Question for those that have lead-generating websites:

[VAInvestor]

If you have a website that generates motivated seller leads, I am curious:

Do you respond to every lead/email, even if the person doesn't seem that motivated or is asking too much for their property?

I can think of some pros and cons of responding such as:

Cons: Waste of time

Pros: That person may come down on price, or refer you to someone else that is more motivated to sell.

Curious about what other people do/think. Thanks,

Daniil.

[donrock]

You bring up an interesting point. I think it would be predicated on how much time you have. Answer every one that you can find time for. If you waste time watching TV then put that time to use answering the ones that aren't that motivated. You never know what will happen in the future. No one else may have answered them and then they will remember you and you might get some good from it.
donrock

[HHI Golf Guy]

If you do not promptly respond to every lead every time you're leaving money on the table. Period.

That holds true in both strong and weak economies. IMHO, in today's economy if an agent does not act on every potential lead they receive they should probably find a different occupation.

[VAInvestor]

HHI GOLF: You're absolutely right when in comes to being a real estate agent, but my question pertains to the real estate investing part of the business. The leads that come in that are not or don't look like good deals: do you follow up on or let them go? that's the question. Thanks for your input either way.

[HHI Golf Guy]

I think that unless you're rolling in money and consider your job more of a hobby, if you want to be successful you need to follow up on every lead.

One of the reasons that top real estate agents are so successful is the contacts that they have made over the years. In a normal economy these agents already have a buyer in mind when they get a listing - even if the last contact with that potential buyer was some time ago.

Following leads and opportunities applies to more than just real estate. I'm sure if you ask any of the richest people in the world they can tell you story after story of how they converted a deal that they originally considered to be a lukewarm idea or lead.

With my company both our development and SEO services are booked until at least July or August. But I still follow up on any inquiry or lead and provide insight where I can. Even if I can't take them on as a client now, who knows what will happen down the road?

[Greg]

I generate tons of buyer leads but rarely get a lead from a seller. Sellers have not caught on to the internet like buyers have.

There is no way to evaluate a lead without working it. Sometimes the most futile looking lead can be the most profitable.