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11/13/2008 09:00:23
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Subject: Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elizabeth Scott
Joined: 10/03/2008 08:08:12
Messages: 206
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Question from an IREM Member:
"In any business, streamlining processes can go a long way in increasing efficiency and productivity. I think that technology has played such a large role for our company, allowing us to better handle business processes than competitors - so much so that we are able to do more with less.
So, I am interested in knowing what software packages you utilize to manage your residential and commercial accounts...everything from fincial reporting, to tenant information, and even maintenance.
Right now we use Property Edge, but we are looking into new solutions from Intuit."
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11/13/2008 09:00:53
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elsie Hermann
Joined: 09/25/2008 21:54:44
Messages: 202
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Comment from an IREM Member:
"The company I work for uses three separate computer applications for separate functions:
1. A main property management program (web based)
2. Accounting
3. Credit checks and lease creation
My experience as a Regional Manager with the setup outlined above has been frustrating. Due to the lack of integration, important accounting issues (i.e., non-payment of rent) are not relayed between the accounting application and the property management application. Aren’t capabilities such as automated ‘red flags’ the very reason we use computers?
My primary recommendation is to go with a program that integrates as many suitable, well-integrated functions as possible. I am still looking for a subjective review though of any major applications. Does anyone know of a PC Magazine-style review of property management applications? "
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11/13/2008 09:01:15
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elsie Hermann
Joined: 09/25/2008 21:54:44
Messages: 202
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Comment from an IREM Member:
"Our firm uses a software package called Jenark, and we manage about 90 commercial buildings consisting of about 11,000,000 s.f. and about 500 clients. I believe it is set up to be used for residential properties too. Jenark is an integrated software package with different "modules" that perform different tasks. We use their database, g/l, a/p, a/r, financial reporting, leasing and maintenance tracking software. It is a very comprehensive system and their support has been very good."
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11/13/2008 09:01:33
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elsie Hermann
Joined: 09/25/2008 21:54:44
Messages: 202
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Comment from an IREM Member:
"We use MRI and are quite happy with it. It enables us to keep all our accounting and leases on the same system as the maintenance/work order tracking. It also has a module called Foresight that we use for our budgets, which downloads into MRI for all monthly financial reporting. It's a good system, but I don't know how expensive it is."
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11/13/2008 09:02:21
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elsie Hermann
Joined: 09/25/2008 21:54:44
Messages: 202
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Comment from an IREM Member:
"Although I have used several packages over the years, the most impressive was "Yardi." Its scope, cohesiveness, and modular nature make it very hard to beat. Also, the Yardi organization does a great job of keeping their product on the cutting edge.
Also, each year IREM has an issue of JPM that reviews all software packages available on a detailed side-by-side comparison. This year's comparison just came out. "
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11/13/2008 09:02:36
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elsie Hermann
Joined: 09/25/2008 21:54:44
Messages: 202
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Comment from an IREM Member:
"From a property manager's perspective, I favor MRI over past packages that I have used: Skyline, Timberline, JDE. Some of these prior uses go back 10+ years, however, so I am speaking more about past comparisons than current.
The others had a feel of being written by accountants for accountants and lacked the "user-friendliness" for site managers who only use the program 1-2 times per week for various reports or limited data entry. "
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11/13/2008 09:03:10
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elsie Hermann
Joined: 09/25/2008 21:54:44
Messages: 202
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There are many software packages available to meet the needs of large, mid-size, and smaller management companies. The choice of software would depend on your needs and what you already have.
IREMFIRST offers members a free Forms Database of documents, Excel spreadsheets, and various other types of useful tools. The forms are broken into property types and categories. Soon, there will even be form packets. For a modest fee, the forms are also available to non-members.
Feel free to browse the Forms Database on the IREMFIRST homepage.
Good luck with your search.
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11/27/2008 20:33:40
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Donald Cheng
Joined: 11/27/2008 19:45:16
Messages: 16
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I think it depends on the type of property. I use Yardi and companies like JP Morgan Chase use it too, but it is more suited for large commercial enterprises and is very expensive. If you have small portfolios, some basic ones are more than adequate. I have to look in my magazines to see which ones may be well suited.
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01/02/2009 18:46:15
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Robert Machado
Joined: 01/02/2009 18:30:35
Messages: 3
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We manage smaller properties including single family and have been using Yardi for many years. The price keeps going up and we are looking into a switch and are looking at Appfolio. It is geared to smaller properties and apartments and is web based. It is much less than Yardi.
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02/11/2009 15:33:49
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Barbara Kelly
Joined: 02/11/2009 15:00:29
Messages: 5
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Take a look at Spectra - it is very user friendly (windows based) and has a lot to offer. In addition, it is very reasonable priced compared to a lot of its competitors.
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02/17/2009 17:21:14
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Michael McCreary
Joined: 02/17/2009 17:19:22
Messages: 5
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I have used Tenant Pro (now version 7) since 1995. They are now owned by Domin-8. I manage Single-Family and HOA's with it. Works very well for me. They have pricing so that you can only pay for the number of properties/users you need as you grow.
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02/21/2009 18:23:52
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Marjean Pountain
Joined: 09/26/2008 09:25:38
Messages: 61
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It seems Yardi is the software of choice for property managers.
Flexible and mutliple options depending on the size and needs of the property management company.
Quickbooks is the choice for small commercial operators I'm told as well.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/21/2009 18:24:28
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03/06/2009 13:54:18
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Douglas Hartmann
Joined: 03/06/2009 13:44:53
Messages: 1
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We use tenant pro 7 & have been with them thru many updates, but the new company keeps promising but does not deliver. We only mangae 600 units & it is SOOOO SLow you forget what you asked for.
We're looking right now. Yardi is big bucks but...
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03/23/2009 21:25:27
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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John McDuffie
Joined: 03/23/2009 12:08:15
Messages: 17
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I'm not sure Yardi is so great. We use Classic and i constantly have issues. It's complicated to admin because nothing works as it should. It automatically adds voucher amounts to your ledger even though you migh have had an adjustment. So the books are always off. When you move a tenant out it doesn't insist that you enter a move out date. So then you have a HUD voucher with errors. It's very slow and uses a great deal of resources. You have to pay Yardi for any database admin services. Updates are handed out as often as free gold. There are no error checking features. The software will simply refuse to let you do something and give you a weird reason why you can't. The reports are ok but poorly formatted and limited.
It's almost of if the programmer had a few manuals and wrote it rather than using information from people in the industry. I'm currently looking at Appfolio and Real Pages. Both are web based so they do the backup not you. Updates are their responsibility. The reporting features are amazing in both. Appfolio goes even further by helping you "green" things up.
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04/06/2009 12:37:21
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Subject: Re:Which Software Package Do you Use?
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Elizabeth Wright
Joined: 03/21/2009 09:58:52
Messages: 5
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Our company uses OneSite from RealPage. It's a great web based program. It has all the options you'd want for any residential property...Leasing & Rents, Facilites, Purchasing, Payments, Velocity (utility billing), and Star Fire (online leasing for prospects and residents). I'm very happy with it and have used it for two years now. If you need contact information, let me know. Oh, btw, they're based in TX.
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