4 Ways To Generate Leads Without Spending Money

By Terry Trexler

Hi I’m Terry Trexler and I’ve built a top-selling real estate team that covers 12 states and growing. I just moved to LPT Realty after being with another brokerage for years. The splits are better, the revenue share is better, and it’s honestly the perfect business model now that we can build on the existing success of proven cloud brokerage models. I invite you to check out LPT Realty. Move your license over to us. We’re a brokerage focused on listings and profitability.

Why do so many paid leads fail to convert into real clients? It’s simple: people don’t want to feel like a transaction. They’re not looking for another sales pitch; they’re looking for someone they can actually trust. That’s why buying leads often leads to frustration, while building authentic relationships creates lasting business.

The decision every agent faces is clear: keep paying for opportunities, or start creating them on your own. If lead services aren’t working for you, here are four approaches that build long-term success.

1. Focus on the people who already know and trust you. Your most valuable clients are usually the ones who already know, like, and trust you. Staying connected is what matters most, whether it’s sharing a meal, sending a thoughtful note, or remembering a birthday.

Real estate thrives on social interaction, so don’t hide behind the scenes. Don’t be a “secret agent.” Stay visible, consistent, and engaged.

2. Show up in your neighborhood to build trust. Your community is the best place to grow your business. Sponsoring youth teams, volunteering, or supporting local businesses all plant seeds that can grow into future opportunities. This kind of farming builds trust and establishes you as a visible, reliable presence in your neighborhood.

3. Share helpful insights to position yourself as the expert. Content creation is one of the most effective ways to stay top of mind. Share market updates, home-building insights, or home-buying tips. The goal isn’t to be perfect, it’s to be consistent.

By regularly putting out helpful information, you show that you’re an expert in your field and serious about your craft. Instead of being invisible, you become the agent who is always present and offering value.

4. Collaborate with professionals to expand your reach. Strong partnerships generate opportunities that go far beyond paid leads. CPAs, attorneys, builders, and other professionals can all be excellent sources of referrals. These partnerships thrive on reciprocity; give as much as you receive. When you focus on serving others and delivering value, you create a cycle of long-term growth.

Buying leads might feel like a shortcut, but they don’t build real trust. Long-term success comes from being proactive, strengthening relationships, staying visible in your community, creating content, and building partnerships.

If paid leads aren’t delivering, it’s time for a new approach. Reach out at (757) 255-8739 or terry@terrytrexler.com. I’ll help you stay visible, consistent, and authentic so you can create lasting opportunities.