You gotta pay for the leads upfront like everyone does. Pay at the standard rate, pay more if the leads are real and good. nuff said.
You know about the economy, in this economy, no dumb fuck would give leads out like that, especially when the networks themselves are paying a considerable amount for it.
You're perhaps not cut out for this biz. If you can't invest, I suggest you try DP or WF.
In all reality you have NO CLUE what you are talking about... I have been a wholesaler for over 4 years myself I have never once paid someone up front for a lead. It's all logged in to the back office and they can track it. I give them feed back for why it did not close, but they never get money up front and only get paid unless I close.
This is real estate investing not a business as an advertiser on a CPA network... I don't pay for wood. They get $1,000 as a "marketing fee" and another $500 bonus if its in the spread when the deal closes. It is how its been done and will always be done.
"if you can't invest, I suggest you try DP or WF" -- I am sorry but that was probably the weakest attempt at a dig if I ever saw one. haha.
To the OP... I think your post here on BHW is wasted as only very few will actually "get it". Get more targeted responses at real estate investing forums and also check into Andy Proper "team work leads" system. Good training for them is also bird dog blueprint. PM if you want to trade tips. Currently right now all my short sale leads come from Realtors.
Other good sources of birddogs for your local area:
Realtors - Some HATE selling ugly houses - build a relationship and it can work out and hey.. in QuickBooks you can actually call it a commission.
Pest Control - People that want to sell will usually spray their house before they list - bought 7 houses this way.
Home Depot - Go make friends with all the floor people and tell them what you do and how much you pay - if you do this at 3 different locations you will get a house a month. People go in for small little fix up things and if you train the orange aprons to ask the right questions you can have them call you right on the mobile floor phone and put you on with the seller.
Many others... but if you are wholesaling virtually as I think you are asking for leads all over the 48 go post on CL and BP in all the major metro markets.
Best of fortunes.
- J