Not Even Fair! Real Estate Apps to Cheat Time

, Aug 4, 2022

If you're serious about building a successful real estate business, you'll need to take advantage of the outstanding real estate apps available. From newsletter platforms to video conferencing programs, the options available to you are seemingly endless. Here's a look at some of the best apps you should consider using in your real estate business.

CRM Technology

Customer Relationship Management, known as CRM, is a software system absolutely necessary for REALTORs in 2022. CRM allows you to work more efficiently by eliminating the need for spreadsheets, communication apps, calendar reminders, and more. A good CRM will store your contacts, log your communication, and identify actions you should take. This ultimately means you will spend less time managing data and more time building relationships with your leads, clients, and sphere of influence. You will also have the ability to:
  • Track your leads (and never lose another lead!)
  • See live client activity and gain insight into their needs as a result
  • Automate client follow-up though scheduled emails
  • Batch email announcements and newsletters
  • Create custom filters and action plans
Whether your goal is to support existing clients or win over new clients, CRM will help you achieve it. An added bonus of CRM is the ease of collaborating. With customizable settings, you can allow everyone in your company to see information about clients. This includes any communication that has taken place, client interests, and client activity. Account administrators can even run reports based on this information and share their findings. Some great CRM programs to use in your real estate business include:
  • Chime
  • Follow Up Boss
  • Top Producer
You may also consider CRM programs that aren't real estate specific, such as Hubspot and Salesforce. Both of these can be customized to your real estate needs.

Newsletter Apps

Newsletter apps help simplify the process of creating an excellent newsletter email marketing campaign. In fact, creating and sending a newsletter is the easiest and most cost-effective way to maintain contact with clients and expand your sphere of influence. Some great applications to use when developing a newsletter campaign include:

  • ActiveCampaign
  • Constant Contact
  • Mailchimp
  • SendGrid

You can also use your CRM to help with your newsletter campaign. For example, Follow Up Boss was built specifically for the real estate industry and allows you to send batch emails.

Regardless of the method you use to develop and share your newsletter, keep in mind it is an extra opportunity to showcase yourself as an authority in the industry. You'll want to create outstanding written content and include eye-catching visuals, such as graphs, charts, and infographics. Remember, you are branding yourself and your business, so use your newsletter to shape the professional image you wish to create.

Video Conferencing Apps

While video conferencing applications were available prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were used less often than they are today. Along with the many other changes the pandemic brought with it, there became a new expectation to regularly use video conferencing applications. Some examples of video conferencing applications that you may use for your business include:
  • Facebook Messenger
  • Facetime
  • Google Meet
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Zoom
Using these applications makes it possible for you to meet with clients, customers, and collaborators, at any time and place. This makes it easier to coordinate schedules and meeting times, and the time you save planning and commuting can be used to complete other essential business tasks. Even better, all of these applications can be used for free, although Zoom limits meetings to just 45 minutes for those who use the free version.

International Texting and Calling

Working with international buyers is a surefire way to help grow your real estate business. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) reports international buyers purchased $74 billion worth of home sales in the United States from April 2019 through March 2020. The NAR further reports international buyers have a 50% closing rate while domestic clients have a 33% closing rate.

Fortunately, there are many options available that make it easier to communicate with international clients and other real estate professionals from around the world. These include:

  • WhatsApp
  • Google Voice
  • Facebook Messenger

Of these three options, WhatsApp is considered to be the "gold standard" in all countries outside of the United States. Therefore,  it is in your best interest to learn how to use WhatsApp if you plan to work with international clients. There is a slightly steep learning curve when it comes to using the WhatsApp application, but users often find they love it. Google Voice is the second best option and is unique in the fact you can call and text your clients directly. Facebook Messenger is widely used due to the sheer amount of Facebook users, but you should keep in mind it is less secure.


Video Email

Video email is an excellent alternative to video conferencing, particularly when you are having trouble scheduling a time for everyone to meet. Rather than being live, video email allows everyone to view the content you created at a time that is convenient for them. Some great applications for video email include:
  • BombBomb
  • Jumpshare
  • Loom
  • Snagit
You can create videos with these applications to share your screen, explain a complex contract, say congratulations, and more. Most importantly, you will build a human connection with your clients. If you want to give it a try without making an upfront investment, Loom has a free version with many great features. Other applications, such as BombBomb, are richer in features, but are also more expensive to use.

Appointment Management

Coordinating schedules and setting up meetings can be a challenge in the fast-paced world we live in. You can streamline the process with the help of an appointment management software. Your clients will be able to see your availability in real-time and choose a time that works with their schedule as well. This eliminates the need for phone tag or emailing back and forth, which is beneficial for you and your clients. By reducing the burden of your secretarial duties, you will have more time to focus on growing your business further instead.

Some appointment management applications that you might want to consider using for your business include:

  • Calendly
  • Hubspot Meetings
  • Microsoft Bookings
  • Setmore
  • Zoho Bookings

Calendly is the most commonly used of these options. You may find, however, that one of the other available options is better suited to your needs and business branding.


QR Codes

Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, QR codes became increasingly more common. Restaurants use QR codes to share their menus and businesses use QR codes as an alternative to brochures, allowing customers to obtain the information they need in a more hands-free manner. While some may have failed to learn how to use QR codes prior to the pandemic, nearly everyone now knows how to use them after COVID-19 restrictions and requirements gave them no other choice. As a REALTOR in the post-pandemic world, it is essential for you to include QR codes as a part of your marketing strategy and for general communication with clients. With the help of QR codes, you can replace business cards, flyers, and other printed materials that were once commonly shared as part of your marketing campaign. You can also use QR codes to give these printed materials more muscle. By adding a QR code to these items, your customers can easily access additional information or even be linked to web forms to help you with gathering additional information. Even better, it is easy to create QR codes with the many QR code generators available. With a simple web search of “QR code generator” or “QR code create,” you will be presented with numerous websites that ask you to simply input your URL to create a unique QR code. Some websites will allow you to customize the size, shape, and color of the QR code.

While researching the various real estate apps available to you may seem overwhelming at first, you'll soon find they are not as complicated as you once thought them to be. In addition, the time you invest in learning more about these apps and fitting them into your business model will pay off in the long run. You will have happier clientele, build a solid reputation in the real estate industry, and increase your profitability and success.

About the Author

Last updated: 03/23/2023

2300+ Client reviews!

I had the pleasure of working with Vicki Duran and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the very beginning, Vicki demonstrated deep knowledge of the market and a genuine commitment to understanding my needs. Her communication was exceptional – always prompt, clear, and informative. Throughout the process, Vicki went above and beyond, negotiating on my behalf, explaining the process/each step along the way, and ensuring every detail was taken care of. Her professionalism, dedication, and personalized approach was exceptional. She truly cared and I felt like I was working with a close family friend (having never met her before the process began). I can’t emphasis enough how seamless she made the process for me. People have the perception that buying a house is an extremely stressful process. My experience could not have been farther from the truth. I joked with her at times how smooth/easy buying a house was, all because of Vicki!

I could not have asked for a better agent. I’ve already referred a few friends to Vicki and will continue to do so in the future. Thanks again, Vicki!

Blessed to have connected with Kristen! I can’t say enough great things about Kristen. Her professionalism, market knowledge, and communication were beyond compare. She was incredibly patient throughout our home search. We looked at a countless amount of homes (we are very picky), and never once felt she was trying to push us in to something that wasn’t the right fit for the sake of a sale. We always felt she had our best interest in mind. Couldn’t recommend her more!!!

Sally was referred to me via a business network when I first moved to Austin in 2022. She helped me understand the area, evaluate my options, and find the perfect spot in a tough market. Sally has been a joy to work with because she creates partnerships + friendships with her clients!

I was impressed by Sally’s expertise in selling both my investment property and my primary residence, and in helping us buy our dream home. At our initial meeting, we found Sally knew the real estate market, but found even more impressive her emotional quotient in understanding and navigating the differences between my partner’s and my very different personalities. For my investment property, she timed the showings and sale perfectly and created a helpful Excel spreadsheet comparing the many offers. She was also savvy enough to suggest we pay the tenants a fair amount of money to make the property available for viewing from 9am – 5pm on the first weekend to make it as easy as possible for potential buyers to get through, and we let her deal directly with the tenants because we could tell her people skills would serve us well

We got multiple offers by the deadline on Monday afternoon with one outlier that was $150K higher than what we had unsuccessfully listed the property for (with a different realtor) a year earlier!

When it came to selling my primary home, Sally’s expertise in the luxury market, and in historic homes in particular, truly shone. She understood that selling a high-end property, with various restrictions, required a different approach. Sally crafted a listing for the home that perfectly captured its unique character and premier location. Her marketing strategy was well timed and appropriate for the more limited market, attracting the right buyer pool and creating a sense of exclusivity around the property. She suggested listing it on the private market for a week or two before sending a message that it would be listed on the MLS. She organized private showings that allowed buyers to experience the warmth and charm of the home and the neighborhood, which I believe was instrumental in securing a sale.

The pricing and marketing strategy Sally recommended was spot-on, and we sold the home at a price that far exceeded our expectations. Sally helped thread the needle perfectly.

Sally is also accessible. We found more well-known realtors would respond to our email days later, whereas she was always available right away to answer my questions, and provided us with regular updates, making sure every detail was handled with care. Selling a high-end property can be a stressful experience with fewer potential buyers and some downtime inherent in waiting for the right buyer, but Sally made it a smooth and surprisingly easy process encouraging us to be patient while giving us enough information on what was happening to satisfy both me and my partner. In the end, we were thrilled with the results

Sally’s rep of us as sellers could not have been more professional, but her work repping us as buyers is the most memorable. We were trying to be our dream home in an overheated market, and Sally gave us advice that at each turn proved invaluable. She recommended offering just the right amount above the offer price for us to make it to the next round of offers. She handled a very difficult appraisal process by advising us on financing sources, even offering to help us put down a higher amount by loaning us money herself! We were able to finance the home without taking her up on that offer, but how many realtors make that kind of offer to their clients? In the end, we closed on the house ontime and ended up with the home of our dreams, thanks to Sally’s world-class advice and service.

We cannot say enough good things about Sally’s technical knowledge, people skills, and responsiveness. You won’t find a better realtor in Austin.

I have lived here in Austin for more twenty-five years, and have bought and sold several homes and rented others during those years. I have worked with five realtors during that time. SALLY IS BY FAR THE BEST OF ANY IN TOWN. Her work ethic is simply unmatched. She hides her competitive streak underneath a layer of Austin hip and friendly, but she will absolutely get you the best home, the best deal, and stop at NOTHING to get your home sold as well!

Sally loves real estate. She has a genuine passion for Austin, too, and for her client’s well-being. She took time to understand my needs and was always available to answer any questions and provide me with honest and insightful advice.

We toured many homes in Barton Hills and settled on a great home that was hotly contested by builders and homeowners. Sally understood how we could be the preferred buyer without getting into a bidding war. She knew the motivations of the Seller and we maneuvered and negotiated the contract and secured my dream home.

Furthermore, at the 11th hour, the day before we were set to close, our lender said we needed to put a fence around the pool before they would release the funds. The seller was not inclined to extend the closing again. We were out of town. Sally saved the day by racing to Home Depot and getting the largest tarpaulin available and then securing it over the pool at the house. Sent pics to the lender and we were set to close.

In short, Sally will work harder and smarter than anyone. She’s simply the best.

Sally is incredible! She spent nearly 2 years with us – understanding our very specific preferences and needs – to help us find our dream home. She was the first agent to reach out when the home was listed and negotiated the contract astutely so that we secured the home. The home was only in the framed stage, still had a few months until completion. Once it was completed, however, our plans had changed and we needed to get out of the contract. We were expecting to have to relinquish our very considerable deposit. But Sally spent the entire weekend working on a way to get us out of the contract AND get our deposit back. Everyone we have spoken to about this extraordinary outcome has been surprised that Sally managed to get our deposit back for us. Thank you Sally, we can’t recommend her highly enough.

Sally is reliable, diligent in her research, prompt on exchanges, creative in deal making, and has a tremendous work ethic. She is the sole reason we were able to close on our primary residence, which has been our dream home and a fantastic investment. From there, we’ve gone on to close on multiple rental property purchases in Austin together. Thanks to her astute analysis, we’ve passed on many deals as well, which has proven just as valuable. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

I highly recommend Kiel if you’re looking to rent a place in Austin. We originally met him to look around a particular unit, and when it was not to our satisfaction, he was able to quickly take us around many more units that day. He also set up a whole day of viewings for the very next day! Within 48 hours we had done enough viewings to be confident in choosing a new home. The landlord accepted our offer and Kiel handled all of the paperwork, even stopping by our hotel to pick up the needed checks. We couldn’t be happier.
Kiel is highly organized and unlike some realtors in the Austin area, he is responsive and ready to move quickly. We were always able to contact him and never left waiting.

Kiel has your BACK!! We are so grateful to have had his guidance and knowledge while navigating the intense, frustrating and way competitive Austin rental market. He quickly picked up on our taste and designed a game plan to help us push through the clutter and get to the properties that best suited us. He was ALWAYS available to us and answered our emails, calls and texts with great speed. We’re so grateful to have had him on our search team. Because my goodness, it really is a crazy market out there!

Kiel was amazing to work with! He walked us through everything, explained anything we didn’t understand, and he is is just a great guy to work with. As a first time home buyer, his knowledge was invaluable. 10/10 would recommend!

Kiel was referred to me by a friend, and we were so pleased with his services. He jumped in and guided us through the entire process, made himself readily available for us during the whole process, checked in with us via text every step of the way, and provided any and all information we requested. As a first time home buyer, I was not totally familiar with the process. Kiel helped me through the lending process, walk through inspection and closing procedures. It was such a pleasure to work with him, and we look forward to hiring him again when we purchase our next property.

I’ve never met anyone as knowledgeable and hard working as Kiel. Everything he said he was going to do, he did it. Kiel is a very easy person to get along with. He made us comfortable with the process and also made it fun. In 5 words…HE GETS THE JOB DONE!

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