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Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

It depends on the medium.  Returns on investments can be tangible (dollars) or intangible (goodwill).  

Jun 20, 2016 12:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers Always 100%! However, being realistic breaking even like Nina Hollander states is always a plus.

Jun 19, 2016 11:48 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Depends what I'm buying, but at a minimum in the first year I look for breakeven results.

Jun 19, 2016 11:43 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I try not to spend anything to make th phone ring.

But on those times that I did my idea of roi was seldom followed by the customers and clients. 

Some of those seeds sprout right away, some a year from now, and a few put the add away and call my old phone number a decade or so later.

Jun 20, 2016 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm going to second what Carol Williams said.  ROI really depends on the intent, medium and cost.  ROI can be leads, $$ in the bank, exposure/brand awareness, goodwill in the community, etc.

I know a realtor by my parents house that regularly rents a dumpster and does a neighborhood cleanup day.  They've yet to get a single client from it in years, but their goal/ROI is different than transactions.

Jun 20, 2016 04:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Just thinking . . .

Thinking

Jun 20, 2016 12:36 AM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

The minimum for me is 10% less than that is not worth the time.

Jun 20, 2016 12:08 AM
Ambassador
734,952
John DL Arendsen
CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA
Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

An 8 cap is always good.

Jun 20, 2016 12:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I try something for six months. I at least want to break even.

Jun 19, 2016 11:56 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Depends, are we talking about RE? What is the time frame?

Jun 20, 2016 09:43 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers - when buying leads from other providers, it should be at least 3 times in the first year and should be more with the passage of time.

Jun 20, 2016 04:39 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

If it is a mailout I am happy with 3% or more return. Other marekting I might expect more.

Jun 20, 2016 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

It depends on the situation.

Jun 20, 2016 05:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

A fraction of total revenue $ .....

Jun 20, 2016 05:24 AM
Rainmaker
2,810,149
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Tony & Suzanne - I want to see a result that leaves our business in a better position, and my calculations for that are exceptionally subjective.

Jun 20, 2016 05:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I have never figured this out, so I'm here reading the other answers.

Jun 20, 2016 04:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I have such low overhead that I can afford a just return and be content in it

Jun 20, 2016 01:39 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I don't spend money trying to generate transactions.  I keep in touch with my past clients.

Jun 20, 2016 01:22 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

it's not that simple in our business....we can have residual business from one piece of marketing that may not payoff for a year...  and that works just fine for me....

Jun 20, 2016 01:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,152
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

You need to define the variables, the first variable would be what is the time period you are considering.  With 4-6 months required to close an online lead as a minimum, 6-12 months is the minimum time desired. Cost per lead (CPL) varies per market but generally $20.00 is a good average.  Average selling price and average commission then factor into the equation.  I am a numbers geek and regularly analysis my budget and adjust my marketing dollars.  I don't think I could answer your question with spending alot of time doing the number crunching and I am sure that the majority of the readers here could not answer the question directly so it should be interesting to see the rest of the conversations posted here.  

Jun 20, 2016 12:07 AM