Property Mgt Software

[Marlon Zuniga]

Hi, 

I'd like to start using a property management software for a portfolio of 10 properties. I'd like for it to be a one stop shop for tenant rent payments, tracking maintenance requests, e-sign, accounting reports etc...? I've seen that Buildium, SimplifyEm and Appfolio are well rated. As this is a small portfolio, I don't wan to incur excess fees for features that are suitable for much larger portfolios. 

Thanks, 

Marlon 

[John Warren]

@Marlon Zuniga at just under 50 apartments, we made the switch to AppFolio. I manage primarily in Berwyn and Cicero which are urban area right outside of Chicago, and everyone I know in the space uses AppFolio. The thing no one talks about is that these types of software are designed for companies with employees. There was a very, very steep learning curve for me and I didn't use the financial side of the software at all for almost six months until I hired someone to do it. 

If you have 10 units, I would not recommend using any of these types of management software. The costs are just too high to justify what you get. AppFolio is ok at a lot of things, but it gives you great controls for when you have employees. 

I think what a lot of folks really need is QuickBooks to track the financial side of things. 70% of managing your properties is accounting anyways, and QuickBooks is much better and easier than a PM software at that.