Hi team, I know there is estimation software that inspectors and contractors use so #s are super accurate when attempting to determine the cost of a project.

I am a software engineering manager by trade but looking to get into real estate as supplemental income. 

I work at a Software Company, and am looking to purchase my first Property in the Boston area.

Does anyone around here utilize an MLS search or other lead generating software?

I'm curious if spending that much time to key in the same info that the CPA will be putting into the software, seems like double duty.I know professional software save the information that is carried forward to the next year to make it easy to update or enter information.

I've never hired a CPA as I've always only needed to file 1040EZ's until now and when I did file using software/websites, it was free because I was active duty.

I have much more than that from 2 decades of experience.I currently have 3 firms.1) An IT Software firm that develops Software for Enterprise Wide Corporations2) A Property Management firm that takes care of all my existing properties3) A new Brokerage FirmI have a NY Broker friend of mine who can walk me through all the Process, but I want to first do my own research since he is a bit busy.So going the route of working for another Brokerage Firm won't be an option I would be considering.At worse, I will hire an Associate Broker or an Office Managing Broker to Manage and set up the appropriate Business Processes.Then I'll have my Software company come in and develop all the necessary IT (Websites, MLS Access, etc.) projects that a full blown Brokerage need these days.

I've been messing around with VBA functions in excel in order to build my own custom CRM software.

I'd suggest that it wouldn't hurt to get some experience there under your belt - these folks with sales backgrounds (cars, software, it matters not) are the small minority that tend to hand me purchase contracts with a specified price far below the appraised value, which isn't otherwise common in the Bay Area.

Looking for as comprehensive a software as possible.