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AgentOffice...where, oh where have you been hiding?

By "JT" Prevatte

Real Estate Agent with Former Agent

January 16, 2008 02:58 PM

So back to the great CRM hunt. If any of you have been following my blog lately you know that I have been on the hunt for a different CRM for my business, for those who do not know what CRM means: Customer Relationship Manager or database.

Over the past few weeks I have tried every one I could find. I searched Google and here on ActiveRain. I found a lot of things on the way. Many forums, many products and a lot of irrelevant stuff....

Most every CRM you can name, I tried. I have downloaded and deleted more than I care to talk about. I can tell you this...if all the providers would bring their products together and then consult someone actively working in real estate..now that would be a CRM.

I have come to one conclusion. Not one CRM that I could find, even the one I currently have that the contract expires on next month (TP) doesn't do everything that we as agents need. Ok...you say that they are pretty good....well how about lockbox management and and sign inventory? Seen one that can do that? Nope, me either. But think about it, apparently the CRM makers don't....those things cost money! It's very important to keep up with everything!

There are a lot of good reviews here on ActiveRain when it comes to products. But I only found a very small amount of them that cover AgentOffice.

I stumbled across a great site and a member of ActiveRain during my search, Gary David Hall (visit his website here). Gary is a pretty knowledgable guy when it comes to real estate related software. While I never trust anyone until I check them out, Gary David Hall has proven himself to me.

I was leaning towards ActiveAgent for Outlook. It is a good program but, in my opinion, not quite finished...it could use a little tweaking.

Then after trying a demo offered by Gary David Hall on his website, I knew AgentOffice was right for my business! That decision has not been proven wrong yet. I officially started using "my copy" today and WOW I was outstanding when it came to production and "being on top of my game" so to speak.

I have been able to change some fields in AgentOffice to meet my needs and I now have more complete records than I have had since I got into this business. We all know that being organized and keeping records is what makes you move forward in this business.

AgentOffice is fast! Not some of the time...ALL OF THE TIME! Not like the current CRM I use (TP) which sometimes is...click, and go get a cup of coffe and come back. Now I am not saying that TP might not be right for you, but I know after a year's worth that it is not right for my business.

One difference between AgentOffice and some online CRM's is that AgentOffice is a one time fee unless you purchase an upgrade when they are released. It has a price tag of around $300 and while that might seem like a shocker....consider that a very popular online CRM is over $400 a year...A YEAR!

Now, AgentOffice is dedicated to my laptop and not online like the other CRMs. But I can, through a server provider place it online, if I should decide the need is there. But I carry my laptop with me most places I go and it is nice to have my database right there without either having to find a Internet connection or hook up my Treo to use it as a modem.....I would imagine that popular CRM would be VERY slow that way...I usually run a 100mbps cable line and I think it is slow on that, so the Troe modem would have to be a very painful process.

If you are shopping for a CRM program for your business I strongly recommend visitng Gary David Hall's website and do some snooping around. I learned a lot and it helped me to make a decision that so far has been one of the best that I have made since I got into the business.

Along with my purchase, Gary (dang it...do I call you Gary or Gary David Hall?) included a Windows Media recording that contained over an hour of free training on AgentOffice. Now, I am a pretty techy kinda guy, I usually can figure out most things I piddle with...but this training did teach me some things I might have never picked up on my own.

Looking for a CRM? Look to AgentOffice for a demo and see for yourself! Want to try it? Click here for the link to the free trial from Gary David Hall.

**DISCLAIMER**

I am recieving nothing from Gary David Hall for this post....I am just a happy customer!

(P.S. Gary..if you are reading this, I hope you enjoy the post and freebies are always welcome! LOL)

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Linda Coen-Cushman

Coen-Cushman Real Estate, LLC. - Fort Bragg, NC

With all of your knowledge I thought I was going to read to the end and find that you are in the midst of creating and copyrighting your own CRM! Thanks for posting all of your hard work!!!!

Jan 17, 2008 11:06 AM

"JT" Prevatte

Former Agent - Fayetteville, NC

Never say never!

Jan 17, 2008 01:11 PM

Anonymous

MiamiRealEstateKing.com

Hey, there! I'm a fellow KW agent out of Miami, Florida. I have struggled like you looking for the perfect solution when I came across your blog. Thank you. You've done my homework! I once saw Agent Office at a convention and was very impressed althogh I had no reference to compare it to something else. Now, I know this is the solution for me. Great blog.

Feb 20, 2008 10:59 AM

Jason Gault

Real Estate One - Brandon, MI

Real Estate Agent, Ortonville, MI

Thank you for posting this effort in finding a CRM solution. I too was using a popular online solution whose initials could be confused with Toilet Paper....but I digress, after using it for a few days I realized that the vast majoirty of my data would be forever held captive to a monthly fee. I am currently looking for a customizable CRM solution that overlays directly with outlook, since outlook already handles my email, my contacts, my calander and works seamlessly with my Treo.

Feb 21, 2008 08:03 AM

Andy Gordon ~ Tucson Association of REALTORS®

Tucson Association of REALTORS® - Tucson, AZ

Congrats on Agent Office!! As a technology instructor, I have taught classes on a number of CRM packages. Agent Office is one of my favorites. All of the real estate modules give you quick access to all the information that you could need. Activity planning and pre-defined marketing letters are some of my favorite features.

In addition, over 20 user-defined fields makes it even better. I had a client who did a lot of manufactured home transactions. He was able to customize the program to add all sorts of fields specific to those properties.

If you work on a team, you will LOVE this program! It is very network-friendly so your entire team can work from the same database. You can even check out the database to your laptop and re-sync when you return to the office.

The main criticisms that I still have are the lack of a web-based system and the custom report writer could be a bit slicker. Minor quibbles.

Good luck!!

Feb 21, 2008 09:22 AM

Scott Hoen

Carson City, NV

Carson City Clerk Recorder / Public Administrator

the great thing about the program is the simplicity and real estate orientation of the program. You will use most of the features of the program -- success to you.

Aug 25, 2008 05:09 PM

Sean Goerss

14 Moves Real Estate Keller Williams Premier Realty - Saint Paul, MN

JT, great post.

I have used Top Producer in my parents business for 17 years now, and I always kind of wished all CRM's had such a nice, intuitive interface like Agent Office.

FYI, my business partner (there's my disclaimer), Jim Casey, I think also does a great job at supporting and showing you tips and tricks to Agent Office. In fact, he has made the only Agent Office Training DVD's out there.

He also holds a class, called "30 Days to a Killler Database", every so often, and has another one coming up next week. I am mentioning this not as some shameless plug, but rather just in case someone thinks that could benefit them when they read this.

The new Top Producer 8i interface, in my opinion, is a step backwards.
I, too, have seen many other CRM's out there, and I think it's best to keep in mind that there is no "perfect" CRM, and that it really depends on each person's situation and goals.

Thanks,

Sean Goerss
Realtor, St. Paul, MN
Co-Founder
www.RealEstateTechnologyExperts.com

Mar 05, 2009 02:03 PM

Scott Schmitz

RealOrganized, Inc. - Fort Collins, CO

Real Estate CRM Software

JT,

congrats on finding a real estate software solution that works for you. That's really the most important thing - find something that you find pleasant to use and that you will use regularly. Most of the products have the same basic capabilities and most agents really only tap perhaps 20% of the capabilities of their CRM system. So, all the bells and whistles aren't always the main thing. The main thing is that you can get at your information quickly and that it becomes part of your business style.

Scott.

PS RealtyJuggler Desktop handles lockbox inventory and has support for signs and riders in Sellers and Closings section. It also synchronizes with Outlook, so you can keep using Outlook for mail. It's a subscription-only product ($99 / year) so probably wouldn't meet your requirements as you wanted shrink-wrap product with no ongoing fees.

May 23, 2009 12:54 PM

Tamara Atchison

Hi there! Thanks for the post! I've narrowed it down to Agent Office or Active Agent. How are you feeling with your decision??? Any input is greatly appreciated!!!

Sep 21, 2009 09:37 AM

Gary David Hall

RE-ACT, LLC - Doylestown, PA

Real Estate CRM Sales, Training and Implementation

Before you spend money and time choosing a contact manager/CRM, wouldn't it be prudent to find out exactly what they are all capable of? Not knowing is like buying a house in Arizona without air conditioning because you never heard of such a thing. People propose many solutions online for many different reasons. A CRM that is perfect for one person, may not come close for another. Find out what you can have if you know what to look for!

I would like to take a moment to announce that my new book is out!

"Choosing and Using a Contact Manager or CRM".

"Gary sent me an advanced copy of his Contact Manager Book. It's an excellent resource on Customer Relationship Management (CRM), easy to read and full of gems. I highly recommend it, whether you are contemplating buying a CRM or you are currently happy with your CRM."

John Reilly - CEO & Publisher - Real Town

Oct 26, 2010 05:16 AM

AgentOffice...where, oh where have you been hiding?

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