Special offer
Bill Somers (Wilkinson & Associates ERA Powered)

Spam prevention
Ambassador
6,424,212
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Sounds like another org that has figured out a way to get agents to pay them for leads.

Apr 29, 2016 05:05 AM
Ambassador
3,350,439
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I have not heard of it.  I would be suspicious.  Do your research beyond here in the Rain. 

Apr 29, 2016 04:30 AM
Rainmaker
559,290
DEANNA C. SMITH CERTIFIED MOBILE NOTARY
Certified Mobile Notary Signing Agent - Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Highest Ranked Certified Mobile Notary in Virginia

I've been in the mortgage business for many years and have used a number of down payment assistance programs with my clients but I have never heard of these folks.   On the Internet, you just never know.

Having read Becca Rasmussen's excellent research report, I think I would suggest a pass on this offer. 

Apr 29, 2016 02:16 PM
Ambassador
5,062,995
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hmm, doesn't sound very legit to me. Great way for THEM to make money off US

Apr 29, 2016 05:43 AM
Rainer
98,823
Becca Rasmussen
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Highlands Ranch, CO

Haven't heard of it. Looks to be sponsored by the National Association of Expert Advisors (NAEA), of which I've also never heard before today. My lack of knowledge does not infer anything bad for these organizations, I'm a newbie!

Downpayment.org looks to have an A+ rating with the BBB.org, though a short time span on file. 1 complaint a few weeks ago, the resolution to which seems to be that the customer was refunded their money promptly and cheerfully. It seems to promote using agents who hold the Certified Home Buying Advisor designation, which seems to be offered through the NAEA though I can't really find anything on that site or through Google which gives more details on that certification. Perhaps you have to join NAEA first to get more details on that certificate.

I see nothing on the downpayment.org site on how real estate brokers would become affiliated with the site. 

For me, that's a whole lot of nothing adding up to a "'no thanks" from me. 

Apr 29, 2016 05:32 AM
Ambassador
2,684,769
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Sounds hokey.

Apr 29, 2016 04:19 AM
Rainmaker
991,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Haven't heard of it but I'm sure you'll get a few token leads that someone else has already gotten

IMO these lead gen sites are scams - they buy leads from source for $200 a month, then resell them for $250 a month - I've seen this happen first hand!

Apr 29, 2016 09:59 PM
Rainmaker
913,968
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

It sounds like a joke. Don't waste your time or money with these type of companies withiout investigating them. There are actually some companies that will help some buyers with down payments.

Apr 29, 2016 08:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,847,621
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Nope, there will be another scammer along next week. Just remember their name.

Apr 29, 2016 07:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,728,667
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Run like HELL from that one.

Apr 29, 2016 06:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

They have contacted me before and it did not look good from what I could find out!

Apr 29, 2016 05:30 AM
Rainmaker
4,583,990
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I haven't heard of this particular company but the modus operandi appears similar to others I have heard.  Good luck.  Be careful.  

Apr 29, 2016 10:41 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,177
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have heard of them but have not subscribed.

Apr 29, 2016 10:08 PM
Rainmaker
7,870,267
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Your loan officers will provide the same services without being paid by you.

Apr 29, 2016 08:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I have never been successful paying for leads so I don't do it.

Apr 29, 2016 08:07 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,308
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

No I have not and I would not from them or any other lead gen company

Apr 29, 2016 07:30 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,257
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Bill Somers Doesn't sound very legit to me.

Apr 29, 2016 06:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Ignore, run the other way.  Most of the comments concur as does your follow up comment.

Apr 29, 2016 06:06 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I have not heard of them.

Before I can say more it becomes important to know if the borrower needs a pulse or a 780 FICA score.

Those with exceptional credit can find darling deals like the one you describe.

Unfortunately, 'NO DOWN PAYMENT' attracts those who have no down payment. It spirals down from there.

Downpayment.org  let me visit and see what they are about.

Here is the link that shows they think real estate agents will buy anything.

http://downpayment.org/what-is-a-certified-home-buying-advisor

Certified Home Buying Advisor 

Apr 29, 2016 04:28 AM
Rainer
3,480
Jeffrey Thomas Lawrence
Florida Bayside Realty, LLC - Sarasota, FL

Hi Bill,

I was involved with this group for several months before realizing they had taken a lot of my money and delivered very little in real, actionable leads!  

It all started out very well and I jumped through the required hoops to be a certified partner. A few months later I was offered ("pitched") an exclusive territory which I fell for at three times what I had been paying. Initially every week the number of leads was overwhelming and made me think I had hit a gold mine. Though, because of the high cost, I started to take a more critical look at the leads and response I received from them. I found many of them were "dreamers" and would unlikely ever be buyers and those I had in the pipeline were at least 6 months or more from qualifying due to credit repair issues and more. This resulted in my canceling because the return on investment was just not enough to justify the $1K/mo. payment! 

However, in retrospect, it should be noted that after working the best of the leads over the last 6 month's since canceling, not one has closed! 

Feb 28, 2017 09:57 AM
Rainer
1,300
Jeannette Daniel
Re/Max Accord - San Francisco, CA
Making Dreams a Reality Everyday

I sat through their webinar (which started and ended late and felt like it was pre-recorded).  None of my questions got answered so every time they sent me an emal to sell me their system I asked for their responses to my questions.

I finaly heard back rom their "Area Production Manager" Chad Montgomery.

Here are my qestions and his answers:

Q1.  Is the designation recognized by NAR 
A.No they are they designation that have helped our clients get to the next level, through different training matierial. 
 
Q2. What are your organization's Core Values
A. Growth mindset, Add Value, 100/0, open and real, leaders creating leaders, Get sh** done.
(I have astricked out the word he actual spelled out in his response - swearing in your first communication to a potential business relationship is a fantstic core value wouldn't you say)
 
Q3. You mention that each person gets their own version of the site - I imagine that you still own the content so if I direct clients to my site who owns the contact? 
A. You do. 
 
Q4. Is there a modeling application that can be used vs. having to have someone provide their info on the site in order to see what they potentially qualify for? 
A. Yes. it is included in the training 
 
Q5. You mention not all referrals are viable leads yet you charge a performance deposit.  What happens if the "leads" don't pan out - if you expect me to perform I would expect you to as well. 
A. We have an agreement 90- referrals in 90 days.
 
Based on these responses and the overall experience not only would I never do business with these people but I would really caution those considering it to do their due diligence and make sure to read the fine print.
Sep 13, 2016 10:06 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

have not heard of it

Apr 29, 2016 11:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,116,228
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

This one is not known to me. I have great lenders I work with who can help my clients who have little or no money to put down.

Apr 29, 2016 10:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,791
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I am not familiar with them.

Apr 29, 2016 05:39 PM
Rainmaker
634,532
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Glad to see you've decided to pass on this "opportunity", Bill Somers. Doesn't look like a good one. 

Apr 29, 2016 05:32 PM
Ambassador
3,743,474
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Whether it's legit or not, do you really want these buyers - they'll be competing with folks paying cash or with huge down payments in my area.  

Apr 29, 2016 03:03 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,773
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Bill Somers - not sure if it is legit or not. And why would one want to pay for being an exclusive agent for this?

Apr 29, 2016 01:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,506,793
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Never heard of them, but sounds like another place to pay money in the hopes of getting a lead.  Scam?  Maybe not.  Useful? Doubtful.

Apr 29, 2016 09:56 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,876
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

It seems like I get these type of offers daily. Run away.

Apr 29, 2016 09:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,242,204
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I will study the address and phone number to death see if another similar names are not in

www.consumeraffairs.com

There has been numerous ripoffs .... Buyer beware

Apr 29, 2016 08:39 AM
Ambassador
1,029,603
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Interesting discussion > > Downpayment.org > > they say that of 30 referrals they send you, 4 - 7 will be qualified. Gee, thanks.

If nothing else, no one can find that they are licensed ANYWHERE. Can't pay a referral fee to non-licensed people.

RUN, FORREST, RUN. 

Apr 29, 2016 08:37 AM
Rainer
5,957
Jeff George, REALTOR
Keller Williams Corona - Corona, CA
Integrity & Honesty, Semper FI
DO NOT WORK WITH THIS COMPANY.
I would suggest no REALTOR EVER work with this organization... Downpayment.org has the worst customer service, is very unresponsive, inconsiderate and will charge your account even when you ask them to stop.
I have tried to get a phone call from the company for over 3 months, have made over 15 phone calls, sent over a dozen emails and even left voice mails with NAEA and anywhere else, NO 1 PHONE CALL.
When you talk to customer service if you have the slightest question outside of their little box they claim they will have someone call you back. They never will - EVER...
You can ask for their Manager, they are very nice "please hold" you wait about 1 min them they hang up on you.
We have file complaints (here in Calif) with CAR, DRE, however, we know these organizations do not regulate internet marketing. Our next step this week is to file a complaint with the FTC not sure how far that will go.
We have filed a CIVIL Court case locally but it will take months to resolve since they are not in California.
IF ANYONE IS LOOKING TO WORK WITH THESE GUYS, CALL ME... LET ME GIVE YOU THE REAL SCOPE . HERE IS MY NUMBER THEY NEVER WILL CALL IT BUT YOU CAN 951-678-9195...
Mar 26, 2019 01:06 PM
Rainer
4,612
Richard R
Marketshare Media - Frisco, TX
Lead generation for real estate agents and lenders

Hi Bill,

I'm the ad manager for DPO and happy to answer any questions you might have. To be perfectly tranparent our program does not work for everyone, but for those it does, they love it.

Mar 05, 2019 09:56 PM
Rainmaker
628,991
Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR
RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH
Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts

If they charge a hefty monthly fee plus a 25% referral fee that is not someone we want to become involved in. 

We're fine with paying an acautl referral fee for an actual referral but for someone that just filled out a form on a website, no thanks. 

Mar 12, 2018 07:56 AM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Never heard of it. I'm lucky.

Jul 15, 2017 06:16 AM
Rainer
93,576
Rob Hurst
KenCom Real Estate - Bulverde, TX
Real Estate Broker, Kendall & Comal Counties

Thanks again Active Rain members!!

You saved me the research process after being contacted by these folks..

I'll pass on this one too!

Aug 17, 2016 06:14 AM
Rainmaker
94,474
Sharon Harris
Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Hanover, PA
Realtor

Expensive why would one work for such little money. Keep your money and use it to work your business not there's right?

Aug 09, 2016 08:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,966,113
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Sorry Bill, do not know about them.

May 02, 2016 02:19 AM
Ambassador
2,073,339
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

There are lots of these kind companies that try to aggregate leads... (we'll try to attract potential buyers/sellers, and if we manage to do that ... even though the buyers and sellers don't realize that we're going to sell their names to some poor unsuspecting Realtor... we'll try to get you to pay for the right to call them)...

It's possibly legitimate, but also not likely to be profitable to anyone other than downpayment.org.

Apr 30, 2016 07:31 AM
Rainmaker
902,398
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Never heard of it. Besides, buying a home with little or no money down may be a quick way to foreclosure in a short period of time.

Apr 30, 2016 03:57 AM