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Best iPad Apps for Real Estate

By John Barker

Real Estate Agent with Real Estate Agent, Broker, Manager

April 04, 2011 05:41 PM

I have a few favorite apps for real estate on the iPad. Of course, my number one choice is Realty Agent, but closely following are some productivity apps that I use all the time to make my life in real estate easier. Here are my top 4 must haves for real estate agents....

Realty Agent ($14.99)- I have blogged on this app before, but it bears some repeating as it is the absolute best contact, listing, sale, and task management app on the market made specifically for real estate & the iPad.
Sign My Pad (3.99)- I use this app all the time. I can open an email, tap the PDF file and open it in the app, then add dates, text, and sign the document. Then it’s just a few steps to save and email it out. People are amazed how fast I can sign and return documents.
Dropbox (Free)- This is basically a cloud storage system. I can add to my dropbox file from my computer, iPhone, or iPad and then grab the file from another device. It makes transferring files simple. It’s also a great solution for sending large files to other users. They access it from a link you send and it downloads the file to their computer.
Zillow (Free)- This is a great app for searching other areas of the country. I was able to assist a friend in finding a sale price on a property on the other side of the country. They were amazed I could come up with the info while I was on the phone with them. I ended up referring them to a broker in their area, but it was nice to be the expert, even from a thousand miles away.

There are so many apps out there, yet so few good ones I have found that are geared toward real estate agent productivity. Let me know some of your favorites!

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Tricia Hoffmann

Your Home Free - Highland Village, TX

Hi John,

OK, iPad2 in hand. Finally got my contacts synced up properly so I am ready to roll.

I had a few questions about Realty Agent so I figured I would post them here in case anyone else had the same questions!

Does the task list just highlight in red or can it also alert me when a certain task is due?
Can you edit all the titles of the pre-set categories?
Can you have default setting for Buyers and Sellers that has all of the important tasks that are involved in each transaction? I think you answered that in the app description but wanted to make sure.
You can add photos. Does that include screen shots?
Can you add documents or files?

I think that does it for now. Thanks!

Apr 07, 2011 04:04 PM

John Barker

Real Estate Agent, Broker, Manager - Sierra Madre, CA

Realtor, Prudential

Hi Tricia,

1. The tasks will show up on the "home page" in black unless it is past due, in which case it appears in red. There is no "alert system" to let you know it is coming due other than checking your Home Page to do list or the to do page.

2. Yes! You can edit the titles of everything. That was one thing I made mandatory so it could be used in commercial also. The only thing to be careful of is that the categories Buyer, Seller, and Vendor are tied to the input forms for listings and sales for autofill in those forms.

3. Yes. That is done in the settings page. Just add the task, and the number of days after your listing or sale date and it will autofill those tasks.

4. Yes! the new update will allow for adding any photos. For those that don't know how to take a screenshot, just hold the power button and the front button simultaneously and it will capture your screen.

5. No. You cannot add documents or files. This was something that I asked the programmers to do, but they were not able to do it in this version. I don't know if that will become an option or not in the future.

The only other glaring weakness that I can see is the inability to do a full backup of the data. This is something that I would really like, but a lot of these wishes are contingent upon the success of the App. Currently you can export notes and other info so it would not be a total loss of info.

Tricia, if you like the app, please put positive feedback on the apple itunes store and give it a good ranking if you feel it is deserved. Thanks for trying it and I always appreciate the feedback!

Sincerely, John

Apr 08, 2011 12:46 PM

Tricia Hoffmann

Your Home Free - Highland Village, TX

Thanks John! I spent two hours last night playing with it and getting used to it. I am a hands-on learner so this is the best way for me to get familiar with it. I will definitely leave my two cents! Thanks again

Apr 09, 2011 03:00 AM

Betsy Shellman

Coeur d'Alene Home Staging Services, aka Staging Wizards - Coeur d'Alene, ID

Here's one more to add to your favs...

Trulia. I know you like Zillow, and I did too. Until I discovered Trulia. From a non-agent view point, I like the ease of Trulia better than Zillow. It is easier to navigate and gives me more pictures to view homes.

And I believe it's free. I loaded it a while back so I can't remember, but I think it is free.

Betsy

Coeur d'Alene Home Staging Services

Apr 13, 2011 05:10 AM

John Barker

Real Estate Agent, Broker, Manager - Sierra Madre, CA

Realtor, Prudential

Thanks for the tip Betsy! I just uploaded Trulia and it looks like a great App, & Yes, it's still free!

Apr 13, 2011 07:43 AM

Michael Harris-Arzon

Ardynn Media Group - Poinciana, FL

I have been testing Apple and Android apps for the past few months as we prepare to launch a new App Magazine for REALTORS, and while Drop box is a must I also would add Chatter for any REALTOR teams. It allows you to work in a secure cloud environment that looks and feels just like Facebook and is free. And my must app is PULSE, another free app that ISA customizable news reader that is perfect to stay in touch with industry news. Use these URLs and you can effectively scan all major real estate industry news sources on a daily basis. Inman.com REALTrends.com RISMedia.com RealtyTimes.com TheLIMEMagazine.com (an Ardynn Publication) You can then vary easily share relevant news with your buyers and sellers via social channels with a simple touch.

Apr 29, 2011 04:55 PM

Dawn & Charlie Tetro

PalmerHouse Properties & Associates - Johns Creek, GA

Real Service Real Results

Wow! What a load of wonderful tips! I am a little slow I'm afraid to adapt to the quickly changing technology, but I love what I am reading. Anything that makes us more efficient and saves time is a must for me! I am considering the ipad or the BB Playbook (since it seems I just cannot give up my BB and qwerty keyboard) Thanks.

Jul 19, 2011 10:05 AM

John Barker

Real Estate Agent, Broker, Manager - Sierra Madre, CA

Realtor, Prudential

Dawn, I have some friends who went with the playbook and were very disappointed as there are very few apps for it right now. I no longer use sign my pad as I have replaced it with PDF Expert. The iPad is an incredible tool for real estate!

Jul 19, 2011 10:09 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

John, just got my iPad2 and researching all the must-have apps. Thanks for the tips here. Off to download them.

Aug 12, 2011 02:17 PM

Dagny Eason

Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT

Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Thanks John For all of the information here. I just got an iPad like Tammie, and would love to know how to get into a regular Active Rain in it so I can comment and write blog posts.

Oct 14, 2011 02:23 PM

Mike Dobbins

Realty ONE Group - Cave Creek, AZ

Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree

Thanks John,

I have Sign-N-Send, have you tried it and if so you like Sign My Pad better?

Dec 12, 2011 02:35 AM

Anonymous

Pro Real Estate App

http://itunes.apple.com/pt/app/pro-real-estate/id490084738?mt=8

http://www.prorealestate-app.com/

Pro Real Estate App

A working tool on your iPad for real estate agents and professionals, available on the Apple Store.

All information and technical elements necessary for the real estate business are present in this application, providing permanent access to a portfolio of real estate, customer contacts, negotiations, property characteristics, statistical trends of business, etc.. Give a boost to your professional performance with this application available for your iPad, easy to handle, very intuitive, with strong image and complete information about all the business execution.

Exclusively created for real estate agents, this application allows you to enter all the information necessary for managing and implementing commercial real estate.

Go to the Apple Store today and learn all about the capabilities, interactivity and productivity that this application can offer you, so that you can improve your professional performance.

Jan 02, 2012 04:14 AM

#21

Anonymous

Pro Real Estate App

http://itunes.apple.com/pt/app/pro-real-estate/id490084738?mt=8

http://www.prorealestate-app.com/

Pro Real Estate App

A working tool on your iPad for real estate agents and professionals, available on the Apple Store.

Exclusively created for real estate agents, this application allows you to enter all the information necessary for managing and implementing commercial real estate.

Go to the Apple Store today and learn all about the capabilities, interactivity and productivity that this application can offer you, so that you can improve your professional performance.

Jan 02, 2012 04:16 AM

#22

Anonymous

john barker[true]

hello john i want you to tell me how and where you set up this blog from i need to set one up if you could help i would be thankfull john

yours sincerly john barker

Jan 14, 2012 12:27 AM

#23

Tracy Santrock

Santrock Realty Group Inc. , - Cary, NC

Raleigh - Cary Broker

What great tips! I have the typical portals - zillow, trulia, etc. HOwever Realty Pad and Sign my pad are at the top of my list!

Jan 27, 2012 12:16 AM

Agent Manager Solutions

Agent Manager Solutions - Waco, TX

Here's a YouTube link to describe a new app that has recently been developed, called Agent Manager Solutions. It currently has a 30 day FREE TRIAL and will be in promotion very soon.

http://youtu.be/SpWIouvtuy.

Agent Manager is an innovative software solution for real estate agents designed to put your office in your pocket. Combining an innovative iPhone app with a robust website, Agent Manager keeps all of your business activities in sync and instantly accessible. From the moment you meet a potential client until you are at the closing table, you'll now be able to track every move and ultimately grow your business. Stay connected without being in front of your computer, and focus on what you do best: making the sale. DOWNLOAD IN APP STORE. THEN GO TO www.agentmanagersolutions.com

Feb 21, 2012 09:00 AM

Anonymous

sadamegh04

Thanks, but we didn’t miss your blog. We just felt that there were others that were better suited for the list. Maybe next one. Just keep doing what you’re doing and best of luck to you. Regards.

please follow this link

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Feb 26, 2012 07:03 AM

#26

David Popoff

DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT

Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Thanks for the tip and link, it works well.

Mar 19, 2012 05:00 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

One that I just discovered, though a little glitchy, well worth it. It is a browser that allows you to visit sites that use Adobe Flash. (Lots of training videos are done that way) It is callediSwifter and it is only $4.99.

Then another app that is pretty awesome is AgentAid, (Gives you the ability to sign contracts on your iPad) it is an app that is free to download, you can upload your first contract for free, then you upload the other one or two contracts you use all the time for $4.99 each. I've been using it for months and have only spent $14.97. Figure the only time I will have to upload another contract is when the MLS updates the contract. Much better than the $16.99 a month that I was being charged by Docusign to do the same thing.

Jun 09, 2012 06:06 AM

Senad Dizdar

cloudHQ - San Francisco, CA

Hi John,

Dropbox is very cool. And Dropbox is an excellent storage service.

For example, you can use Dropbox as a backup destination to backup all your data from other cloud services. For example, if you use Evernote and Google Docs, it might good to backup all notes and Google Docs documents to Dropbox.

So please check out cloudHQ (http://cloudHQ.net) - cloudHQ can backup and sync all your files from Google Docs, Evernote, SugarSync, Box, etc. to Dropbox - even Basecamp projects.

Jul 30, 2012 12:07 AM