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Not using all of your CRMs features. That's OK.

By
Real Estate Technology with RE-ACT, LLC

There is a common complaint with agents feeling that if they don’t use all the features of a CRM, that they are spending more money than they should for features they don’t use. Developers have to build a CRM to suit the needs of the many, so there will undoubtedly be features that not everyone wants. It’s one thing if all you want is an electronic Rolodex. If that’s the case then just use Outlook or Google and be done with it. But if you want other features, chances are you’re going to have to take a CRM that has what you do want, as well as additional features you don’t want. Fortunately there are many different choices so you can usually find one that doesn’t have too much more than you want or need.

I liken it to purchasing a car. If you want very basic transportation, you buy a very basic car. But if you want electric heated seats, then you have to move up to the next level of cars. When you do, there is a new feature set that comes standard and you can’t pick and choose. If it comes standard with cruise control and you don’t want it, you get it anyway. If you want the car, you buy it with the cruise because that’s the way it comes.

Comments (5)

Pat Barton
Re/Max Allegiance - Sandbridgehouses.com - Virginia Beach, VA
Sandbridge Beach Real Estate Specialist

Good point, Gary!  It's definitely better to have a CRM that has more functions and features than you'll ever use rather than one which does not fulfill your most basic needs.  

Feb 21, 2012 11:58 PM
Ron Tarvin
Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction! - Katy, TX
Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095

I'm guessing you're talking about Top Producer, which I've always thought was priced too high.  Yes, it's loaded with features but not that everyone will use.  

And the add on products that really rock, take your prices WAY up!  To follow your analogy, it would be like buying a Ferrari when a Lexus would be just as luxurious and spoiling to me.  Yeah, it's a Ferarri and it's more luxury, but way over the top vs the price I guess. 

Feb 22, 2012 12:57 AM
Ron Tarvin
Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction! - Katy, TX
Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095

PS, on the good note for Top Producer, the Housevalues/Marketleader CRM is closing down and people will be looking for a new option I guess...lots more business there I guess.

Feb 22, 2012 12:58 AM
Chris Lewis
Gracious Living Realty - Front Royal, VA
I want to SELL your home, not LIST it!

There are many lower-prices options available, that provide all the essential features without so many extras.

Feb 22, 2012 06:21 AM
Gary David Hall
RE-ACT, LLC - Doylestown, PA
Real Estate CRM Sales, Training and Implementation

Ron - As far as Top Producer being priced too high, I would have to say that you get more bang for the buck with its features than any other product out there. And a value that no one ever talks about is that they are vertically integrated with far more other products than anything other, which is an added value. Aside from feature sets, TP has its pros and cons as do they all. As you say though, many people don't use many of the features. If not, there are many less powerful products available at a lesser price.

As for cost, that wasn't a point I was making in the original post. That's a whole nuther ball of wax. As for "essential" features, that varies widely with the user. What is essential for some, is unneccesary for others. A perfect example is the ability to create automated to-do lists. Some don't want it. Many others consider it essential. That's one of the features that typically kicks you up into a different "standard".

Feb 22, 2012 07:07 AM