So you manage a few properties and you find yourself constantly pulled from one task to the other, from one property to the next. The only constant in your day-to-day management is probably one little thing you hold in your hand – the device you take with you to every property (and probably fall asleep with at night) – your phone.
What would you say if I told you we uncovered three cool smartphone apps to assist with your property management? Yep, we’ve got three apps you definitely need to check out. Not only are they going to make your life a whole lot easier, but they’re also going save you a lot of time…
The Landlord App (iPhone, iPad & Android)
Summary: A personal assistant for veteran property managers.
Overview: The Landlord App was developed as a time-saving tool to maximize the effectiveness of landlords and property managers. With this efficient software, property managers no longer need to spend time transferring miles driven, rents collected or expenses paid from their personal log books onto their personal computers. Basically, this app is a one time “Log on the Go” property management tool that exports all your data to a single Excel file (*.csv) via your email. Its native software package integrates six primary functions: Property Summary, Financial Summary, Miles, Rentals Available, Tenant Screening and Settings.
Sample Benefit: When it is time for the property manager to file is his taxes, there will be no wasted hours spent trying to remember details about tenant rents collected or adding up expenses paid, thereby saving much time and eliminating many frustrations.
Helpful Video: Click here for a helpful video about The Landlord App
Cost: $7.99-$9.99 (iTunes & AppsZoom)
Get It Here: iPhone, iPad and Android
App Website: thelandlordapp.com
iLandlord (iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad)
Summary: A great way for amateur property managers to save time and eliminate paperwork.
Overview: The iLandlord app is a management program designed to eliminate the landlord’s steep learning curve associated with most property management software. The app emphasizes simplicity and ease-of-use without sacrificing any of the tremendous power and rich features required by owners and operators alike. (Since most of iLandlord’s data entry is accomplished through “pick lists”, little typing is required from the user, thereby freeing-up managers’ valuable time and reducing paperwork.) The native software package allows users to monitor each property’s expenses and incomes, create work orders, notify contractors and create reminders. iLandlord also allows property managers to generate customizable lease agreements, rental application forms, and payment statements for each tenant, while generating a history of income and expenses for any property – all in one place.
Sample Benefit: Property managers can monitor the financial health of each project – including checklists for maintenance, overdue tenants and expiring leases – without being overwhelmed by a complex user interface.
Cost: $5.99 (from iTunes)
Get It Here: iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad
App Website: cdci.com/products/ilandlord
AppFolio (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad & Android)
Summary: A robust mobile supplement to the comprehensive capabilities of AppFolio's web-based software.
Overview: This app has been designed for customers using AppFolio’s web-based property management software and works only if you are a current AppFolio client. AppFolio provides cost-effective, web-based rental property management software that allows residential property managers to more effectively market, manage and grow their business. The rental property software includes complete accounting and property management functionality with the ability to email work-orders, owner statements and resident communications. Integrated marketing features allow users to post vacancy ads to Craigslist, their personal websites and hundreds of other websites.
Sample Benefit: With a few clicks, users can switch from analyzing property-specific finances to entering, editing and viewing work orders.
Helpful Video: Click here for a helpful video about AppFolio
Cost: Free for users of AppFolio’s web-based property management software
Get It Here: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android
App Website: www.AppFolio.com
Bottom Line
All of these apps have solid reviews and history behind them. They appear to be regularly updated and provide a generally simple but feature-rich experience.
We recommend AppFolio if you have a relatively large portfolio of properties, with many tenants and different partners assisting with the property management process. If you have a relatively smaller number of properties, you might want to consider iLandlord or The Landlord App.
JP Moses
is a real estate investor in Memphis, TN, with experience ranging from land lording to note buying, rehabbing, and wholesaling. However, wholesaling is the area that he enjoys most and where he bring the most experience and expertise to his students.