How to Choose a CRM as a Solo Real Estate Agent
A CRM (customer relationship manager) keeps track of leads, past clients, and follow-ups so deals don't slip through the cracks. As a solo agent you need something you'll actually use, not the most powerful option.
Start with what you need
Write down the three biggest problems you want fixed. Common ones:
- I forget to follow up with leads
- My contacts are scattered across my phone, email, and spreadsheets
- I can't tell which leads are worth my time
- I want automatic reminders for anniversaries and check-ins
A checklist to compare options
- Ease of setup: can you import contacts and be working in an afternoon?
- Follow-up reminders and simple automation for emails and texts
- Mobile app: you'll use it between showings
- Lead capture: can it take leads from your website or ad platforms?
- Integrations: email, calendar, and your transaction tools
- Pricing: the monthly price, what's included, and what costs extra
- Contracts: can you cancel monthly, or are you locked into a year?
- Data export: can you take your contacts with you if you leave?
Pricing questions to ask
- Is the advertised price per month billed annually?
- Are texting, email sending, or extra users charged separately?
- What happens to the price after a promotional period?
- Is there a setup or onboarding fee?
How to run a 14-day trial
- Import 50 to 100 real contacts, not sample data.
- Set up one follow-up sequence for new leads.
- Use the mobile app for at least a week.
- Note every moment of friction: clicks that took too long, features you couldn't find.
- At the end, ask yourself whether you would open it every day without being forced to.
Signs a CRM is too much
If setup takes weeks, if you need a tutorial for basic tasks, or if you're paying for features you'll never touch, it's too big for a solo agent. A simpler tool you use daily beats a powerful one you avoid.
Last updated: October 30, 2026. Features and prices change often, so confirm the details on each vendor's website.