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Organic social media traffic. Community events. SEO. Between leveraging your personal network, filming YouTube videos and even the unpleasant task of cold prospecting, real estate professionals today wear all the hats. In one moment, you may be a content creator, and in the next, a customer service agent, administrative assistant, marketing strategist, copywriter and editor — all in one.
Yet, in a competitive real estate market, agents don’t always have the luxury of investing months into long-term brand-building. Success depends on how well (and how quickly) you can combine your own marketing skills with the right tools and support systems out there to help you convert leads into clients.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, plenty of customizable real estate lead generation tools exist to make your life easier. In this article, we explore nine exceptional real estate lead generation companies that can supercharge your lead generation efforts, each with its unique strengths and limitations.
At-a-glance: 8 top real estate lead generation companies for 2024 |
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Best for full-service marketing suite + exclusive leadsMarket LeaderFrom $139 |
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Best for seller leadsSmartZipFrom $500 |
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Best for automated lead nurturingZurpleFrom $309 |
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Best for exclusive inherited-property seller leadsCatalyze AIFrom $360 |
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Best for buyer leads based on locationZillow Premier AgentFrom $20 |
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Best for most affordable all-in-one marketing solution and website designRealGeeksFrom $299 |
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Best for customer servicezBuyerFrom $400 |
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Best for custom real estate websitesPlacesterFrom $79 |
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At-a-glance: 8 real estate lead generation companies for 2024 |
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Best for full-service marketing suite + exclusive leadsMarket LeaderFrom $139 |
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Best for seller leadsSmartZipFrom $500 |
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Best for automated lead nurturingZurpleFrom $309 |
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Best for exclusive inherited-property seller leadsCatalyze AIFrom $360 |
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Best for buyer leads based on locationZillow Premier AgentFrom $20 |
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Best for most affordable all-in-one marketing solution and website designRealGeeksFrom $299 |
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Best for customer servicezBuyerFrom $400 |
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Best for custom real estate websitesPlacesterFrom $79 |
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Market Leader
Best for: Full-service marketing suite + exclusive leads
Like its name suggests, Market Leader is known for offering a full marketing suite with features like email and SMS marketing services, lead capture forms and a built-in lead management CRM. The company provides in-house advertising experts who send leads exclusively to you and streamlines lead management and marketing efforts.
Market Leader is a strong option for real estate professionals looking for lead generation and marketing solutions. Its full marketing suite and leads exclusivity set it apart, although it would stand out even more if it offered concierge service and a free trial option. Users have praised its efficient CRM capabilities but noted challenges with lead responsiveness in some cases. If a trial period is essential, consider alternatives like Placester, which offers a 30-day free trial.
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Pricing
- Professional for Agents: $139 per month
- Professional for Teams: $139 per month plus additional per-user charges
- Business Suite for Brokers: $139 per month plus additional per-user charges
- Network Boost: Around 40+ leads for as little as $350 per month
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Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- Automated workflow
- Social media integration
- Customizable reports
- Network Boost helps generate leads through social media ad campaigns
- HouseValues helps you get leads from a desired ZIP code
- Leads Direct helps run pay-per-click advertising campaigns
Exclusivity: Yes
Trial period: No
Contract requirements: Six-month minimum
SmartZip
Best for: Seller leads
SmartZip uses predictive analytics to predict likely sellers 6 to 12 months in advance, offering a first-mover advantage in tight inventory markets. The company provides robust marketing and nurturing tools, including a CRM with lead data, home valuation landing pages, direct mail campaigns, a comparative market analysis tool and more.
SmartZip primarily benefits experienced listing agents, yet any agent willing to nurture seller leads can thrive with this platform. To generate real estate leads, SmartZip employs predictive analytics that sifts through consumer data from sources like credit card companies, market data from MLS and other demographic data. Real estate agents using SmartZip gain immediate access to its CRM populated with the data. In this dashboard will be a list of property owners in the agent’s target area based on their likelihood to sell within the next 18 months. Armed with this data, agents can streamline their outreach efforts and focus on sellers who are ready for their services.
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Pricing
Starting at $500 per month, with an average monthly spend of $1,000
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Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- Predictive analytics
- Smart CRM
- Direct mail campaigns
- Home valuation landing pages
- CMA tool
- CheckIn app
- Local trend reports
Exclusivity: No
Trial period: No
Contract requirements: Annual contract is required
Zurple
Best for: Automated lead nurturing
Zurple generates leads within your target market (up to 10 areas) with branded landing pages that pull in MLS listings for your area. Once a lead is input into its CRM, Zurple sparks conversations via text or email with your leads from all sources, and alerts them to new listings in their area of interest. Automated conversations will nurture your prospects until they become “hot leads” — allowing you to jump in with a human touch to bring sales across the finish line.
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Pricing
Starting at $309 per month, you can also purchase search engine marketing (SEM) services from Zurple, additional sites at $100 per month, per site, and upgrade to include their Pipeline Boost feature.
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Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- Provides personalized and timely engagement with leads from Zurple and other sources
- Offers branded landing pages with an MLS listings feed for your target market (up to 10
- Tracks lead behaviors online and in the real world to understand where they are in the purchasing process
- Uses behavioral-based communications to build a rapport with leads at key points in their journey
- Video and social media marketing tools
Exclusivity: Yes
Trial period:
Contract requirements: Six-month minimum
Catalyze AI
Best for: Exclusive inherited-property seller leads
Catalyze AI utilizes real-time data to identify inherited properties in your local area with a high prediction rate, representing an estimated $69 billion in annual property sales.
Catalyze AI, the top choice for exclusive inherited property leads in real estate, employs predictive computer analytics and AI technology to identify highly motivated inheritance leads before they end up in probate court. While the company doesn’t provide marketing tools, its predictive analytics technology puts you considerably ahead of competitors. These leads are often eager to sell, making them highly valuable — especially for such an affordable product. However, leads may take time to close, and the service isn’t available in all markets. This company is best suited for experienced listing agents familiar with the probate process.
Buying Options
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Pricing
Starts at $360 per month for 30 leads ($12 per lead for homes under $1 million; $15 for higher-value homes)
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Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- Predictive analytics technology (finds leads before standard competitors)
- User dashboard to monitor new leads
- Radius-based leads within 50 miles from you
Exclusivity: Yes, exclusive listing leads get pushed to your platform.
Trial period: No, but select discounts may be available (must inquire)
Contract requirements: Can cancel at any time
Zillow Premier Agent
Best for: Buyer leads based on location
Zillow Premier Agent (ZPA) is a well-known platform for generating buyer leads. It’s highly effective for connecting agents and brokers with local buyer leads. The platform’s high traffic volume and straightforward CRM make it a top choice for lead generation.
As a major player, Zillow is hard to overlook in the real estate industry. The company has the resources to invest heavily in SEO and therefore dominate Google search results. That’s good news for real estate agents and brokers looking to attract leads. Agents do pay for these leads, with Zillow’s “Zillow Flex” now taking a percentage of commissions from referred leads. While Zillow’s exposure is significant, some industry insiders argue the company prioritizes “Flex” over “Premier Agent” partners, making the landscape competitive. Nonetheless, if you want to cast a large net, Zillow Premier Agent can give you that exposure.
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Pricing
Depends on the ZIP code — around $20 to $60 per lead
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Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- Automatic lead placement in Zillow’s CRM
- Priority status when claiming properties on Zillow
- Ease of automating follow-ups for lead conversion
Exclusivity: No
Trial period: No
Contract requirements: Vary
RealGeeks
Best for: Most affordable all-in-one marketing solution and website design
Real Geeks offers a robust solution for real estate lead generation, IDX website design and all-around marketing suitable for single agents, teams and brokerages.
Buying Options
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Pricing
Starts at $299 per month cultivation, designed to help agents scale their businesses effectively, SEO happy hours to help customers improve real estate lead generation
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Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- IDX real estate websites
- Real Leads campaign manager and lead generator
- Home valuation tool
- Market reports
- CRM with lead activity tracking, lead autoresponders and 3rd-party integrations.
Exclusivity: No
Trial period: None specified
Contract requirements: None specified
zBuyer
Best for: Customer service
zBuyer offers a suite of tech-forward features, such as email and SMS marketing, an IDX website and marketing assistance, in addition to its real estate lead generation services. What sets it apart is its commitment to transparency and exceptional customer service. Nevertheless, online reviews suggest zBuyer could further enhance its service by providing exclusive leads to users seeking top-quality prospects.
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Pricing
Starts at $400 per month; can vary by zip code
zBuyer is a top real estate lead generation company offering features like email and SMS mass marketing, an IDX website, and marketing assistance. It stands out for its transparency and customer service -
Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- Industry mastermind group
- Customizable lead packages
- Lead replacement policy
- Connected to HousingNow.com
Exclusivity: No
Trial period: None specified
Contract requirements: Flexible contract
Placester
Best for: Custom real estate websites
Placester excels in providing customizable real estate websites with integrated IDX listing search and content marketing features. It offers a services marketplace for one-time or ongoing services like website setup and content creation.
Placester truly is an all-around solution for real estate agents looking to improve lead generation through website creation. Its Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) package allows agents to craft custom websites in under two days, making it suitable for both tech-savvy and less tech-savvy agents alike. There’s also code-free site editing available, which allows you to better customize your website — even with the more affordable DIY package. Last, Placester offers built-in lead-generation features, such as custom landing pages and community pages, along with a CRM tool for email list nurturing.
Buying Options
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Pricing
DIY packages start at $79 per month, while “Do-It-For-Me” (DIFM) packages start at $119. The next level, DIFM Content Pro, starts at $319, plus you can sign up for Broker Management Software at an additional $25 per month. Annual pricing discounts may be available.
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Pros + Cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Features
- Customizable website designs
- IDX listing search engine
- Built-in SEO tools
- Services marketplace for marketing professionals
- The DIFM + Content plan helps you write optimized blogs and social content
Exclusivity: Not specified
Trial period: 30-day free trial
Contract requirements: Monthly or annually
Our methodology: How we chose the top real estate lead generation companies for agents for 2024
HousingWire is the destination for industry leaders and decision makers to stay informed and stay ahead of what’s going on in the constantly evolving U.S. housing industry.
To determine which real estate lead generation companies are best for industry professionals, HousingWire analyzed dozens of products and platforms, weighing the pros and cons of each alongside both quantitative and qualitative data like price, special features, ease of use, return on investment, client support, and customer reviews.
We crawled the web so you don’t have to, analyzing a wide sampling of reviews across social media, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and online discussion forums.
Frequently asked questions
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1. Are lead generation companies worth it in real estate?
Yes, lead generation will truly be the lifeblood of your business’s success. It may seem challenging to generate real estate leads at first, but once you build up a current of strong, qualified leads, you’ll see how much less effort will be necessary to sustain sales.
Many real estate professionals turn to lead generation companies like the ones listed above to streamline the process and access more potential clients. While some agents have achieved significant success with these services, whether they are worth it (or not) depends on your individual circumstances. Assess your budget, target market and specific goals before investing in any service. Also determine which aspects of marketing you are least comfortable attempting on your own, and start outsourcing there.
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2. Where do real estate agents get most of their leads?
Real estate agents acquire leads from multiple sources. While lead generation companies are one option, agents also obtain leads through traditional avenues like referrals, open houses, community events and their personal networks. Real estate professionals use online platforms, such as social media and websites, to attract potential clients outside of their immediate local area. The choice of lead generation methods may vary, but it’s always a great idea to diversify your lead channels for the most well-rounded approach.
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3. How do I find the best lead generation company for real estate?
Our team of real estate experts recommend that you choose a real estate lead generation company that custom-tailors its services to you. There’s no sense in paying for leads outside of your zip codes or from demographics that aren’t going to be interested in the properties in which you specialize.
Begin by choosing lead generation companies on this list with a strong reputation within your particular niche. Consider online reviews, testimonials and references to gauge their credibility. Choose companies that offer transparent pricing and clearly defined lead sourcing methods, avoiding hidden fees or unclear processes. If possible, opt for a trial period to assess the company’s performance before making a long-term commitment.
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4. Should I pay for leads in real estate?
Paid leads may offer quantity, but their quality can definitely vary. Decide whether you prefer a smaller number of high-quality, active leads or a larger volume with potentially more “cold” prospects. It’s also wise to diversify your lead generation methods. While paid leads can be a part of your strategy, don’t overlook organic methods like referrals, networking and your overall online presence.
The full picture: Top real estate lead generation companies for 2024
The lead generation landscape is more dynamic than ever, with a range of top companies offering lead gen services tailored for agents, teams and brokerages. Whether you opt for a widely known product like CINC, a major platform like Zillow Premier Agent, or specialized solutions like Catalyze AI, the key is to align your choice with your specific needs, budget and target market.
Remember that lead generation companies can be a valuable asset in your real estate journey, but success ultimately depends on your conversion strategy and how well you capitalize on the leads provided. We’ve thoroughly researched the top real estate lead generation companies and weighed the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision to support your business.
