The best CRMs for real estate agents

Every agent knows a good customer relationship management system (CRM) is an invaluable and powerful tool for managing and growing their business.

By allowing agents to streamline the running of their client database, the best CRMs save agents time by taking the headache out of listing uploads and client communication, and hopefully in the process improve client satisfaction and sales productivity.

Using a CRM is essential to implementing your marketing strategy, systematically staying on top off potential clients you meet and most importantly prospecting.

As a foundation of day-to-day management and long term business development it is crucial to select the best CRM for you. When comparing CRMs for real estate there are four critical pillars to look at, including:

1. Interface

2. Features

3. Training and support

4. Security

If you feel as though your current CRM isn’t cutting it or you’re wanting to upgrade to a new system, here’s our comparison of five functional CRMs for real estate agents to help inform your choice.

Arosoftware

Interface-

• Cloud-based
• iOS and Android mobile apps
• Built and tested in working real estate offices
• Custom theme and branding

Features-

• Bulk portal uploader
• Auto lead importing
• Listing, contact and prospect management
• Automation
• Integrated website platform
• Auto open home check-in
• Email and SMS marketing
• Trust account management
• Commissions and invoicing
• Brochures and booklets
• Tasks and events
• Reporting and analytics
• See all features

Training and support-

• Dedicated training and support team 
• Phone, chat and email support
• 24/7 access to over 300 help articles
• Learn more about their support

Security-

• Daily backups
• AWS and Google Cloud infrastructure
• Weekly releases

LockedOn

Interface-

• Cloud and web based software

• Mobile capabilities (iPad app)

• Easy to navigate dashboard

Image: garydavidhall.com

Features-

• One click listing submission (to real estate portals, social media and agency website)

• Vendor reporting & vendor portal

• Pre-loaded follow up action plans

• Appointment and task management

• Lead tracking

• SMS and email marketing

• Sales and marketing templates customised for agents

• Interactive listing presentations

• Record open house attendee details

Training and support-

• Online training webinars or paid on-site training available

• Phone and email support

• Support team to import and export data

• Offer a 30-day free trial

Security-

• Secure military-grade servers based in Sydney

• Take care of backups

• Automatic updates

Agentbox

Interface-

• Web based

• Mobile capabilities

• Designed by real estate agents for real estate agents

Features-

• Portal listing uploads

• Prospecting tools

• Appointment and task management

• Automatic property alerts for buyers

• Transaction management (vendor marketing contributions, sales deposits etc.)

• Vendor reporting

• SMS and email marketing

• Brochure, SMS, email and window card templates

• Google mapping

• Capture leads directly from property portals

• Property stocklists

Training and support-

• Email and phone support

• Online training materials

• On-site training available

Security-

• ‘to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online’

ListOnce

Interface-

• Web based

• Intuitive, fast and easy to use ‘Contacts Database’

Image: ListOnce

Features-

• Single listing data entry unlimited portal multi-loading

• Contacts database

• Automated contacts communication

• Email marketing

• SEO analysis- Monthly SEO summary report including Google analytics and keyword analysis

• Brochure, email and ad templates

• Individual property websites

• Individual agent websites

Training and support-

• Email and Australian-based phone support

• 2-hour SEO review available with issue identification and recommendations

• Free online demo available

Security-

• Described as ‘bullet-proof speed, reliability and security at competitive rates’

• For large accounts option for Virtual Private Server and dedicated server solutions

Rex

Interface-

• Web based

• Easy to navigate interface, inspired by Google and Facebook

Image: Rex

Features-

• Portal listing uploads

• Listing management

• Prospecting tools

• Financial and transaction management

• Contact management and follow-up reminders

• Sales management

• Automatic SMS updates

• Email marketing and reports

• Reporting and analytics

• Newsletter and print marketing templates

Training and support-

• 160 how-to online videos

• Library of help articles

• Regular webinars

• Full time in-house support team- average response time of 20 minutes

• Free 30-minute demo on offer

Security-

• Monthly updates

• Backup provided

Eagle Agent by Eagle Software

Interface-

• Simple, clean sidebar navigation, smart filters and intuitive design

• PC, mobile and tablet compatible

Image: Eagle Software

Features-

• Portal listing uploads

• Automated buyer matching

• Create and manage property listings

• Document upload

• Email marketing and SMS campaigns

• Enquiry tracking

• Property list templates

Training and support-

• Free hour long demo

• Local email and phone support

If you’re considering making a CRM switch don’t forget to make sure you can migrate data from your current database into your new one, so that you don’t lose years of hard work and long term prospects.

This is by no means a definitive list, undoubtedly there are plenty of other great CRMs out there that offer different advantages to suit the specific needs of different agents and agencies.

Do you have a CRM to recommend that we missed? How satisfied are you with the capabilities of your current CRM? Please let us know in the comments section below.