Free Tools to Help Real Estate Agents Get Organized

Sometimes, it seems almost as if real estate is the very definition of a disorganized business.  Just ask any real estate agent what their job requirements are.  Often the answers to the question would include tasks such as selling homes, working with clients, managing paperwork, showing houses, cleaning up homes to be shown, working with lenders, the list goes on and on.

With such a wide array of job duties, organization can be real problem.  I have worked closely with a lot of agents over the years and I know from experience how hard it can be to maintain a comfortable level of chaos.

Why Should you Focus on Organization?

There are a number of reasons, but the most important is that organization makes both your job and your life much easier.  Less time spent searching for paperwork or digging through your desk, means more time that you can spend making those sales, which is the life blood of this industry.

Organization merely starts in the office, but ideally it would also flow throughout your entire life.  You can have phone numbers, web addresses and emails all at the ready, no matter where you are.  You should be able to setup a showing from your car, make a sale at the grocery store and maybe even pick up a few clients in line at the movie theater.  Imagine walking into the office, knowing you are already caught up.

What are Some Free Tools that can Help?

Thanks to technology, there are a lot of programs on the market that can make all of this organization happen, or at least help it along.  While many of these are commercial software, there are still plenty of free software and online services out there that can get the job done. Try these out:

Thunderbird – To be honest, I don’t know where I would be without Mozilla’s free email client, Thunderbird.  This program alone has simplified my life in so many different ways, its hard to find a starting point. Message tagging, search and great free add-ons are only a few of the wonderful features, see more here.

Ta-da List – A big part of organization is laying out specific jobs or tasks that need to be completed before days end.  Ta-da List makes that possible for free.  Actually there are a number of websites that offer similar services, but I have always found this one easiest to use.  You can also access your daily lists from anywhere you have internet access, great for agents on the go.

Waze – How many times have you bee late for a house showing or meeting due to traffic and bad directions?  Waze allows you to organize your life on the road with your mobile phone.  Find out about traffic jams and car accidents before you get stuck.  Save time and money by being on time, every time.

Keepm – This free service makes managing your contacts and clients easier than ever before.  You can securely store all of your clients contact information online so that it can be accessed from anywhere, even on the road.  No more searching endlessly for that lost phone number.

It is important to realize that these are only a few of the software and services out there that can simplify your life.  All it takes is the desire to become organized and of course some great free programs and you’re ready to go.

I wanted to take a quick moment to thank you all of the readers and Wanna Network, for allowing me the privledge of writing this post, it has been a pleasure.  If you ever need any help with a  real estate license, please feel free to stop by and see me.

Tagged as: organization, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate agents, tips