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Answers (15)
Best Answer
- Chris O'Connor, "CallChrisToday"
- Contributions:269
I always Google the phone numbers and email addresses of all leads right before calling or emailing them. Once in a while you'll find that they aren't real leads, but are merely email harvesters and spammers. But this isn't Zillow's fault by any means. You just have to know that a certain percentage of leads that come in will actually be people trying to sell YOU something.
- Angie Boggeman, "angie boggeman"
- Contributions:469
Even with "warm" leads it is a numbers game. Does not necessarily Jean that the leads are fake. This is where we show are salesmanship.
- KristenDaileyRE
- Contributions:51
Im still hoping!
- Call The Sisters, "Call The Sisters"
- Contributions:373
I get people asking about properties which are not listed all the time. Out of 4 we have gotten recently two are currently touring properties with us. One will be ready next month. One is yet to be converted.
What you know when you get a lead - you have an interested buyer. It's up to you to try to convert them and establish a relationship with them. The lead is just that. Not a guaranteed sale.
What you know when you get a lead - you have an interested buyer. It's up to you to try to convert them and establish a relationship with them. The lead is just that. Not a guaranteed sale.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
Chris -
I'm a bit baffled about you using Google to look up E-mail addresses and phone numbers.
It seems like a good white pages electronic phone book would be a better choice for the phone numbers, but even then, it often won't tell you whose it is or the address... without paying a fee, especially if it is a cell phone.
And sure, my business E-mail is found by a search and points to all kinds of directories, and my long time personal E-mail is found by a search with references to documents sent to the city and other organizations... But my hot-mail and gmail... accounts don't show up in a search. So do you just search for the domain to make sure they actually provide an E-mail server?
Certainly, other E-mail accounts for other people at my business don't show up in the searches either.
So, what are you looking for in the search?
I used to manage some printed directories for some social groups; reprinting about 3 times a year, about 600 people total. E-mail was fairly new then and only about 10 to 15% had them; but it was printed in the directory for those that wished to provide it. But many had no clue how to write their E-mail address properly, or in some cases legibly. I would occasionally check that the domain really existed; but beyond that, it was their problem if people couldn't contact them by E-mail. I always distributed "proof" copies 3 times before printing so that people could correct their own info if I had read it wrong. If people left out the "@" sign, I typically was able to figure that part out and put it where it belonged.
I'm a bit baffled about you using Google to look up E-mail addresses and phone numbers.
It seems like a good white pages electronic phone book would be a better choice for the phone numbers, but even then, it often won't tell you whose it is or the address... without paying a fee, especially if it is a cell phone.
And sure, my business E-mail is found by a search and points to all kinds of directories, and my long time personal E-mail is found by a search with references to documents sent to the city and other organizations... But my hot-mail and gmail... accounts don't show up in a search. So do you just search for the domain to make sure they actually provide an E-mail server?
Certainly, other E-mail accounts for other people at my business don't show up in the searches either.
So, what are you looking for in the search?
I used to manage some printed directories for some social groups; reprinting about 3 times a year, about 600 people total. E-mail was fairly new then and only about 10 to 15% had them; but it was printed in the directory for those that wished to provide it. But many had no clue how to write their E-mail address properly, or in some cases legibly. I would occasionally check that the domain really existed; but beyond that, it was their problem if people couldn't contact them by E-mail. I always distributed "proof" copies 3 times before printing so that people could correct their own info if I had read it wrong. If people left out the "@" sign, I typically was able to figure that part out and put it where it belonged.
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1500
HI Kristen,
Did you ask the two that were interested in homes that were sold what they were looking for so you show them homes that are for sale? This is no different than before the internet. Think back to folks who would tell you there was a home for sale, they saw driving by it. You look it up on the MLS and see it's pending.
Good luck with future contacts!
.
Did you ask the two that were interested in homes that were sold what they were looking for so you show them homes that are for sale? This is no different than before the internet. Think back to folks who would tell you there was a home for sale, they saw driving by it. You look it up on the MLS and see it's pending.
Good luck with future contacts!
.
- KristenDaileyRE
- Contributions:51
I have contacted the 4 people who have contacted me - 2 asked about properties that were already sold and one told me never mind she was going to wait.
I am thinking these are fake leads also which is how I came across this topic.
The jury is out.
I just dont know. It is very likely I will be canceling as this seems like a hoax.
I am thinking these are fake leads also which is how I came across this topic.
The jury is out.
I just dont know. It is very likely I will be canceling as this seems like a hoax.
- Saving $1000s Sanson
- Contributions:104
Some say the leads are fake. If you are not happy with the leads- then keep searching. HomeGain offers a great way to get leads. You get a ton of them and then you have to let them grow into clients. I use them Arizona homes for sale and they are one of my best sources of leads. I almost swear by them, but to each is their own. My other source of leads comes right from Bing. I design everything for Bing and they load me up with visitors looking for HUD homes for sale. Blogging I have not nailed one single lead from there, so I do it to just do it, because I want that one lead- you know to pay myself back for all of that time. How many great players actually blog? SEO- I tried and tried it and it is alive, so honestly it is a waste of time. Between these two sites I am busy enough. I use a little Zillow, but it is not my nut and it cost a lot of money for some to play with it. I will keep using them. I just do not think it is for everybody. The leads are looking for information and not for homes to buy.
- Marc Montgomery, "Home Bargain Planet"
- Contributions:4
So far nobody has called me back. Maybe because I just started here in Zillow giving it a test run.
- Chris O'Connor, "CallChrisToday"
- Contributions:269
Kamil, I get plenty of those type of leads too. It is hard not to prejudge them, but you ought to follow up on all of them quickly. Some of those people are wanting to relocate or they already did relocate and they kept their old cell phone number.
But some are indeed telemarketers and once you call them they will try to sell you something. Today someone named Tyler called me with a really bubbly and positive telemarketer attitude. LOL He said, "I've been helping Realtors generate massive amounts of business..." I cut him off and told him I am trying to cut down on business right now and please don't call me again.
But some are indeed telemarketers and once you call them they will try to sell you something. Today someone named Tyler called me with a really bubbly and positive telemarketer attitude. LOL He said, "I've been helping Realtors generate massive amounts of business..." I cut him off and told him I am trying to cut down on business right now and please don't call me again.
- Kamil Andrukiewicz, "homesbykamil.com"
- Contributions:57
No I understand, I am not blaming zillow itself, but it's just weird I would get requests from numbers in Alabama and Texas, and no responses from them once I would try to contact that party, I am still however waiting for a zillow payday, once that happens I have no problem buying more zip codes, I just need to see it work for me!
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1500
Hi Kamil,
So you are saying you email people back, and the email is bouncing? I noticed you had a lead today for an undisclosed property address. Good Luck!
Connie has the right attitude, if you get a contact for a home that is not for sale, offer to send them the current MLS list of properties that meet their parameters.
This is actually nothing new for the industry. Remember (pre-Zillow) when people would say..."oooh...I saw a home for sale down the street, can we schedule a showing?"
Agent looks up address in the MLS, only to see it's "Pending" status.
We don't send "fake" leads, there would be no advantage to do so. All leads come straight from the consumer.
I'm here if you have any questions.
So you are saying you email people back, and the email is bouncing? I noticed you had a lead today for an undisclosed property address. Good Luck!
Connie has the right attitude, if you get a contact for a home that is not for sale, offer to send them the current MLS list of properties that meet their parameters.
This is actually nothing new for the industry. Remember (pre-Zillow) when people would say..."oooh...I saw a home for sale down the street, can we schedule a showing?"
Agent looks up address in the MLS, only to see it's "Pending" status.
We don't send "fake" leads, there would be no advantage to do so. All leads come straight from the consumer.
I'm here if you have any questions.
- Marc Montgomery, "Home Bargain Planet"
- Contributions:4
So far I have received one lead and when I called I left a message and he has yet to return my call. I will call him tomorrow and maybe I will be pleased to have a real lead. Stay tuned folks!
- ConnieK_Oklahoma
- Contributions:2899
I've gotten more good ones than bad ones. as for properties that aren't for sale, those are typically problems with agents that don't update the listing after a sale, withdrawal or expiration or they don't update the feed source- but you can always turn that into an opportunity. Sometimes the property was never listed and a person was just confused thinking the zestimate was a sale price. But you still make contact and straighten that out because they are still a potential buyer. Sometimes they give a real email and fake phone, just try both means to contact them. zillow doesn't screen them- they come straight to you so you get the real ones with the fake. Lately I've gotten more direct phone calls than web requests. It's more good that bad.
- Kevin Olson, Jessica Laude, "Higher Living Team"
- Contributions:1954
Hello Kamil,
I wouldn't necessarily say they are fake leads sent by Zillow. It's quite possible people are putting in fake emails, and/or asking questions about properties that might not be for sale. I'm sure if you contact your rep at Zillow it can be explained, but I think the company is above doing that. Even on our own websites people put in false information, but I don't think Zillow is causing it. Hopefully some leads will work out for you soon. All the best, Kevin.
I wouldn't necessarily say they are fake leads sent by Zillow. It's quite possible people are putting in fake emails, and/or asking questions about properties that might not be for sale. I'm sure if you contact your rep at Zillow it can be explained, but I think the company is above doing that. Even on our own websites people put in false information, but I don't think Zillow is causing it. Hopefully some leads will work out for you soon. All the best, Kevin.
Zillow sending fake leads?
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