How Much Should Real Estate Investors Spend on Google Ads?

In today’s competitive real estate investment landscape, generating motivated seller leads online is no longer optional — it's essential. Google Ads is one of the most powerful platforms to do that, but one of the first questions new (and seasoned) investors ask is:

"How much should I be spending on Google Ads?"

Let’s break down the answer and give you a blueprint for success.

Why Google Ads Works for Real Estate Investors

Before we talk dollars, let’s quickly discuss why Google Ads should be in your lead gen toolkit.

When someone searches “sell my house fast in [city]”, they’re not browsing — they’re ready to take action. Unlike social media ads that interrupt, Google Ads capture intent. It’s one of the most high-converting lead sources available for REIs.

But that high intent comes at a cost: Google Ads is pay-to-play. And if you’re not budgeting correctly, you could burn through your marketing dollars without the returns to match.

The Gold Standard Budget Formula: $3,000 per 1.5 Million People

At Lead Farmers PPC, we typically recommend that investors budget $3,000 for every 1.5 million people they’re targeting. This formula is based on real-world results and allows for enough ad spend to compete, test, optimize, and most importantly — convert.

Let’s break that down by market size:

Market Population	Recommended Monthly Budget
1.5 million	$3,000
3 million	$6,000
500,000	~$1,000–$1,500
100,000	~$500–$750

This is not a one-size-fits-all rule, but it is a strong baseline that ensures you’re not underfunding your campaigns — which is often more costly than overfunding.

What Happens If You Underspend?

Real estate keywords are competitive and expensive. For example:

• “Sell my house fast [city]” = $30–$80+ per click

• “Cash home buyers [state]” = $20–$60 per click

  
  

Spending $500/month in a major metro like Phoenix or Dallas might only get you 10–15 clicks a week — not nearly enough to generate consistent, qualified leads.

Underspending leads to:

• Incomplete data for optimization

• Low ad impressions and limited reach

• Unstable lead volume

• Wasted time and money

  
  

In contrast, the right budget gives you breathing room to split test ads, optimize landing pages, and actually scale your results.

Key Factors That Affect Your Ideal Ad Spend

While the $3,000 per 1.5M formula is our standard recommendation, your budget should also factor in:

1. Market CompetitionHotter markets like Atlanta, Houston, or Tampa require higher bids to stay competitive.

2. Geographic TargetingTargeting a city versus a 20-mile radius can significantly impact ad delivery and cost.

3. Lead Quality GoalsHigher budgets allow you to be more selective in your targeting — leading to higher-quality leads.

4. Ad Management and StrategyPartnering with a specialist like Lead Farmers PPC means your budget is going toward tested, optimized campaigns, not guesswork.

   
   

What You Get With a Properly Funded Campaign

When properly managed and funded, a Google Ads campaign should give real estate investors:

✅ Consistent seller leads

✅ Predictable monthly ROI

✅ Data to improve follow-up and closing

✅ Room to scale into new markets or deal types

A $3,000/month campaign can realistically generate 10–25 motivated seller leads, depending on your market. That means even one deal can often 5x–10x your return.

Bonus: Small Market Strategy

Investing in smaller markets? You may not need $3,000 — but you do need a minimum of $1,000–$1,500/month to stay competitive and gather enough data. You can also layer in SEO and social media ads to stretch your budget and build long-term lead flow.

Final Thoughts: Budget to Win, Not Just to Play

If you’re spending $300/month on Google Ads and expecting consistent motivated seller leads, you’re likely setting yourself up for frustration. The best campaigns are funded, focused, and flexible.

At Lead Farmers PPC, we specialize in helping real estate investors like you scale with strategic, data-backed campaigns that maximize every ad dollar.

Ready to Get Serious About Lead Generation?

📞 Book a free strategy call with Lead Farmers PPC and let us show you exactly how to budget, structure, and scale your Google Ads campaigns for maximum deal flow.