All Forum Posts by: Jeff Blanchard

Enable 2-factor authentication if your email service provides it.

I'm sure there are out-of-the-box solutions, though I personally haven't employed these (I don't purchase properties at scale).

Susan has a good question though: are you thinking about process or metrics? Or?..

Hi Donald. Multifamily is a great place to start.

What's your development background? Do you work in web SaaS by chance? (I do)

Google Charts. Lay it out your process however your like, delete (or hide) rows of properties that don't work out; move/copy completed purchases to another sheet where you can start managing them -- OR import the data to your favorite web-based PM app :)

Alternative: use a CRM-like SaaS app such as Pipedrive and customize your acquisition steps/process. You still retain the ability to export the data to your next phase of ownership, and have a nice graphical tool to show you where you are in the process.

If you don't have a (post-purchase) management solution in place, I'd be happy to talk with you about that some other time.

Smartphone apps or apps in general? On the phone I use my bank's check deposit app several times a month (for those tenants that I haven't gotten to convert to online payment yet).

In general, I use a web-based PM app almost daily.

I don't consider these accounting software, but rather online property management software. Xero is online accounting I've used and would recommend, but for property management (including some related accounting), Buildium is the one I would go with if I had to pick from your list.

However, I don't use Buildium :)

Standards are slowly evolving in the form of often-used storage & data-transfer formats, but don't hold your breath; even electronic medical records still use many different standards.

Having said that, any good software-as-a-service should have a way to "get your data out," usually via CSV export, etc. It won't come with the same structure that the app offers, but then that's what you're paying for.

Personal NAS's have been around for a bit, and yes they are getting easier to access remotely. I put all of my data on one of these (Buffalo Linkstation, though there are more user-friendly options out there). Make sure it has a RAID!

All of my (prospective) tenants fill out applications online, so there's little time lost for me if they submit an app and don't follow up. Apps don't get my attention unless the tenant says they are ready to write a check for the deposit. Communicating this, I don't get many bad leads.

If you're to be a landlord and hold/manage properties for an extended amount of time, then PM-specific software will help you keep track of day-to-day tasks and information particular to your business, in addition to a providing a structured way place to journal your financials.

I've met Mike as well. What he has is really a set of QB templates to help use the software to better manage rental property. Mike is all about the bottom line; he has setup his system to make sure that everything that can be billed to the tenant is. If this is your style, give it a shot.