Congrats first off Nate!  It sounds like you are well on your way to being successful if you have already accomplished getting 2 listings and have something under contract.

Sounds like you need a database to keep your customers info in.  SOmething like Top Producer, Agent Office....I know some other people will have others they can recommend to you.  

Basically you need to get some sort of database to enter all of the information in and something that reminds you when to follow up with them again...and so on.  They are wonderful to have, this way you don't "forget" to do things.

Good luck to you, it sounds as if you don't really need any luck though!  ;)

I use Act by Sage software and It works well for me.  Act is a good Database to help you stay up on your contcts. Get a file cabinet and begin to file by clinet.  getting organized now will pay big dividends.

Nate, congratulations on your early success!  An excel spreadsheet is easy and simple.  Legal sized file folders work well.  A sheet with frequently called numbers is great.  Those are things I use, even though I'm heavily into technology.  I tried many contact managers and found them even more cumbersome than the problems they claim to solve.  However, many people enjoy the online systems.

For contact management there are several excellent programs (which have already been mentioned).  I've used ACT! for a number of years.  I started using it in another business I own so it's what I was already comfortable using.

Some people prefer index cards in a box that they can carry everywhere they go.  I'm considering going back to that old-fashioned method in addition to ACT! for all current customers and HOT prospects.  It can be as simple as having "month" dividers and 31 "date" dividers.  Each contact gets a 5x7 card and brief notes are kept on the card.  After each 'action' with a given contact, simply move the card to the next date you want to contact him.  Each day your contacts are at your fingertips no matter where you go.

Perhaps the most important tool we have is a spiral notebook about the same size as our daytimer (7x9?).  It is for ALL NOTES as we talk to anyone, anytime.  Susan has one and I have one.  We started using this several months ago in place of post-it note, notepads, scribble pads, etc.  By doing so, we have every note, phone number, email address, etc that we ever write down.  That way, even if we 'think' we will never need it again, we will have it just in case!  With our 'aging memory' this is a priceless tool!  Susan keeps her notes very neat... I'm a doodler, so you can imagine how messy mine look - but I have them!!!!

Nate, Sounds like you are doing well right from the start! A contact management system is essential as mentioned above. Get something that was designed to be used by real estate people, not some generic program.

ACT is one of the best programs for general sales, but real estate is not one of those. You will find that you need to keep information on clients in fields that are not part of act. There are add-ons to ACT to make it more friendly, but why patch things together.

Top Producer is a bang-up program, the number one Contact management program for real estate on the market. There is a huge learning curve for this program, and monthly expenses as it is web based.

Agent Office, which is what I use works really well, was easy to learn and is based on your computer, so you always have access to your data. One of the neat features is that it interfaces directly with True Forms, so I can basically fill out contracts with a couple of clicks.

I have looked at some other programs, that were extensions off of Outlook and other stand alones and some of them looked pretty good. I don't remember their names.

The key thing here is don't try to reinvent the wheel. There are programs such as MS Access and Excel where you can go in and create a data file, but the time spent will be huge. There will always be something you needed to add, or a part you won't need and so forth.

For what it is worth, MS Outlook is a really good contact management system, if you anly want to track names and numbers. It is a good starting point and something you probably already have on your system. Any of the programs I mentioned will allow you to import your address book into them when you are ready, so that maybe where you should start.

Another thought, I scan all of my documents into a program called Paper Port, which helps me to eliminate stacks of paperwork. I can then also e-mail and fax any document from inside it, and am really happy with the way it performs.

Best of luck to you!

I have used all of these here and recommend to use Microsoft Excel or Access if money is an issue, since you are just getting started. That way you can import all of your contacts to any contact management program later.  Most importantly start now, so you do not lose any info.

I have used them all and prefer Outlook. I also usa a program called Simple Remote which works quite well! It is basic for real estate investors, but it can be customized...go to www.simpleremote.com and download a free trial copy.

I currently use and recommend using Microsoft Outlook because it synchronizes with my blackberry. Years ago I had 1 list on my computer in excel and a hodge podge "list" on my phone and it was a mess. I too used Top Producer but switched before it was web based so someone else could do my mailings. Instead of spending $$ monthly on Top Producer I think you might get more mileage out of a blackberry.

Congratulations on your success!

HI Nate--The most important thing is whatever system you decide to use-and most of the good ones have been mentioned--discipline yourself to keep track of new contacts , telephone numbers , etc,everyday so that you don't get bogged down and start losing things as you get even busier than you are now. Keep up the good work!!

Nate,

I love your Hugs video on your website.  

Everyone should go check it out.  Nate, that should bring some traffic to your site!

It's worth watching.  I love hugs!

Carol

I don't know what I would do without my blackberry. Like Michelle said, it links to Outlook. My wife has a treo and she loves it. If you don't have either, investment is a handheld like a treo or blackberry. It's wonderful when you're on the go! It's like a computer in your pocket.

By the way Nate, congrats on the listings!! You're off to a great start! The turnover rate in real estate is tremendous. It's good to hear about a fresh and new agent that has hit the ground running! Keep it up!

Hi Nate.  Congrats!  Obviously you have already gotten some good advice.  I use Top Producer and like it although I could probably better utilize its power if I had more time to sit in front of a computer.  A simple thing I have used for years is legal folders with sections.  I use green for buyers and brown for listings.  Keeps things simple.  We always have a client profile sheet just inside every folder for quick access to numbers and such.  Also, like Tim and Susan, I have a little spiral notebook (new each January 1) that I write down all phone messages and calls.  I too have a Treo, but unless they actually turn into a client, they will only maintain their spot in my spiral.  Everything I need is my Treo and I have had times that I needed to look back for a number from even 6 months earlier in my spiral notebook.  Good luck with getting organized!  Just stick with it.