When we talk about the “top real estate lead generation companies,” what we’re really comparing isn’t just brand names. We’re comparing business models, risk profiles, how much work
In this guide, we’ll walk through the leading real estate lead generation companies, what they’re actually best at (buyer vs seller, exclusive vs shared, subscription vs pay‑at‑closing), what they really cost, and how to pick the right mix for where your business is right now.
How to Choose a Real Estate Lead Generation Company (Before You Look at Brands)
Before we compare specific providers, we always step back and look at the underlying lead generation model. Almost every real estate lead gen company you’ll see falls into one or more of these buckets:
- Subscription lead gen platforms (Market Leader, SmartZip, CINC, Ylopo, Real Geeks)
- Portal leads (Zillow Premier Agent & Flex, realtor.com/OpCity)
- Data & prospecting tools (REDX, Catalyze AI, Leadflow)
- Referral-fee, pay‑at‑closing networks (Sold.com, Zillow Flex, HomeLight, OpCity)
- IDX website + CRM platforms (Real Geeks, Sierra, MoxiWorks, AgentFire)
- AI-powered seller prediction & nurture (SmartZip, Catalyze AI, Ylopo)
On top of that, we always ask four questions before recommending any real estate lead generation company:
- Who owns the assets? Your ad accounts, website, audience, and CRM data are what make your business durable. Some vendors keep everything in their black box; others let you own it all.
- What lead types do they specialize in? Buyer vs seller, FSBO vs expired, predictive vs portal, off‑plan vs resale, etc.
- What’s the pricing model? Subscription, pay‑per‑lead, or pay‑at‑closing referral fee. That dramatically changes your cash flow and risk.
- How much “sweat” do you still need to bring? Even with AI‑powered real estate lead generation, the truth is you still need a follow‑up system, scripts, and discipline.
Quick Comparison Table: Top Real Estate Lead Generation Companies
| Company | Best For | Lead Type | Exclusivity | Pricing Model | Typical Monthly Cost |
| Market Leader | Plug‑and‑play buyer & seller leads + CRM | Online buyer & seller | Exclusive by ZIP | Subscription + optional PPL | $189–$400+ (6‑mo contract) |
| SmartZip | Predictive seller leads for geo farming | Likely sellers (predictive) | Non‑exclusive | Subscription | $500–$1,000+ (annual) |
| CINC | Teams needing full funnel (ads → IDX → CRM) | Buyer & seller | Exclusive to account | Subscription (includes ads) | $899–$1,500+/mo |
| Zillow Premier Agent | High‑intent buyer leads from portal | Buyer (some seller) | Shared | Pay‑per‑lead / budget | $20–$60+ per lead (varies by ZIP) |
| Zillow Flex | Pay‑at‑closing buyer & some seller | Buyer & seller | Shared routing | Referral fee | ~25–35% of GCI |
| Real Geeks | Affordable all‑in‑one IDX + CRM + lead gen | Buyer & seller from PPC/social | Leads to your site (effectively yours) | Subscription + ad spend | $399–$499/mo + PPC |
| Ylopo | AI‑driven nurture + multi‑channel ads | Buyer & seller + database re‑engage | Exclusive to your brand | Subscription + ad spend | $395+/mo + PPC |
| REDX | FSBO/expired/FRBO/pre‑foreclosure data | Seller (cold prospecting) | Data non‑exclusive | Subscription (by list type) | $39–$166/mo + optional dialer |
| Sold.com | Seller referrals, pay‑at‑closing | Seller (some buyer) | Exclusive per opportunity | Referral fee | 30–35% of GCI on close |
| Gigabpo | Custom, human‑verified lead campaigns | Investors, buyers, sellers (B2B heavy) | Exclusive or semi‑exclusive | Custom retainer | Custom (team/broker oriented) |
| MoxiWorks | Brokerage CRM + marketing stack | Sphere, listing, follow‑up | N/A (system vs lead vendor) | Licensing / subscription | Broker-level pricing |
| Zurple | Automated follow‑up on PPC buyer leads | Buyer (PPC‑driven) | To your site | Subscription + ads | Varies; similar to Real Geeks range |
| Catalyze AI | Inherited property / probate sellers | Niche seller | Data non‑exclusive | Subscription / data access | Niche pricing |
1. Market Leader – Guaranteed Exclusive Leads + Full-Service Marketing Suite
Best for: Agents and small teams who want an all‑in‑one lead generation platform with exclusive leads and are okay with a contract.
Market Leader is the classic example of a “done‑for‑you” real estate lead generation company that combines several pieces in one place:
- Exclusive buyer and seller leads by ZIP code
- A built‑in CRM for real estate agents
- Lead capture forms and home search landing pages
- Email, SMS, and print marketing automation
- Done‑for‑you online advertising campaigns
Their big promise is predictable monthly lead flow: they’ll guarantee you a minimum number of exclusive leads every month in your territory.
Lead types & quality:
- Online buyer and seller leads from PPC, portals, and display
- Mid‑ to high‑funnel: some people are ready now; many need long‑term nurture
- Leads are exclusive to you in your assigned ZIP codes
Pricing & terms:
- Advertised “from $189/mo,” but more realistically in the ~$99–$400+ range depending on market and package
- Subscription model with optional pay‑per‑lead add‑ons
- Typically 6‑month minimum contract, no true free trial
Where Market Leader shines:
- You don’t need to build your own PPC or Facebook Ads: they handle the campaigns.
- You get a CRM + basic marketing automation instead of duct‑taping tools.
- Because leads are exclusive, you’re not fighting 10 other agents on every inquiry.
Trade‑offs to understand:
- You’re committing to a contract, so you can’t just “try it for 30 days and see.”
- Lead responsiveness varies by market and campaign; your follow‑up skills are still the main lever.
- You’re renting a pipeline: they control the ad engine and lead flow.
Who we recommend it for: newer to mid‑career solo agents and small teams who want a straightforward way to buy real estate leads and don’t want to manage all the tech. If you’re willing to work the leads consistently, Market Leader can be a solid starting point.
2. SmartZip – Predictive Analytics for High-Intent Seller Leads
Best for: Listing agents and farming specialists who want to dominate specific neighborhoods with predictive seller data.
SmartZip is one of the earliest predictive analytics platforms for real estate lead generation. Instead of giving you classic “hand‑raise” leads, they mine data (ownership length, equity, demographics, local behavior) and score homeowners on their likelihood to sell.
What SmartZip includes:
- Predictive seller scores for homeowners in your chosen farm area
- A seller‑focused CRM with owner contact data
- Instant home valuation landing pages
- Multichannel marketing: Google/Facebook Ads, email, and direct mail campaigns
- Geo‑farming tools so you can stay top‑of‑mind in specific ZIP codes
Lead types & quality:
- Seller‑side, high‑intent prospects over the next 6–18 months
- Not warm inbound leads; they are data‑driven “likely sellers” you still need to contact
- Extremely powerful if you’re disciplined with follow‑up and farming
Pricing & terms:
- Often starts around $500/mo, with many agents spending $1,000+/mo including ad spend
- Annual contracts are common
- Leads are not exclusive—other agents can target the same homes
Where SmartZip excels:
- Hyperlocal, geo‑targeted lead generation where inventory is tight
- Agents who already work a farm and want to level it up with data science
- Predictive seller lead generation for listing‑heavy business models
Trade‑offs to understand:
- SmartZip is not a “quick win” for closings next month; it’s a long‑term farming play.
- You still must call, mail, door‑knock, and follow up like clockwork.
- Because leads are non‑exclusive, your advantage is your consistency, not access alone.
Who we recommend it for: experienced listing agents or teams who are serious about geographic farming and can be patient enough to let the predictive model pay off over 6–12+ months.
3. CINC – All-In-One Paid Lead Engine for Teams & High Producers
Best for: Teams and high‑volume solo agents wanting an end‑to‑end lead generation system with built‑in accountability.
CINC (Commissions Inc) is a true all‑in‑one real estate lead generation platform: it combines managed PPC, IDX websites, CRM, and automation.
What CINC offers:
- Done‑for‑you Google Ads and Facebook Ads campaigns for buyer and seller leads
- IDX real estate websites and listing landing pages
- AI‑enhanced CRM with texting, email automation, and nurture plans
- Team‑level features: lead routing, activity tracking, performance dashboards
- Optional seller tools like cash‑offer campaigns and Google Local Services Ads
Lead types & quality:
- Buyer and seller leads across different funnels (search, social, valuation tools)
- Leads are exclusive to your account: they’re not shared with other CINC clients in your market
- Quality depends on your market and budget, but the system is built for volume + nurture
Pricing & terms:
- Solo agents from roughly $899/mo; teams from $1,500+/mo
- 6‑month contracts are common
- Advertising is typically bundled into your CINC pricing
Strengths:
- Single vendor for lead gen, IDX, and CRM, which simplifies your tech stack.
- Serious team features: round‑robin routing, accountability, and ROI tracking.
- High lead volume potential, especially for teams with ISAs or calling support.
Trade‑offs:
- High monthly nut—this is not a starter platform for new agents.
- You still need a trained team to call, text, and nurture leads or you’ll waste the volume.
- It’s not modular; you can’t cherry‑pick just the CRM or just the ads.
Who we recommend it for: teams and brokerages who are doing consistent production and want a scalable, all‑in‑one real estate lead gen platform to fuel growth.
4. Zillow Premier Agent & Zillow Flex – Portal Leads Compared
Best for: Agents who want portal‑driven buyer leads and are ready to compete on speed‑to‑lead and follow‑up.
Zillow is still the 800‑pound gorilla of online real estate search. Between Zillow Premier Agent and Zillow Flex, they cover both pay‑per‑lead and pay‑at‑closing models.
Zillow Premier Agent (ZPA)
What it is: Paid advertising on Zillow’s portal. You choose ZIP codes, budget, and how prominently you appear as a Premier Agent.
How it works:
- Your info appears on listings and in home search results.
- Buyer inquiries are routed to you and other agents in your ZIP.
- You manage leads in Zillow’s CRM or forward them into your own CRM.
Lead characteristics:
- High‑intent buyer leads (they’re actively clicking on specific homes).
- Leads are often shared or competitively routed; speed matters.
- Conversion depends heavily on your immediate phone/text response and scripts.
Pricing:
- Roughly $20–$60+ per lead, but varies widely with ZIPs, competition, and price points.
- Month‑to‑month or short contracts, but budget minimums often apply.
Zillow Flex
What it is: Zillow’s referral‑fee model: no upfront cost, you pay a percentage of GCI on closed deals.
How it works:
- Zillow sends you buyer and some seller leads from their funnel.
- You work the leads; if a closing happens, you pay a referral fee.
- Flex is invite‑only in many markets; Zillow vets agents by performance.
Pricing:
- About 25–35% of gross commission income (GCI) per closing.
- No monthly subscription or upfront ad spend.
What we like and don’t like about Zillow:
- Pros: Massive consumer reach, high‑intent buyer inquiries, and with Flex, no upfront risk.
- Cons: Shared leads create a speed‑to‑lead arms race; costs in hot ZIPs can be painful; Zillow controls the rules and can change them quickly.
Who we recommend it for: agents who are strong on the phone, ready to respond within minutes, and willing to keep an eye on ROI at the cost per closing level. Zillow can be excellent while you’re also building your own PPC, SEO, and database systems.
5. Real Geeks – Affordable All-in-One IDX + CRM + Lead Gen
Best for: Solo agents and small teams who want a cost‑effective, all‑in‑one platform where they can run their own PPC and Facebook Ads.
Real Geeks is often lumped into “lead gen companies,” but it’s more accurate to call it an all‑in‑one lead capture and marketing suite with optional done‑for‑you ad services.
Key features:
- IDX‑integrated, conversion‑focused real estate websites
- Built‑in CRM with basic automation and saved search alerts
- Lead capture landing pages and home valuation tools
- Optional AI chatbot and mobile app to engage visitors
- Managed PPC campaigns (Google/Facebook) or self‑serve Facebook Ad Tool
Lead types & quality:
- Buyer and seller leads from Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and organic traffic
- Leads come through your site, so while they’re not “portal exclusive,” they’re effectively your own
- Quality depends a lot on your targeting and ad creative
Pricing & terms:
- From ~$399/mo (two users, 12‑month contract) or $499/mo with a 6‑month term
- Ad budget is separate; many agents start with a few hundred dollars and scale up
Strengths:
- Very strong value for an all‑in‑one: IDX site + CRM + marketing automation.
- Designed to convert PPC traffic effectively with registration prompts.
- Flexible: you can run your own ads or outsource to a PPC specialist.
Limitations:
- Built‑in CRM is good for many agents but can feel limited once you’re managing a large database and multiple lead sources.
- AI and predictive analytics are more basic compared to specialized tools like Ylopo or SmartZip.
Who we recommend it for: agents and small teams who want a predictable monthly bill, an IDX website they own, and the ability to layer on Google/Facebook PPC either themselves or via a partner agency.
6. Ylopo – AI-Powered Real Estate Lead Generation & Conversion
Best for: Teams and tech‑savvy agents who want to leverage AI for both new leads and database reactivation.
Ylopo positions itself as an AI‑driven real estate lead gen and nurture platform. It blends PPC, social ads, IDX, and artificial intelligence to generate and convert leads.
Core components:
- Custom‑branded IDX website and dynamic home search
- Home valuation landing pages for seller lead capture
- Advanced Google, Facebook, and Instagram PPC/retargeting campaigns
- AI text and AI voice assistants that follow up with new and old leads 24/7
- Database reactivation campaigns to revive “dead” leads in your CRM
Lead types & quality:
- Buyer and seller leads from digital campaigns
- High‑funnel to mid‑funnel leads that are gradually warmed up by AI
- “Old” leads from your database re‑engaged and converted into appointments
Pricing & terms:
- Packages often start around $395/mo plus ad spend
- 6‑month minimum terms are common
What Ylopo does extremely well:
- Automated follow‑up at scale—especially via AI text and voice.
- Turning long‑ignored database contacts into fresh conversations.
- Giving teams a powerful marketing engine that runs alongside their existing CRM.
Trade‑offs:
- You still need humans to take over once the AI warms up a lead.
- You should be comfortable with automation and willing to tune workflows.
- Total monthly investment (platform + ads) can add up quickly at scale.
Who we recommend it for: mid‑sized to large teams and brokerages, or solo agents who are already generating leads and want to dramatically improve follow‑up and long‑term nurture using AI.
7. REDX – Prospecting Data for FSBOs, Expireds, FRBO & Preforeclosure
Best for: Agents who are willing to trade time and phone skills for inexpensive, high‑margin seller leads.
REDX isn’t a traditional “lead gen company” that runs ads. It’s a data and prospecting platform that gives you lists of property owners who are likely open to listing conversations.
Data and tools REDX provides:
- FSBO (For Sale By Owner) leads
- Expired listing leads
- FRBO (For Rent By Owner) leads for investors and accidental landlords
- Pre‑foreclosure leads
- Geo‑farming neighborhood data
- DNC‑scrubbed phone numbers and emails
- Vortex lead manager and optional power dialer
Lead types & quality:
- Mostly seller‑side opportunities; many are initially cold or skeptical
- Huge upside if you’re good at scripts and consistent daily calling
- Non‑exclusive—other agents can call the same FSBOs and expireds
Pricing & terms:
- Individual lead types from about $39–$99/mo each
- Bundles (multiple lead types + Vortex CRM) around $166/mo
- Power dialer upgrades around $99/mo
- Month‑to‑month: no long contracts
Why REDX belongs in the “top companies” conversation:
- It’s one of the highest‑ROI ways to get new listings if you’re willing to dial.
- Cost per opportunity is a fraction of typical PPC or portal lead pricing.
- It plugs directly into your prospecting systems and CRM workflows.
Who we recommend it for: newer agents with more time than money, and experienced agents who want to layer FSBO/expired/FRBO into an already busy listing pipeline.
8. Sold.com – Seller-Focused Pay-at-Closing Referral Leads
Best for: Agents who want seller leads with no upfront costs and are comfortable paying a referral fee at closing.
Sold.com is a consumer‑facing portal that educates homeowners on their options for selling (traditional listing, iBuyer, investor, etc.) and then matches them with local agents in its network.
How Sold.com works:
- Homeowners answer a questionnaire about their selling goals.
- Sold.com consults with them and recommends a path (often including an agent).
- Qualified sellers are matched with local partner agents exclusively.
- Agents pay a referral fee only if the lead closes.
Lead types & quality:
- Seller‑side leads are the primary focus, with some buyer referrals.
- Leads are usually high‑intent—they’ve raised their hand to explore options.
- Each lead is exclusive to one partner agent for that opportunity.
Pricing model:
- No subscription or setup fee to join.
- Referral fee in the range of ~30–35% of GCI on closed transactions.
Who we recommend it for: agents who are light on marketing cash but strong at converting listing appointments. It’s a solid way to add seller deals with no monthly risk, as long as you’re okay with a thinner net commission.
9. Gigabpo – Human-Verified Custom Lead Generation Campaigns
Best for: Brokerages and teams that need bespoke, human‑verified real estate leads, especially for investors and B2B campaigns.
Gigabpo sits in a slightly different category: it’s a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm that runs customized outreach campaigns, often for real estate companies that need more than generic portal or PPC leads.
What Gigabpo typically does:
- Custom B2C or B2B lead generation campaigns for buyers, sellers, and investors
- Human‑verified lead lists, including phone and email
- Geo‑targeted lead generation in specific cities, ZIP codes, or regions
- Compliance focus: DNC/TCPA‑compliant processes and data scrubbing
Lead types:
- Investor leads for off‑plan projects and income‑producing property
- High‑net‑worth buyer leads for luxury inventory
- Seller leads for brokerages expanding into new ZIP codes or markets
Pricing & positioning:
- Custom pricing based on scope and volume requirements
- Typically a fit for teams and brokerages, not solo agents dabbling in paid leads
- Leads can be exclusive or semi‑exclusive depending on contract
Who we recommend it for: larger brokerages or teams who already have an internal sales machine (ISAs, CRMs, calling scripts) and want a reliable, human‑verified data source instead of just portal or PPC leads.
10. MoxiWorks, Zurple & Catalyze AI – Specialized Platforms Worth Knowing
MoxiWorks – Brokerage-Level CRM & Marketing Stack
Best for: Brokerages that want a unified CRM and marketing system across their agents, with tools for SOI, listing presentations, and automation.
MoxiWorks is less a “lead vendor” and more a full ecosystem:
- CRM with ongoing sphere and past‑client nurturing
- Listing presentation and CMA tools
- Task plans and marketing campaigns tied to listings and contacts
- Integrations with MLS data and partner lead vendors
We see MoxiWorks as the backbone for a brokerage that then plugs in paid real estate lead gen providers like CINC, Ylopo, or portals.
Best for: Solo agents and small teams who want automated, behavior‑driven follow‑up on IDX buyer leads.
Zurple focuses on:
- Driving buyer leads using PPC on Google and other networks
- Tracking user behavior on your IDX site (searches, saves, property views)
- Sending highly personalized emails based on that behavior (e.g., “Hi Sarah, I saw you looked at 3‑bed homes in X neighborhood…”)
It’s a strong option if you’re mostly buyer‑heavy and want a system to do the heavy lifting on nurture once leads are in your pipeline.
Catalyze AI – Inherited Property & Probate Seller Leads
Best for: Agents specializing in inherited property, estates, and probate real estate.
Catalyze AI mines public and proprietary data to flag likely inherited or probate properties and the decision‑makers tied to them. These are some of the most motivated, yet sensitive, seller segments in the market.
Conversion here isn’t about slick sales scripts; it’s about patient, consultative conversations. If you’re already in that niche, Catalyze AI is one of the better data sources you can plug into your prospecting stack.
11. Matching Lead Gen Companies to Agent Type & Experience
We rarely recommend the same real estate lead gen company to a brand‑new agent and a mega‑team. Your chapter matters as much as the vendor.
New Agents (0–2 Years, Limited Budget)
Your priorities: cash flow, reps on the phone, and building a database.
- Start with low‑cost, high‑effort seller leads: REDX (FSBO, expired, FRBO) and aggressive open houses.
- Layer in pay‑at‑closing referral programs: Zillow Flex, Sold.com, OpCity/HomeLight/etc. where available.
- If you can afford a subscription, consider Market Leader or Real Geeks for a basic all‑in‑one platform and some paid real estate leads for agents.
The goal here isn’t to have the fanciest system; it’s to generate appointments cheaply while you build sales and follow‑up skills that will later make expensive leads profitable.
Mid-Career Agents (10–30 Deals/Year, Some Marketing Budget)
Your priorities: predictability, better quality leads, and owning your own pipeline.
- For buyers and mixed business, we’d look at Real Geeks or Sierra‑style IDX paired with strong PPC (either DIY or with a specialist agency).
- For more listings, combine SmartZip (predictive sellers) with REDX for FSBO/expireds and maybe Sold.com for pay‑at‑closing seller referrals.
- If you’re sitting on a big list of cold leads, strongly consider Ylopo to re‑engage your database with AI.
This is where we really focus on ROI: your cost per closing from each lead gen company, not just your cost per lead.
Teams & Brokerages (50+ Deals/Year)
Your priorities: scale, consistency, recruiting story, and agent profitability.
- Use a full‑service platform like CINC or Ylopo as your central lead engine (ads → IDX → CRM/AI → agent).
- Supplement with Zillow Premier Agent/Flex and selected referral networks where ROI justifies it.
- For brokerage‑wide systems, layer in MoxiWorks for CRM and listing marketing or a similar enterprise platform.
- Consider Gigabpo for custom, human‑verified campaigns if you have ISAs ready to convert appointments.
At this level, you’re running a portfolio of lead sources and watching profit per agent and profit per lead source closely.
12. Exclusive vs Shared Leads, Subscription vs Pay-at-Closing
Many of the “top real estate lead generation companies” in any list will differ less by their marketing copy and more by their lead economics. Two of the biggest axes:
Exclusive vs Shared Leads
- Exclusive leads (Market Leader, many Ylopo/CINC campaigns, Sold.com, some Gigabpo campaigns) mean you’re the only agent getting that contact from the vendor. Your competition is whoever else reaches them from other channels or locally.
- Shared leads (Zillow Premier Agent, some portal leads, referral networks with rotation) mean you’re competing with other agents who got the same inquiry. Conversion hinges on speed‑to‑lead and follow‑up quality.
We generally like exclusive leads if the cost per closing is reasonable. That said, shared leads can be very profitable for agents with strong inside sales skills.
Subscription vs Pay-at-Closing vs Pay-Per-Lead
- Subscription models (Market Leader, SmartZip, CINC, Ylopo, Real Geeks, REDX) require you to bet on your own ability to convert. They can be extremely profitable over time, but you carry risk.
- Pay‑per‑lead (Zillow Premier Agent and some portal vendors) lets you flex your budget more easily, but lead quality and price can swing a lot by ZIP and competition.
- Pay‑at‑closing (Zillow Flex, Sold.com, HomeLight, OpCity, etc.) spreads your risk: no monthly bill, but large referral fees reduce your net commission. These are great as a supplement, especially early in your career.
13. Are Top Real Estate Lead Generation Companies Worth It? (ROI Reality Check)
Whether paid real estate leads are “worth it” comes down to one metric: cost per closing.
To keep things simple, let’s use an example we often walk teams through:
- Average commission per side: $10,000
- Lead conversion rate: 3% (you close 3 deals per 100 leads)
If you pay $300 per lead, 100 leads cost you $30,000. At a 3% conversion rate, that’s 3 closings bringing in $30,000 in GCI. Your gross ROI is 1:1—not worth it once you include time, splits, and operating costs. But if you pay $100 per lead, those same 100 leads cost $10,000 and still produce 3 deals, so your gross ROI is 3:1. That’s workable.
In practice, we see cost per lead and conversion benchmarks like this across companies:
- Portal buyer leads (Zillow, realtor.com): $20–$150+ per lead, 1–4% conversion if worked well.
- PPC‑generated leads (CINC, Ylopo, Real Geeks, Asterix‑style campaigns): $8–$40 per lead, 1–3% conversion.
- FSBO/expired/FRBO via REDX: pennies per contact, but conversion is a pure function of your call volume and skill.
- Referral networks (Flex, Sold.com, OpCity, etc.): effectively 25–40% of GCI per closing; lead volume and quality vary widely by market.
The top agents and teams who consistently win with paid real estate lead generation companies tend to have these in common:
- They respond to new leads within minutes.
- They use a real CRM (Follow Up Boss, MoxiWorks, CINC, Ylopo, etc.).
- They run automated SMS/email drip campaigns for at least 6–12 months.
- They track source‑level ROI down to cost per closing, not just cost per lead.
14. Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate Lead Gen Companies
What’s the best real estate lead generation company for new agents?
We generally suggest a mix rather than one vendor:
- Use REDX for inexpensive seller opportunities (FSBO, expireds, FRBO).
- Opt into pay‑at‑closing networks like Zillow Flex, Sold.com, OpCity, or HomeLight where available.
- Add an affordable all‑in‑one like Market Leader or Real Geeks when you can comfortably cover the subscription.
Which company is best for seller leads?
For seller‑focused real estate lead generation, our short list is:
- SmartZip for predictive seller leads in farm areas.
- REDX for FSBO, expired, FRBO, and pre‑foreclosure lead lists.
- Sold.com for pay‑at‑closing seller referrals.
- Catalyze AI for inherited property and probate sellers.
- Ylopo for database reactivation and seller‑focused campaigns.
Are paid real estate leads worth it for solo agents?
They can be, if you:
- Have at least a few thousand dollars you can dedicate over several months.
- Are committed to calling, texting, and emailing every lead consistently.
- Use a CRM to track your follow‑up and conversion rate.
If you’re brand new, broke, and hoping a vendor will “save” your business, most paid real estate lead gen services will feel disappointing. In that case, REDX plus open houses, your sphere, and no‑upfront‑cost networks are usually a better starting point.
Should I build my own lead system or rely on lead gen companies?
We like a hybrid approach:
- Short term: use portals, referral networks, and subscription lead gen companies to generate deals and cash flow.
- Medium term: invest in assets you own (your website, CRM, database, Google PPC account, YouTube or social content).
- Long term: rely more on repeat/referral, SEO, and content, with paid lead vendors as supplemental fuel.
15. Putting It All Together: Sample Stacks by Budget & Focus
Budget-Conscious, Buyer-Heavy Solo Agent
- Primary: Zillow Flex or similar pay‑at‑closing network (no upfront cost).
- Seller side: REDX for FSBO/expired (two hours of calls daily).
- When cash allows: Real Geeks starter plan + a modest Google Ads budget.
Listing-Focused Mid-Career Agent
- Primary sellers: SmartZip for predictive seller leads in 1–2 farms.
- Supplemental sellers: REDX FSBO + expired; Sold.com for pay‑at‑closing seller referrals.
- Long‑term nurture: A strong CRM plus automated email/SMS follow‑up for all leads.
Growth-Oriented Team or Brokerage
- Core engine: CINC or Ylopo running PPC + social + IDX + CRM/AI.
- Supplemental volume: Zillow Premier Agent/Flex in high‑ROI ZIPs; selected referral networks like HomeLight or OpCity.
- Data & prospecting: REDX + possibly Gigabpo or Catalyze AI for more targeted seller and investor leads.
- Brokerage system: MoxiWorks or similar for agent‑wide CRM and marketing.
16. Next Step: Choose 1–3 Companies, Then Build the Follow-Up Machine
The biggest mistake we see is agents signing up for five different real estate lead generation services at once and giving none of them the follow‑up they deserve.
A better approach is to:
- Pick one or two lead gen companies that match your budget and target clients (e.g., SmartZip + REDX for sellers, Real Geeks + Zillow Flex for mixed business).
- Implement a real CRM and automation stack so no lead gets lost.
- Commit to a 6–12‑month window where you track every lead source all the way to cost per closing.
Once you know your numbers, it becomes very clear which “top real estate lead generation companies” are truly best for you—and which ones are just noise.