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Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Cathy, the primary reason agents are stuck with 'half-a$$" CRMs is they did not understand the process and where the real cost exists. Let me get that out of the way first. The REAL cost of the crm is your investment of testing, configuring, validation, setup, implementation and training. When those dollars are spent, no one want to do it again. Trust me when I say my validation plans have revealed CRM that are  simply too dangerous for a real estate agent to use.

Where you must start is defining what your business REALLY needs to get you were you intend to be in 3-5 years. It is possible all you need is a place to search for your existing contacts. A Spreadsheet will work nicely.

Or you may want a CRM that holds searchable contacts and actually has lead generation capability, currates communications, organizes listings and notes and even those lock boxes along with checklists. These are all things a legacy practice agent needs.

Legacy based CRM are landing page and drip campaign dependent. However if you recognize the communication portals to 'haven't mets' is become increasingly smaller and better guarded, then the old school methods may not be where you want to invest.

For traditional practices, by order of price consider the following:

Realty Juggler
Wise Agent
Top Producer.

If you "See the light"  consider the following from lowest to highest cost:
Sugar CRM
Hubspot
SalesForce

Best of success,

Annette

Jan 16, 2019 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
554,600
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTOR®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

Don't pay for a CRM. They are too bulky, offer too much stuff you'll never use, long learning curve - just stick with the basics.  For me, I use all the features in Outlook and keep notes in OneNote.  

Jan 16, 2019 01:49 PM
Rainmaker
5,215,388
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Examine many and eliminate slowly. You will find the one that woks for you.List your questions and concerns before a demonstration!

Jan 16, 2019 03:06 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,456
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Cathy - this is so personal as what works for one person may not work for another.  This section can give you lots of ideas but finding the right fit for you is the one that you will use.  Good luck.  

Jan 16, 2019 02:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Buffini & Company 's Referral Maker CRM (expandable to assistants and team)!

Jan 16, 2019 02:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Agreed with Annette, and want to add "Bitrix 24" to the CRM list too.

Jan 16, 2019 02:28 PM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I use Less Annoying CRM - It's $10 a month and very basic but has all the needful components that I need.

Jan 16, 2019 02:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,196,912
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

I love Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041  response.  i have used wise agent with success.  The trust is actually USING the CRM to kep in touch.

Jan 16, 2019 02:02 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I find many CRS systems are why to complicated and the bells and whistles unnecessary. I use Realty Juggler at $99 a year. It does all you need it to do, has a ton of instructional videos and coordinates groups with Mail Chimp.

Jan 16, 2019 01:51 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I never use one.... but you'll have many answers here....

Jan 16, 2019 01:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

We're happy with Ixact Contact.

Jan 17, 2019 03:27 AM
Ambassador
5,228,997
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I have been through several of them, including Top Producer - and found that IXACT serves my needs very well. All of my assistants can log in and each have daily reminders, etc. It's a VERY user-friendly CRM. 

Good luck with whichever one you decide to use!

Jan 16, 2019 04:14 PM
Rainmaker
961,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

I'm surprised no one has yet commented the best CRM is the one you use. Which is so true.  When I started, I used Realty Juggler as it was low cost and basic.  Figured I would go the low cost, basic route initially then get more sophisticated once I learned more of what I needed.  I still use Realty Juggler. My brokerage recently provided KvCore to me at no cost.  It is much more sophisticated and technical. I'm in the learning/training stage now.  Realty Juggler was really easy to use with minimal training required.  They have tutorials but often I did not have to use the tutorial; it was pretty intuitive.  My suggestion, use Excel to start then consider Realty Juggler if you need more, then consider higher end CRM's if you find it not meeting your needs.

Jan 16, 2019 03:37 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Lots of different options out there... you need to first define what you need and want out of a CRM and then search out the one that best meets your needs and budget. I use Infusionsoft. It works for me. Many use IXACT, Top Producer, etc. Google the term and you'll find lots of information on line.

Jan 16, 2019 03:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Question is asked way to much. Lots of answers just have to ask the AR search button for tons of great stuff.

Jan 16, 2019 05:17 PM
Rainmaker
7,834,939
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

The best one is the one you will use to build your database.

I used Top Producer for many years.

Jan 16, 2019 03:07 PM
Ambassador
6,392,879
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Currently using eEdge, which is good, but looking forward to moving to KW Command which looks great.

Jan 16, 2019 03:05 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Cathy,

We made up our own....test different ones, or follow the suggestions here.

Jan 16, 2019 02:15 PM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I would start by asking ... why do you think you even need a CRM? Is it because someone, perhaps a coach, said you need one?  What is the volume of your business?  Do you really need one? 

I am with Francine Viola - I use Outlook and other programs like Excel and it works well for me.  If it ain't broken, don't fix it.  Where is the best use of your time and money?  

Jan 17, 2019 08:48 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Most have a trial, so try and pick one that works well for your business.

Jan 17, 2019 06:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,881,462
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

The best one is the one you will use.

Jan 17, 2019 04:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck

Jan 17, 2019 03:17 AM
Rainmaker
532,854
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The best one is the one that you will use.  But seriously, it depends on whether you want to be able to access it through mobile and sync to a desktop as well.  Realty Juggler is pretty good and easy to use.

Jan 16, 2019 08:01 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,010
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

From day one I've had a secretary Cathy Harris even when I started out with nothing to my name.

Jan 16, 2019 06:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe
Jan 16, 2019 04:42 PM
Rainer
3,525
Kathalene Johnson,MCNE,CMOE,PSA,PPS
KEY REALTY LTD. - Maumee, OH
TRUSTED RESPECTED RECOMMENDED

I actually am struggling with this now.  I have used Ixact Contact, Wise Agent, Realty Juggler, KvCore, and DeltaNet6.  

Pros and Cons of each in my opinion:

Ixact Contact: 

Has great auto bday and house anniversary set and forget technology.  Has the option to host a website and they are partnered with Morris Marketing and can run direct mail newsletters through it.  Has texting available too even does Social Stream for social media posts.  Can add up quickly $ but may be worth it to you.  I don't love the interface.  It is disconnected.  No transaction checklists in it.  Has nice integrations.  I find the drip campaigns to be friendly and modern. 

Wise Agent: has a great transaction checklist and commission management system.  The interface is kind of antiquated and old-fashioned.  Needs an updated look.  Reminds me of a 90's computer interface.  I absolutely love that you can add the co-agent's contact info and also appraisers, and inspectors.  Great way to manage vendors and network.  It lacks the auto bday and house anniversary feature, you have to create a campaign for it, which can be tedious if you are starting with a large database.  The drip campaigns are kinda old fashioned in style in my opinion.  But I do like this CRM.  It has texting and smart numbers too.  Has some built in AI to it but not spectacular.

 

Realty Juggler is very basic and simple.  At least it was in 2017 when I used it as a newly licensed agent.  It does allow you to input your database easily, and it has a nice monthly cost tracker built in that I found very useful.  I miss that in the more robust CRMs.  I wish more had that.  It was like a built in expense tracker you could keep track of your business costs and keep good track of your bottom line.  

 

KvCore my brokerage offered it at the time for free and I actually loved it.  It is not user friendly for a beginner but I loved the interface.  Had an auto dialer, text number, great drip campaigns and great AI and client tracking.  t is very robust! Almost too much so.  You spend more time playing with it than hitting the streets and opening doors with your clients.  The cost is VERY high without a large brokerage paying for it.  Way more than I would spend for a CRM but it really was nicely designed.  You can creat landing pages in it, has a website too, IDX capabilities.  

DeltaNet6 is like a business hub as well as a CRM.  The interface is fairly simple and its colorful and has a decent design.  Is similar to ixact and wise agent in the fact you can do campaigns, has a text number, website.  My brokerage offers it at no cost but I am always reluctant to dive into a brokerage CRM because your entire business management can be totally disrupted if you choose to leave the brokerage or they decide to pull the plug on it.  That's probably the only reason I haven't fully dived into it yet and left  go of mine.  

 

I mirror what some others said, the best one is the one you will use.  

Oct 07, 2022 06:41 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

I don't  use any.

Jan 21, 2019 07:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Great answers are here. 

Jan 21, 2019 07:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Use one that is easy to learn quickly.  I have Top Producer, and is not very user friendly.

Jan 20, 2019 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I designed my own years ago

Jan 19, 2019 07:54 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Park and seeing what others use.

 

Jan 18, 2019 12:18 PM
Rainmaker
74,540
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

I use Hubspot Cathy

Jan 18, 2019 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We are testing a few new ones this year as the technology continues to change. LionDesk, Elevated Network so far are at the top of our list; no choice yet though! Here is a link to  LionDesk

Jan 17, 2019 10:15 AM