If you are one of the ones that have invested money in lead companies in the past, than you fall into one of two categories.

Those that have lost money to lead companies, and those that are going to loose money to lead companies.

Loan officers have every reason to be skeptical of lead companies. However, if you are considering taking a shot with a mortgage lead company, here are a few things to keep in mind.

For starters, take your time, and do as much research as you can. Remember, you work hard for your money, so make sure those hard earned dollars will result in a return on your investment.

Speak with someone in the customer service department of the lead company you are considering. Find out where and how they obtain their leads. If they do not use their own web sites to obtain their leads, than move onto the next company.

If they are not using their own sites, than most likely they are buying them from a third party, and selling them second hand. So you can be sure that they have passed through the hands of many other loan officers.

Find out how they sell the lead and how it is delivered. Is it sold exclusively, or non exclusively? Can you cherry pick the lead, or is it a real time, streamline process? Either way works. It just depends on your style, preference, and most important, your time.

In the end, it is the quality of the lead that makes the difference. It just may be worth your while to spend a few extra bucks on a lead to ensure you are getting good quality.

Also, keep in mind, when speaking with someone in customer service, the quality of the service you receive, can be a good indicator of the quality of the lead you receive.