The real estate industry has long been riddled with inefficiencies — from managing tenant relationships to tracking property maintenance and rental payments.
But thanks to cloud-based real estate management software, smart players in the industry can now manage their business from a single, streamlined platform at any time of the day.
A recent study highlighted that 52.37% of real estate firms had adopted cloud software by 2022, and this figure continues to rise
Now, you may be asking: What makes cloud-based real estate management software indispensable?
Below, we’ll dive into why these tools are transforming real estate businesses and how you can leverage the most popular ones to stay ahead.
IBM TRIRIGA Real Estate Manager: The Enterprise Solution
For large enterprises managing multiple properties, IBM TRIRIGA Real Estate Manager is a go-to solution. This tool excels at AI-driven space planning and data security, offering integration capabilities that rival other systems.
With AI insights for space utilization and energy management, TRIRIGA can reduce operational costs by streamlining facility maintenance and capital project management.
Unlike smaller solutions, TRIRIGA is built for big players, requiring companies to contact IBM directly for pricing. However, for those seeking a highly secure, scalable option, this is a strong contender in the field of cloud based real estate software.
HubSpot CRM: Best for SMBs
Recent studies reveal that the customer relationship management (CRM) software segment held a larger 27.20% of the real estate software market in 2022. It’s no wonder HubSpot CRM has become very popular in the industry.
Smaller firms often need simple, intuitive solutions, and that’s where HubSpot CRM shines. Tailored for small and medium-sized businesses, this free software makes managing sales pipelines, capturing leads, and maintaining communication easy.
HubSpot CRM is a great entry point for real estate agents looking to dip their toes into cloud-based real estate management software without making a heavy investment.
HubSpot’s focus on ease of use ensures that your real estate team can quickly set up workflows and start automating tasks without needing advanced technical expertise.
AppFolio: The Real-Time Manager
When it comes to real-time property management, AppFolio is hard to beat. This cloud-based real estate software offers mobile device integration, allowing property managers to handle online maintenance requests, rent scheduling, and even tenant debt collection.
AppFolio’s pricing is structured by portfolio type, making it a versatile option whether you’re managing residential or commercial real estate portfolios.
Starting at just $1.49/unit for residential properties, it’s a cost-effective solution for companies needing real-time oversight
Buildium: Comprehensive Management for Various Properties
Buildium stands out by offering a comprehensive suite for property management and accounting. Whether you manage residential properties, student housing, or community associations, Buildium integrates with popular APIs to make property management seamless.
Prices start at $55/month, with premium plans reaching $375/month. This gives you a range of options based on your property needs.
Buildium’s flexibility is a key advantage for mid-sized property managers who need cloud-based commercial real estate management software that can scale as their portfolio grows.
Feature | AppFolio | Buildium | IBM TRIRIGA |
Mobile Integration | Yes | Yes | Limited |
AI-Driven Insights | No | No | Yes |
Pricing | $1.49/unit (residential) | Starts at $55/month | Contact IBM for pricing |
Scalability | Medium | High | Very High |
Why Should Real Estate Companies Use Cloud-Based Service Tools?
Real estate companies have long been stuck in outdated workflows. Implementing cloud-based real estate management software provides efficiency, adaptability, and scalability.
One of the greatest pain points for firms is handling large amounts of data securely, and cloud systems provide higher levels of data protection compared to traditional, on-premises solutions. One of Microsoft’s detailed comparison articles confirms this.
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Source: McKinsey & Company
Cloud-based tools allow remote access, which has become a priority in the post-pandemic era. Whether you’re managing properties from the office or halfway across the world, cloud technology ensures your data is always at your fingertips
What Are the Benefits of Cloud-Based Tools for Real Estate Companies?
Cloud technology offers several clear benefits, including:
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Cost savings: Cloud tools eliminate the need for on-premise servers, reducing upfront infrastructure costs
. This is confirmed by a recent Technavio survey of the Real Estate Software Market. -
Real-time access: Get immediate updates on property metrics and tenant statuses from anywhere
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Scalability: Easily upgrade or downgrade storage based on your business needs
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Meanwhile, the cloud-based software you choose for your real estate management should coincide with the challenges you face within the industry, whether that’s email marketing, sales, or property maintenance. Here are a few examples.
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Customer relationship management software – Offers workflow automation, contact management, collaboration tools, sales forecasting, and custom reporting features to clarify goals and ease communication challenges.
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Property management software – Makes it easy to handle administrative tasks, applicant screenings, maintenance work orders, rent processing, and all the in-betweens.
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Marketing automation software – Works to attract and engage new clients, align brand messaging, create targeted content, A/B test, and optimize pre-built content templates.
Understand your specific needs before you purchase a cloud services software suite for your real estate management. The benefits of different software and services weighed against different types of real estate cloud software give you a good foundation for integration.
With real estate cloud software, you can easily:
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Address administrative needs
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Manage relationships with stakeholders
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Automate workflow
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Optimize the sales cycle
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Build targeted marketing campaigns
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Maintain property assets
52.3% of Real Estate Firms are Adopting Cloud Technology Take control of your operations—get expert advice on the best cloud software solutions |
How to Choose the Right Cloud-Based Real Estate Management Software
When selecting a cloud-based real estate tool for your business, the decision will hinge on your specific needs:
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Business size: Are you managing 10 properties or 1,000? Larger portfolios may require enterprise-level solutions like TRIRIGA, while smaller businesses can often make do with HubSpot or AppFolio.
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System integration: Ensure the software integrates well with your existing CRM or accounting software.
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Support: Evaluate customer support services. Real estate software is complex, and you’ll need a reliable partner for troubleshooting.
Which Type of Companies Should Buy Cloud Based Real Estate Software?
Not every business will need a solution like IBM TRIRIGA, but most can benefit from cloud-based real estate software.
Consider getting a cloud-based real estate software solution if your business falls into these categories.
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Property management companies with multiple properties or large-scale enterprises looking to leverage the scalability of cloud solutions.
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A real estate agency that relies heavily on client interactions and would like to prioritize tools that streamline communications and entire sales processes
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How Much Do Cloud-Based Tools Cost for the Real Estate Industry?
The costs for cloud-based tools in the real estate sector vary widely:
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Smaller tools like HubSpot CRM offer free options and low monthly fees, while more advanced solutions like AppFolio start at $1.49/unit for residential properties
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Premium software like Buildium can range up to $375/month for comprehensive features
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Here’s a quick breakdown of pricing tiers across different tools:
Software | Pricing | Primary Feature |
HubSpot CRM | Free | CRM for small businesses |
AppFolio | $1.49/unit (residential) | Real-time property management |
Buildium | $55 – $375/month | Comprehensive property management |
IBM TRIRIGA | Custom pricing | AI-driven insights for large enterprises |
How to Incorporate Cloud Based Real Estate Software into Your Process
Incorporating cloud-based real estate management software doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are simple principles you can adopt:
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Identify pain points: Start by identifying inefficiencies in your current process. Do you struggle with tenant management or lease tracking?
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Train your team: Ensure employees are well-trained in using your selected software to its fullest potential.
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Start small, then scale: Implement the software for a limited number of properties before rolling it out across your entire portfolio.
What Features Should Cloud-Based Tools Include for Real Estate Agents?
When choosing a cloud-based real estate software, here are the must-have features to aim for:
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CRM integration for lead and client management.
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Mobile access so you can manage properties on the go.
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Automated workflows for tasks like rent collection and tenant screening
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What Types of Integrations Are Important with Cloud-Based Tools?
Integrations are critical when using cloud-based commercial real estate management software. Make sure the software you choose integrates with:
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Accounting systems for seamless rent collection.
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Marketing platforms to streamline property listings.
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Legal software to handle compliance issues.
The Future of Real Estate Software Solutions
The real estate industry is increasingly leaning on AI, VR, and blockchain technologies. These innovations will transform how property is managed, marketed, and sold.
According to projections, the AR and VR real estate market will grow from $1.5 billion in 2020 to $6.3 billion by 2025, offering new ways to engage clients
Choose Your Real Estate Cloud Software Wisely with ICC
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by real estate cloud software options. Cloud technology is relatively new but increasingly prevalent across the corporate landscape. Don’t overcommit your resources when looking for a cloud-based solution for small or commercial property management.
Only need a CRM? Try Hubspot CRM for free. Ready to take the plunge and go all-in with real estate cloud software? TRIRIGA might be just what you need.
Corporate property management also doesn’t need to be a struggle. As Toronto’s premiere property management company, ICC Property Management relies on the latest cloud-based technology to create a seamless experience for our clients.
Let ICC Property Management help you take control of your real estate management today.
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Transform Your Real Estate Business with Expert Knowledge of Cloud Solutions
The real estate industry’s future lies in cloud-based real estate management software. From improving operational efficiency to cutting costs, cloud technology offers a powerful solution for real estate companies of all sizes.
If you’re ready to transform your real estate operations faster, CloudSecureTech can connect you to experts who will implement the right tools for your business.
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