58 PM
Ambassador
5,257,583
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Websites - as others mentioned, have someone build one for you and integrate an IDX.  Until then, post your heart out on ActiveRain!

Best source of business - your sphere...work it!

Feb 05, 2017 08:19 PM
Rainmaker
971,183
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

I have used Realtor.com, I would not recommend limited success. In the end, had a payment issue, Double charged. 

Feb 05, 2017 06:14 PM
Rainer
505,742
Noel Mayer
Upper Montclair Weichert Realtors - Montclair, NJ
YOU WILL BE RIGHT AT HOME WITH NOEL !

I stopped by Great feedback  

Feb 05, 2017 04:14 PM
Rainmaker
913,938
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Are you using other methods like post card mailings, social media, additional blogging platforms, farming a certain neighborhood, etc? I can't suggest any website companies that you can expect to get leads from.

Feb 05, 2017 01:15 PM
Rainmaker
4,966,063
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Work your network,  you are right about Trulia, bad!!!

Feb 05, 2017 11:10 AM
Rainmaker
679,635
John Slocum
Premiere Property Group, LLC - Vancouver Washington - Vancouver, WA
Broker, SFR - Vancouver WA Real Estate

YES - RealBird (http://activerain.com/profile/realbird)  Check out their Profile and Blog on AR.  When we signed up they had a free, limited version to let you see if it was for us.  Subscribing to the Pro version made a ton of good sense.  The Tips, good SEO, Syndication, etc. is well worth the modest annual fee.

Feb 05, 2017 11:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,554,377
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 gold is in your database; your CRM has the most leads.

Feb 05, 2017 10:14 AM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

The only other way I know is to pay for adwords/pay per click, but you have to have a good site set up for them to stick around once they get there.  

Feb 05, 2017 09:44 AM
Rainmaker
716,529
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

John - build your own leads. So many ways to do this. Don't buy them.

Feb 05, 2017 09:31 AM
Ambassador
2,189,772
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

Don't ever count on an outside site or source for leads.  Build your website, keep it relevant and blog regularly and market consistently to generate your own leads.   

Feb 05, 2017 09:27 AM
Rainmaker
4,905,762
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I prefer direct mail with a call to action.

Feb 13, 2018 11:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Zillow is getting almost ridiculously expensive here estimated cost and ROI for what they want is just gone NUTS

Feb 03, 2018 07:56 PM
Rainer
259,105
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Organic interest leads off of blogging and the website.  Great answers from people with burnt fingers.  Learn from their experience.

Mar 07, 2017 07:47 AM
Rainmaker
5,879,125
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Create SEO to have the public to call you directly versus paying for these leads.

Feb 09, 2017 04:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,625,153
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'm glad it does work for you. I'd rather invest $$$ in social marketing. 

Feb 07, 2017 01:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

smart blogging creates leads

Feb 06, 2017 03:53 PM
Rainmaker
5,244,251
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Best advice, go it alone and don't pay someone else!

Feb 06, 2017 07:59 AM
Rainmaker
7,869,880
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I like the advice provided by Kathleen Daniels

Feb 06, 2017 06:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,132
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I would work at finding a way to generate your own leads.

Feb 06, 2017 06:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,257
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

John Landskroener Face-to-face networking always works. Don't count on anyone giving you leads. The best leads are the ones you generate.

Feb 06, 2017 06:08 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Kathleen Daniels nailed this one!

Feb 06, 2017 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
5,115,873
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Create your own leads; build a business by referral. And what Kathleen Daniels said.

Feb 06, 2017 03:51 AM
Ambassador
5,062,995
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

There are some great suggestions below. I would focus on blogging here and perhaps your own WP site with IDX (I like DX Broker) and your sphere and past clients. Ditto on Nestor & Katerina Gasset  and @Tammy Emineth

Feb 05, 2017 05:23 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,934
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

So many great ideas here!

Feb 05, 2017 03:10 PM
Ambassador
6,423,485
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

This one can be the best, If You Use it.  But it does take dedication and continual blogging.

 

Feb 05, 2017 02:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,876
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

John, I use realtor.com to find Florida rental properties. I sendt out about one today and had two calls from REALTORS® in one minute, no kidding. They had assistants doing this but that's fine. I established the beginning of a relationship with one and if it turns out ok it will mean multiple sales. The point I want to make it is more about behavior than it is about the site.

Feb 05, 2017 02:13 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,177
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

no

Feb 05, 2017 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I would give the same advise that a brand new agent would get.

I would ask, "What do you have?"

If you have NOTHING, you are dependent on buying leads. If you can see what you have, now you have a message, promise and deliverable from which you can make a living.

Then refer to your business plan, where you have defined your preferred client and start walking the path towards them. Start walking the the way will become clear,

 

Feb 05, 2017 12:41 PM