The Close’s Top Picks for Best Real Estate Software

1. LionDesk

• Best for: CRM
• Monthly cost: Starts at $29

If you’re looking for a user-friendly and affordable customer relationship manager (CRM) as you scale your real estate business, try LionDesk. Starting at $29 per month, LionDesk provides essential tools, such as bulk email, drip campaigns, and automation, along with other features like integrated landing pages and a digital ad portal. While its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual assistant Gabby isn’t included in the platform anymore, LionDesk is still an excellent option for agents who want to streamline business operations without breaking the bank.

2. Zillow Premier Agent

• Best for: Lead generation
• Monthly cost: Depends on the market; around $300 to $1,000

Created by one of the best real estate tech companies, Zillow Premier Agent is a lead generation service that connects agents with potential buyers and sellers through Zillow’s extensive network. If you use this service, you get featured in property listings, which boosts your visibility and attracts more qualified leads. Although pricing can be steep, many agents find it a valuable investment due to the sheer volume of potential clients it delivers. Additionally, Zillow Premier Agent offers tools to help agents efficiently manage these leads, such as CRM, performance analytics, and integration capabilities.

3. Zurple

• Best for: Automated lead nurturing
• Monthly cost: Starts at $309

Do you ever wish you could figure out when your leads are ready to buy or sell before they’re ready? Zurple lets you do just that. This real estate agent software is designed to help agents identify when leads are ready to move, allowing for a timely engagement. Zurple starts by generating exclusive leads for you. But instead of generic drip campaigns, Zurple’s intelligent nurturing system sends them personalized emails and texts based on their behavior. When a lead shows signs of being ready to buy or sell, Zurple alerts the agent, making it easier to step in and close the deal. It takes all the guesswork out of lead nurturing so you can focus on selling.

4. Catalyze AI

• Best for: Predictive analytics
• Monthly cost: Subscription starts at $180

Catalyze AI is a predictive analytics platform for agents to identify motivated sellers likely to sell their properties soon. Like real estate chatbots, Catalyze AI leverages advanced data analysis to help agents focus their marketing efforts on properties that will likely hit the market. You’ll receive new leads each month and begin building relationships that make you the natural choice when choosing a realtor.

5. REDX

• Best for: Prospecting and phone dialer
• Monthly cost: Starts at $50

If you’re cold calling without using a real estate phone dialer, you’re leaving money on the table. Ask any agent who cold calls. There’s no way your fingers can keep up with the numbers you need to dial or deal with voicemails, hang-ups, and wrong numbers. So if you want to start cold calling FSBOs, expired, or to effectively connect with prospects living around one of your listings, then you owe it to yourself to upgrade to REDX + Power Dialer. Even better, REDX offers The Close readers $150 off the setup price, automatically deducted when you click over to their site from this article.

6. Market Leader

• Best for: Exclusive and affordable leads
• Monthly cost: $189

Since the previous software we’ve mentioned tends to be on the pricier side, here’s a budget-friendly real estate solution that offers agents exclusive leads: Market Leader. The platform ensures you get the number of leads you expect while keeping costs manageable. Market Leader also has powerful CRM and marketing tools to help you nurture your leads. If you want to experience the best of Market Leader, check out Network Boost.

7. Curb Hero

• Best for: Open houses
• Monthly cost: Free

Formerly known as Block Party, Curb Hero provides agents with free open house sign-in software. It might not have all the bells and whistles of competitors like Open Home Pro and Spacio. Still, Curb Hero stands out with its touchless QR code sign-in, single-property websites, and the ability to gather background information. Additionally, it integrates with over 200 CRMs—all for free.

8. Styldod

• Best for: Virtual staging
• Monthly cost: Starts at $16-$23 per photo

Want to stage your property listing the quickest way possible? Use virtual staging. Styldod is a virtual staging platform that allows agents to transform unappealing or empty spaces into attractive, fully furnished properties. Agents can choose from a variety of design styles to suit their listings. Styldod offers 3D renders, furniture replacement, and virtual renovations to enhance listings and attract potential clients. For as low as $16 per photo, you’ll get your staged images in as little as 48 hours. What’s not to love about Styldod?

9. Showami

• Best for: Showings
• Monthly cost: Starts at $39

Do you currently have many property listings and don’t know how you’ll get through several showings and meetings? If you’re a busy agent who needs help showing properties, Showami is the answer. The software connects agents with other licensed agents who are available to assist. Showami operates on a pay-per-showing model, allowing agents to manage their time without worrying about losing business due to schedule conflicts. By using Showami’s services, you’ll be able to accommodate more clients and grow your business without being physically present at every showing and losing your commission.

10. Luxury Presence

• Best for: Luxury IDX websites
• Monthly cost: Undisclosed; contact Luxury Presence for pricing

Establishing a solid personal brand is key to your success if you want to navigate the high-end real estate market, and your website should be one of your priorities. As one of the pioneers in luxury real estate website design, Luxury Presence should be at the top of your list for realtors software that helps you create a stunning website. Known for crafting sleek and attractive websites, Luxury Presence offers solutions catering to luxury real estate agents. Its platform provides many design options and integrates essential tools like SEO optimization, IDX home search, and lead generation features.

11. Placester

• Best for: Website builder
• Monthly cost: Subscription starts at $29

Placester is a website builder that offers IDX integration, built-in lead capture forms, CRM for managing client relationships, and its best-selling feature—do-it-for-me concierge services. Additionally, Placester offers helpful features like prewritten content libraries and a brand-new services marketplace to help you quickly find design and tech talent. While it is no longer the most affordable website builder, Placester is still an ideal choice for agents seeking a robust online presence.

12. Canva

• Best for: DIY design and free templates
• Monthly cost: Free; subscription starts at $10

Canva makes it easy for real estate agents to create professional-looking marketing materials, social media content, and website graphics, even for those with little design experience. This real estate software for agents is popular for a good reason. At just $10 monthly, Canva lets you use various customizable templates. While the free version offers plenty of resources, subscribing unlocks additional features like a custom branding kit, premium assets, background removers for photos and videos, and a social media scheduling tool, offering even more creative flexibility.

13. Agent Crate

• Best for: Social media posting on-the-go
• Monthly cost: Subscription starts at $29

Agent Crate is an all-in-one software for real estate agents that includes customizable websites, lead gen tools, and automated marketing solutions like social media templates, email campaigns, and branded assets. Agents can easily manage their online presence and maintain branding across various channels. For only $29 per month, you’ll get access to a content library filled with ready-to-use marketing materials and a built-in design studio. 

14. Coffee and Contracts

• Best for: Marketing templates
• Monthly cost: $54

Here is another option for your real estate marketing templates, our agents’ favorite at The Close: Coffee and Contracts. This real estate software provides agents with many marketing tools and resources to help them build their brand. Coffee and Contracts’ customizable templates make it easy for agents to maintain a consistent online presence. Want to post a trendy real estate topic or educational content? Coffee and Contracts has a template for you.

15. Slack

• Best for: Communication and collaboration
• Monthly cost: Free; subscription starts at $15 per user

One of the best real estate software programs on this list, Slack is a powerful communication tool that enhances collaboration among teams and brokerages. The platform offers multiple channels for various topics and conversations, allowing agents to send instant messages, share files, and engage in huddles and video conferences. My favorite feature of Slack is how easy it is to search past messages through its history. Slack also integrates with some of the most popular office software, including Dropbox, DocuSign, Google Drive, Zoom, and Microsoft Outlook.

16. Dotloop

• Best for: Transaction management
• Monthly cost: Subscription starts at $31.99

If your office doesn’t offer real estate software like Dotloop and other perks, it might be wise to sign up and track your deals with Dotloop. Dotloop is a user-friendly transaction management software that allows agents to create, edit, and e-sign documents in one place. This functionality reduces the need for multiple tools and apps, making transactions less prone to errors. The platform improves collaboration by providing real-time updates and secure communication, helping agents stay organized.

17. Agently

• Best for: Agent coaching and goal setting
• Monthly cost: Subscription starts at $59

Looking for productivity realtors software for your small team? Try Agently. The platform provides automated agent onboarding and coaching, tailored action plans, financial goal tracker, social media templates, and more. Agently helps agents maintain consistency and efficiency in their daily operations. By automating tasks like social media posting and client follow-ups, Agently allows agents to focus on business growth, weekly challenges for their CGI goals, and client interactions.

Methodology: How We Selected the Best Real Estate Software Programs

Our expert researchers, agents, writers, and editors at The Close researched and reviewed dozens (if not hundreds) of real estate apps and software. We analyzed each software and based our top picks on the following criteria:

• Pricing
  • How does each software’s price compare to competitors? We evaluated the cost of each software, how much each subscription package is, the value of features provided, and whether it offers a free trial.
• Utility
  • We reviewed each software’s functionality and features, focusing on whether its tools streamline workflows, make agents’ lives easier, or complicate tasks even more.
• Ease of Use
  • We considered how intuitive and accessible each software is for agents of different skill levels. Was the real estate software program easy to navigate, even for beginner agents? How user-friendly was the interface? Does the software allow agents to focus on their tasks without getting bogged down by technical difficulties?
• Reputation
  • We evaluated each realtor’s software’s reputation by reviewing verified user reviews and expert opinions. How has each software’s user base grown over the years? Real estate software programs with a strong track record of reliability and positive reviews from industry experts were considered for this list.

Read more about our methodology here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What software do realtors use?

What software does Keller Williams use?

How do I start a real estate CRM?

Bringing It All Together

When choosing real estate agent software programs, consider how well they align with your business needs and goals. Any life-changing realtor software we’re missing out on? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Top 17 Real Estate Software Programs for 2024 appeared first on The Close.

• Styldod: Best for quick turn-around times
• Tantify: Best for high-end, realistic staging
• BoxBrownie: Best for a variety of virtual services
• PadStyler: Best for customization and furniture selection
• Stuccco: Best for do-it-yourself (DIY) and ease of use
• Apply Design: Best for on-the-spot revisions

The Close’s Picks for Best Virtual Staging Software

Styldod: Best for Quick Turnaround Times

Pros

• Price savings for more than 8 images
• Unlimited free revisions
• Turnaround time: 24-48 hours
• Customer satisfaction guarantee
• Various design options

Cons

• Limited customizations
• Inconsistent quality
• Basic furniture options
• Slower customer support
• Less realistic

The Close Score

4.9

Pricing:

5.0

General Features:

2.6

Ease of Use:

4.5

Customer Service:

1.5

Customer Rating:

4.6

Expert Score:

4.6

out
of

5

Why I Chose Styldod

Talk about home improvement! With Styldod’s super-fast turnaround time (24 to 48 hours), agents will be listing properties in no time and attracting buyers right away. Plus, with prices starting at just $16 per image, it’s budget-friendly without skimping on quality. Customers love that Styldod offers a bunch of design options and super realistic renderings, making listings look their best. Not to mention, you get unlimited revisions if you want to make any changes.

Additional Features

• AI object removal: This is great for agents who want to remove an object or two from an existing photo without virtually staging an entire room.
• Real estate video maker: Agents can create a free listing video in minutes with premade templates.

Tantify: Best for High-end, Realistic Staging

Pros

• Free consultations
• Turnaround time: as little as 8 hours
• Staging of complex properties
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• High-quality images

Cons

• Higher pricing
• Limited services
• Complex ordering process
• Targeted at the luxury market
• Less flexibility for last-minute changes

The Close Score

4.5

Pricing:

3.0

General Features:

3.7

Ease of Use:

4.5

Customer Service:

4.0

Customer Rating:

3.2

Expert Score:

4.6

out
of

5

Why I Chose Tantify

Tantify is all about turning boring property photos into stylish, inviting spaces with its virtual staging magic. It provides high-end virtual staging that results in super-realistic, high-quality images that catch the eye of potential buyers. 

It has the best image quality and interior design taste that we know of among staging service providers. While it doesn’t offer virtual house staging software for real estate agents, it consistently puts out photorealistic virtual staging images with stunning interior design.

Additional Features

• Realistic renderings: The bottom line—these photos look real. This may be the most expensive option, but it also produces the best results for luxury agents.
• Quick redesign and virtual renovation: Remove unwanted furniture to upgrade a space without virtually staging the entire room. If you have a commercial space or a property that needs an overhaul, consider purchasing the renovation option for complex listings.

BoxBrownie: Best for Variety of Virtual Services

Pros

• Realistic staging at an affordable price
• Turnaround time: 48 hours
• Unlimited revisions at no cost
• Multiple furniture style choices
• Easy online ordering

Cons

• Higher cost for premium services
• Quality can be inconsistent
• Larger orders can take longer
• Overwhelming amount of service options
• Multiple revisions are often needed

The Close Score

4.5

Pricing:

3.0

General Features:

2.9

Ease of Use:

4.5

Customer Service:

5.0

Customer Rating:

4.6

Expert Score:

4.1

out
of

5

Why I Chose BoxBrownie

BoxBrownie does it all by offering virtual staging, photo editing, floor plan, 360° virtual tours and more. It’s actually my go-to for real estate photo edits, and so far it has not let me down. Sure, some of the premium options cost more, but the results are worth it. I love having everything I need in one place, no matter what project I’m working on. And its customer service?—Chef’s kiss!

Additional Features

• Floor plans: Turn the typical, hard-to-read floor plan into a work of art with BoxBrownie’s virtually staged floor plans. I love seeing these on listings!
• Professional copywriting: Now that you have these beautiful photos, you have to write a listing description. If you feel stuck, BoxBrownie has copywriting options for you.

PadStyler: Best for Customization & Furniture Selection

Pros

• Rush delivery available
• Exterior virtual staging
• Unlimited design revisions
• Price match promise
• Free virtual tour included

Cons

• On the higher end of pricing
• No specified turnaround times
• Less user-friendly platform
• Limited additional services
• Inconsistent customer service experiences

The Close Score

4.2

Pricing:

2.5

General Features:

2.6

Ease of Use:

4.5

Customer Service:

4.0

Customer Rating:

4.7

Expert Score:

4.3

out
of

5

Why I Chose PadStyler

I went with PadStyler because it lets me play interior designer without breaking the bank. Sure, it’s got a bit of a learning curve with all the customization options, but once you get the hang of it, you can really make each room pop. I love how I can pick from a huge library of furniture and decor to match any style I need. Plus, the detailed options mean I can get everything just right for each property. It’s like having a virtual decorating party right at my fingertips!

Additional Features

• 3D walkthrough: Perfect for new construction properties, you can show potential buyers what the house can look like once it is finished. 
• Schedule an actual photoshoot: If you’re in Austin, Texas—you’re in luck. Not only does PadStyler have virtual staging options, but it also has professional photographers available in your area.

Stuccco: Best for DIY & Ease of Use

Pros

• Add or remove furniture and decor
• Turnaround time: 24 hours
• Discount on additional features with subscription
• Library of style types to choose from
• Unlimited revisions

Cons

• Subscription required to unlock additional features
• Limited additional services available
• Pricing structure is more complicated than most
• Some visuals appear to be lower quality
• Requires high quality photos for best results

The Close Score

4.1

Pricing:

2.5

General Features:

2.6

Ease of Use:

4.5

Customer Service:

4.0

Customer Rating:

4.3

Expert Score:

4.3

out
of

5

Why I Chose Stuccco

Stucco gets the job done with its no-hassle virtual staging. It may not offer all the bells and whistles like some other providers, but you don’t have to be a design guru to get results you’ll love. If you’re looking for DIY virtual staging, this program is easy to use and perfect for an agent on a tight budget. While the pricing structure can seem overwhelming, it does allow you to only pay for what you need.

Additional Features

• Listing pages with stats: Listing pages allow you to manage who sees this page and its contents. When you share it, you’ll be able to track the buyer traffic, leads, and conversion rate.
• Lead capture: Upgrade your plan so homebuyers can share their contact info on your property Listing Pages, making it easy to capture buyer leads and follow up with them.

Apply Design: Best for On-the-Spot Revisions

Pros

• No design experience required
• Turnaround time: 15 minutes
• Item removal included
• On-the-spot revisions in one click
• First image is free

Cons

• Limited service offerings
• Less customizable than other designers
• Takes time to learn the program
• Geared towards quick results vs quality
• DIYers will need an eye for design, at least

The Close Score

4.1

Pricing:

3.8

General Features:

1.6

Ease of Use:

4.5

Customer Service:

3.0

Customer Rating:

4.1

Expert Score:

3.6

out
of

5

Why I Chose Apply Design

Apply Design is an easy-to-use app that allows anyone to quickly stage their listings. Apply Design is one of the only virtual staging apps on the market that still allows agents to do their own virtual staging. It’s also very easy to use and includes a large number of tasteful, high-quality renderings of furniture, art, lighting, rugs, plants, and other home furnishings.

Additional Features

• AI decluttering: Remove the existing furniture or other clutter automatically by simply checking a box.
• On-the-spot revisions: Make quick changes with Apply Design’s drag-and-drop editor. Customize any real estate photo in a snap.

The Ultimate Virtual Staging Guide

So, you want to know how to do virtual staging? At the end of the day, picking a virtual staging software is just as important as knowing the best virtual staging tricks. That’s why I added this virtual staging guide to give you easy steps, insider tips, and cool examples to help you become a virtual staging pro. Whether you’re just starting out or already a staging whiz, this guide will help you rock any virtual staging tool and make your properties look amazing. 

As an added bonus, you can download our top 10 staging tips for free:

What Is Virtual Staging?

Virtual staging is like magic for your property photos. Instead of lugging heavy furniture around, you use fancy tech to digitally spruce up empty rooms. It’s like giving your place a stylish makeover without breaking a sweat (or your back!). Virtual staging spruces up listings, making them look lived-in and super inviting to potential buyers. It’s the secret weapon for selling homes faster and making them look totally Instagram-worthy! 

When to Use Virtual Staging

When should you use virtual staging products when selling a home? Anytime is perfect for showcasing the potential of a space without the hassle and cost of physically staging it. Plus, you can target different buyer demographics by styling rooms to suit various tastes—turning that spare room into a cozy office or a kids’ playroom with just a few clicks.

Let’s take a look at some of the best reasons to use virtual staging: 

• Empty spaces: Transform vacant rooms into furnished, inviting spaces.
• Outdated decor: Update the look of a home with modern furnishings and decor.
• Cost-effective makeover: Stage a property without the expense of traditional staging.
• Targeted marketing: Customize staging to appeal to specific buyer demographics or lifestyles.
• Quick sales: Attract more interest and potentially sell properties faster with visually appealing listings, especially if a property is lacking; uh-hum—appeal.
• Creative flexibility: Experiment with different layouts and designs to showcase a property’s full potential.

Differences Between Traditional vs Virtual Staging

Many agents ask, Is virtual staging really as effective as traditional staging? Virtual staging can be a highly effective alternative to traditional home staging, offering cost savings, flexibility, and the ability to reach a wider audience with appealing pics. However, the effectiveness ultimately depends on the specific property, target market, and the quality of the virtual staging itself.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type of staging to help you determine which method is right for your listing. First up, traditional staging:

Now, let’s take a look at the upside and downside of virtual staging:

Whichever way you decide to stage a home, be sure to chat with your sellers about how they feel about any disruptions or how easy it’ll be for them to use.

Decide Your Budget & Pick a Great Virtual Staging Software

When you’re choosing the best virtual home staging software, start by figuring out your budget. Software costs can vary a lot, so it’s important to find one that fits your wallet. Check out what each software offers by returning to the above section—things like lots of furniture choices, realistic-looking designs, and how easy it is to use. Then make sure your budget aligns and get to work! 

Do’s & Don’ts of Virtual Staging 

So, now that you know what you’re going to do, let’s talk about some best practices for virtually staging a property. Choose furniture setups that enhance the space without making it look cramped. Make sure the virtual staging shows off natural light and highlights what makes your property special. Skip the overly fancy or too-personal decorations that could distract potential buyers or renters. 

Keeping it simple and inviting will help you create digital presentations that catch eyes and make a great impression. It’s the little things that we can sometimes overlook, like curb appeal. 

Here are a few do’s and don’ts to get you started.

Show Off Your Masterpiece

You’re done, you did it! Now, gather those beautiful masterpieces and get to marketing your listing. The house won’t sell itself, but your newly staged photos just might.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What programs do virtual stagers use?

Can I do virtual staging myself?

How do realtors do virtual staging?

How much does a visual stager cost?

Methodology: How I Chose the Best Virtual Staging Software

Our methodology at The Close ensures that our team of professionals, writers, and editors thoroughly analyzes each software. We meticulously evaluate the affordability, features, usability, customer support, and reviews of the virtual staging software available for real estate to determine our expert score. 

We picked the best and most reliable virtual staging software to help real estate agents boost their business and sell their listings. Our thorough selection process ensures that our top picks make it easier for agents to streamline their work, impress clients, and hit their business goals.

Detailed criteria included the following to determine the best real estate virtual staging software: 

• Affordability: Cost was an important consideration. We looked for tools that provide a good balance of features and affordability.
• Features: We evaluated the range of features each tool offers and focused on how impactful this feature is to real estate operations. 
• Usability and support: We looked for tools with intuitive interfaces, straightforward navigation, and comprehensive support resources such as tutorials, FAQs, and customer service. 
• Customer ratings: We looked at what actual customers were saying about the product to ensure our research was unbiased.
• Expert score: After we take all of the factors into consideration, we compile all the scores to determine our expert score.

Your Take

When virtually staging a home, think of yourself as a digital decorator with endless possibilities at your fingertips. Play around with different styles and setups to see what clicks best, but make sure you know your audience. Keep your visuals clean and focused on the property’s best features to really make your listings pop. 

Have great virtual staging software you swear by or a tip for our readers? Let us know in the comments.

The post The 6 Best Virtual Staging Software 2024 & Virtual Staging Guide appeared first on The Close.

• Spacio (by HomeSpotter): Best for lead generation
• Curb Hero: Best for digital sign-in
• Open House Wizard: Best for staying connected
• Houzz View in Home: Best for virtual staging
• Open Home Pro: Best for affordability
• Happy Open House: Best for intuitive setup

The Close’s Picks for Best Open House Apps

Don’t be afraid to try a few of these apps since many of them are free or offer a free trial. See what features add value to your business to find the best open house app for you.

1. Spacio

• Best for: Lead generation
• Pricing: Starts at $25 a month
• Available on:

What Is the Spacio App?

Spacio is a game-changer for real estate agents looking to streamline their open house process and capture more leads. Think of it as a lightweight CRM focused on listings. This handy app replaces old-school pen and paper with a digital sign-in, ensuring you get accurate visitor info every time.

Spacio Features That Make Open Houses Easier

With automated follow-ups via email and text, staying in touch with potential clients is easy. Spacio integrates seamlessly with popular CRMs, offers real-time analytics, and has a customizable sign-in form. Don’t worry about security—all data collected is secure with privacy settings. If you want to take your open houses to the next level, Spacio has you covered.

2. Curb Hero

• Best for: Digital sign-in
• Pricing: Free
• Available on:

What Is the Curb Hero App?

Elevate your open house game with Curb Hero. This sign-in open house app is becoming extremely popular with agents, and it’s easy to see why. For starters, it’s 100% free for agents. That’s right, free! The app offers branded templates for popular brokerages like Compass, Century 21, and Keller Williams with automated follow-up to keep your leads engaged. 

Curb Hero Features That Make Open Houses Easier

One standout feature Curb Hero offers agents is a touchless sign-in option. Instead of typing on your iPad, your open house guests can scan a QR code and sign in on their phones. If you get a stand for your iPad and place it at the entrance, your guests can quickly and easily sign in without you hovering over them—giving you more time to connect with visitors. Curb Hero also integrates over 2,000 CRMs, built-in verification, and background information collection.

3. Open House Wizard

• Best for: Staying connected
• Pricing: Starts at $18 a month
• Available on:

What Is the Open House Wizard App?

Are you looking for a magic wand to assist you with your open house prep? Open House Wizard makes open houses a breeze with open house checklists. Digitally capture visitor info and keep the conversation going with automated follow-ups. 

Open House Wizard Features That Make Open Houses Easier

Connect the app to your favorite CRM for smooth integration and a peek into how your open houses are performing. Amp up visitor experience with branded content that fits your style. One neat trick? It sends out follow-up emails right after, so you can keep the convo going with potential buyers. Make your open houses epic and snag those top-tier leads with Open House Wizard.

4. Houzz View in Home

• Best for: Virtual staging
• Pricing: Free
• Available on:

What Is the Houzz View in Home App?

Houzz View in Home is a feature of the Houzz app that lets agents choose furniture, tile, and more to preview how it will look in a room. This augmented reality tool can help your clients visualize their perfect space.

Houzz View in Home Features That Make Open Houses Easier

Use Houzz’s app to show an open house guest what a kitchen or bathroom might look like with a new tile backsplash or to preview couches, tables, chairs, beds, and more from its enormous selection of products. Crush objections to dated features by using the app to show the home’s potential to future buyers. 

5. Open Home Pro

• Best for: Affordability
• Pricing: Free
• Available on:

What Is the Open Home Pro App?

Recently acquired by Placester, Open Home Pro is one of the first open house sign-in apps used by more than 90,000 agents. Like Spacio, Open Home Pro offers premium marketing and lead follow-up features. The best part? It’s free!

Open Home Pro Features That Make Open Houses Easier

Open Home Pro integrates with your preferred CRMs, allows you to customize your brand, and offers tools that make your open houses stand out. The free plan includes digital sign-in on unlimited open houses, but keep in mind you’re only able to view up to 25 guests. The paid plan removes this limitation and offers agents customized lead follow-up emails, in-app lead tracking, and automated seller reports.

6. Happy Open House

• Best for: Intuitive set-up
• Pricing: Starts at $10 a month
• Available on:

What Is the Happy Open House App?

Ok, I have to admit, I personally love this app. The Happy Open House app is a paperless, touchless sign-in process for a simple entrance to your open house. Bring your open house ideas to life with the app’s intuitive set-up. It allows you to include property details and photos and customize questions for your visitors. 

Happy Open House Features That Make Open Houses Easier

Never miss a great opportunity with Happy Open House. The hot leads indicators notify you of visitors who have viewed your property more than once. Integrate with your CRM, send mass messages, and generate reports with the click of a button. You can even spice up your listings with your own flair with personalized branding—think colors, headshots, and logos! The icing on the cake is a 14-day free trial for you or your team.

Honorable Mention: Not Available on App Store or Google Play

These last three programs are worth mentioning, even though an app isn’t available. They may not be widely known, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a big impact on your business. Take a look at these web-based products to see if any of them are right for your business.

Pro tip: You can make any web-based program a button on your phone’s home screen so it appears as an app and is easily accessible.

• For iPhones: When you’re on the website, tap the menu button (looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing up). Scroll down and select “Add to Home Screen.”
• For Androids: Go to the website you want to add and tap the menu (looks like three dots in the upper right corner). Tap on “Add to Home Screen.”

Showable

• Best for: Maximizing showings
• Pricing: Starts at $49 a month
• Available on: Web Only

What Is the Showable App?

Showable is your new secret weapon for killer open houses! This open house app includes all of the perks and simplicity of digital sign-in with the added benefits of appointment scheduling, virtual tours, email templates, and marketing. 

Showable Features That Make Open Houses Easier

Showable handles follow-ups for you, so staying in touch with potential clients is a snap. Connect with agents who have shown the home by sending broadcast emails directly from your dashboard. Agents can also request showing appointments quickly through an online booking calendar, making scheduling showings hassle-free.

Kagent

• Best for: Showing feedback
• Pricing: $25
• Available on: Web Only

What Is the Kagent App?

Kagent is a super-easy-to-use open house sign-in app designed to streamline and enhance your visitor’s open house experience. You can easily generate a QR code to send visitors to a sign-in page—with a reason to do so. The company sponsors a monthly $500 drawing for guests who guess the closing price within 1% (which Kagent verifies via the MLS once the property closes).

Kagent Features That Make Open Houses Easier

Kagent simplifies open houses with QR code generation, quick surveys, and a streamlined design. It took me less than five minutes to assemble an open house sign-in sheet, including setting up my account. Kagent connects with over 3,000 CRMs and other real estate tools. You can give Kagent a try with a 14-day free trial period.

Real Team Code

• Best for: One-click reports
• Pricing: Starts at $22 a month
• Available on: Web Only

What Is the Real Team Code App?

You suggested, we listened. Next on the list is the Real Team Code app. Recommended by our readers, we dug into the details of this app and found some pretty cool features. Starting with a digital sign-in sheet, it breaks down the whole process into three easy steps, making it feel like you’ve got a map to success in your hands.

Real Team Code Features That Make Open Houses Easier

Coordinate with agents, gather feedback from visitors, and handle other essential tasks related to hosting a successful open house. Step One? Create your event. Step Two? Manage communications and collect information. Step Three? Download the data and generate reports. Everything you need for a successful open house and lead generation is at your fingertips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I serve food at an open house?

Do scripts work at an open house, or should I ditch them?

How do I host an online open house?

Bringing It All Together

Hosting an open house should be fun and focused on building relationships to sell your listing. Ditch the old-school pen and paper that can get lost and messy. Open house apps allow tech-savvy agents—or not so tech-savvy agents—to get quality contact info and feedback while spending more time getting to know potential clients.

What open house apps do you use to connect with leads and promote your listings? I’d love to check out some new and upcoming apps to review. Let me know in the comments!

The post 6 Open House Apps Tech-savvy Agents Use to Get More Leads appeared first on The Close.

• CINC: Best for AI lead generation and nurturing
• Saleswise: Best for AI real estate marketing text creation
• Style to Design: Best for AI virtual staging
• VEED.IO: Best for AI video creation
• Lofty: Best for AI-enhanced CRM system
• ChatGPT: Best for AI real estate content creation tools

The Close’s Picks for Top AI Tools for Real Estate Agents

AI Tool	Best for	Starting Monthly Price	Learn More
	Lead generation and nurturing	$899	Visit CINC
	Marketing text creation	$39	Visit Saleswise
	Virtual staging	$149	Visit Style to Design
	Video creation	$25	Visit VEED.IO
	AI-powered CRM	$39	Visit Lofty
	Content creation	Free	Visit Chat GPT

AI Tool	Best for	Starting Monthly Price	Learn More
	Lead generation and nurturing	Contact for pricing	Visit CINC
	Marketing text creation	$39	Visit Saleswise
	Virtual staging	$149	Visit Style to Design
	Video creation	$25	Visit VEED.IO
	AI-powered CRM	$39	Visit Lofty
	Content creation	Free	Visit Chat GPT

1. CINC: Best for AI Lead Generation & Nurturing

Pros	Cons
Lead nurturing is available 24/7. It has real estate-related conversation scripts. It has AI-powered workflows. Nurturing via text message is available.	Pricing is expensive compared to other options. It must be used in conjunction with CINC’s CRM. It has no ability to turn off middle-of-the-night chat inquiries. It has no AI capabilities via email.

• Pricing: $899, custom pricing available

Why I Picked CINC

CINC AI is dedicated to turning potential leads into clients with Alex, its AI lead expert. I appreciate that Alex engages in conversations with new leads, categorizing them into three categories: new, active, and old leads. Agents will then receive notifications about these leads, including the latest message from Alex, so they know where to pick up the conversation. The AI at CINC was created through a partnership with Structurely and is designed to make these interactions with clients more human-like, relevant, and with improved scripting.

Use Cases for CINC:

• Priorite leads based on scoring algorithms to know which ones to focus on. 
• Send automated follow-up emails and texts so no leads are missed. 
• Track lead interactions and engagement to reduce the need to remember where you left off.
• Generate scripts for cold calling and prospecting for new listings.

2. Saleswise: Best for AI Real Estate Marketing Text Creation

Pros	Cons
It provides access to millions of property records. It has flat-rate pricing. It has website content creation. Free seven-day trial is available.	It cannot create content for business operations like handbooks, onboarding, and job advertisements. It does not incorporate video editing for listings. It has no CRM integration. It has no automatic workflows.

• Pricing: $39 per month

Why I Picked Saleswise

From a marketing and creative perspective, Saleswise has all the tools available to help you market yourself and your listings. I like that this is one of the AI real estate tools offering a flat-rate pricing and no long-term contracts for all the tools, so you’re not constantly being upsold on additional services. The tools provided to you by Saleswise can collectively replace a marketing coordinator, a virtual renderer, a copywriter, and more. I also appreciate that Saleswise considers property and listing data along with market insights to create less generic real estate marketing content.

Use Cases for Saleswise:

• Write new listing descriptions for third-party lead-generation websites. 
• Transform images to show clients a space’s potential after a remodel. 
• Schedule and post on social media automatically.
• Send personalized email campaigns to clients.

3. Style to Design: Best for AI Virtual Staging 

Pros	Cons
It has customizable design templates. Staging and design courses are available. Design team is available for simulations. It has an extensive furniture and decor library	It requires a minimum commitment for pricing plans. It cannot edit images other than property photos. Pricing is high if you don't have a lot of listings. Coaching is only offered in enterprise plans.

• Pricing*:
  • Individual Membership: $149 per month
  • Team:  $299 per month
  • Enterprise: Contact for pricing

*Minimum three-month commitment for all plans

Why I Picked Style to Design

Style to Design is not limited to real estate agents and brokerages. Anyone who wants to be an expert on listing marketing and image rendering can utilize this software. The memberships are affordable and cost less than outsourcing the work to other creative professionals. The seamless virtual staging experience allows agents to transform empty spaces effortlessly into beautifully staged homes. Agents can leverage the tool to promote that they have a marketing team when pitching for new business without the added overhead costs of having multiple employees.

Use Cases for Style to Design:

• Launch a virtual staging company to produce staged images for the real estate industry. 
• Obtain new real estate listings for agents through add-on service offerings. 
• Quickly prepare virtual renderings for listing meetings. 
• Create visually appealing property images for social media posts and advertising. 

4. VEED.IO: Best for AI Video Creation

Pros	Cons
It has an easy-to-use video editing interface. It has AI-driven video editing. Easily create AI avatars. Create AI-generated art and images from text.	The technology required to record videos is not offered. It cannot offload editing work to the VEED.IO team. Video export length is dependent on the price plan. It has no mobile app for basic or free plans.

• Pricing (per user, per month):
  • Basic: $25
  • Pro: $38
  • Business: $70
  • Enterprise: Contact for pricing

Why I Picked VEED.IO

VEED.IO makes it easy to produce high-quality videos that can help agents engage potential buyers. Agents can leverage the platform to edit their videos as much or as little depending on their needs. For example, this AI for real estate agents is helpful in cropping, trimming, and adding text to a video, or agents can create their avatars to star in the video themselves. I like that there are affordable tiered plan options, making it accessible for agents at all budget levels and team sizes.

Use Cases for VEED.IO:

• Use their AI eye contact tool to edit videos where you don’t look like you’re reading off a prompter or screen. 
• Add voice-overs to videos by cloning your voice and reduce the need to record yourself for virtual tours.
• Create professional videos by using their text-to-video tool that uses just a text description. 
• Use the technology to create training and onboarding videos to replace an HR team. 

5. Lofty: Best for AI-enhanced CRM System

Pros	Cons
It has long-term campaigns to turn warm-up cold leads. Customized workflows are provided. It has an AI-powered website chatbot. It has lead qualifying and appointment-setting.	It requires an initial learning curve. You need to purchase the CRM packages in addition to the AI cost. The Core package for CRM is quite expensive. It does not offer AI-produced conversation scripts.

Why I Picked Lofty

Lofty is an exceptional CRM system that leverages AI for real estate to provide deep client insights and automate routine tasks. Its AI assistant can analyze client interactions to predict their needs and preferences. In addition, it can schedule and send automated follow-up reminders while creating personalized communication templates. I picked Lofty because, unlike many CRMs that demand significant daily effort, Lofty’s AI assistant automatically handles these routine tasks for agents. This feature gives agents peace of mind, knowing that essential but time-consuming activities are efficiently managed.

Use Cases for Lofty:

• Add a chatbot to your website to generate organic AI for real estate leads. 
• Segment clients based on behavior and preferences for targeted email campaigns.
• Analyze client data to predict potential property interests and personalize listings.
• Have the AI assistance help with deal closure communication to ensure all necessary paperwork is requested. 

6. ChatGPT: Best for AI Real Estate Content Creation Tools

Pros	Cons
Team collaboration workspaces are available. It has real-time content suggestions. It can create content across multiple industries. It provides natural language processing.	You must know how to prompt the AI to produce the correct responses. Information produced can be false. It is unable to review spreadsheets or images.

• Pricing (per month):
  • Free: $0
  • Plus: $20
  • Team: $30 per user
  • Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing

Why I Picked ChatGPT

ChatGPT offers a simple user interface, allowing you to draft prompts that generate high-quality, engaging content quickly. There is a mobile app that allows you to generate content on the go. Its natural language processing capabilities ensure the generated content is coherent and relevant. I picked ChatGPT as the most innovative AI real estate content creator because it can provide you with copy, plans, forms, and suggestions across all aspects of your real estate business. This versatility ensures that you have high-quality content that can enhance your business and productivity.

Use Cases for ChatGPT:

• Help generate content for your website blog or open house flyers. 
• Create listing descriptions for advertisements or listing websites. 
• Assist with creating a business plan for growing your real estate team. 
• Help with creating materials for new hire job descriptions for your growing team.

How We Selected the Best Real Estate AI Tools for Agents

Our methodology at The Close ensures that our team of professionals, writers, and editors thoroughly analyzes each platform. We meticulously evaluate the features, usability, integration capabilities, performance, and affordability of the AI tools available for real estate. 

We selected the most effective and reliable real estate AI tools for agents to support business growth and success. This rigorous process ensures that our recommendations help agents streamline operations, enhance client interactions, and achieve business goals.

Detailed criteria included the following to determine the best AI in real estate tools: 

• Feature set and functionality: We evaluated the range of features each tool offers and focused on how impactful this feature is to the real estate operations. 
• Usability and user experience: We looked for tools with intuitive interfaces, straightforward navigation, and comprehensive support resources such as tutorials, FAQs, and customer service. We want to ensure a platform can be launched easily and integrated into an agent’s workflow. 
• Integration capabilities: Because so many tools are needed in the real estate industry, we want to ensure that an agent’s technology stack can communicate with other tools necessary for business. 
• Effectiveness and performance: We considered the effectiveness of each tool to make sure that it increased productivity and would achieve the desired outcomes that it promises. 
• Affordability and value for money: Cost was an important consideration. We looked for tools that provide a good balance of features and affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much technical skill is required to use a real estate AI tool?

How does AI improve real estate lead generation and nurturing?

Can real estate AI tools integrate with an existing CRM system?

Bringing It All Together

Leveraging AI for real estate is not as daunting as it may initially seem. AI tools can automate routine tasks, provide data-driven insights, and enhance client interactions. Yes, technically, you’re having a robot help you with your business. However, the time saved allows you to focus on higher-value activities like building client relationships and closing deals. This increased efficiency will improve your productivity and enhance the overall client experience to ensure you keep filling up your sales funnel.

The post The 6 Essential Real Estate AI Tools for Agents in 2024 appeared first on The Close.

Best Real Estate Apps

Don’t just download every app on this list. Start with three or four, and see what works best for your business.

1. Curb Hero

• Best for: Open Houses
• Cost: Free
• Available on:

When it comes to open houses, having the right open house app can make all the difference. One of this category’s top-rated real estate apps is Curb Hero, an innovative app that streamlines the entire open house process. Create professional-looking open house digital sign-in sheets customized with your personal branding, perfect for capturing visitors’ information for effortless follow-up.

One of Curb Hero’s standout features is its ability to provide real-time data and analytics on your open house performance. Track visitor traffic, see the most popular times, and gain valuable insights into your open house strategy. Plus, the app integrates with most CRMs, allowing you to easily manage your leads after your open house.

2. Zillow Premier Agent

• Best for: Lead Generation
• Cost: Free with Zillow Premier Agent membership
• Available on:

As much as we like to talk smack about Zillow and the accuracy of its Zestimates, they are still a powerful contender as one of the best realtor apps in the lead generation arena. It’s the most popular real estate website for consumers in the United States, attracting millions of eyeballs of potential homebuyers to its site daily. By becoming a Zillow Premier Agent, you tap into these vast pools of leads that will help you grow your business.

The app also offers a surprisingly robust customer relationship manager (CRM) that lets you import leads from outside lead sources. You can set up tasks, reminders, texts, and emails. If you sign up for the My Agent program, which makes you the only buyer’s agent your leads see when they search on Zillow, you’ll get a granular look at what your leads are searching for.

3. BombBomb

• Best for: Video Marketing
• Cost: Starting at $39 per month
• Available on:

Video marketing is the fastest way to connect with leads and turn them into clients. When it comes to apps for real estate agents, BombBomb is special. BombBomb compresses your videos, making it easy to create, send, and track your personalized video messages. Shoot a quick video, drop it into an email or text, and start making those connections right from your phone. Though it’s not specifically designed for real estate, it’s one of the best apps for realtors to build relationships on the go.

One of the best advantages of BombBomb is its seamless integration with your email marketing platform. You can create videos, save them in your BombBomb account, and then integrate them into your communications to streamline your marketing workflow. If you’re looking for the most powerful platform to harness the power of video marketing, BombBomb is a stellar choice.

4. Pivo

• Best for: 3D Tour Videos
• Cost: Free with $399 Pivo device
• Available on:

Pivo is a game-changing tool for agents. It’s an advanced, high-quality motion-tracking camera and a world-class photo editing app in one. Its standout feature is the AI-powered tracking that revolutionizes how you showcase homes. Create captivating videos for open houses, new listings, and your 3D home tours from within the app. This is definitely a real estate tech company primed to change the rules of the game.

The caveat is that you’ll need to purchase the Pivo system for $399, which includes the Pivo phone holder, which attaches to a camera tripod, and a remote. It’s a one-time purchase that gives you unlimited access to create as many videos as you like and store them in the app. Compared with traditional 3D home tour methods like Matterport (which can range from $350 to $600 per listing), Pivo can pay for itself with just one listing.

5. Canva

• Best for: DIY Design
• Cost: Free to $9.99 per month
• Available on:

Canva is my personal favorite go-to tool for all of my real estate design needs. It has revolutionized the way everyone, not just real estate agents, creates marketing materials. Its user-friendly interface and massive template library allow anyone to create stunning, professional-looking graphics for practically anything, including social media posts, flyers, postcards, and business cards. 

Canva has even added tons of real estate-specific elements—including icons, illustrations, stock photos, and prefilled templates—to help agents create the graphic designs they need. With Canva Pro, you can prefill your designs with your real estate brand colors, logos, headshots, and more. Canva gives agents the power to create on the go.

6. StreetText

• Best for: Paid Social Media Ads
• Cost: $160–$250 per month
• Available on:

If you want to generate leads from Facebook and Instagram ads without the steep learning curve, you might want to check out StreetText. This platform simplifies the complicated process of creating and launching complex ad campaigns that generate leads. The platform’s intuitive ad builder makes it easy to create eye-catching, professional-looking ads that stop the scroll. 

You get verified phone numbers, emails, and social media profiles that you can integrate directly with existing CRMs and email marketing platforms. And StreetText offers backend analytics, so you can keep track of what’s working and what’s not. StreetText is not cheap, but for the time and stress you save, it’s a bargain if you count on social media ads as a major part of your marketing strategies.

Organize your apps in a real estate-specific folder for quick and easy access.

7. Slack

• Best for: Group Communication
• Cost: Free to $15 per user per month
• Available on:

Slack is probably one of the most popular group communication apps on the market for team communication and collaboration. The user interface is so easy to use; with customizable features, integration capabilities, and an affordable price tag, what’s not to love? Slack offers a range of benefits that can help real estate teams work more efficiently and effectively. Slack also integrates with some of your favorite apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, and DocuSign to make your life much easier.

One of the most obvious benefits of using Slack is the centralized communication hub it provides, reducing email clutter and increasing responsiveness. Creating dedicated channels for specific topics, projects, or listings keeps team members in the loop easily without getting bogged down in lengthy email chains. (Aren’t they the worst?) Plus, Slack comes with a powerful search function that makes finding past conversations and files quick and easy.

8. Supra eKEY

• Best for: Lockboxes
• Cost: $15.85 per month
• Available on:

If you intend to be a successful real estate professional, you need to have this handy app on your phone. The Supra eKEY app is a must-have tool to gain access to properties securely and efficiently. As a mobile app that works with the Supra lockbox system, eKey streamlines the process of showing properties, managing access, and saving agents time and stress.

One of the key benefits of the Supra eKEY is its ability to manage access to properties. With a standard lockbox, you don’t have the ability to monitor everyone who enters your property. But with Supra, anyone who accesses the property is logged within the app, showing you detailed information about the visit. If you’re working with sellers, this is a great tool to show that you’re respecting their privacy and protecting their property.

9. Notion

• Best for: Organization
• Cost: Free to $15 per month per user
• Available on:

Notion is probably my favorite organization and productivity app. As an all-in-one workspace, it has gained a massive following in the past few years. One of the best features Notion offers is its flexibility and customization. Unlike many other productivity apps, Notion allows you to create a workspace tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you need to manage a project, take notes, or create a database, Notion provides you with the building blocks and lets you create a system that works for you.

Notion also integrates with a myriad of other tools and platforms, including Google, Slack, Trello, and Dropbox, making it seamless to connect your workspace with other apps and services you’re already using. Notion makes it simple for real estate agents to manage the many moving parts of each transaction with databases, project boards, task management tools, and even collaboration tools, keeping tasks organized and preventing anything from falling through the cracks.

10. Forewarn

• Best for: Realtor Safety
• Cost: $20 per month
• Available on:

Realtor safety is a real concern for agents. Forewarn is a powerful tool to have at your fingertips. It allows you to quickly and easily grab background information on potential clients or property owners before meeting them face-to-face. Agents often work with strangers and visit unfamiliar properties in their day-to-day operations. However, Forewarn provides a critical layer of additional safety and security to help agents protect themselves in vulnerable situations.

Unlike traditional background check services, which could take days, Forewarn delivers instant insights agents can access from their smartphone or tablet. That means agents can quickly vet potential clients or property owners even if they’re on their way to meeting them. The app is designed to be intuitive and work easily with agents who aren’t tech-savvy. If you are looking for a reliable, efficient, and easy-to-use tool to protect yourself, Forewarn is worth checking out.

11. RPR

• Best for: Home Valuations
• Cost: Free for NAR members
• Available on:

RPR, or Realtors Property Resource, is a comprehensive real estate platform offering a wide range of tools and resources to National Association of Realtors (NAR) members. One of the biggest perks is that it’s now free for NAR members, making it an incredibly valuable tool for real estate pros. One of the standout features of this powerful platform is the Automated Valuation Model (AVM) tool, which provides the most accurate home valuations available outside of your own comparative market analysis (CMA). 

RPR also offers a wide range of customizable property reports, like home ownership history, mortgage information, neighborhood demographics, and market trends. The app has features like property search, GPS-enabled driving directions, and instant access to property and market data on the go. Dig deeper into market activity, key metrics, and insights on sales activity and pricing trends in your geographic area, giving you access to the data you need to feel confident as an expert in your community.

12. LoopNet

• Best for: Commercial Real Estate
• Cost: Free
• Available on:

Looking to get into commercial real estate or work with investors? Check out LoopNet. It’s the premier online commercial real estate marketplace with tons of tools and resources to help you access a huge network of potential buyers, sellers, and investors. LoopNet is home to the most extensive database of commercial properties, with more than half a million listings, including office space, industrial, and multifamily properties. 

You’ll find plenty of research and analysis tools giving you insights on property values, rental rates, and market conditions in specific areas or asset types. Also, LoopNet has networking and education resources to help you build your knowledge and expand your network. If you’ve been looking for a way to break into the commercial real estate market or just want to work with more real estate investors, LoopNet is a great place to explore and make some valuable connections.

13. Find My Device/Find My

• Best for: Sharing Your Location
• Cost: Free
• Available on:

Sure, the Find My apps, available on both Android (Find My Device) and Apple (Find My), are mostly known for their device-finding features. But for real estate agents’ safety on the job, the Find My apps are lifesavers. Turn on your location in this app on your phone when you’re working with clients, hosting an open house, or just when you’re out running errands, letting others know your location at all times. And the best part? These apps are free on your smartphone! (Try using it with your teenagers as an added bonus.)

These apps use advanced GPS technology to pinpoint your location with maximum accuracy, even in remote locations. That means if an agent ever finds themselves in a dangerous or uncertain situation, they can quickly alert their spouse, family, or coworkers and provide them with their exact location, making it easier for them to respond quickly and potentially save your life.

Honorable Mentions

As I was researching these real estate apps, I came across a couple of cool tools that are perfect for on-the-go that aren’t exactly apps. They work great on your mobile device—they just don’t have a dedicated app. But here’s an insider trick to get an in-app experience without an app: you can save your favorite webpage as a bookmark on your home screen. Visit the website you want to save and tap the share or menu icon. Tap “Add to Home Screen,” and voila! You’re ready to access the site’s content with one click. Here are a couple of great tools you can use on your smart devices in exactly that way.

14. Agent Crate

• Best for: Social Media On-the-go
• Cost: Starting at $29 per month

Agent Crate takes your social media posting to the next level. This real estate-specific software is uniquely designed to take a lot of the heavy lifting out of your online marketing efforts. With a focus on engaging, industry-specific content, Agent Crate makes it easy to post on the go, grab the attention of potential buyers, and build your personal brand online. 

Agent Crate features a vast library of content you can customize to fit your brand colors, logo, and design and post from anywhere. And, as with so many real estate tech trends right now, it has also incorporated AI into its platform, helping you get your posts out even faster.  

15. Agently

• Best for: Agent Coaching + Productivity
• Cost: $59 per month for agents, $279 per month for teams

Having Agently is like having your own personal real estate coach in your back pocket. With innovative tools to assist in onboarding, training, and productivity tracking, Agently gives brokers a leg up in keeping their agents moving forward and hitting their productivity and GCI goals while also supporting their professional development. 

One of the fun things you can do with Agently is set up agent challenges and contests. Give your agents some incentive to tackle tasks and reward them for their accomplishments all within the app. 

Methodology: How We Chose the Best Real Estate Apps 

As an experienced real estate agent, I have personally used at least a few of these tools in my real estate business. But even if I combined the experience of our entire team, I knew choosing the best real estate apps would be difficult. To make certain I was using objective measures instead of just my opinion, I posed these questions to choose the best real estate apps for 2024:

• Utility: Does the app address practical challenges agents already face in their businesses? Does it improve or streamline workflows, making your life easier, or does it create more tasks in your workday?  
• Pricing: Is the price worth the value the app provides? What is the return on investment (ROI)? Does the app or optional upgrade boost your efficiency or provide added access to leads?  
• Ease of use: Is the app easy to use and adopt into your busy work life? How much technical savvy is required to use the app? What is the learning curve? Is the app complex or straightforward and easy to understand? How user-friendly is the interface? Is the app intuitive? 
• Network Effect: Do other agents widely adopt the app? Does it receive positive customer reviews? Is the app’s adoption growing? 
• Stability: Does the app function smoothly with limited interruptions or crashes? Does the app have bugs or technical issues that need to be worked out?  

Our team regularly reviews and edits the articles on our site to ensure we provide you with the most up-to-date information. We pride ourselves on an independent editorial review process. Check out our complete methodology here.

FAQs

What apps do realtors use?

What is the best real estate sales app?

Which app is better, Zillow or Realtor?

How do real estate apps determine home value?

What is the best app for finding property?

Which site is best for selling property?

Bringing It All Together

What real estate apps do you use daily to boost your work efficiency, connect with leads faster, and close more deals? Do you agree with my list of the best apps for real estate? Which ones did I miss? Let me know in the comments! 

The post The 15 Best Apps for Real Estate Agents (2024) appeared first on The Close.

Pros

• Allows for customization to suit specific business needs
• Offers customized IDX websites
• Automates repetitive tasks
• Provides analytics and reporting tools

Cons

• Can be expensive for small businesses
• Mastering all features may be complex
• Customer service is not offered 24/7
• No free trial offered

The Close Score

4.1

Pricing:

1.0

General features:

5.0

Additional features:

5.0

Ease of use:

4.4

Help & Support:

4.3

Customer Reviews:

4.2

Expert score:

4.6

out
of

5

My Verdict on Lofty & Why You Should Trust It 

I’ve spent considerable time exploring and understanding various tools critical for success in the real estate industry. Lofty CRM impresses with its integration of CRM with advanced marketing tools and lead generation capabilities, making it a powerhouse for managing client relationships and driving sales. Its automation features are particularly beneficial, helping users save time and focus more on closing deals rather than managing data.

However, Lofty is not without its drawbacks. The Lofty CRM cost can be quite an investment, especially for smaller agencies or independent realtors. The learning curve can also be steep for the price of the platform. These factors might deter those who are not tech-savvy or need more resources to integrate such a comprehensive system into their workflow fully. Overall, Lofty stands out as a valuable tool for real estate professionals looking to elevate their business efficiency and client engagement. 

Lofty CRM Alternatives

When considering alternatives to a product like Lofty CRM, real estate professionals might seek different options for several reasons. Cost-effectiveness is a key factor, especially for smaller businesses or solo practitioners with tighter budgets who may prefer a more affordable solution. Others might look for a real estate CRM with features more specifically aligned to their unique business needs, avoiding the complexity of such a robust platform like Lofty. Here are some of your options:

Products	Why It’s a Great Alternative	Learn More	Ready to Purchase?
	The affordability allows agents to manage client relationships economically	Wise Agent Review	Visit Wise Agent
	A free trial lets prospective users explore features without initial investment	Realvolve Review	Visit Realvolve
	A simple interface reduces the learning curve for new users	No Review Yet	Visit Pipedrive

Products	Why It’s a Great Alternative	Learn More	Ready to Purchase?
	The affordability allows agents to manage client relationships economically	Wise Agent Review	Visit Wise Agent
	A free trial lets prospective users explore features without initial investment	Realvolve Review	Visit Realvolve
	A simple interface reduces the learning curve for new users	No Review Yet	Visit Pipedrive

What Current Users Think of Lofty

With a significant presence in the real estate CRM tool market, evidenced by an impressive 4.4 out of 5 rating on G2, Lofty is highly regarded by users. This underscores the platform’s effectiveness and satisfaction level among real estate professionals. We’ve gathered several reviews from real estate professionals with firsthand experience with the platform to provide a clearer picture of what Lofty can offer. 

Key Features of Lofty

Lofty’s suite of powerful tools is tailored to meet the demands of today’s real estate professionals. Designed to simplify workflows and enhance efficiency, Lofty delivers innovative solutions that help users easily manage their business operations. Whether you are looking to improve client interactions or streamline daily tasks, Lofty CRM equips you with the necessary resources to thrive in a competitive market.

Check out a quick overview of Lofty’s platform:

Google PPC Integration

Lofty integrates Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising tools, allowing real estate professionals to target potential clients effectively by placing ads on Google’s search results pages. With this feature, users can bid on keywords pertinent to their market, ensuring ads reach potential clients precisely when searching for real estate services. These ads will then attract leads using intent targeting and artificial intelligence (AI)  to drive web traffic to your website.

Enhanced Brand Advertising

Through Lofty, real estate businesses can leverage brand advertising capabilities to build and reinforce their identity and market presence. This feature utilizes various media channels like Facebook, Google, and Instagram to help enhance brand awareness and establish a strong, recognizable presence. This strategic approach is vital for differentiating your business in a competitive market, attracting Lofty real estate leads, and retaining customers by effectively communicating your core values and brand promise.

Streamlined Website Building

Lofty includes a website builder tailored for the real estate sector. It offers customizable templates and simple drag-and-drop interfaces, ensuring that even users without technical skills can create professional-looking websites. With features like mobile-responsive designs and built-in SEO tools, real estate professionals can effectively showcase their properties and enhance online visibility to attract potential clients.

Automated Phone Dialer

The phone dialer feature within Lofty automates the process of making calls, significantly benefiting real estate agents who need to manage numerous client interactions efficiently. This technology saves time by removing the need for manual dialing and integrates seamlessly with Lofty’s CRM. The integration provides smart call lists, actionable insights, and phone scripts to boost productivity and ensure thorough lead follow-up.

AI Assistant Capabilities

Lofty’s AI assistant uses artificial intelligence to automate and enhance various tasks, such as responding to text messages, setting appointments, and sending important notifications. This assistant is capable of handling inquiries, generating leads, and assisting with data management, allowing agents to focus more on strategic activities like closing deals and nurturing client relationships. Lofty’s AI assistant enhances overall customer satisfaction and business effectiveness by improving operational efficiency and offering quicker, more personalized client interactions.

Lofty Pricing

In my Lofty CRM review, I found Lofty provides three main packages designed to cater to businesses of varying sizes, from individual agents to large brokerages. Each package is strategically priced to deliver value while accommodating the diverse needs of different real estate professionals. Lofty CRM pricing also includes a one-time implementation fee and offers options for further customization of services. 

Below is a detailed breakdown of the pricing for each package. It’s important to note that specific pricing details are not listed on the Lofty website, and no free trial is offered. Agents interested in exploring Lofty’s capabilities are encouraged to contact the company directly for a demonstration.

Methodology 

Our team, consisting of experienced data analysts, writers, and editors, meticulously evaluates each platform to create a detailed scoring system for assessing different real estate CRMs. At The Close, our dedicated experts are committed to providing thorough reviews, an essential resource for real estate professionals. These evaluations help navigate the varied landscape of solutions and technologies available in the real estate sector.

Driven by a profound dedication to progressing the industry, our goal is to deliver insights that enable agents and brokers to make well-informed choices, streamline their operations, and ultimately increase their effectiveness and success in the highly competitive real estate market.

How we provided the Lofty CRM review: 

• Advanced CRM Features 25%
  • This category includes sophisticated functionalities such as team management tools, document handling, mobile apps, enhanced marketing tools, social media integrations, and comprehensive reporting and analytics.
• Value for Money 20%
  • We meticulously examined each CRM’s pricing structures, subscription plans, and availability of free trials and bulk discounts.
• General CRM Features 20%
  • The team considered basic features such as contact management, text and email capabilities, task management, task reminders and notifications, lead management, pipeline or dashboard customizability, audience segmentation, transaction management, and integrations.
  • Ease of Use 10%
  • I assessed the user interface, level of customization, and ease of operation and setup for each CRM.
• Customer Rating 10%
  • The reputation of each real estate CRM software was evaluated by considering feedback from verified users.
• Expert Score 10%
  • At The Close, we meticulously review each top real estate CRM, assessing standout features, additional considerations, and the value proposition from the perspective of real estate experts.
• Help & Support 5%
  • If real estate agents require additional assistance, access to customer services such as live chat, phone support, and email assistance is essential. 

Read more about our methodology here.

FAQs

What are the key benefits of using a CRM in real estate?

How difficult is it to implement a CRM in my existing workflow?

What are the advantages of using a power dialer in conjunction with a CRM?

The Bottom Line: Is Lofty Worth Your Money? 

I’m a fan of all the tools that Lofty offers. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife in your business toolbox! It streamlines our chaotic days and keeps agents ahead of the competition. With its comprehensive features, from automated dialing to detailed analytics, Lofty simplifies workflow and enhances the effectiveness of our marketing and client management strategies.

That said, Lofty does come with its own set of challenges. The support could be snappier, and the rich feature set comes with a learning curve that might intimidate newcomers. So, should you invest? If you’re geared up to elevate your real estate game and need a real estate CRM that can keep pace, Lofty is a sound investment. It’s ideal for those looking to optimize their business and drive results.

The post Lofty CRM Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons (2024) appeared first on The Close.

The Close Score: AceableAgent

Pros

• Great learning platform for mobile
• Pass guarantee
• Affordable
• Exam prep materials included in all prelicensing packages
• Live webinars and private tutoring included in the premium package
• PrepAgent offered in all states

Cons

• No live instruction option
• No career assistance or networking opportunities
• Not available in a lot of states

The Close Score

4.4

Value:

4.3

Learning Format & Accessibility:

4.0

Course Features:

3.8

Help & Support:

4.5

Reputation:

4.6

Expert Score:

4.5

out
of

5

My Verdict on AceableAgent & Why You Should Trust It

As a real estate education researcher/writer who has spent thousands of hours evaluating many real estate schools in different states, I based my AceableAgent review on thorough analysis. I’ve tested its online learning platform, examined its course offerings and exam prep materials, and read Aceable real estate reviews. I am committed to providing you with my unbiased assessment, so rest assured that the scores and analyses presented here are solely mine and reflect the stance of The Close’s editorial team.

After extensively reviewing AceableAgent, I recommend this school to people who thrive while learning independently and on the go. Its courses are accessible through any device, which makes it easy if you’re preoccupied with a different job during the day. While no school is without its drawbacks, such as limited course availability and class format options, AceableAgent’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

AceableAgent Reviews

As of this writing, the school has an average rating of 4.9 based on 8,200 Aceable real estate school reviews from Trustpilot. Below are some 5-star AceableAgent reviews from verified users:

Overall, students are satisfied with AceableAgent’s course offerings, class format, and platform. While there are a lot of good reviews, Aceable also has its share of negative ones, with some of the usual issues being technical and related to online testing. Here are some examples of 3-star reviews:

AceableAgent Course Availability: Can I Take AceableAgent Real Estate Courses in My State?

Aside from striving to enhance student’s overall learning experience, AceableAgent is also working on expanding its services to more states. In this section, I’ve listed the types of real estate classes AceableAgent offers and the states where they are available.

Prelicensing

Exam Prep

Post-licensing

Continuing Education

AceableAgent Pricing

The pricing for AceableAgent course packages is state-specific due to the varying number of course hours required by each state. For instance, AceableAgent’s basic prelicensing course package in Florida will only cost you $116, whereas the equivalent option in Texas will run you $449. Here’s what’s usually included in Aceable’s course packages:

AceableAgent Alternatives

Since AceableAgent only caters to a few states, it obviously isn’t the best option for everyone. For example, AceableAgent doesn’t have career resources or networking opportunities for prospective agents, which can be a deal-breaker for some. Here are other real estate schools you might be interested in, including our link to each school’s review and video walk-through.

Software	Why It’s a Great Alternative	Learn More
	• Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee • Exam prep packages include lots of features • Self-paced and livestream course options • Buffini & Company coaching videos • One year of access to Colibri’s Career Booster Pack • Professional growth tools for real estate agents	Colibri Real Estate Review + Video Walk-through
	• Modern, expertly designed courses • Excellent online learning platform • Pass guarantee • Continuing education or post-licensing courses already included in Premium packages • Business building courses for new agents	The CE Shop Review: Real Estate Courses & Test Prep
	• All packages have test prep materials • Interactive study groups • Career Mentor Connect via Zoom • Real Estate Accelerator online video course and live online coaching • Interest-free payment plans	Kaplan Real Estate School Review (2024): Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons
	• Affordable courses • Live chat, phone, and email support • Individual and packaged self-paced courses • Offers a variety of interesting continuing education electives • User-friendly, modern interface	360training Agent Campus Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons (2024)

Key Features of AceableAgent

In this section of the AceableAgent review, I’ll highlight AceableAgent’s strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Value for Money

With its affordable pricing, AceableAgent is a cost-effective option among national real estate schools. It offers excellent value for money with competitively priced packages that include extra features such as audio guides, practice exam questions, and instructor support. AceableAgent’s basic package offers more features than other schools like Colibri Real Estate.

Class Formats

Since AceableAgent’s courses are self-paced online, it may not be the best option for students who prefer more interactive classes. However, if you’re willing to pay for Aceable’s premium package, you’ll get a scheduled private tutoring session with an expert and live webinars where you can ask questions in real time.

Student Dashboard

The AceableAgent course dashboard is pretty simple. On the left-hand side, you’ve got an outline of classes, marking your progress through the required material. A “what’s next” prompt sits front and center, indicating your immediate steps toward completing your prelicensing course and a collection of typical navigation links across the top.

Other real estate education companies, like Colibri Real Estate or Kaplan, have dashboards with more information (such as upcoming training webinars, course statistics, and mastery opportunities). Still, we weren’t dissatisfied with the AceableAgent experience.

AI Tools

The newest feature of AceableAgent is an AI virtual instructor that is similar to ChatGPT and just as helpful. It’s included in all courses free of charge and available on all platforms and devices. So what does it do? The AI instructor answers questions as you go through your courses. If you decide to use the feature, the Ace robot will be visible in the left corner of your dashboard screen when you are reading through chapters. If you have a question while you’re learning, ask Ace by starting a chat. This will give you a quick and efficient response to your burning questions.

Mobile Interface

AceableAgent provides online real estate prelicensing education and a fresh, mobile-first approach to real estate learning. Their mobile app makes completing your class hours as easy as listening to a podcast and is an exclusive offering that none of their competitors provide. If spending your nights and weekends in a stuffy classroom crushes your soul, AceableAgent’s mobile experience might be the ideal solution.

Reputation

AceableAgent is well-known for its innovative approach, easy-to-use platform, and comprehensive course offerings. Students and licensed professionals appreciate the school’s commitment to staying current with industry standards. The school has been around for over a decade, so it’s no wonder it’s always among students’ top real estate school choices.

Bottom Line: Is AceableAgent Worth Your Money? 

If you’re a visual learner and enjoy studying at your own pace, AceableAgent is a great choice. However, it isn’t perfect. Its offerings lack features to help you interact and network with other prospective agents and speak to instructors in real time. If your learning style thrives on interaction with people and content, you must go the extra mile on AceableAgent to make that happen.

Also, your prelicensing course is just part of the real estate education you’ll need to launch and maintain a long and successful career. AceableAgent doesn’t offer many options for continuing education or broker prelicensing, so while a competitor like Colibri Real Estate or The CE Shop can offer everything under a single banner, you’ll likely only take one course with AceableAgent.

Methodology: How We Evaluated & Scored AceableAgent

Regarding our methodology at The Close, our licensed real estate professionals, writers, researchers, and editors created a weighted rubric to evaluate AceableAgent. Our experts have done hours of research to analyze key features, pricing, course offerings, AceableAgent student reviews, and more. All the features we explored are essential for students to become successful agents and brokers in the real estate industry. 

Our detailed criteria included:

• Course Features 25%
  • This comprises items that assist agents and brokers in completing their education, like pass and refund guarantees, career and instructor support, coaching, training, interactive study groups, and course extensions.
• Value 20%
  • Pricing and availability of coursework are important factors to assess. This value accounts for real estate school offerings in prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, broker prelicensing, and exam prep. 
• Learning Format & Accessibility 20%
  • Real estate professionals must consider the best format for their learning, which includes self-paced, on-demand video, livestream, and in-person classes. Also, accessibility via multiple devices, like computers, tablets, and mobile devices, determines the convenience for users. 
• Expert Score 15%
  • The Close closely reviews each course for standout features, details, ease of use, and the value for money spent from a real estate expert’s perspective. 
• Help & Support 10%
  • If students need additional support, knowing the customer service options through phone, email, live chat, and ticket system is necessary. 
• Reputation 10%
  • This examines the reputation of each real estate school through the eyes of current and past students, reviewing customer reviews and the popularity of each provider. 

FAQs

Is AceableAgent real estate legit?

Is AceableAgent accredited?

How long does it take to complete a course with AceableAgent?

Your Take

I hope my AceableAgent review has assisted you in deciding whether it fits your learning style and budget. Do you think AceableAgent is ideal for your real estate education needs? Have you had the opportunity to explore AceableAgent? Share your insights in the comments below!

The post AceableAgent Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons (2024) appeared first on The Close.

What Is Virtual Reality Real Estate?

Let’s start by answering this basic question. Real estate virtual reality makes property exploration as easy (and fun) as a video game. Strap on a VR headset, and suddenly, you’re not just window-shopping—you’re strolling through homes, checking out the views, and feeling like you’ve teleported to the location—all without leaving your comfy chair. VR in real estate brings properties to life in three-dimensional brilliance, offering buyers, sellers, and agents an immersive experience that redefines how we interact with properties, all thanks to those cool VR goggles.

Real estate VR is a game changer for agents who want to explore the international market. With this technology at the fingertips of buyers and sellers around the globe, it’s easier now to sell real estate from anywhere in the world. Now, agents can show off their listings in an immersive way to just about anyone, anywhere on the planet. Ready to buy a beautiful beach house in Miami but can’t make the trip? No worries! Strap on a VR headset and take a virtual tour to feel like you’re already there.

VR, AR & MR Technologies in Real Estate

Let me clarify the difference between the main virtual reality elements: virtual, augmented, and mixed. Many people get confused about these, so let’s break them down.

Virtual Reality (VR)

VR is like a teleportation device for house hunters. It immerses you in a virtual world, making you feel like you’ve stepped inside a property, even if you’re miles away. It’s all about creating a fully digital, interactive experience without connection to the real world around you. If you have a teenager who plays video games with a VR headset, that’s virtual reality.

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR, on the other hand, doesn’t whisk you away—it enhances your real-world surroundings. It’s like having a real estate info overlay on your smartphone camera. AR adds digital information or objects to what you see through your device, like providing property details while you look at a building or adding furniture to an empty room. Think Pokémon GO, where the characters exist in the real world through your app.

Mixed Reality (MR)

MR is the cool hybrid of VR and AR. It merges digital elements with your actual environment, letting you interact with both. Think of it as bringing digital furniture into your real living room to see how it fits or trying out different flooring colors and styles through an app before deciding which works best. MR combines the best of both worlds, offering a blend of virtual and real-life experiences. Emerging technologies, like Domotics, are creating entire platforms that cater to this type of experience for real estate.

How Many Real Estate Professionals Are Using VR?

It may surprise you that virtual reality realty is already a thing. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently completed its technology survey and discovered that 67% of agents are spending their own money on virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for their businesses. Brokers should pay attention and find ways to add this technology to their recruitment packages. The truth is VR is taking off at a rapid pace, with 65.9 million current VR users in the U.S., which is 15% of the country’s population, and it’s showing no signs of slowing. 

However, adoption seems to be a bit slower in the real estate marketplace. Younger people have jumped in feet first into this technology, but only 14% of real estate agents believe the metaverse, VR, and AR are currently impacting real estate and only 56% think it will have an impact in the next five years. That’s alarming! Virtual reality real estate is here to stay and savvy agents will learn to implement some of these cool tools in their businesses to increase their bottom line.

4 Ways Virtual Reality Is Used in Real Estate

Let’s talk about all the ways agents can start using virtual reality in their real estate businesses right now.

Virtual Showings & Open Houses

The most apparent areas where virtual reality can benefit are real estate showings and open houses. While I highly recommend holding homes open in person, why stop there? With the current VR tech, agents can have showings 24/7, anywhere in the world. During the pandemic, virtual showings and open houses became the only way to show homes. The best thing about living under those restrictions is it opened up a world of possibilities in virtual tours and the ability to market your listings beyond your typical reach. It became possible to show your listings to people in other cities, states, and countries. 

Check out this video demonstrating how VR from Matterport can enhance one of your listings.

Today, holding open houses is still a great way to generate leads. However, some homes require screening to protect either sellers or their high-end properties, and there may be better courses than in-person open houses. Virtual reality enables serious buyers to efficiently focus their options while preventing “looky-loos” from pestering homeowners with unnecessary private tours.

Additionally, reaching your potential buyers may be complicated with in-person showings. I specialized in selling to military active duty members who must move around the globe every few years. So, sending listings to Japan or Germany was pretty commonplace. Giving them the ability to walk through a home on the other side of the world is priceless. My clients loved that they didn’t have to try to make a trip back to the United States just to tour homes for their upcoming move.

VR Home Staging 

I absolutely love the possibilities virtual reality home staging offers. You can paint the walls of your listing, add furniture to a bare home, and even show potential buyers what a backyard could look like with a virtual pool added. Some apps are providing these services already, and they’re changing how agents sell their listings. 

I remember paying someone on Fiverr.com to change the paint color on the walls in one of my listings. They charged around $25 per photo. But there are new apps, like ApplyDesign, that will do this task for you, as well as stage rooms with high-quality furniture, updated fixtures, plants, art, rugs, and more almost immediately at a fraction of the cost.

First impressions can make or break a buying decision. If you’re marketing a listing, you definitely want to tap into the emotional journey of your potential buyer. You know that a staged home sells faster and easier, but hauling (and storing) staging furniture can be prohibitive. Use the power of virtual staging to create the same feel without all the moving. And for the money, you can stage one room with multiple uses, whereas in physical staging, you can only stage it one way. So, if you have an extra bedroom, you can virtually stage it as a nursery, a workout room, and even a home office. 

Virtual Neighborhood Tours

During the pandemic, I purchased a 360-camera to do neighborhood tours. It was a fun way to stay connected with my audience when everyone was isolated. Today, neighborhood tours serve an even deeper purpose—giving potential residents a feel for their future community.

Virtual neighborhood tours can help potential homebuyers feel like they’re riding (or walking) through the neighborhood before deciding to make it their home. Any time you can address a buyer’s objections, including whether the neighborhood is a good lifestyle fit, you’re working smarter instead of harder.

VR in Commercial Real Estate

In case you were wondering, yes, VR is also beneficial in commercial real estate. It’s being utilized extensively for rehab and renovation projects, new construction and development, and more. With VR, investors and developers can imagine their projects in clear, three-dimensional glory. 

With VR technology, developers have the power to create a 3D model of their projects, allowing them to make virtual modifications, swap elements, and view the changes in real time. Imagine one of those shows on HGTV where designers present homeowners with a vision of the completed project before any physical work begins. Minimizing surprises at the conclusion of a residential project leads to higher client satisfaction.

Imagine collaborating with a real estate investor on a home sale. Utilizing virtual reality technology, you can showcase the property’s potential by overlaying a vision of the renovated space onto the current one. Closing a deal becomes significantly easier when clients can visually grasp the property’s value without relying on their imagination. Instead of asking them to envision the possibilities, you can directly present them with a tangible future for the property.

Overcoming VR Skepticism in Real Estate

Naturally, many people, including real estate agents, are skeptical about using VR for real estate. Some fear the technology, others feel it’s prohibitive due to costs, and others are simply unfamiliar with the potential of this type of tech. But agents who embrace the tech and offer more diverse and immersive experiences to their clients, both buyers and sellers, will pull ahead of their competitors. 

How VR Can Enhance Your Real Estate Business

• Enhance your marketing efforts with 3D walk-throughs
• Be the agent everyone wants when you give VR headsets to your buyers
• Improve your listing engagement with virtual walk-throughs
• Virtual showings of listings while you’re on vacation
• Virtually paint walls, add landscaping, or even add additional elements to your listings to attract buyers
• Show a finished renovation project before it’s started
• Enable buyers to see a home before it’s complete
• Change out elements of a home renovation project or new construction
• Allow showings 24/7 of any of your listings
• Virtually stage a home and allow for multiple versions (show a bedroom as both a home office and a nursery to attract multiple buyers)

And the technology is evolving quickly. With the addition of mixed reality that allows users to interact with augmented reality elements layered over the real world in real time, the possibilities are only beginning to surface. Imagine having your clients upload photos of their furniture to stage it virtually in a home to make sure it fits before they put in an offer. That’s the kind of innovation we’re moving toward. 

I’m excited to see the evolution of proptech (property technology) already available and becoming more and more affordable. As this space evolves, staying informed and adaptable is key to navigating its potential in the real estate marketplace. As R. David Edelman, founder and director of Project on Technology, the Economy, and National Security, said at Inman Connect New York, “AI won’t replace you, but those who know how to use it will.” And he’s probably not wrong about that.

Why VR Isn’t Just a Trend, It’s Your Real Estate Ally

Listen, I hear your skepticism from here. But trust me when I say that this technology is here to stay. And one day, it will become as commonplace as that computer in your hand. Technology evolves faster than our brains are ready to accept, but that has never slowed its advancement. I just spent a few days at Inman Connect New York and met so many people already looking for more ways to harness the technology that exists to make our lives as real estate agents easier. 

Real estate virtual assistants used to be actual people who would handle tasks for you to free up some of your time. Soon, those tasks will be handled by AI and mostly automated. In fact, many proptech companies have already integrated AI into their systems to do much of that work. It’s pretty amazing what these companies are creating, and it will change the way agents work from this point forward in a good way. Virtual reality in real estate is more than a fleeting trend—it’s a powerful tool reshaping how we buy, sell, and experience properties.

Think of how much time you’ll get back to spend with your family. Does someone want to view a home while you’re on vacation? No problem! Send them a pair of VR goggles (less than $30 on Amazon) and let them tour it virtually. Your listing has wild-colored paint on the walls, and you’re not getting any showings? Have your virtual staging app paint the walls to get buyers to see the possibilities. Are you trying to show an investor how glorious your listing could be? Use augmented reality to show how renovations might look in the right hands. Closing the deal just got a whole lot easier.

Harnessing the innovative powers of virtual and augmented reality gives real estate experts, investors, and clients enhanced abilities to conceptualize, evaluate, and explore properties before purchasing. It’s a win-win-win.

FAQs

Is virtual real estate worth it?

What is metaverse real estate?

Are there any specific VR headsets or technologies recommended for real estate professionals?

For virtual tours in homes, you can invest in VR headsets for your clients for less than $30 a pair. There are more expensive ones that are higher quality, but invest in the less expensive ones to give away. If you want to keep a fancy pair in your office and invite clients to view properties, that’s also an option.

Once you’ve invested in the VR headsets, you can send listings with virtual tours to your clients to view through the goggles. If a listing includes a 3D home tour, buyers can do a virtual walk-through with or without the goggles. The difference is with the VR goggles, it’s an entirely immersive experience.

To use the VR real estate technology in your listing, you will need 3D photos. You can invest in a 3D camera and learn to take your photos. You can purchase an Insta360 camera for around $450. Or you can pay a professional to do it for you. I hired my real estate photographer, J Beard Graphics, to shoot 3D photos to create virtual reality tours. He charges around $11 per square foot to shoot 3D images.

Many agents are familiar with Matterport, which is known for creating dollhouse images where shoppers can drop in anywhere in a home to see 3D images. These are great, especially for higher-end or luxury listings. Matterport offers a range of services to choose from to make entry easier.

What are the advantages of using virtual reality in the homebuying & selling process?

Are there any potential drawbacks or challenges associated with adopting VR in real estate?

Your Take

Don’t let your apprehension about technology keep you from embracing virtual real estate. There are tons of advantages to using these tools to help you do your job more efficiently. Free up your time by eliminating obstacles that keep your clients from making a decision easier and faster. 

Are you currently using some cool virtual tools to sell more real estate? What are your favorite VR real estate tools? Did I miss something you want me to discuss next time? Drop me a line in the comments!

The post Virtual Reality for Real Estate: Comprehensive Guide for 2024 appeared first on The Close.

The Close’s Top Picks for Real Estate Technology Companies

1. NEO (New Estate Only)

NEO is a listing service exclusively for new construction. It allows more sustainable marketing for property developers. Plus, it opens up the market to the international community. One thing about the multiple listing services agents currently use is it’s not an ideal setup for new construction. The days on market tend to hurt new construction as they languish in a system prioritizing the most recent listings. This real estate tech company showcases the listings’ unbuilt features instead of focusing on how long the home has been waiting for a buyer. 

Why NEO is on Our List

One of the coolest features of NEO is its ability to allow investors to use Bitcoin at the point of sale in the transaction. That opens many doors for home buyers from countries where Bitcoin is much more prevalent than in the U.S. I definitely see this as a real estate tech trend coming in the near future.

2. Lofty

Formerly Chime, Lofty is looking to dominate the all-in-one space, and it might have the chops to do so. Lofty is an all-in-one exclusive platform, known in the tech world as a walled garden. It now offers voice AI for phone conversations with your clients and leads. It’s scary and exciting at the same time. 

Why Lofty is on Our List

The Voice AI is a new feature launched ahead of Inman Connect New York. It receives real-time phone calls and interacts with leads and clients like a personal assistant. I learned it can make outbound calls, as well. So, when you need to contact a client about an upcoming inspection or set a showing appointment, you can relay that to your Lofty AI. That is wild!

3. Final Offer

Final Offer is a real estate tech company that keeps everything in a transaction open to sellers, buyers, and agents. Agents will have some control over how much people see on the platform. Still, when a home is on the market and receives an offer, the software will notify everyone interested in the listing that an offer has been submitted. 

Why Final Offer is on Our List

While talking with the ladies at the Final Offer booth, I couldn’t help but think that their product will become ubiquitous in the coming year. It creates a level of transparency that hasn’t ever existed in this space. And with the latest in buyer commissions, the distrust between buyers and agents, and lawsuits making their way through the courts, this could quickly quell some of the chatter. I can see real estate associations adding this kind of software to their menu of benefits to justify those Realtor association dues. And keep an eye out for more real estate tech companies entering this field with myriad ways to elucidate transactions.

4. Localize AI

Localized AI lives within the Localize OS family of services. It combines the power of AI for lead nurturing and follow-up with actual human interaction. The AI, Hunter, will immediately interact with a lead upon capture. But if the lead asks a question the AI doesn’t know the answer to, it refers them to someone, a live human, who can answer it. That person has a strong incentive to help agents get a client to closing by claiming a chunk of the commission. 

Why Localize AI is on Our List

I see the value of Localize AI, but it seems like an overreach to charge agents each month for this service and then take a 15% commission at the end of the transaction. Localize AI could be a major contender in the real estate tech company space, I just hope they get rid of the 15% referral fee.

5. Sphere

With Sphere, agents can use their iPhones to take a video of a listing. Then, Sphere will create an immersive walkthrough video for a fraction of the price of Matterport. It’s a new real estate tech company that could be a serious game changer for agents. We, as agents, know the value of a virtual walkthrough in our listings, but paying for a Matterport tour is expensive. 

Why Sphere is on Our List

I really enjoyed seeing Sphere in action! I love that Sphere could make this technology more accessible to agents who may not have the budget for the Matterport cameras. Sphere makes it super easy–all you need is your iPhone. The only caveat is that you can only use an iPhone 12 or later model. I only have an iPhone 11, so it didn’t work on my phone. But my coworker, Nick Thomas, has an iPhone 13, so it worked perfectly on his. If Sphere can roll this out soon, I can see them ranking as one of the top real estate tech companies of 2024.

6. HomeHQ.ai

The way HomeHQ.ai works is each agent and listing gets an individual AI bot. So, when a lead pulls up a listing, a chatbot pops up to represent the agent on the listing. The lead receives a friendly greeting, “Hi, I’m [agent’s name}’s AI assistant, and I’m here to answer questions about {listing address}. So, the lead knows it’s an AI bot, but the AI assistant engages in a conversation about the listing to help answer questions. 

Why HomeHQ.ai is on Our List

I was impressed with this real estate tech company. It’s not widely available yet, but it can be huge for agents once it gains traction. The thing I loved the most about HomeHQ.ai is the ability to analyze the marketing for the listings and then offer advice on how to improve it. I couldn’t stop reading the AI suggestions in the easy-to-read dashboard. The company designed the dashboard so the broker can see every listing and know what needs to happen to get the listing closer to being sold.

7. Offrs ROOF

What Offrs has that other AI chatbots don’t is that RAIA can engage in conversation with leads, summarize and score every interaction, and seamlessly integrate with existing systems sets. RAIA seamlessly integrates with your current system, feeds leads into your existing CRM, and identifies ones that need immediate attention. These features streamline the process from capture to close. 

Why Offrs ROOF is on Our List

I love that Offrs lets you build the system you want with tools you already love. There are tons of walled gardens out there.  But for the agents who have been with their current tools a long time, transferring your entire database to another system is a lot more trouble than it’s worth. And that’s not including all of the expertly crafted drip campaigns created over time. For those agents, accessing a powerful AI lead nurturing tool that easily integrates with your existing systems is pure gold. Check out our Offrs review for more information.

8. Broker Blocks

Broker Blocks scrapes thousands of breadcrumbs about your leads so you can provide a tailored experience as they make their way through your sales funnel. Agents can even send the most appropriate and likely-to-be-loved closing gifts based on the person’s personality, hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc. Say goodbye to generic closing gifts and hello to personalized gifts that indeed leave a lasting impression.

Why Broker Blocks is on Our List

Broker Blocks is still in development, but I had a chance to sit down with one of the founders, who showed me how it works. There are two things I love about what this tech does. First, it picks up in the middle of the sales process and guides agents and their clients through to the end of the transaction. It focuses on the point in the sale funnel where the lead is already hot and gives touchpoints for the agent to perform throughout the rest of the process. I love this because no one else is doing it.

The second thing I love is that it standardizes the process and does the heavy lifting mentally for agents. I can’t even begin to calculate the hours I spent trying to decipher what type of closing gifts would delight my clients. Data that tells me what my clients would like and what would be an appropriate amount of money to spend would have been priceless to me as an agent.

Your Take

One of my favorite things is attending conferences like Inman Connect New York and talking to the people behind some amazing real estate tech companies. I love seeing their faces light up as they explain how their tech will help agents in the field. I got to shake hands with these innovators and see their technology in action. 

These are just a few of the cutting-edge top real estate tech companies I got to check out this time around. But it’s by no means an exhaustive list. Did you attend ICNY 2024? Did you see some cool stuff I missed? Let me know in the comments!

The post 8 Real Estate Technology Companies to Watch for in 2024 appeared first on The Close.

We’ll take a close look at what Colibri Real Estate offers, discuss the pros and cons of the platform, offer insight into the student experience, and analyze its best features. By the end, you’ll have all of the information you’ll need to decide if you should enroll in Colibri Real Estate for your prelicensing courses.

The Close Scorecard: Colibri Real Estate

Pros

• User friendly interface
• Variety of course packages
• Livestream and self-paced
• Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee
• Experienced instructors
• Post licensing, CE, and broker education all in one place

Cons

• Livestream courses are not available in many states
• Not much test prep in basic packages

The Close Score

4.8

Value

5.0

Student experience

5.0

Features

4.0

Reputation

5.0

User interface

5.0

Customer support

5.0

out
of

5

My Verdict on Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate is an ideal option for just about anyone who needs to complete their required real estate prelicensing education. It’s not the basement-level budget option RealEstateU offers and doesn’t have as many livestream opportunities as Kaplan, but the interface is better than their closest competitor, The CE Shop. To that point, I’ve seen a lot of improvement in their interface over the years and I love that commitment to innovation. The price point, access to instructors, and customer support make Colibri Real Estate an excellent choice. Plus, they offer a money-back guarantee that you’ll pass your real estate exam. 

Colibri Real Estate Prelicensing Pricing for 2024

While I focused mostly on reviewing Colibri’s prelicensing education, it’s important to note that they offer exam prep and continuing education in every state. Colibri also offers broker education in nine states and post-licensing in states where it is required. Their pricing, across packages, aligns pretty closely with the major online schools in the industry, such as Kaplan, The CE Shop, and Aceable Agent. 

While pricing depends on how many hours of education your state requires and other variables, here’s the basic breakdown of Colibri’s packages.

Value for Money

Colibri is priced around the same point as Kaplan, The CE Shop, and Aceable Agent, but we’re very impressed with the features included in the Colibri packages. Not only do you have several options to choose from, but most packages include Colibri’s exceptional exam prep resources and its Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee (note that the guarantee does not apply to students in Florida or Tennessee). Even if Colibri doesn’t offer prelicensing education in your state, it’s worth looking into their exam prep courses, which are offered in all 50 states.

What Does Colibri Real Estate Offer in My State?

Colibri Real Estate prelicensing is currently available in almost every state, with broker licensing offered in nine states.  Exam prep and continuing education packages are in every state. Note that Colibri’s continuing education is done by its sister company, McKissock. Also the company has the following local schools under its umbrella: Superior School of Real Estate, Hondros College, Arizona School of Real Estate & Business, Hogan School of Real Estate, Rockwell Institute, Gold Coast Schools, and Key Realty School. This really just means they offer the same online experience and more live in-person options.  

Walk-through Video

What Sets Colibri Real Estate Apart

There are some really excellent online real estate education providers, but Colibri continues to innovate and stand out from the crowd. Here’s a breakdown of why they are consistently picked as our top online real estate school:

Student Experience

Features

Reputation

User Interface

This is where Colibri really outshines the competition. It has the best user interface of all of the top online real estate schools. What does this mean for students? It means the site is easy to navigate and isn’t buggy. It’s clear where you are in the course progression, it’s easy to move from one topic to another, and it’s thoughtfully optimized for mobile.

Room for Improvement

We would like to see Colibri offer livestream courses in more states, as opposed to just a handful (such as California, Texas, and New York). 

The lowest-priced packages don’t offer many bells and whistles, which might be frustrating for budget-conscious students looking for exam prep. Those who want just their state’s course content at a bargain price, or who’ve already been licensed in another state and need to check this education box, might want to consider a provider like RealEstateU. 

The Bottom Line: Is Colibri Worth the Money?

Yes. Based on my thorough Colibri Real Estate review, I believe that the platform definitely lives up to the hype. Colibri Real Estate provides comprehensive courses that are widely available at affordable prices. Their Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee and dedication to innovation add to the many reasons I recommend this provider and why I’ve chosen Colibri Real Estate as our best online real estate school. If you want a quality education at an affordable price with excellent preparation for the real estate exam, Colibri is the right school for you. 

Colibri Alternatives 

Of course, Colibri Real Estate is not the only game in town. There are many education providers to fit every budget and learning style. Consider these four national providers, or refer to our state-specific guides to see what school we recommend for your state.

Methodology

You can count on my Colibri Real Estate review to be thoughtful and objective both from a real estate perspective and the standpoint of someone who’s taken prelicensing classes and passed my state’s exam.

Specifically, when I evaluate a real estate school, I’m looking at:

• The education provider’s accreditation
• Pricing and value for money
• Specific packages offered
• The diversity of course offerings
• Customer support
• Access to instructors
• Scheduling flexibility
• Content delivery options
• Continuing education options 
• Networking and career placement opportunities 
• Expertise of instructors

I use these questions and more to put together our weighted scoring rubric. And that, along with my own decades of experience and expertise, make this a comprehensive review. 

Bringing It All Together

Have more questions or experience with Colibri Real Estate courses? Do you have more to add to our Colibri Real Estate review? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below!

The post Colibri Real Estate Review + Video Walk-through appeared first on The Close.