{"id":5504,"date":"2016-10-27T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-27T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?p=5504"},"modified":"2022-06-15T11:35:40","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T18:35:40","slug":"pick-best-property-management-software-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/pick-best-property-management-software-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pick the Best Property Management Software and What to Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5690\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/best-property-management-software-1.png\" alt=\"Best Property Management Software\" width=\"990\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/best-property-management-software-1.png 990w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/best-property-management-software-1-300x139.png 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/best-property-management-software-1-768x355.png 768w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/best-property-management-software-1-600x278.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px\" \/>Picking the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/\"><strong>best property management software<\/strong><\/a> isn\u2019t easy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<p>Because you\u2019re constantly bombarded with misleading advertising, trumped up demos, and bad information &#8230; from high-pressure sales to overpriced platforms to promises of \u201cone size fits all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How do you ever find the software that\u2019s right for you?<\/p>\n<p>You start by asking the best of the best in the property management industry for their advice: real professionals who aren\u2019t trying to sell you a thing. And that\u2019s exactly what we did. What follows are &#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong>20 property management experts answering just two question about how to select the best property management software:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the number one thing you should look for in property management software?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the biggest red flag?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are <\/span><b>not endorsements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and we won\u2019t mention a single product by name.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, this is your personal guide to choosing the\u00a0right software\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026 and avoiding the pitfalls.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>1. Sabrina Bower: President <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cicreports.com\">CIC Reports<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-5538 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Sabrina-Bower-150x150.png\" alt=\"Sabrina Bower CIC Reports\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Property management software that has an <\/span><b>open platform to third party services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as tenant screening, online payments, and utility billing is key in giving you control of your vendor selection. \u00a0Ask if there are additional fees to use the integrations and if your vendor is not on their list, are they willing to talk to your provider\u2019s technical group?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest red flags is a property management software company that <\/span><b>traps your data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you want to switch &#8212; but all of your tenants, vendors, maintenance, and accounting information \u00a0can\u2019t be exported &#8212; you may find it too cumbersome to re-input all the data thus being a hostage to a platform you don\u2019t like.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>2. Jason Hartman: CEO at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jasonhartman.com\/\">JasonHartman.com<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Jason-Hartman-Headshot-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Jason Hartman jasonhartman.com\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Jason-Hartman-Headshot-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Jason-Hartman-Headshot-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Jason-Hartman-Headshot.jpg 388w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>While it might sound obvious and general, <\/span><b>ease of use and low costs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are hands down the most important elements to keep in mind. You should always expect a learning curve with new software, but trying it out for yourself will tell you if that curve is a burden that will force you to change systems down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, don\u2019t overthink it. Difficulty of use and high costs are two red flags that you\u2019ll have to change systems in future. That\u2019s a huge hassle; so focus on getting it right the first time!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>3. Mark Ferguson: Founder <a href=\"https:\/\/investfourmore.com\/\">Invest Four More<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5516\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mark-Fergusen-headshot-150x150.png\" alt=\"Mark Ferguson InvestFourMore\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>I think the first thing someone should do is figure out <\/span><b>what they want the software for<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. What is your biggest challenge managing rentals and what feature would help with that challenge? We don\u2019t use a specific rental property software program because QuickBooks keeps track of expenses and income.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I also only have 14 rentals at the moment, so it is not a huge operation. If I had 100 or 1,000 rentals I would most likely want a specific rental property software that helped me keep track of rent payments and had more features.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ease of use is the biggest issue with many programs. Having many features is awesome, unless you don&#8217;t need those features and it makes the program too complicated. I have tried out a few programs and they had so many features I was overwhelmed with where to start. If <\/span><b>you don\u2019t need an entire software platform<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, that\u2019s your big red flag right there.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>4. Andrew Cordle: Founder <a href=\"http:\/\/narei.com\/\">National Association of Real Estate Investors<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5518\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Andrew-Cordle-headshot-150x150.png\" alt=\"Andrew Cordle\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>Most important feature? I would say, \u201cHow <\/span><b>real time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is it?\u201d If the software \u201cupdates\u201d on some sort of delayed time cycle, you can easily end up with a mess on your hands. And as for the <\/span><b>accounting section<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the software, \u201cDoes it have its own or will it tie into QuickBooks?\u201d There\u2019s no right answer to that question, except what works best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other side, I hate <\/span><b>large upfront-fee software<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I don&#8217;t mind paying for the software itself when I buy it. But beware of plans that come in preset limits or ranges. Instead, make sure you can pay on a per-house fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>5. Mark Juleen: <a href=\"http:\/\/markjuleen.com\/\">The Apartment and Internet Marketing Nerd<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5519\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mark-Juleen-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Mark Juleen\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mark-Juleen-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mark-Juleen-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Mark-Juleen.jpg 301w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Everything depends on the size of your company and your objectives. We oversee 5,000 units in a 20 community portfolio, so we look for software that allows us to <\/span><b>integrate with other best-of-breed solutions for screening, payments, and marketing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some are better than others, and some newer players have open APIs that make it even easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The other thing we look for is what&#8217;s all included vs what gets nickeled and dimed as add on costs. For example, we recently converted to a new program and were able to get accounting, online leasing tools, and other tools all included in their base price. Many of these features are extras that cost more with other systems.<\/p>\n<p>Red flags to me are the contracts. Be sure to understand the terms you&#8217;re locked into and any extra integration fees that could be charged.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Joe Samson: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.joesamson.com\/\">Joe Samson &amp; Associates<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Joe-Samson-Great-Calgary-Real-Estate-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"joe-samson-great-calgary-real-estate\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Joe-Samson-Great-Calgary-Real-Estate-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Joe-Samson-Great-Calgary-Real-Estate-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Joe-Samson-Great-Calgary-Real-Estate.jpeg 512w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Having a visual dashboard that provides a <\/span><b>clear overview of tasks and activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be handled is extremely important. But it is even more important to be able to tag a person who is going to spearhead the task and take responsibility for it. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the time simple means better user experience. Highly customizable interfaces are only beneficial for a very small segment of property managers. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bells and whistles may look very attractive at first glance, but they take way too much time to properly configure. Therefore, I have either abandoned complicated property management softwares in the past or shied away from trying it all together.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>7. Victor Lund: CEO <a href=\"https:\/\/retechnology.com\/\">REtechnology<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5521\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Victor-Lund-150x150.png\" alt=\"Victor Lund\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>The number one thing in property management software is <\/span><b>accounting compliance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to insure that rental revenue and expenses are clearly tracked. Number two is a property owner portal so you can see the status of units under management at any time. Our preference is for reports to be pushed to property owners at whatever cadence they choose &#8212; daily, weekly, monthly, or as things happen, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Biggest flag to avoid is system <\/span><b>security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You need to select a vendor who has hacker proof systems. These systems contain a lot of personally identifiable information that could cause thousands of dollars in damages if not protected<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>8. Bart Sturzl: President of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.narpm.org\/\">National Association of Residential Property Managers<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Bart-Sturzl-150x150.png\" alt=\"Bart Sturzl\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>The number one thing you should look for is all about you: <\/span><b>\u201cDoes it handle your needs?\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You don\u2019t need a Cadillac when a Chevy will do. And make sure it is a professional property management company also, not just a professional <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">looking <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">piece of software.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest red flag you should avoid is the <\/span><b>hard sale for any upgraded modules<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>9. Dan Pipito: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ezlandlordforms.com\/?a=1066\">ez Landlord Forms<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5511 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Dan-Pipito-Headshot-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Dan Pipito ezLandlordforms\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Dan-Pipito-Headshot-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Dan-Pipito-Headshot-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Dan-Pipito-Headshot.jpg 347w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>The number one thing anyone should look for in a property management software is EeeeZ of use (see what I did there). From beginner to veteran, you should have access to <\/span><b>the most current legal forms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that are updated to meet your state&#8217;s rules and regulations. Also, superior customer support is the key to a great property management software, so that anyone can be helped quickly and professionally. Being a landlord is a business and an investment, your time is money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In property management software, the biggest red flag to avoid is having to <\/span><b>give payment information upfront<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while being pressured into a trial period that doesn\u2019t let you really know what you\u2019re getting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>10. Aaron Kardell: CEO <a href=\"https:\/\/homespotter.com\/\">Homespotter<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5523\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Aaron-Kardell-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Aaron Kardell\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Aaron-Kardell-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Aaron-Kardell-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Aaron-Kardell.jpg 391w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>It&#8217;s often said of CRMs that the best one is the one your salespeople will actually use. The same axiom hold true for property management software: be sure to pick a property management system that is user friendly enough that <\/span><b>your team will actually use it<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s the biggest red flag that you should avoid?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to really understand how <\/span><b>tenant screening works<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the system. The difference to your bottom line in getting this right or wrong can be enormous.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>11. Tyler Zey: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.easyagentpro.com\/\">Easy Agent Pro<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5524\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Tyler-Zey-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Tyler Zey\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Tyler-Zey-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Tyler-Zey-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Tyler-Zey.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Without naming names, there are only a couple of platforms I\u2019d recommend. Why? Because the <\/span><b>user interfaces are friendly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on both. The first has an in-depth and intuitive interface and &#8212; though I&#8217;ve never taken part in their webinars or training &#8212; I&#8217;ve heard nothing but wonderful things. The second is great if price is a big concern for you and you can\u2019t afford something as expansive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>My biggest focus with software in general is the scope of its capabilities, the price, and how intuitive it is. If it&#8217;s intuitive software you spend less time having to learn the technical aspect of the platform and more time actually running your business.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest red flag for me would be <\/span><b>lack of flexibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially when it comes to the little things. For example not being able to list out all a property\u2019s amenities in detail. Or not being able to separate your renter and owner profiles for one unit. Those are little things I&#8217;ve come across that separate certain platforms from the rest of the pack. It&#8217;s the little things that matter.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>12. Jim Smith:CEO\/Broker <a href=\"http:\/\/www.propmngt.com\">The Property Management Company<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5525\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Jim-Smith-150x150.png\" alt=\"Jim Smith\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Jim-Smith-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Jim-Smith.png 253w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Accounting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It must be powerful enough to handle all aspects, including ability to transfer funds between properties, budgeting, receivables\/payables, invoices, customizable reports, both cash and accrual methods, CAM and other recurring charges, and many other features that only a few software programs truly provide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The majority of the current software platforms have a really nice layout and front end appearance. The challenge is most are like a Hollywood movie set: they look nice from the street view, but walk inside and there is no depth; just a fa\u00e7ade held up by a few 4X4s.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establish a list of at least ten scenarios you want your software to do and then find active users to sit down and see if the scenarios can be done (quality companies will gladly refer you to current clients). <\/span><b>Do not just rely on the demos the companies provide<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u00a0After the test drive, ask the their current users, \u201cKnowing what you know now, would you buy this software again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>13. Debbie Biery: <a href=\"http:\/\/debbiebiery.exprealty.careers\/\">EXP Realty<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5526\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Debbie-Biery-150x150.png\" alt=\"Debbie Biery\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Debbie-Biery-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Debbie-Biery-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Debbie-Biery.png 490w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>The number one thing property managers should look for in a PMS is <\/span><b>ease of use<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This doesn\u2019t mean you should be able to master the entire platform in a weekend. Instead, identify what the 5-10 features most vital to your business are. Then, when you\u2019re going through the demo, be sure you take the wheel to test whether or not they make sense to you. Everything else will just come with time and learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As obvious as it might sound, the biggest red flag would be <\/span><b>poor reviews<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a particular product. Do your homework, especially on user-generated sites like Google and impartial app-review websites. Also, beware of glowing reviews the PMS presents in their own marketing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>14. Julie Nelson: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thenelsonproject.org\">The Nelson Project<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5527\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Julie-Nelson-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Julie Nelson\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Julie-Nelson-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Julie-Nelson-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Julie-Nelson.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>The number one thing someone should look for in property management software is a <\/span><b>complete suite<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I guess this goes with most software programs today. You want a robust, fully integrated, all-in-one tool. Be willing to pay for the software that includes everything you need, otherwise you\u2019ll just end up paying more \u2013 time and money \u2013 later on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest red flag is if it <\/span><b>lacks navigation ease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In other words, is it intuitive and user friendly. The only way to test it \u2026 is to test it: can you find what you\u2019re looking quickly and easily? If not, then find one that makes navigational sense to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>15. Trevor Mauch: Founder <a href=\"https:\/\/oncarrot.com\/\">Carrot<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5528\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Trevor-Mauch-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Trevor Mauch\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Trevor-Mauch-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Trevor-Mauch-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Trevor-Mauch.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>The number one thing someone should look for in a property management software isn&#8217;t the features it has \u2026 but possibly <\/span><b>the features it doesn&#8217;t<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I know that sounds counter intuitive, but I&#8217;ve gone down the wrong road myself too many times trying to choose something that has everything and the kitchen sink when in the end I really only needed 5% of what they had and would have been more successful with a more focused and simpler to use system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>So write down on a piece of paper what inefficiencies you&#8217;re currently experiencing and rank them. Then place a monthly value on each one along with &#8212; if you could solve it &#8212; what that\u2019d be worth to you.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biggest red flag that you should avoid is when a <\/span><b>company&#8217;s own blog hasn&#8217;t been updated in over a month and their design is out of 2005<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This shows that they aren&#8217;t committed to improving their product or staying at the cutting edge. Technology changes so fast these days that having your system of record as a rental property owner or property management company be out of date and be neglected is a huge liability for you long-term. The more you can align with a company that you can tell has momentum toward keeping their product updated, the more secure you&#8217;ll be in knowing that the software will be as relevant and effective in five years as it is today.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>16. Rachael Hite: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.listingdepot.com\/\">Listing Depot<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5529\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Rachael-Hite-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Rachael Hite\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Rachael-Hite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Rachael-Hite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Rachael-Hite.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>How the<\/span><b> information is accessed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the first thing you should pay attention to. Property management usually involves many team players who are critical in maintaining the success of the transaction. If the software is not smartphone friendly, it will be next to impossible to get everyone on the same page. Property management happens in the field and is coordinated with a variety of vendors. Mobile access is critical.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Run from too many clicks! <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have to sit through too many webinars or training sessions to know how to work the product, the team will struggle. \u00a0Great management software should be intuitive and require the least amount of clicks for team members in input or access data on a property. \u00a0If it is too complicated, then the team (usually comprised of members with different technology skill sets) \u00a0will not be cohesive.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>17. Thomas Espy: International Editor at <a href=\"https:\/\/tranio.com\/\">Tranio.com<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Thomas-Espy-150x150.png\" alt=\"Thomas Espy\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Thomas-Espy-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Thomas-Espy.png 259w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Look for <\/span><b>flexibility and customizability<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a comprehensive approach and array of functions (i.e. a program which can \u201cdo it all\u201d in terms of the essentials), usable on many platforms (e.g. web-based with mobile app and cloud-based data storage), tier-pricing (especially if looking for free options) with no start-up fees or annual contracts, and online database and record security.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beware of a difficult interface coupled with <\/span><b>poor customer service and product training<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Also watch out for any sort of \u201cone size fits all\u201d promises; few programs are 100% comprehensive out of the box. If someone tells you it is, that\u2019s a huge red flag.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>18. Nico Hohman: <a href=\"http:\/\/hohmanhomes.com\/\">NextHome Discovery<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5530\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Nico-Hohman-150x150.png\" alt=\"Nico Hohman\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>Look for <\/span><b>integration and communication<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A property management software should be able to integrate with some, if not most, of the existing software tools you use for your property management business. The best form of integration is one that allows everyone &#8212; from the the property manager, to the tenants, to the landlords, to the vendors &#8212; to communicate together in one place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look out for <\/span><b>unresponsive design<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Property managers are always on the go, working from their homes, their offices, their cars, and everywhere in between. You need software that can grow and adapt to wherever, however, and whenever you are working. The more nimble, agile, and flexible the software is \u2026 the better.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>19. Anthony West: <a href=\"http:\/\/anthonywest.moffittrealty.com\/\">Moffitt Realty<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5539\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Anthony-West-150x150.png\" alt=\"Anthony West\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>When comparing property management systems, ask yourself, \u201cDoes the software make processes <\/span><b>more efficient and simplistic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for you and your clients?\u201d Or does it just further complicate everything? Look for options that allow free trials so that you can immerse yourself in the product and get a feel for how it operates. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this day and age, SAAS (software as a service) companies are developing better competitive business models that allow more flexibility for their customers. Many companies are switching to monthly subscriptions vs. year long contracts. Try to avoid being<\/span><b> locked in for a long-term commitment if possible<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This will allow you to try out a product for a bit of time without having too much skin in the game. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3>20. Lee Davenport: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.learnwithlee.realtor\/\">Learn with Lee<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Lee-Davenport-150x150.png\" alt=\"Lee Davenport\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>The most vital aspect of picking new property management software to me is the ability to <\/span><b>demo it without a financial commitment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! Whether you have a portfolio of 10, 100 or 1,000 properties to manage, skipping the no-cost demonstration phase can leave you wasting money on software that may not fully serve your accounting, reporting, rent-collecting, maintenance or marketing needs (yes, there are softwares that cover all those points and more).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>If the demo is hard to figure out and operate on your own<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, do not buy into the claims that their team will train you to use it. We are headed into 2017 and there are enough software programs and apps that are user-friendly right out the box.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And note, I do not consider it a true demo if the vendor does all the maneuvering your team has to be able to massage and manipulate the program to see if it is really a good fit. Say, \u201cNext!\u201d and use what is easiest and most intuitive for your team.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Picking the Best Property Management Software<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s true, picking the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/best-property-management-software\/\">best the best property management software<\/a> isn\u2019t easy.<\/p>\n<p>But if you follow the advice above, you\u2019ll be well on your way to getting the right software for your business.<\/p>\n<p>Along side of demoing the product for yourself and making sure it integrates with the other programs you use and that it\u2019s mobile ready, just remember one thing: <strong>picking the best the best property management software for you is all about one thing &#8230; you.<\/strong>\u00a0 Property managers will want to ensure the system robustly supports trust accounting and an owner portal for their owners.\u00a0 DIY landlords do not need some of the bells and whistles included in property management software, and may opt for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/landlord-software\">landlord software<\/a> solution instead which often will cost a bit less.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t let anyone push you into a platform &#8212; no matter how many bells and whistles it has &#8212; if it doesn\u2019t fit your needs.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did we leave out your own best tip or what to avoid? Be sure to share it in the comments.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Picking the best property management software isn\u2019t easy. Why? Because you\u2019re constantly bombarded with misleading advertising, trumped up demos, and bad information &#8230; from high-pressure sales to overpriced platforms to promises of \u201cone size fits all.\u201d How do you ever find the software that\u2019s right for you? You start by asking the best of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[275,725],"tags":[295,32],"class_list":["post-5504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-property-management-software","tag-featured","tag-property-management-software","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Pick the Best Property Management Software and What to Avoid<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Choosing the right property management software isn&#039;t easy. 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