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Homegain, any good for actual leads that turn into sales?

I have received a couple emails on this now and have to admit it is getting me curious. Anyone enjoying the "new" AgentEvaluator program?

In a tough market, I am all about pushing forward and have continued to do so. My website (http://www.stefanwest.com/) is stronger and better placed then 90% of my competitors. I continue to add to my business by go after loan traffic and referring it to lenders who in turn refer me business.

So I am definately about expanding and pushing harder in a down market. Due to loan conditions, I just assume that we need more contacts for each future sale since less qualify, etc.

But I have stayed clear of the Homegains of the world, finding that I can get leads on my own. However, at say $29.95 a month plus 27% (ouch) of the commission, it seems more fair and possible. Anyone have any success with this program? Any experience and insight would be great!

I am reading through it now but I don't think the leads are exclusive.

Stefan

Posted by Stefan West Temecula-Murrieta-Menifee CA Real Estate on 01/06/2008 10:57 AM

Comments (15)

homegain, lead generation, real estate leads, online leads, agent evaluator

15 Comments on Homegain, any good for actual leads that turn into sales?

JAN

2008

Stefan,

I have used Homegain off and on for some time, agent evaluator seems to be the only option that consistently produces rain, unfortunately it is very costly. Prior to the down turn I did not see any of the big names in my area using it today they are all over it.

Below is an picture of the top performers in my area,

Agent Name/ Company Name	Designations	Consumer Feedback	HomeGain Clients	Years of Experience	Commision	Proposal Date	Proposal Status	Email Agent
Francisco Palacios II Century 21 Superstars	<!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack--><!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack-->		63	7	5%%	01/05/2008		Contact
I'm Francisco Palacios II, Broker Associate with Century 21 Superstars. I'm ranked in the Top 1% of REALTORS® nationwi ... Read more
Rita Starr Park Place GMAC Real Estate	<!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack--><!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack-->		62	16	Negotiable	01/05/2008		Contact
Hello Homeowner on Albright, The time to sell is now!! Prices will continue to fall. Your home s ... Read more
Dan & Joy Blanding REMAX MASTERS	<!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack--><!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack-->		43	20	Negotiable	01/05/2008		Contact
Negotiable Commission Rates! Dan & Joy Blanding have been honored by Homegain for Ranking in the Top 50 Homegain Ag ... Read more
Mark Riddle Re/Max Masters	<!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack--><!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack-->		38	12	Discount%	01/05/2008	Reviewed	Contact
Dear Albright Homeowner, Hi! My name is Mark Riddle and I want to be the person to sell your home on Albright in Uplan ... Read more
Lili Daniali RE/MAX Champions	<!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack--><!--RFC4793 Agent ROOKIE hack-->		27	19	Negotiable	01/05/2008		Contact
DEAR Albrught HOMEOWNER, Would you like to be able to sell your home, GUARANTEED? Do you want an agent who knows ... Read more

Take care!

RJH

Hmmm I am tempted to try it out. I just am getting to that point where I have more technology and internet marketing then I can keep my fingers on. I could spend all day just keeping up :)!

Thanks for the info. I may well give this a try since it is a month to month type situation.

Stefan

I've noticed much more negative than positive opinion about purchased leads lately (in many fields, not just RE)--especially the ROI.

If you are looking for leads then I would use a company such as RealtyTrac to get leads. In 6 months I paid $600.00 but I got $3000.00 in commissions.

JAN

2008

If you are looking to buy referrals that will actually turn into sales, you need to take a look at my program. Go to realestateclientreferrals.com/moreinfo.php This site is a short, concise list of benefits of working with us and costs. I guarantee my referrals. I have a 90 day money back guarantee. And I have packages where I guarantee closings. I guarantee you will make money on those packages or you use the service for FREE until you do. Questions? Call Clint at 800-977-7058 and I will be happy to explain.

I have looked at a few over the years and without exception the ones I looked into and even two i signed up for all were basically junk. The leads I did get were generally lower quality, harder to work with and largely non-responsive and unrealistic. Did I close a few deals because of them...yes. BUT there are sooo many other ways to generate leads. I would guess if you are oriented to a high, aggressive, internet business plan, they might make more sense. however my business model is more oriented to one on one, referral and therefore they lose (lead capture companies) some appeal.

JAN

2008

Perrin,

I have to agree for the most part. When HouseValues.com, JustListed.com came out they kept calling and calling me. However, a little research with some agents that I knew were good and who had signed up, was all bad.

I did try this one service that looked different. I had to pay some money in advance and have yet to get a lead. So I am not too thrilled about that. I just wrote them and asked for my money back and their response was they would enhance the lead flow. Hmmm 0 + 0 is still 0, no?

Anyway, I think I will hold off. I know that Homegain is getting more established and may have market credibility. That is why I wanted to ask here since I don't mind a 27% referral fee for REAL referrals. I think I am going to need a lot more lead flow to prosper in this market. Too many of the ones I get are long term projects or low probability.

Which is too bad because I love where my market is right now!! I have tried to buy two homes just in the last two weeks!

Thanks for the info and responses everyone.

Stefan

JAN

2008

Hi My name is Peggy Aldinger and i am a Realtor in irvine Ca. I have had amazing results with all of the Homegain Products and was able to make over $90,000 in commissions my first year with Homegain and those commissions have steadily increased over the years. I owe over half my business to Homegain. i recommend it to every agent I come across. IT WORKS!!! Any one who says it doesn't isn't doing it right or wants to keep it their secret. As Realtors we should help each other. There is so much competition and not enough heart in this business. Trust me do yourself a favor and get on the homegain bandwagon! Peggy

Peggy Aldinger
REALTOR® -Epro -CEO
Cell : 714-454-2748
Fax : 714-908-9977
Office : 949-681-3808
Pacific Cove Realty & Loan
9891 Irvine Center Dr. suite 200
Irvine, Ca 92618
PeggyAldinger@aol.com
http://www.peggy4homes.com/

Consider in all the pro versus con comments about these services that the actual selling and, in particular, CLOSING skills of the REALTORS® is a HUGE factor in determining whether they'll comment favorably or not. If you can't close, no amount of leads will help-- whether they are strong leads or slightly less hot to execute a deal....

JAN

2008

My comment is for Chris Hendricks -- ABSOLUTELY!!! Bravo!

APR

2008

Homegain is definitely a better alternative than HouseValues or Juslisted. The leads are legit, you still have to work to get them though.

I had a little bit of luck with them in the past. I'm considering revisiting the service again also.

JUN

2008

Here are HomeGain 2007's top performers with Agent Evalutor. Some of the commissions earned by the top performers are very impressive

http://blog.homegain.com/2007-homegain-top-performers

OCT

Used HG, lost money but not too much, fired them. Have decided online lead generation models are not for me, Blogging brings better leads. I do use foreclosure.com though and am closing deals. Probably a sign of the times! At $20 a zip I can live with that per month. Everything else is a lot of money.

DEC

Thanks for all the comments. I have been seriously busy lately and haven't been online. I miss Active Rain! So I am back and will try to check in.

I think Homegain is the system when things are good or busy it will work for people. Additionally, those agents that are really committed to the process will succeed but will they succeed as much as agents that go a different method of marketing?

That is the rub. I have been working with a lot of internet based clients strictly using my own marketing efforts and no companies or bought leads. My business is solid right now but the work involved is not insignificant. However, I think the web is truly the future of our business. It will always be a people business first and foremost but to make it so, you have to get in front of the people!

The last year my internet marketing has really paid off and while the leads are tougher, they have been good and the major source of my transactions this year. In fact, I am expanding! So if you know agents looking for leads and business in the South Riverside County - Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Menifee, and North San Diego County - tell them to contact me.

Thanks for all the comments and I am glad to see Active Rain again!

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