A top-performing real estate tech stack has a few vital components. At the center of all operations is a CRM to manage contacts, deals, and pipelines. You probably also have an email marketing app to engage your audience and a phone book so you can easily call your leads.
That said, it's not always easy to choose the best real estate apps for your business. There are so many to choose from that some people decide it’s too difficult and don’t bother, or they just go with what their friends or colleagues are using. However, choosing the right apps for your real estate business is absolutely worth the time and energy.
To streamline the process, here are some of the best apps for any real estate business to consider.
Table of Contents
Best Apps for Real Estate Businesses
What do real estate apps do?
Real estate apps simplify processes and enhance productivity for agents and stakeholders. Here's a breakdown of different use cases:
Property Listings and Search
These apps offer a platform where agents can list properties, and potential buyers or renters can search for them. They include filters for location, price, size, and amenities, making property searches more user-friendly and targeted. Popular sites include Redfin, Realtor.com, and Zillow.
Virtual Tours and Showings
Some apps allow prospective buyers or renters to take virtual tours of properties. These viewings are a convenient alternative to physical viewings and allow more potential buyers to view your properties.
Communication and Collaboration
These apps facilitate smooth communication, which is especially crucial for agents working with remote clients. They include chat features, video conferencing, and collaborative note-taking functions.
Task Management
For agents managing multiple listings and clients, these apps organize tasks, set reminders, and oversee project progress, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Market Analysis
Research apps equip agents with insights into property values, neighborhood trends, and market projections. They're invaluable for staying ahead in a competitive market.
Document Management
Going digital has made transactions swifter and more secure. These apps let agents and clients review, sign, and manage vital documents, expediting the approval process.
Client Relationship Management (CRM)
Fostering relationships is core to real estate. CRM apps assist agents in managing client interactions, tracking leads, and scheduling follow-ups.
The Best Real Estate Apps
1. HubSpot Data Sync – Two-Way Data Sync
Best for: Businesses looking to keep data consistent between platforms.
For a fully functional real estate app stack, you need your tools to play nicely together. Having different lead data in every app can cause major headaches, but it's an all too common problem for busy realtors.
HubSpot offers a data-syncing tool where you can connect your contact information across all of the apps you are using. This sets up a two-way sync so when information in one app is updated, the other ones are updated automatically. This can save you a lot of time from having to manually enter data over and over again across apps.
2. BombBomb – Video Recording
Best for: Agents wanting to create rapport and stand out with clients.
BombBomb offers you a unique way to connect with clients. Instead of the usual text-based communication, this platform lets you send personalized video messages directly from your device. This method not only adds a personal touch but often stands out in a crowded inbox.
Use it for everything from initial introductions to property tours to post-sale follow-ups. BombBomb‘s analytics also allow you to see who’s opened and engaged with your videos, enabling you to tailor your follow-up actions accordingly.
With this tool, you elevate your client interactions, making them more memorable and impactful.
3. Canva – Graphic Design
Best for: Creating striking property listings and marketing materials.
Canva is a user-friendly platform that empowers you to craft stunning graphics for your property listings, social media posts, and promotional materials.
You can produce professional designs without the need for a graphic designer with an extensive library of templates tailored for real estate needs. Plus, drag-and-drop functionality in Canva makes it easy to create open house flyers and property highlight reels for Instagram.
4. Google Analytics - Website Analytics
Best for: Understanding how visitors interact with your property listings.
Reporting is important for any type of business, and that includes real estate. Google Analytics is the go-to tool to track website traffic and understand how you're generating visitors over time.
For an easier glance at your key insights, many website management systems include an integration with Google Analytics. If your website is hosted on WordPress, Exactmetrics offers a fantastic premium Google Analytics plugin that displays the most important metrics on your dashboard.
5. Trello - Project Management
Best for: Tracking multiple property transactions and client interactions.
Trello offers a structured approach to project management, suitable for tasks ranging from individual property sales to large-scale property development projects.
Trello is structured in a Kanban board format, which in its simplest form follows the “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done” workflow. Each card can hold detailed information, checklists, attachments, and comments, providing comprehensive oversight. Integration capabilities allow Trello to work alongside other tools, ensuring seamless data flow.
However, it's extremely customizable, and you can even add automation that triggers actions based on conditions you define.
6. Buffer – Social Media Management
Best for: Agents wanting to maintain a consistent online presence.
Social scheduling has been around for a while now. However, it‘s not just Facebook and Twitter that you can easily schedule posts for. You can now schedule Pinterest content as well as Instagram posts and stories using Buffer, and there’s even an option to include the first comment so you can pop your hashtags in automatically.
Everything is organized on one simple dashboard, and you can repost the most effective content based on what analytics shows have performed best.
7. Ahrefs - SEO Software
Best for: Optimizing property listings for search engines.
Ahrefs exists to help anyone rank higher in searches and get more traffic, not just the SEO pros. The SEO software strikes a balance between being powerful yet easy to master with keyword research, site audit, and rank tracker features.
It has a higher price point at $99 a month for just the Lite version, but with a $7 7-day trial, you can carry out your first site audit, keyword research, and competitor analysis on a budget.
8. ActiveCampaign – Workflow Automation
Best for: Nurturing leads and automating follow-ups.
ActiveCampaign is a platform centered on workflow automation, catering to various business needs, including those in the real estate sector. Users can utilize its tools to set up marketing tasks, establish automated email workflows, and organize interactions based on client behaviors and preferences.
The system consolidates leads from different channels into one dashboard, facilitating segmentation and communication processes. Furthermore, its detailed campaign tracking and analytics provide users with a clear understanding of performance metrics.
9. Aircall – Cloud-Based Calling
Best for: Agents on the move who need to stay connected.
Aircall is a cloud-based telephony platform that allows agents to make, receive, and manage calls from anywhere, be it in office, on the road, or even abroad. The platform's flexibility is invaluable for agents who are often on the move, ensuring they never miss a crucial call from clients, partners, or potential leads.
Aircall also integrates with other tools, like CRM systems, making it easier for agents to maintain comprehensive client records. With Aircall, real estate professionals can maintain a consistent communication channel, enhancing client service and responsiveness.
10. DocuSign - Electronic Signatures
Best for: Swift, secure, and legally compliant document signing.
DocuSign provides a digital platform for document signatures. By transitioning from paper to digital, send contracts and other documents to clients for electronic signing. This method offers convenience and produces legally binding agreements.
DocuSign ensures that all documents are confidential. A flexible platform allows clients to sign from any device, accommodating their varying schedules and preferences.
11. RPR Mobile – Property Research
Best for: Agents needing in-depth insights on-the-go.
RPR Mobile, supported by the National Association of REALTORS, delivers detailed property information. It offers a range of data, from tax assessments to local market statistics. Access to such comprehensive insights provides more informed advice to clients.
The app's user-friendly interface ensures data retrieval when meeting with clients or evaluating properties. The continuous updates ensure you always have the most recent information at your fingertips.
12. Follow Up Boss – Lead Management
Best for: Ensuring no potential client falls through the cracks.
Follow Up Boss streamlines lead management. This platform equips you with robust tools that help in tracking, nurturing, and directly communicating with potential clients. It comes with a comprehensive dashboard that consolidates leads from diverse sources, while features such as automated follow-ups maximize engagement opportunities.
Plus, the platform's analytics offer insights into lead behavior that enable you to refine your outreach strategies. Its integration capabilities with other software also ensure a cohesive workflow, and real-time notifications alert you on any emerging lead developments.
12. Matterport – 3D Virtual Tours
Best for: Engaging remote or busy clients who can't visit in person.
Matterport revolutionizes property viewing with its immersive 3D virtual tours. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, it enables real estate agents to create detailed and interactive digital walkthroughs of properties.
These virtual tours offer prospective buyers or renters a lifelike experience of a space without physically being there, making remote property exploration both feasible and engaging.
The platform is especially beneficial for agents aiming to reach distant or international clients. Beyond just tours, Matterport captures accurate spatial data and measurements, adding another layer of value for agents and potential buyers alike.
13. Placester - Real Estate Website Builder
Best for: Agents seeking a strong online presence without technical hassles.
Placester offers a dedicated website-building platform tailored to real estate professionals. It provides customizable templates that seamlessly integrate with MLS listings, giving agents the flexibility to design their sites according to their branding and preferences.
The platform emphasizes responsive design, ensuring that websites look and function optimally on various devices, from desktops to mobile phones. Placester also supports advanced features such as lead capture forms and blog integration, allowing agents to engage visitors and share industry knowledge.
14. Everlance – Mileage & Expense Tracking
Best for: Agents constantly on the move and wanting to simplify expense logging.
Everlance addresses a fundamental need for you as a real estate agent: efficient mileage and expense tracking. Half of the agents in a survey spend at least an hour a day offsite or on the road. Since you often travel to various listings, client meetings, and industry events, keeping track of every mile and expense is crucial.
Everlance automates this process with its intuitive mobile app, allowing you to track trips automatically and classify them with ease. You can log expenses in real-time, ensuring accurate and timely records. This not only aids you during tax season but also assists in budgeting and financial planning. The platform's detailed reports offer you a clear overview of your spending, enabling smarter financial decisions.
15. Zillow Premier Agent – Listing & Client Management
Best for: Agents aiming for a competitive edge with listings.
With Zillow Premier Agent, you gain an edge in listing and client management. This platform empowers you to showcase your properties more prominently, ensuring they capture attention in the crowded real estate market. You can quickly list properties, adjust details, and instantly respond to inquiries, all from one central hub.
It's designed with you in mind, streamlining interactions with potential buyers. Additionally, its advanced analytics provide insights into listing performance, helping you refine your strategies. As a Zillow Premier Agent, you also join an exclusive network. The network connects you to potential clients and amplifies your reach.
16. Calendly – Appointment Scheduling
Best for: Managing a busy schedule with multiple stakeholders.
Calendly streamlines your appointment scheduling process, ensuring you never miss a beat in your busy real estate profession.
With its intuitive interface, you can set your availability and let clients or colleagues book time slots that work best for them. This eliminates the back-and-forth emails and potential misunderstandings. Automatic reminders ensure both you and your clients remember the appointments, reducing no-shows.
Plus, its integration capabilities with other platforms, like Google Calendar or Zoom, provide a cohesive scheduling experience. With Calendly, you optimize your time, focusing more on client interactions and less on administrative tasks.
17. Realtor.com Pro – Client & Listing Management
Best for: Agents looking to prioritize and strategize client interactions.
Realtor.com Pro is a dynamic tool designed for real estate agents. It provides instant notifications on new listings that match a client‘s criteria or when there are changes to listings they’re interested in.
This app streamlines client management by offering an organized platform to monitor leads and stay updated with market trends. The interface is user-friendly, allowing agents to maintain continuous engagement with clients and ensure they have the latest market data at their fingertips.
18. Homesnap – Real-time MLS Integration & Property Insights
Best for: Agents wanting the latest data on properties and market trends.
Homesnap stands out with its real-time MLS integration, giving agents immediate access to up-to-date listings, tax records, and comprehensive property histories. A unique feature of Homesnap is the ability to snap a photo of any property and instantly retrieve its market value, recent sale data, and more.
As an effective communication tool, the app allows agents to easily share listings, discuss property details with clients, and schedule viewings, making the property buying or selling journey more cohesive.
Update Your Tech Stack
A solid tech stack is vital for modern real estate success. But remember, more isn't always better. Choose tools that align with your specific needs, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
Every addition should offer real value, streamlining operations and enhancing client interactions. Be strategic, prioritize quality over quantity, and regularly reassess to keep your tech game strong.