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Web-based Property Management Software
Buildium
We like that Buildium's web-based property management software offers unlimited users and document storage. Monthly fee delivers bank-level security and data back-up, complete accounting functionality, and online tenant access.
Propertyware
Propertyware's software-as-a-service model provides easy access to essential property management functions, all in a web-based portal. Propertyware houses and maintains the software, helping you reduce long-term IT expense.
Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct's Web-based solution helps streamline essential day-to-day accounting and property management tasks. Features include tenant portal, online payment, general ledger, records management, and more.
Property Manager Cloud
Entirely Web-based, Property Manager Cloud is a robust system offering features for all elements of property management. Features include advertising tools, investment-based projection tools, portals, dashboards, and more.
AppFolio Property Manager
We like that AppFolio was built by the founders of Citrix GoToMeeting. So it stands to reason this web-based solution has tons of functionality like Google map integration, iPhone access, and free online rent collection.
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Rent Manager
Rent Manager's web-based version provides same reliable functionality as traditional software. Yet offers additional online modules and delivers bi-hourly data backups, real-time remote access, and mobile admin features.
Total Management
Total Management is an entirely Cloud-based (i.e. Web-based) system that makes best use of the Web through capabilities such as a tenant portal with online payments, work orders, an amenity scheduler and more.
Point2 Property Manager (formerly DIY Real Estate Solutions)
Keep track of expenses - and essential business functions - with Point2's pay-as-you-go online property management software. Full functionality to manage property leases, accounting, electronic payments, and more.
Condo Manager
Available in a software-as-a-service module, Condo Manager delivers a full suite of accounting, management and database features with data import and backup. Custom Web site design and integration also available.
MRI Commercial Management
Offering automated calculations and billing, MRI Commercial Management removes human errors from recovery calculations and square footage adjustments. This solution offers depth of functionality while being heavily customizable.
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Online Property Management Software Comparison
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Ten Steps To Selecting Property Management Software
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Property Management Software Feature Checklist
In the traditional software model, software is installed onto the user’s computer at the property management office. However, over the last few years web-based Software as a Service (SaaS), has seen tremendous growth in popularity. There are four major reasons for this increased adoption of this fee-based module.
Specific criteria for owners of low-cost rentals to consider are:
- Faster, easier set-up time. Installing software to a local computer takes time and energy. It requires knowledge of system components, data backup, maintenance, updates, and repair in the event anything goes wrong. Web-based software requires no installation: just an Internet connection. Because the vendor hosts the software for you, system upgrades and regular maintenance are taken care of for you.
- Lower up-front costs. Rather than purchasing the software up front, the user pays a license fee, usually monthly. This drastically reduces upfront costs, which benefits most small business.
- Ease of access. Typically in the traditional on-premise model, applications can only be accessed by the computers with the particular software installed. Because SaaS applications are web based, any computer with a web browser can access them. That means your data is easily accessible wherever you are.
- Website integration. Web-based property management software simplifies integration with the company’s website, and with that integration comes features crucial in supporting the management of the property. For example, tenants can have their own portal, allowing them to pay rent and make maintenance requests online; and vacancies can be posted on the company website and then ported directly to major locator services like Craigslist, Apartments.com, or Rentals.com.
With the advent of the SaaS model, property managers are effectively renting the software, rather than buying it. Support, upgrades, and ancillary fees are all bundled into the monthly or annual subscription, which may be a set fee or may be based on the number of units and/or users.
| Perpetual License | Subscription Model | |
| Upfront costs | Large | Small |
| Recurring costs | Small (upgrades) | Medium |
| Benefits | Permanent Ownership | Cancel any time, no-hassle upgrades & support |
| Drawbacks | Sunk costs, technical infrastructure required | Recurring fees add up over time |
For more information on selecting the right online property management software, see our online property management software comparison.
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Property Management Software Buyer's Toolkit
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How to Assess Property Management Vendors' Viability
