For the last 3 days I have been searching and reading blogs and websites about migrating my contact data from TP7i to something else. The reasons are that Top Producer has been always difficult to use and too expensive. So far I have 3 runners for its replacement.( I tell my customers to keep no more then top 3 homes they like, if another runner up comes up they have to replace it with one of their top 3 so there are always no more then 3 homes to consider. )

  • My Top 3 so far are:
  1. Howard & Friends : http://www.howardandfriends.com/index.html
  2. RealeSeller: http://www.realeseller.com/index.html
  3. REST : http://realestatesuccesstools.com/newsite/REST/REST/

Others: 

4. Eurekaware: http://www.eurekaware.com/Default.asp

The Main thing they have in common is that all 3 integrate or work with Outlook Express. I will welcome some comments on those 3 or if you have a better choice nominate it here and I will update the list.

Jan. 22.07 Update:

I am replacing Eurekaware with REST. The main reason is transferring TP7i database. As you may know by now your TP database is held hostage and you will need professional help to transfer it to the new software. Please keep the comments going, also when you suggest a product let us know why you like it. Thank you all.

 
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39 Comments on TOP 3 Real Estate Software - Contact Management

That's very useful information, Top Producer isn't all that user-friendly either.

I'll definitely research those options.

 Thank you!

01/21/2008 11:47 AM by Kajal Sachania


Kris look at www.realfuturecrm.com  its free up to 500 contacts..( I think that amount is right)..

01/21/2008 11:50 AM by Gail Tassey (Keller Williams Realty)


One of the most knowledgeable people about different contact management programs is Gary David Hall. He has a lot of information on his web site at GaryDavidHall.com. If you contact him directly, he will help you find the best program for you based on your needs. I am a very satisfied user of Gary's products and service, and have no other ties to him.

01/21/2008 01:46 PM by Hank Roeters (Platinum Partners Realtors)


So which did you pick to use? I also tried and gave up on Top Producer. It hogged too much memory and kept crashing my machine. And was a pain. I do need something that works with Outlook. Through Realty Executives I'm using Sharper Agent, but it won't integrate with Outlook. I'm interested in your final choice and why!

01/21/2008 02:25 PM by Realty Executives - Erica Ramus - 570 622 6006 - Schuylkill


Would love to know what you decide - I, too, dumped Top Producer as too expensive and difficult to use.

01/22/2008 04:45 PM by Carol Zingone, Broker Associate, GRI, SRES (Vanguard GMAC)


Kris

great info thank you...

Rick

01/22/2008 04:58 PM by Rick Kellow


Jan. 22.07 Update:

I am replacing Eurekaware with REST. The main reason is transferring TP7i database. As you may know by now your TP database is held hostage and you will need professional help to transfer it to the new software. Please keep the comments going, also when you suggest a product let us know why you like it. Thank you all.

01/22/2008 06:03 PM by Kris Zugloff (ERA Buckhead Realty)


I have TP 6i and I use Outlook and I am looking for something different too.

01/22/2008 07:58 PM by Jay McGillicuddy~Real Estate Broker (Prudential Verani Realty)


I'm thinking of purchasing REST, but I would like to hear some more comments from anyone that has used it.  Are you happy with it?  How is the e-mail feature work.....does it sync up with outlook?

03/16/2008 09:57 PM by Kevin Wilhelm (Coldwell Banker United, Realtors)


How about ACT for Real Estate?  I am looking for the best solution too!

03/16/2008 10:54 PM by Rob Roebuck, ABR (RealtySouth)


I tried a free-trial for the NEW ACT 2008 for Real Estate and I found it to be like most ACT software...bloated, slow and too complicated.  I also tried Top Producer 8i, but didn't want to sign their 12 month auto-renew contract (since most everyone I talk to that has used TP usually ends up NOT using it after a few months). 

So, I've narrowed my choices down to REST and Advatage Xi.  Both seem like good platforms, but I'm just not sure.  I'd like to hear more from people that are using them everyday. 

I like REST becuse I might end up getting a MAC when my Dell finally kicks the bucket, and I've always heard good things about File Maker Pro (which is what REST is based on). 

Advantage Xi looks really good also.....it seems very intuitive and simple.  But, I don't want to be married to Microsoft Windows for the rest of my life....so that's one strike against it.

Choices.......

 

 

03/17/2008 12:09 AM by Kevin Wilhelm (Coldwell Banker United, Realtors)


great tips thanks for sharing

03/17/2008 01:33 AM by


I've decided to go with REST.After evaluating all the other options, REST "just works".  It's intuitive, it's attractive & it does everything I need it to do.  Plus, after speaking with Karen & Matthew at REST, I truly believe this is the platform that will not only work for me now.....but it will grow with me.

03/18/2008 01:39 PM by Kevin Wilhelm (Coldwell Banker United, Realtors)


Hello Kris, Thank for adding this post in to the Users Group. There are many many in the profession that have wrestling with this issues for years and you gave a nice succinct post that deals with your decision making on your selection of real estate software. The comments really tell the story that there has been so much misinformation out there. I read here from a few about REST. I was very impressed with the company and their responsiveness to questions that I had. They seem dedicated to our interests and provide great tutorials as well as training. Other software supplier would be well advised to look at the model they set up. I haven't personally made the change but when I am ready to do so, REST , it is. They deserve the publicity here as they have been very responsive and obviously care that their clients are well served. Thanks again for bringing this post to the group. It's all about informed choice.

03/19/2008 02:36 PM by San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-PRO (RE/MAX Associates)


  This is good information....Kris....which one did YOU choose and why ?

 

               Doug

03/19/2008 03:01 PM by DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc.


Just to update.....I'm 2 days into using REST and I have not had any complaints.  The buyer's remorse usually kicks in for me right about now (on day 2) for most of the Real Estate Tools that I've purchased in the past, but not with REST......I'm still thrilled with it and I'm actually excited about using it.

REST doesn't do a lot of marketing like Top Producer, so word of mouth from happy customers goes a long way.

If you are curious about it, go to their site and download the demo.....or just call them up and talk to Karen or Matthew.  I promise you, it'll be worth your time.

Kevin   

03/19/2008 08:41 PM by Kevin Wilhelm (Coldwell Banker United, Realtors)


I gave up on Top Producer years ago - too clunky, too slow, not compatible with other programs. Since then we've been using ACT and have been very happy with it. Didn't like TransACT for real estate - just customized the regular ACT.

03/21/2008 09:10 PM by Sharon Simms St Pete Florida CRS CIPS CLHMS (RE/MAX Metro)


Is there a monthly fee for REST? Also, is anyone here a reseller of this program? I'd like to know if there is a trial version available. I don't like Outlook because of then notes section and how it is not very helpful when tracking real estate transactions and people. Too many categories could easily be created and then data becomes messy. Also, has anyone here tried Lead Commander which links with Freedom Voice? I have Freedom Voice, but I have not used it even though I pay the monthly fee. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

04/04/2008 07:21 PM by Susan Vanderburgh (Gillian Bryant, Broker)


Hi Kris~ Another powerful alternative that is very user friendly is WiseAgent It is quickly becoming a very popular transition platform from Top Producer, as it offers many of the same features and is more user friendly.

04/06/2008 10:45 AM by Laura Monroe- Real Estate Virtual Assistant (Creative Agent Solutions.com)


Hi Kris~ Another powerful alternative that is very user friendly is WiseAgent It is quickly becoming a very popular transition platform from Top Producer, as it offers many of the same features and is more user friendly.

04/06/2008 10:46 AM by Laura Monroe- Real Estate Virtual Assistant (Creative Agent Solutions.com)


I, too, am a Top Producer reform-ee.  I loved it at first but I was new to the CRM world...I grew to dislike it more and more everyday I used it.  Not to mention the monthly wallet raid that was required.

I made my own contact forms for Outlook and can now track the information I need and that is specific to my area instead of a generic CRM program that has things that I would never use...I always hated that.

 

04/06/2008 10:34 PM by "JT" Prevatte, REALTOR, ABR, ASR ~Fayetteville, NC Real Estate (ERA Strother Real Estate, Fayetteville, NC)


I used to use a separate Exchange server (http://www.1&1.com/) for all of our email, contact lists, etc. I recently started using http://www.plaxo.com/ to maintain my contact list, calendar, etc. It has worked out very well for the way we work. Plaxo will automatically sync with Outlook and many other tools. The base version of Plaxo is free and you can get some enhanced features for a monthly price.

04/06/2008 10:46 PM by Geoff Scowcroft (Coldwell Banker)


I'm curious...you already use Outlook Express (that's for email) why aren't you using Outlook to incorporate the contact management, activity tracking, calendar, syncing with PDA/Phone and email?

05/15/2008 11:06 AM by Jeff Graves (Impact Your Sales Now)


Hi Kris. Thanks for sharing the great tip! Keep them coming.

05/17/2008 12:02 PM by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)


Kris...I agree TP does hold your database hostage. I have helped several agents migrate from TP to Outlook and although I consider myself a professional, getting your contacts out of TP and into another program isn't all that complicated as it is time consuming. Are their tricks to know...absolutely. Thanks for your post.

05/17/2008 12:21 PM by Jeff Graves (Impact Your Sales Now)


Hi Mr. Zugloff,

I hope you don't mind me posting a side question here.  Since you are intimate with crm tools (through your needs and research of products) I was wondering if you could help answer a question I posted here:  http://activerain.com/blogsview/574849/CRM-Management-Tool which is asking for a list of important features in a crm tool.  I feel some of the tools are bloated and wonder what you and others find useful within a crm tool and what features are not really used.  Any information would be great! 

 

07/01/2008 09:45 PM by Jason Willis (In development)


Att. Jason _

For me automatic e-mail and mail plans are a must also to sync my information with Outlook and my Treo. Hopefully other agents will comment what they like here so make sure you subscribe to this feed. Good luck and keep us posted.

07/01/2008 11:10 PM by


Anyone use Howard & Friends or Agents 1st Choice?  I, too, got Top Producer 8i and don't like it at all.  I am seriously looking at Advantage Xi (heard it is really good).  Agents 1st choice looks interesting because it can pull property data/photos from your mls, do really nice CMAs, have email/history tied to the contact, and have customizable web forms that can automatically import you leads to your database.  Advantage Xi take it further with lead capture, but you have to manually enter in MLS data.  I'll look into Wise agent and REST too.

Talk to Gary David Hall for more advice.. he is great!  (Unsolicited compliment) I don't work for him or get paid by him.. he is just a valuable resource  http://www.garydavidhall.com/

08/05/2008 11:19 PM by Amy Norris


Don't forget Top Producer, Agent Office and a relatively new one out there called TheWiseAgent.  What ever the program -0- it is only as good as you use it -- hopefully for more than an address book and you will set up email campaigns with your clients

08/07/2008 01:48 AM by Scott Hoen, ePro, MBA (eMarketing Services)


I had heard a lot about Top Producer and would like an easy system to use - thanks!

08/07/2008 08:01 AM by Norma J. Elkins (Coldwell Banker Realty House)


Thank you all for participating. I am looking into Advantage Xi and it looks like it will make its way to the Top 3. The good thing about it is that there is so much information about it so its easy to see if its going to work or not. They have over 100 instructional videos and 300 page manual available as well as 30 days trial. I will play around with it for a while and see what happens<grint>

 

 

08/07/2008 08:59 AM by Kris Zugloff (ERA Buckhead Realty)


So whats the final verdict?  Anyone want to argue what's the BEST of the BEST?!!

08/07/2008 02:02 PM by Rob Roebuck, ABR (RealtySouth)


I am trying to understand which features are beneficial to you and would like to understand 'why' you choose certain products.  Also, what formats are beneficial to extract or export into other tools you may use. 

v/r

JW

08/07/2008 02:09 PM by Don't forget the "why" please! :)


Really great information in these post! Thank you to everyone for sharing! Paige www.paigewalker.com

08/07/2008 03:19 PM by Paige Walker (Century 21 Millennium)


Have used top producer 7i, and 8i, and Agent office.

Top Producer 8i just flat out sucks.  Sure it is a very powerful database...but as far as being user friendly it sucks...as far as being 'fast' it sucks.  Web based is highly over rated...it is just way to slow.

Agent office, i like much more, but just is not as powerful as I need it to be.  Not good with importing internet leads, and it's email program is terrible.

So I went searching....and without question advantage xi is the best CRM i have come across.

You get a free 30 day full working program.  download and check it out...tons of great video tutorials...but you hardly need them as it just makes sense...and it is very very powerful.

You won't be sorry...check it out.

p.s.  I know nothing about the other databases mentioned above...but i would stay away from any web based database...they are just way to slow (even with high speed)...with advantage xi...i pay $10 a month and they hose the database on their servers...i dont' worry about backing up my data at all...and the database flies...i just have to wait 10secs to 1 minute upon logging out while it 'synchs' to the server at their location...pretty slick.

08/08/2008 03:37 AM by Jim


What would you say about ACT! for real estate use? I have been told that was high up there with client databases.

08/08/2008 12:44 PM by Dominic Zendejas (Century 21 Beachside)


To Amy and Jim,

I am very curios if you can tell me how long have you used Advantage Xi and what do you mean by the Advantage Xi lead capture capabilities or may be you can share any other cool features that you like. Because the program its not that well known I got flood of emails since you mentioned it. Let us know if you can take the time, we are very interested to learn.

08/08/2008 01:50 PM by Kris Zugloff (ERA Buckhead Realty)


Advantage Xi gets great reviews in this neck of the woods. I would love to learn more from current users...anyone?

08/15/2008 01:01 AM by Erinn Allred (The Muljat Group)


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Real Estate Agent: Kris Zugloff (ERA Buckhead Realty)
Kris Zugloff
Marietta, GA
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