15 Remarkable Apps for your Real Estate Business

Our phones and the apps we use have become central to our daily productivity. Some apps streamline an existing process, or simplify a task, while others introduce new services we never thought we’d use on our phones. What’s great about each app is the freedom and anytime access it affords us. With 2015 underway, I’d like to share 15 fresh and powerful apps that should be on every Real Estate agent’s phone.

1. Refresh

One of my favorite apps right now is Refresh. This app can be very helpful with your everyday interactions. It works by connecting everything from your social networks, contacts, calendar and more to bring in the big picture of who you are meeting with, by delivering you insights before each meeting. Or maybe you just want to know more about someone, search their name to locate background information, etc. It’s like searching through multiple social media profiles all from one simple app. Free for iOS | Web app


2. RPR Mobile™

It wouldn’t be a complete list without RPR Mobile. You never know when you are going to get that next property question. RPR Mobile delivers the data and reporting found on the RPR website, directly to your phone. Using RPR Mobile, REALTORS® can use their location to search both on and off market properties, while also uncovering mortgage, historical and distressed data, flood zones, school info and more. Then easily create one of 5 different property and neighborhood reports, each branded with your photo, logo and contact information. As a REALTOR®, there is no cost to use RPR, the system is 100% covered by your NAR member dues. Free for iOS | Free for Android


3. Vert

As a REALTOR®, you often need to convert metrics, whether it’s size, weight, length, even currency. This nifty app makes those conversations dead simple—tap on the measurement and then swipe. The basic app is free, and Pro version is $2.99. Free for iOS | $2.99 for Pro version on iOS


4. Scannable

If you use Evernote, you’re going to appreciate this app! Scannable is the newest app from Evernote, and makes saving and sharing scans easy. Just aim the camera, and Scannable immediately identifies business cards, receipts, and other paper items it’s pointed at. The app automatically detects the document edges and then captures it. In regards to the business card scanning, I really like the additional photo and LinkedIn details that it added to the contact records. For now this app is only available for iPhone and iPad, although and Android version is rumored to be in the works. Free for iOS


5. Adobe Photoshop Express

What’s your go to app for editing images? If you don’t have one, install Adobe Photoshop Express. This powerful app does all the basics like cropping, rotating, red eye and blemish removal. Also makes it easy to apply adjustments to correct contrast, exposure, and white balance. Once you’ve applied your tweaks to the photo, save back to your camera roll or share to social media sites including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Free for iOS | Free for Android


6. Box

If you are a fan of Dropbox but looking for more security and control, Box is the perfect app for you. Box provides the ability to view, download, edit and annotate files, and then securely send those files to colleagues or clients anywhere. With Box, I’m also able to mark a folder for offline viewing. Free for iOS | Free for Android


7. IFTTT

Much more than just another acronym, If This Then That (IFTTT) aims to automate tasks between Internet-connected services.  IFTTT has more than 160 channels for you to create connections between. For example, maybe you want new comments on your blog to send you a text message, or you want to backup each new contact you add to your phone in a Google Spreadsheet, or maybe even log how much time you spend at home or the office. This and thousands of other configurations can be accomplished with this powerful service. Free for iOS | Free for Android


8. Todoist

At first glance you might think this is just another to-do app, but I think it’s much more. I use this app for managing the tasks that come in from my email. I’ve use Todoist in conjunction with their Google Chrome add-on so that when I’m in my webmail. I can add any email as a follow up task. Best of all, when I select the task it brings up the email originally referenced in the task. Saving me the time of hunting through my inbox. The free version of Todoist can manage up to 80 active items; if you exceed that number consider the premium version for $29 a year. Free for iOS | Free for Android


9. Hurdlr

When it comes to tax time, Hurdlr is an app that will help you make tracking tax deductions easy. Use the app to add business income and expenses, log receipts, even track mileage using your phone’s GPS. Then come tax time, use the Hurdlr website to create a profit & loss report, tax summary, mileage summary and lots more. Although the app is free, the Pro service is $8 a month or $60 for the year. This can be a small expense given that without proper records, many REALTORS® likely pay thousands extra each year in overpaid taxes. Free for iOS | Free for Android


10. Microsoft Word

Word is still the go-to document editor, and with this app viewing and editing Word documents on your phone is easier than ever. Unlike with other document viewers, the Word app ensures your documents view and behave how they were intended. I find myself often using the app to track and view document changes from my team. Also when I am finished with a document, it’s easy to print using AirPrint. One thing to note, although the basic app is free, an Office 365 subscription is required to unlock the full Office experience. Free for iOS | Free for Android


11. Videolicious

This app makes quality video creation easy. Give Videolicious a try by first recording yourself talking into the camera. Then add any photos or videos over the top as b-roll. Next add music and cinematic filters to your photos and video footage. The completed videos can be saved, emailed and shared via social media channels like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. To test the app, try the free personal account. If you like what you see, pay $60 annually for their business plan. Free on iOS


12. Buffer

The Buffer app provides a great interface for managing multiple social media accounts like Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. With Buffer pick what you want to share and set when you want the items to be shared. It’s that easy. Just don’t forget to engage with any replies or comments that come in. Free for iOS | Free for Android


13. Lastpass

Remembering all of your passwords can be a hassle. And to be safe, each password should be different and secure. So how do you keep track of them all? Introducing Lastpass—a powerful cross platform password manager. The app is a powerful, and saves time by allowing you to access and manage passwords wherever you are, and syncs those passwords between your devices. For iOS 8 users, Lastpass integrates directly into Safari as an extension. If you access password-protected sites regularly, you might want to check out their premium service for a $12 annual fee. For iOS | For Android


14. Roomscan Pro

This Roomscan app is designed to draw floor plans for you, by simply holding your phone up against each wall. As you tap the wall, you will see it appear on your screen, now move to the next wall and repeat. Continue until you are back where you started. The makers of the app claim that Roomscan is accurate to within half a foot. If you need to be more accurate, Roomscan Pro has an option allowing REALTORS® to manually add their your own measurements, doors and windows. Free for iOS | Pro Version for iOS


15. BombBomb

Communicating through video can be very powerful. And being able to do it from your mobile device, means that you don’t need an elaborate setup just to get the job done. That’s where BombBomb comes in, it’s a slick app that makes video email possible, while also giving you metrics to track who is viewing your content. Each video you make is delivered using a branded template that plays on any device. BombBomb also works with RPR reports, so the next time you want to send a monthly update give this combination a try. It’s worth noting that BombBomb requires a subscription, but you can give the service a try using their 2 week trial. For iOS | For Android


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31 Comments

  1. Nobu Hata January 13, 2015 at 9:12 am - Reply

    I love Planimeter (measure lot lines complete with Google Earth lot snapshots) and Google’s new Remote Desktop app (access a computer via mobile device) are two of my faves.

    • Reggie Nicolay January 13, 2015 at 9:51 am - Reply

      Thanks for sharing these, Nobu! I’m going to loop back and do an updated post based on readers suggestions.

  2. Bob January 21, 2015 at 4:21 am - Reply

    Reviews on Roomscan say it’s crap.

    • Reggie Nicolay January 21, 2015 at 6:46 am - Reply

      Hi Bob, If you’re not sure about Roomscan give the free version a try. In my tests, the app performed well.

      • Kate January 5, 2017 at 4:48 am - Reply

        Do you have a version for an android product that you recommend?

  3. Jon Shihadeh January 21, 2015 at 7:54 am - Reply

    This was a great article. Can I get you to check out our app, Realty Commander? It’s free on the iTunes store and was designed from the ground up for agents/brokers to manage transactions. It’s pretty powerful.

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id931538355

  4. Tom January 29, 2015 at 10:36 pm - Reply

    Thanks for this list, will definitely try a few of these suggestions and see of they can make it to my productivity tool list. So far:
    Slack
    Sprintly
    Dropbox
    Evernote
    GetMinute

  5. Monica Rojas February 11, 2015 at 9:10 am - Reply

    As a Real Estate Virtual Assistant I use:

    Dropbox (sync folder)
    Evernote
    GetMinute
    Zoho CRM

    • Reggie Nicolay February 11, 2015 at 1:15 pm - Reply

      Thanks for sharing, Monica!

  6. Yevgeniy February 26, 2015 at 5:46 pm - Reply

    Thank you Reggie so much for your sharing.It’s greatly appreciated.

  7. Brian Houston February 27, 2015 at 7:47 am - Reply

    Those are all really good apps, and so are the suggested ones in the comments. If I may add one to the list, AgentFlux. Real time communication between agent and client with push notifications for property listings, full listing details. Pretty neat app…

  8. Geneva Dawson February 27, 2015 at 3:13 pm - Reply

    Thank you so much for all the info. I am looking forward to trying some of them!

  9. Debbie Valdez February 27, 2015 at 6:56 pm - Reply

    Thank You! Just downloaded the RPR app.

  10. Tina Merritt March 4, 2015 at 1:31 pm - Reply

    Great list – had not heard of Refresh. Just downloaded. My favorites are ArcGIS and Metes Basic. Oh – and I use Jotnot Pro every day.

  11. daniel March 18, 2016 at 3:59 am - Reply

    thanks for the post about real estate business .really informative.

  12. […] apps: from calculating payments to studying contracts to sharing files, real estate apps help your business run more smoothly. Keep your agents up to date on the latest […]

  13. Laurent July 16, 2016 at 10:46 am - Reply

    Agree 100% I am a realtor in south Florida and I thought this app sounded perfect. Unfortunately you guys assumed that everyone in this industry uses apple and that just hurt you big. I am andriod user

  14. Clayton L. October 7, 2016 at 12:40 pm - Reply

    Deductr has partnerships with NAR, ABR, REBAC, and many brokerages and associations which make the system available for 50% off the retail price. If you’re a member of any of these groups you likely have access to that discount, or even a free account depending on which group you’re with.

    This app alone will save your hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year. It’s a slick product. Buffer and BombBomb are also excellent services which I highly recommend.

  15. Deanna Melchert February 27, 2019 at 4:01 pm - Reply

    This sounds very handy!

  16. Billy June 17, 2020 at 10:57 am - Reply

    I’m glad you put a password manager on the list, they are important.

  17. Donna Arrigo March 24, 2022 at 4:29 pm - Reply

    great~very current stuff! thanks Donna

  18. Real Estate In Terramor Corona September 16, 2022 at 10:00 am - Reply

    Articles like this one really ought to be read by everyone, in my opinion. Great work. I absolutely enjoy it, and the advice is really helpful.

  19. Martin December 12, 2022 at 11:01 pm - Reply

    Any suggestions as to how to protect the many documents we send via email daily which may all have personal information of just not for anyone who may hack emails like Gmail, outlook and such?

  20. Angela Bordio June 22, 2023 at 7:55 am - Reply

    Thank you so much! I would also love to see a part two of this article. Looking forward to seeing how your blog expands.

  21. Karur Real Estate July 25, 2023 at 4:53 am - Reply

    I’m an Agent in real estate sector, I use desktop version of Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word & Google Docs. I think, I should try mobile apps to make things easier and quicker. Thanks for your Apps suggestion, it was useful.

  22. DigitalTechz December 26, 2023 at 3:21 am - Reply

    we are digitaltechz – we offer all digital marketing services, nice article about app for promotion.
    check our site and give valuable feedback.

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