Lead buying can either be a game-changer for your mortgage business or a quick way to burn cash. The difference? Knowing how to do it right.
I recently had a chance to sit down with Jimmy King, co-founder of BankingBridge, to talk all things lead buying, from the basics to insider strategies. Jimmy isn’t just talking theory—his company helped mortgage professionals generate over 60,000 leads in 2024.
If you’ve ever wondered, Should I buy leads? Where do I start? How do I make this work?—this one’s for you.
Why Lead Buying is (Still) a Smart Move
Lead buying gets a bad rap because a lot of people do it wrong. Here’s the truth: it’s not about buying leads—it’s about converting them.
Jimmy explained it like this: “You can’t just dabble in lead buying. You need a strategy, a budget, and the patience to stick with it long enough to see results.”
If you’re not ready to commit to $5,000–$8,000 over several months to learn and refine your approach, lead buying probably isn’t for you. But if you’re willing to invest in the process, the returns can be huge.
The Two Types of Leads You Need to Know
Not all leads are created equal. Jimmy broke it down into two main types:
- Long-Form Leads
These come with a lot of data—credit scores, income details, etc.—but the lead has no idea who you are. You’re buying their information from a third party, like LendingTree, and competing with multiple lenders. Speed is everything here. - Rate Table Leads
These leads are self-selected. Your logo and rate appear on a rate table, and when a customer clicks on it, they’re taken to your landing page. These leads already know who you are, making them warmer and easier to convert.
Pro Tip: If you’re a broker, rate tables are your friend. They’re especially effective if you’re competitive on pricing and have a solid landing page for conversion.