04/21/2026
Here's an outrage to the real estate industry. I just inquired with realtor . com about buying Seller leads. The sales represented called me in about 30 seconds after filling out the form. I just want to share with you the hubris of where realtor . com is coming from. At this point, they want to sell me leads, Seller leads in a particular area in Virginia. It's a hot area and I would have approximately zip codes to get leads in those areas. The subscription price is $170 a month for seller leads. However, realtor . com can't tell me if the leads are qualified as cold, warm, or hot, and if the Sellers are serious or just looking for a free CMA.
Here's the catch...For $170.00 monthly subscription fee I pay realtor . com for the names and addresses of the leads (unqualified as guaranteed I would have to convert these leads) plus if I get the Seller and sell their house I would have.to pay realtor . com a 30% referral commission . Wow...that's a juicy piece of pie for realtor . com, dont you think? So, they get $170.00 per month with zero confirmed data for the realtor buying the leads that the Sellers are good, you convert and sell the property and then give 30% of your commission to realtor. com. I call that double dipin. That's an outrage.
So, I tell the Sales Rep I may consider this as an option at a $170 a month for the seller leads only if i can give you guys a 15% referral fee. Oh, my God we don't negotiate that according to the sales person.
My attitude is really...? You should there is no set standard referral fee, to my knowledge, at this point in the industry. It'srecommended between 20-30% but nothing is in stone and all referral fees are still negotiable. Yes, referral fees are still negotiable.
I'm saying to myself and eventually to the salesperson, who is now pi**ed because I questioned the business model, that I would do.better "old school. He was shocked that I even address the issue of excessive Referral fees after paying a monthly subscription fee without a single guarantee or successfully published data available for me to review.
Are you kidding me if that isn't corporate greed I don't know what is? A $170 a monthly subscription fee for a list of people that are "potential," sellers in those areas. That'slike a pitential husband? Foes that even exist? You can't tell me if they're ready to go or not, you can't tell me if there's confirmed data or a success rate of these leads--really? Sounds like a high risk little reward scenerio to me. Look, I've been a realtor and an auctioneer in Virginia, and in Florida for way too long to be sold that kind of nonsense and expect to move forward in the industry. I'm like, when does the corporate greed end? I'd do better and I will do better with a brochure walking door-to-door and leaving it on their door k**b or hanging on a mailbox. It's just when does the corporate greed go away?
Realtors pay enough on a yearly basis to be a part of the MLS system, to be a part of an association and to create content and marketing. It's generally a ~ $1000 a year, just to be a part of an association and to be connected to the MLS and the keys. These companies, Zillow, Trulia, realtor . com want you to give them a monthly subscription and then upon conversion give them a 30% referral fee for what? Nothing is guaranteed? I'm finding that insulting to all Realtors. Why would you buy something without a guarantee? You can't even tell me if it's cold, warm or hot. I'm sorry realtor . com I can't get on board with that program. It's pretty much a money maker for you and a money loser for me.
