automating my business

[Mike R.]

Hi all,

I've been a landlord for the past 12 years or so but only recently got serious about ramping up. I recently added a couple units, plan to expand quickly, and am realizing that successful self-management is heavily dependent on systems and automation.

So I'm looking for some advice from landlords who manage 30, 40, even 50 units themselves.

My particulars:

I use Quickbooks Desktop 2010 for basic real estate accounting and that's it. I bank with a large national bank and pay most RE bills via online banking. I do not use any kind of property management software or app.

I’m looking for a piece of property management software that:

= Integrates with Quickbooks and banks. This is a requirement. I don’t want to have to enter a bill, rental payment, etc., more than once, and, ideally, I’d like for that to be automated as well.

= Allows me to store information/photos about the units and advertise them easily as vacancies occur.

= Allows tenants to fill out and submit a rental application and pay the application fee

= Provides credit reports and background checks

= Accepts rental payments and late fees

= Allows me to communicate with tenants

= Keeps track of documents (leases, move-in inspections and the like)

= Has a mobile app

Any suggestions? 

And do you any other tips or tricks that help you stay organized and efficient?

Thanks in advance for your time and expertise,

Mike

[Phil Earley]

Appfolio.  we started with Peachtree, then went to Buildium, and then to Appfolio 4 years ago.    It can handle whatever you throw at it.