If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker on the market for mortgage leads, you will have a few different varieties to choose from.

For starters, your budget is the most important thing to consider. If you are on a limited budget, you will need to take a look at the lead companies that allow for low minimum deposits to get you started.

In the mortgage lead industry, a low minimum deposit is considered to be around $100.00.

The two most common leads out there are known as exclusive and non exclusive leads.

Exclusive leads are sold only one time. The lead will go to you and to you only.

Non exclusive leads are sold up to five times on average by mortgage lead companies. So if you are going to buy your lead's non exclusively, be prepared to compete with other loan officers.

One of the most popular methods of buying mortgage leads is to cherry pick your leads. Cherry picking your leads allows for you to look at the lead before you purchase it.

Real time leads are another popular type of lead to buy. Real time leads are delivered via a streamline process to your e-mail box.

It works like this . . .

You open up an account with a real time lead company and set up a filter specific to the type of lead you are looking for. Lead type, ltv, loan amount, credit rating, specific state, etc.

Once a lead comes in matching your filter scenario, it is delivered to you via e-mail. The lead arrives in your e-mail box literally seconds after the customer submits their on-line application.

The benefit to buying real time leads is that you can count on the quality because the lead is fresh.

Try to steer clear of recycled leads, or what is better known in the mortgage industry among loan officers as junk leads.

These leads are bought and sold from one lead company to the next, than sold to loan officers at a profit.

The chances of turning a junk lead into a loan are slim to none, so stay away from these types of leads.

Perhaps the best way for you to determine the best lead company for you is to do your research. Speak with someone in customer service and ask a lot of specific questions. If you are not happy with the customer service or the answers you get to your questions, than more than likely you won't like the leads.