Database Dilemma: Purge or Preserve?

My database was out of control. There were names from open houses past, phone numbers and emails long obsolete and an absence of contact spanning months if not years. I had way too many prospective buyers floating around in my head and the lengthy 18-year contact list on my iPhone was amusing to friends. No doubt, it was time to purge or preserve, or better yet, prioritize.

I hold on to the people and things I love. Hey, I still have a White Stag windbreaker from my college days. It still fits and looks great with a pair of Levis--exactly the way I wore it back in the 60s. I decided that would be my database test:

1. Are we (the buyer/seller/agent) still a good fit?

2. Do we still need and want one another?

3. Can we enrich each others life by attaining mutually satisfying goals?

I'm enjoying approaching an overwhelming task from a new angle. It is still hard for me to push the delete button and send a once potential-laden prospective buyer to the big trash can in cyberspace. I've moved many to the "back burner," turned a few more down to simmer and a have a large gathering cooling on the sidelines. If a good match materializes I can snag their email or phone number in a heartbeat and turn up the heat.

Here's why I rarely delete a name from my database: A house I showed last year came back on the market at a much reduced price. I remembered a lovely couple looked at it, but it was slightly out of their reach. Even though I had not heard from them for months I sent a chatty email notifying them of the price reduction. I had no idea whether they were still in the market. Last evening, much to my delight when I answered the phone her voice greeted me.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Homes for Sale - Palos Verdes Houses
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes