I use Outlook and have created systems that work well for me.  I see no need for a robust CRM and the added expense.

It's the lifeline of your business.  Depending on your budget you really need to get one ASAP.  Worse case use Excel, if you don't have Excel use 3x5 index cards.  Add to your data base every day, work it on a consistent basis, and follow up on every lead.

Check out Realty Juggler, Brivity & Insightly. -Kasey

Wayne Gretzky has your answer. He is credited with saying, "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it is."

You are facing the same issue, a CRM that supports business as it is or choose one based on where your business is going to be.

That imposes on you the necessity of understanding your market and seeing where your marketing efforts need to be, what your business NEEDS and will USE.

Where the puck was is WiseAgent.com, TopProducer, RealtyJuggler, crms.

Where the puck is going to be, in order of highest to lower cost is: Salesforec.com, Hubspot.com and SugarCRM.com.

The obstacle more imperative for you to overcome is to stop looking at the problem(s) and stay focused on the goal. Many people only see what keeps them from what they want (cost) but you need can see your goal.

When I trained new agents I always told them one of the first things to do to stay in business long term is to set up a CRM and use it. Personally, I don't find $35/month for mine a hefty price tag. It's worth its weight in gold to me at 75% of my business is repeat and referral and the CRM is how I stay on top of that data base. I know there are less expensive and even free alternatives. I've just never felt that this was where I should be penny pinching.

I just use outlook, simple and cheap.

There are so many choices, depending on how you are going to use it.  Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 gave you a great answer.  What will get you where you want to go?   The best choice is the one that you will use.  It doesn't need to have a lot of bells and whistles to be effective.

I successful used Top Producer for many years.

We have always had our own system.  I am sure you will get some great advice from the members. A

Well you can manage a pipeline and almost an entire sales process via excel, if you want to take the time to learn the ins and outs and don't want a bunch of features.

For me, the CRM pricetag is one of the biggest & best investments I make in my business, though - it helps me on tasks, scheduling, marketing, and improves the relationships I have with my clients and business partners --- that is worth a lot more $$$ than the price tag.  Find a good one though, lots of em' aren't worth that large price tag

Looks like you have lots of answers here.

 Outlook is the CRM du jour for many of the Brokers on this site.

Realty Juggler.

Zhoho, Top producer(dated), excel, stick on paper on the wall, apple.

These days I do not solicite mearly work with past clients and referrals. Referrals is the most reliable way to get clients.

I have several it depends on how you are running your business platform

The finer tuned the CRM is, the more time I'll have available to focus on lead generation activities. A fine tuned CRM also reduces the dependency on any specific administrative assistant because the next admin can just continue using the system. I recently switched to Brivity.

I use Top Producer, but it is rather pricey.  Outlook and Excel are good.

We use a custom, proprietary system. It's called Sandy

This is one of the biggest issues. I've searched one for a long time. Don't trust the ones provided by some big website companies.

Shanelle Cahill Tke a look at DejaOffice. It is a free App and will sync with your PC/laptop.

Top Producer

I think they are great but I've never implemented one.

I find that it's mandatory in this business.

I designed my own,

My CRM is integrated into my website and IDX. The price for everything is reasonable for all I get.

What Kasey & John Boles said - just know that with other products, you get what you pay for!!  Go for the best one that suits YOUR needs and it will pay for itself!

I use my CRM every work day, it runs my business.

I use 's Referral Maker CRM I did a couple posts on it if you are interested and I can send you a 30 day FREE trial (no credit cards needed).

You have to. How else you are going to manage your business and take notes? Via index cards? 

I use excel.  Works for my needs.  Played with Bitrix24, Insight.ly and one other that escapes my mind.  Decent free versions, but far more robost than anything I'm needing.

It really takes a lot of investigative work. I like the 'bundle' package that is starting to happen with IDX, CRM & extras. That way one bill & you know that the 2 systems won't conflict with each other. How disappointing when you get this great CRM, punch in every person known to man & then it won't cooperate with another essential program. Echhk.

I hate Outlook & I hate Top Producer. They are both lame IMHO.

I will park and see what others have to say!