Where to start with finding a good Real Estate Contact Management Software? And... what didn't I ask?  First stop Google. Type in: Real Estate Contact Management Software. Gobs of products and information gets displayed back. That's good and that's bad. I can then spend hours reading and learning all the intricacies of each software, but do I really want to? NO!

Before I give up let me ask fellow bloggers on ActiveRain... what is it that I want to ask that I don't know to ask until after I've used the software?

In just the first page of Google results here are some of the various programs that popped up:

  • ACT! for Real Estate
  • Active Agent for Outlook
  • AddressTwo
  • Advantage Xi
  • Agent360
  • AgentBusinessBuilder
  • AgentOffice
  • Agent's 1st Choice
  • Agent Organizer
  • AllClientsReal Estate Contact Management
  • BrokersHelper
  • BusyAgentPro
  • CRMRealEstate
  • EurekaWare
  • Howard & Friends
  • LeadCommander
  • Masterdigm
  • MoreSolds
  • Net Aspects
  • PlanPlusOnline
  • Prospects
  • RealAgentAccelerator
  • RealEstateClientManagement
  • RealeSeller™
  • RealFutureCRM
  • RealtyWare
  • RealTime2020
  • Realty Juggler
  • Respond
  • REST
  • SalesForce
  • SharperAgent
  • SimpleRemote
  • Symplifi
  • TopProducer
  • Vision
  • WiseAgent
  • 360Agent


I don't want to know what's the best software because that is a relative question. A program that's the best for one agent would be overkill for another and vice versa.

Many of you out there use one of these software programs. For you I have a question... after you bought it and started using it was there something you wished you would have asked and didn't?
Like:

  • Will it sync with my phone?
  • Is it compatible with Outlook?
  • Can I easily import or export data from another database?
  • Does it have an online version or site to store my contacts?
  • What recurring fees are there?
  • Does it integrate with my social networking sites?

What was your experience?

 

Kathryn Gorham | Green Key Properties | Emerald Isle North Carolina
2010 President Women's Council of REALTORS® Crystal Coast Chapter
252.646.4656 cell · 252.354.7007 office
Southern Outer Banks NC | Crystal Coast NC | Coastal Carolina
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Copyright © 2009 by Kathryn Gorham, All Rights Reserved.*Real Estate Contact Management Software - what didn't I ask?*

 

 
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3 Comments on Real Estate Contact Management Software - what didn't I ask?

OCT
17
299,157 Points 3 Featured Posts

I will say since Agent 2000 went to web base it is a disaster. You can't get anyone on the phone and when they return your call they tell you to call tech support and when call then thy put you through to customer service because you ar eout of contract and th ecycle starts again.

I am so thorugh with Agent 2000

9:43pm • #1
OCT
18
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Hit Router

Charles - thanks for the heads up. I've found many a software that didn't quite meet expectations taking it to an online version.

10:19am • #2
DEC
02

Kathryn,

I can give you some specific information about one of the products on your list - RealtyJuggler.

PHONE SYNC? - As far as your first question about Sync with phone, the answer is probably yes.  You didn't mention the phone that you have, so I can't say positively one way or the other.  However, the way that RealtyJuggler handles sync with Phones is that it syncs first with Microsoft Outlook.  From there, you can use whatever sync software that comes with your phone.  Almost all smartphones sync with outlook.  So, if your phone can sync with Outlook, the answer would be yes.  For example, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Palm devices all sync with Outlook, and therefore work just fine with RealtyJuggler.

Phone <=> outlook <=> realtyjuggler

COMPATABLE WITH OUTLOOK? - Yes.  RealtyJuggler does a 2-way sync with Outlook Tasks, Contacts and Appointments. There's also some additional integration with Outlook Distribution Lists and the ability to do Mail Blast using Outlook.  However, RealtyJuggler operates as a web site, and therefore does not require Outlook to operate.  You can think of Outlook sync capability as a nice extra capability that you can take advantage of, if you like.  However, all of the core capabilities of RealtyJuggler are available without requiring Outlook.

IMPORT/EXPORT - yes. RealtyJuggler can import contacts from about 20 different products including ACT!, Top Producer, MoreSolds, AgentOffice, FileMaker, Yahoo Address Book, Google Address Book, LandVoice, ByOwnerDaily.  That's a partial list.  In general, if your data is in CSV format, it can be imported.  The data can also be exported for use with many bulk eMail products such as ConstantContact.  You can export your contacts list in a format suitable for use with Microsoft Outlook.  OUtlook CSV format is the most common format for contacts, so you can export your contacts out of RealtyJuggler and into any competing product without any difficulty.

RECURRING FEES - RealtyJuggler is sold as a subscription for $99 / year / user. That's an inclusive price and includes technical support, automatic backups and upgrades.  The price is locked in for as long as you keep your subscription active.

INTEGRATE WITH SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES? - Not really

You didn't mention it, but I think a two additional things are worth mentioning:

- RealtyJuggler operates as a web site. You sign into our secure servers from your web browser. This has a few advantages - upgrades are automatic, you can't lose any information from a hard drive vrash or virus.  Additionally, it allows for multi-user access that is simple, so you can share your information with a partner or assistent without any trouble.

There are some people who really want a web-based product, while there are some people who really want to have an application that resides on their computer.  All newer CRM products are web based, and that's certaily the trend today.  However, the advantages of a local application (non-web-based) product are that you can use it when you are not connected to the Internet.  As a general rule, internet based products are sold as all-inclusive subscription, while application style products are sold as a single fee, with upgrades, technical support, and backups sold as an extras.

- RealtyJuggler is offered as a 90-day free trial.  You don't need a credit card to sign up for the free trial and the company will not convert the free trial into a paying subscription automatically.  Instead, you need to specifically purchase a subscription to turn the free trial into a paying sybscription.  The free trial is identical to the version that you would purchase.  There are no features that are withheld nor are there any extra modules to purchase.

This last point is rather unique.  If you were to go down your list of products you have and skipped over the products that require a credit card for the 'free' trial, your list would be reduced to perhaps a total of three products total.  If you were to furher limit your selection to products that had a simple pricing model (one price, no extra add-on fees), RealtyJuggler would stand alone.

As a disclaimer, I need to say that I work for the publisher of RealtyJuggler.  I would invite anyone who would be interested in trying out the free trial to check out the web site.

 

 

 

 

Scott Schmitz
12:09am • #3

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Kathryn Gorham Emerald Isle NC Crystal Coast

Emerald Isle, NC

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Green Key Properties

Address: 8754 Reed Drive, Suite 14, Emerald Isle, NC, 28594

Office Phone: (252) 354-7007

Cell Phone: (252) 646-4656

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