Nik,

I recently talked to someone who bragged about the 4000 leads he gets a month.  I asked how many actually turn into a check, and how long does it take to do that...the answer was 3 and over 6 months....that is a lot of work scrubbing leads for 3 clients.  Think of what could be done in person.  A

We have agents get 100s leads a week on line. She had to hire someone FT to screen and interview. She does 7 figures commission a year doing everything realtors are supposed to do. You got to be quick as there is no loyality in RE even including your past clients.  

This answer will vary based on your marketing philosophy.

A lot of us do business by referral only. Then our overall sales numbers may (or may not!) be lower, but our conversion far higher. These callers, emailers, Facebook PMs, come in with the mentality they are going to do business with you before they ever call. 

Those who farm and market to thousands will have a completely different answer whether they are good or bad at converting, it will be a totally diff answer than my 90% or higher numbers based on fam, friends and warm referrals.

It comes down to your business plan, in general, then the "headaches" or "rushes" you get are completely different playing fields.

KEY: KNOW WHAT YOU PERSONALLY DIG! AND DIG FOR IT!

we do not specifically track that number, but I can tell you is is very low; perhaps 1%?

Fortunately my company scrubs online leads before forwarding to agents.

85 to 90 percent are serious.

However only about 20% of those with whom I have had direct contact (contact me) turn into $$$ within 180 days. (my focus is the 90 day market) 

The fallout ranges from Inspired objectives, to undisclosed history to job relocation and the plain old. 'changed their mind."

I would say that over the years around 1% turn into solid buyers and/or sellers. Calls first, if their phone numbers are valid and then follow up with email and/or packets of information.

online conversions are in the under 10%. My best is face to face and referrals where type number is above 80%. 

I do almost all of my business by referral, so I convert almost 100% of the leads I get.   Working only with repeat clients and referrals is the most efficient, and enjoyable, way of doing business.

Varies - phone calls about 50%, website leads about 1.5%

This is not something that I track in this manner.  I know where my business comes from, and I track that, but not the percentage of contacts vs. sales.

5 to 10%

from what I'm hearing from my peeps, the majority are real buyers....and they work them until they BUY OR DIE.... that's a rule....

Very few. Then again, I don't spend much time with them.  Most are already working with an agent ... an agent that is too lazy to do their job. I recently had someone ask me for comps. Of course I did not ask how high when asked to jump ... I responded they need to work with their agent.  Response was ... they have an agent.  Yep - I already knew that based on how the request was structured,

I like Susan Emo find I convert most all because they are serious when they contact me or have been referred to me.

I think it is necessary to define a true lead versus a contact or a real client. I may receive an inquiry(call, email or text) but that person has no intention of working with me - they are simply gathering information.   It's a numbers game.  I don't keep track of number of people who contact me just those where there is a real connection.  

It depends on how you define "leads"?  In my business, by the time they contact me they're serious buyers and I close them all.  But then again, most of my contacts are referrals or repeat customers.  I do not open myself to naked internet "leads" as I find that to be a huge timewaster and costly too ie see Ron and Alexandra Seigel s response.

I haven't tracked it but the % is pretty low

What are the positives and negatives of being solely a Referring Agent?

probably 50%

5 to 7 % depending upon the season of our leads convert to closings.

I don't know but it is single digits.

True leads from sphere of influence?  About 75%.

Leads from internet presence ("I saw your blog") about 20%.

Leads from lead sellers?  1/100 of a percent..

Very few people contact me unless they are ready to get to work.

In spring it could go to 10% where winter could be 90%

About 25% turn into serious buyers. That is a good percentage in my book.

In their own minds they are all serious buyers.

I don't track this so I can't give you an exact percentage, but in general it is precious few leads that turn into clients (of any kind).

Contact comes from Zillow/Realtor.com, email, phone (from listings).  I've picked up a couple buyers from sign calls on my listings and sold two of them my listings.  A third came close but ended up deciding not to move.

Nik De Most leads aren't leads at all, but people just looking for information. Qualified leads are what will get you business.

That's a rough question but I am going to say 50% go by the wayside for one reason or another. That includes the disappearances.

scrubbing = prequalifying.  You have to see if the person is workable or not.