Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Investigate various real estate investment software programs to find the best for your needs

Look for information on the kinds of programs that are available to make your business more profitable and efficient, such as accounting applications and programs to build virtual tours of your properties. Find websites that include newsletters and updates about new real estate programs and how they are working in the field.

I recommend: The Real Estate Center offers a variety of information abut the latest software trends that can help you in your business. Multi-Housing News can be a great independent source of information for which software will work best for you and how you can integrate it into your own real estate dealings. Sign up for a regular newsletter to keep up with developments in the software.

Look for mobile real estate agent software solutions

Find software programs that work easily on laptops with wireless technology to keep up with listings and sales. Get a mobile printer and a global positioning unit that integrates with your new software to keep you on track while you're in the field.

I recommend: Top Producer offers the latest software packages that are available for mobile real estate agents to help you run your business more efficiently. Find links to a variety of mobile real estate software programs as well as brief reviews of the products at FilesLand Software.

Bring in a real estate management software expert to upgrade your business

With all of the options available today, it may behoove you to let a real estate industry software consultant come in and review your organization and how it works to help you select the best software for your uses. Find a consultant that doesn't sell software, but who has experience with a variety of platforms to get the best unbiased advice.

I recommend: Consider bringing in the software developers at AMTdirect to advise you how to implement the software into your sales strategies and how the latest technology can help you make the most of your time. Intuit offers advice and consulting on the new programs they've developed for real estate management.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for suppliers of real estate industry software that allow you to update your website listings remotely yourself without having to wait for a third party to process the changes.

Guide to Real Estate Software

If you have a real estate business, software can help you manage it better

By Frances Sharpe, freelance writer/editor

1. Software for real estate agents to help you manage your contacts, create a website or create virtual tours.
2. Real estate management software for property managers to help you with tenant management and lease administration.
3. Real estate solutions for appraisers to help you access property information and forms.
4. Real estate investment software for investors to help you evaluate potential investment properties.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use software for real estate agents

Software for real estate agents helps them with the multi-tasking the job requires. Tools are available to help you close deals, track leads and more.

I recommend: Boston Logic Technology Partners offers real estate software that helps agents manage deals, search inventory, track leads and more. AutoRealty’s AutoContract makes it a snap to draw up real estate contracts. SureClose is a leading transaction management solution that streamlines the process from listing to closing.

Use real estate management software to manage your contacts

In the real estate industry, contact management is key. Real estate management software helps you maintain an accurate database of your contacts for marketing campaigns.

I recommend: Designed for the residential real estate agent, software called AgentOffice from RealtyStar offers contact management and more. Real Estate Assistant is the firm’s commercial real estate software program for contact management. Other contact management programs include RESMET and Simple Remote.

Use software for real estate websites

To stay competitive, every real estate agent needs a website. Real estate software can help you create and maintain your site.

I recommend: With Realty Manager software for real estate professionals, you can create and publish real estate listings on your site.

Use real estate software for property management

Features to look for in real estate management software include leasing administration, maintenance management, automated rent calculations and reporting functions.

I recommend: Spectra Property Management Software is suitable for single homes, condos, apartments, commercial offices, shopping centers or industrial strips. ARGUS Software offers a full range of real estate solutions, including property management software. Find more property management software providers at Business.com.

Use real estate software to create virtual tours

Virtual tours have become one of the hottest marketing tools in the real estate industry. Web based real estate software is one option to help you create virtual tours,

I recommend: To create virtual tours, try E360IMAGE or Alter Ego Visual Design, which are web based real estate software solutions. VisualTour offers everything you need to create and host unlimited virtual home tours.

Use real estate software programs for appraisers

Several real estate software programs give appraisers quick access to property information, forms, maps and other tools of the trade - even when you're on the go.

I recommend: eTrac is a web based real estate software solution designed for appraisal offices. WinTOTAL is a formfilling progam used by more than half of the nation’s appraisers. Bradford Technologies offers a number of real estate solutions, including mobile appraiser tools.

Use real estate investment software

Take advantage of real estate investment software to evaluate properties before buying.

I recommend: RealData’s REIA is real estate investment software that lets you calculate the potential ROI for residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whether you're involved in residential or commercial real estate, software can streamline processes and improve sales figures.
• •  If you're in real estate sales, software can assist you in tracking listings throughout the sales process.
• •  Real estate software solutions that offer forms should provide updates when forms are changed.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become more efficient with real estate business software

Rather than rely on lengthy waiting times to create and download your new presentations and bid on new properties, utilize the latest web-based real estate agent software to speed up and increase the value of your presentations.

I recommend: Consider the ways that the Landlord's & Flipper's Cash Flow Analyzer can provide an advantage to a rental real estate professional. Check out the screens that will take you through the features of the latest real estate software developed by Realty Star.

Increase commissions with real estate analysis software

With web-based real estate software, you can create projects directly from a site while updating information as it comes to you live from vendors and clients. Integrate real estate investment software into your company to make quicker and more accurate decisions on the spot, giving you an edge on the competition for really hot real estate deals.

I recommend: Watch a tutorial on using the analysis software available at planEase when you're looking for upgrades. Take a free tour of the real estate software available at Mighty Map.

Look for comprehensive real estate investment software

Keep track of your accounts and projects in real time with real estate software programs. Contact clients and support staff to keep your team equipped with the information they need to make bids and get in touch with clients and traders in a timely manner. Get your listing up and running quicker with updated applications.

I recommend: Market Linx is a full-service real estate software provider that can help you decide which systems are best for you and teach you how to use them. Watch the live demo on how to incorporate the real estate record-keeping software from All Clients.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that your real estate software providers participate in the open standards technology that's driving the real estate industry, so that you'll be able to work within every market easily and efficiently.