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Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I have paid for both Zillow and Trulia here in Tucson, AZ and for whatever reason had a 10X BETTER ROI on Zillow.  I kid you not.  I have never paid for Realtor.com, but hear they are getting better.  I do allow to co-market with lender on Zillow, and pays for some of the cost.  I dont see better results, just that they have to pay to be on the same ad as I do, brings the cost down.   Zillow keeps raising their prices while diluting their "impressions" but to date, still worth the cost.  Hope this helps.   Spirit

Aug 08, 2015 02:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I would suggest a better use of that money by setting up either a Google adword campaign or Facebook ads.

Aug 08, 2015 05:37 AM
Rainmaker
784,786
The Woodland Team of Texas
The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX
Land Specialists

Blogging is better.

Oct 10, 2018 10:27 PM
Rainmaker
12,341
Michele Langley
Keller Williams-Cary - Clayton, NC
Your Raleigh, NC Realtor-Wake & Johnston County

Beware of Realtor.com, I am fighting them right now. I bought shared leads with was suppose to be with one other agent for less price. Knowing how quick I follow up, thought it would be good. They actually have sold same lead TO A WHOLE OFFICE where the leads are getting 6 calls. I have been at my phone, called immeditately over and over and they are already on the phone with someone. I would like to get a lawsuit going because they never disclosed that a whole office would be my competition. If anyone has had that trouble please let me know. 

Jan 10, 2017 04:25 PM
Rainer
140,560
Richard L. McKinney P.A.
Atlantic Shores Realty Expertise - Port St Lucie, FL
For Results that MOVE you on the Treasure Coast!

Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC 

Your success with zillow, trulia or realtor.com will be largely determined by the zip code you choose and the market share that you purchase.

Here is an example: a hot zip code in your area produces 200k "impressions" per month but there are several agents with large market shares in that area. This zip code is expensive and while it generates a lot of impressions, there is also a lot of competition from other realtors. 

Another zip code produces say 75k impressions per month and there is just one other agent competing. Taking say 50% of this business would most likely  be cheaper and produce better results that the busier zip code. 

These are the type of zip codes that I target. I go for the less expensive, higher market share and work the numbers game. Your rep will go over this information with you when you call.

I have been using zillow and trulia for about 6 months .... I'm having excellent results with Trulia this year in one zip code in particular. Zillow has fallen off considerably the last few months but it could be my market share in that zip code is too low and I getting lost in the agent shuffle. 

It is important that you stay in contact with your rep and try to get first dibs on the best zip code deals. 

I suggest that you start with zip code in each and look for the best value in zip codes. You will see results! good luck!

Aug 08, 2015 12:45 PM
Rainer
6,057
James Tan MBA
Bethany Real Estate & Investments - Elk Grove, CA
Broker/Realtor Bethany Real Estate & Investments

I agree with Michele.

DO NOT ADVERTIZE ON  REALTOR.COM

Originally, I was told that my leads are exclusive by the sales rep. However, when I called customer service, I was told it is shared with 2 other agents. 

Then I upgraded to unshared leads, and I was told I would get a refund. I never got the refund. 

 

Then the leads are mostly useless. Most of them are for manufactured (mobile) homes at a price point of 50-100k.

Michele said  she would like to get a lawsuit going. Well I am in for a class suit any time. They misrepresented their products, they do not honor a commitment made by their sales rep and customer care. It is the management which is rotten at realtor.com 

DO NOT DO BUSINESS with them. Just use your money somewhere else, like Google Adwords or even Yelp (even though the latter is very expensive).

Dec 14, 2018 02:44 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have done the Realtor.com ad thing. Can't track any business to it. I have co-marketed with a lender especially on open houses and listing promotions.

Mar 13, 2017 06:28 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

The only leads I get is from my own listing. After I see two or three other agents face on my own listings. Never saw them bring me an offer.

I have seen Redfin agents go together made an offer for their investment.

My thinking is save your money. 

Aug 20, 2015 02:16 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Paid for both with agents - never got any closed leads. Agents did close some leads from Zillow. You must have a business where you are at your computer to answer these leads within minutes of the email - or they move on to the next person.

 

Aug 10, 2015 07:52 AM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Gary. It is blogging, blogging  and blogging, the results continue to be amazing.

Aug 08, 2015 08:16 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Sunday morning Gary. Found this to be a very interesting question as there are a lot of agents in my area asking the same thing. I think that leads you generate on your own are better and you don't not have to split your commission with somebody else.

Aug 08, 2015 07:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Zillow and Realtor.com don't operate in Canada so there are no advantages in advertising on either of them.

Aug 08, 2015 05:11 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Gary, I think that you will get better quality leads that you create yourself through blogging.

 

Aug 08, 2015 04:49 PM
Rainmaker
666,539
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Gary - Without paying for leads from either Zillow or Realtor.com over the past couple of years, I can definitely say that the leads I receive on my listings via Realtor.com are much more valuable & serious than those from Zillow.

With that in mind, any investment that I would make would be geared towards Realtor.com over Zillow from my experience.  As for co-marketing arrangements, just make sure that the person that you pick is as professional as you are, since they will reflect back on you perceived value as a broker/agent in the community.

Please keep the community apprised of your results moving forward.

Aug 08, 2015 01:24 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC I would save my money and continue blogging.

Aug 08, 2015 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

I have not used Zillow advertising, but have never heard any positive results from agents that have.  I did try with Realtor.com and did not renew after the first year...poor results, not worth the money.

Aug 08, 2015 09:49 AM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Any of them will work as long as you have something to offer that will sell.

Aug 08, 2015 09:06 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Gary,

I really think it depends on your marketplace.  Our clients have gotten zilch from Zillow at $700 a month...Judging from the comments on your question, some have done well.  A

Aug 08, 2015 05:50 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,163
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Blogging for business works. However, it is a live dynamic always in a state of change meaning only those that book it for long term will be around.

Aug 08, 2015 05:45 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I think to get your money back you need to buy as many zip codes as you can on Zillow, I just had 2 and it was the biggest waste of money in my career. However I know someone that over time has bought every zip code in the area and is a top producer in the office only from Zillow. 

Seems if you put a lot of money in, you get a lot out. I prefer to do marketing I can control.

Aug 08, 2015 04:32 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Co-marketing with a lender does not improve results, only reduces the cost and confuses the consumer. 

As others have said, there is a solid argument for supporting the dark-side by giving them your money. However, when the dark-side begins the 'this is what you should pay for real estate services and mortgage services campaign," agents and mortgage brokers have only themselves to blame.  Their intent is $2,500 per transaction.  Even if they miss the goal by 100% the result will be significant.

Instead choose to spend your dollars outside of the dark-side influences and enable both the agent AND lender to create valid leads through offering the homeowner the control they really want.

 

Aug 08, 2015 03:37 AM
Rainmaker
639,280
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

I have paid for both Zillow and Realtor.com. Zillow is better but still not good enough to justify the cost in my area. Trulia has been a better ROI for me but that may be area specific. 

Aug 08, 2015 03:06 AM
Rainer
140,961
Daniel Seider
BTRE Big Trees Real Estate - Arnold, CA

I think you have to market on Zillow considering their presence at this time. Their marketing and presentation of listing is second to none. They have replaced us in the google searchs by us allowing them to market our listing. You will easily get back your marketing dollars from sales and market presence. 

Aug 08, 2015 02:00 AM