Many successful investors have more than a keen eye for potential deals or an innate sense of when to sell and when to hold. Savvy rental property owners know that adopting modern tools to stay organized, manage efficiently, and streamline previously tedious tasks can be a game-changing decision.
That’s where real estate investor software comes into the picture.
These tools can be used to analyze the potential financial performance of a rental property and to monitor the income and expenses, cash flow, and net income of assets, ideally at both the property and portfolio levels.
Choosing the best software for your rental property portfolio can help make the difference between investments that barely break even versus those that generate solid, consistent, positive cash flow year after year.
There’s a diverse set of tools out there that can assist landlords in numerous ways, including:
- Collecting rent electronically, reducing the hassle of handling physical checks
- Tracking income and expenses in real-time, providing a clear snapshot of your property’s financial health
- Screening tenants efficiently, helping you find reliable, responsible occupants
- Listing vacant units across multiple platforms, increasing visibility, and reducing vacancy downtime
- Managing maintenance requests and scheduling repairs, ensuring tenant satisfaction and property upkeep
- Providing detailed financial reports, aiding in tax prep and strategic decision-making
- Storing important documents securely, like lease agreements and tenant information, for easy access
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most effective software solutions to help you keep your investments in order, increase NOI, and save precious time on administrative work.
Features to look for in a great tool for real estate investors
The software that’s best for one property owner isn’t always best for another. Property types are different and investment strategies vary. With that in mind, here are some of the most essential features to look for when evaluating real estate investment software:
- Flexibility to handle several property types, including single-family homes, small multifamily properties, and short-term rentals
- Designed to help you scale up and grow your rental property business
- Ease of use via desktop, laptop, tablet, and/or Apple and Android phone apps
- Ability to monitor asset performance at property and portfolio levels
- Creation of a digital “paper trail” for income and expense items
- Can upload, organize, and store all rental property documents in the cloud
- Capable of exporting tax-ready financial statements for seamless year-end reporting
- Strong security to protect personal data and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access or information loss
- Cost-effective and free from complex features that you’re unlikely to use
- Responsive customer service with a live person via chat, email, or phone
- Little to no learning curve needed to set up a rental property, connect accounts, run financial reports, and view property and portfolio-level metrics on a single dashboard
The best software for real estate investors
Stessa
Stessa is a comprehensive platform designed to serve the diverse needs of rental property investors. It boasts a community of over 200,000 users, from novice real estate owners to seasoned property professionals.
The software simplifies property management, helping eliminate the daily busywork created by tedious manual tasks. It offers automated accounting, real-time financial reporting, and support for a wide range of rental property types, including single-family homes, multifamily units, and short-term rentals.
Setting up a property on Stessa is free, quick, and user-friendly. You simply input the rental property address, link your business bank accounts, and then generate comprehensive financial reports such as income statements, Schedule E, and net cash flow. Users have reported saving up to an average of $4,000 and over 100 hours annually, making it an excellent choice for efficient property management.
Along with property management tools, Stessa provides automated income and expense tracking and personalized reporting at both the property and portfolio levels. Additional features designed to maximize returns through intelligent financial management include:
- Streamlined transaction tracking: Organize and categorize transactions from linked accounts, such as banks, lenders, credit cards, and some property management portals, with no hidden costs or mandatory extensions.
- Comprehensive financial reports: Generate assorted financial documents, including income statements, balance sheets (available with the Pro plan), and net cash flow summaries.
- Property-focused banking: Establish an FDIC-insured high-yield bank account* for each property and integrate it effortlessly with Stessa’s financial monitoring tools.
- Tenant application and screening services: Utilize Stessa’s tenant screening features and complimentary rental applications to identify and choose suitable tenants.
- Digital eSigning: Upload your document, mark it for electronic signatures, and dispatch it to tenants, suppliers, associates, and more.
- Rent collection: Allow tenants to pay rent via one-time or recurring ACH payments.
- Live performance insights: 24/7 access to updates on the performance of your property portfolio.
- Integration with property management: Connect your property management platform to import transactions and create a comprehensive portfolio summary.
- Unlimited properties: Add as many rental properties as you like to your Stessa account as the size of your portfolio has no impact on cost.
- Shared access: Invite fellow investors, CPAs, spouses, and more to join your Stessa account. You can then control their ability to view and/or modify the account at the portfolio level.
- Robust data protection: Enjoy industry-standard encryption and multi-factor authentication to ensure the safety and security of your data.
- Tax support resources: Gain access to valuable tax materials and educational content developed in collaboration with The Real Estate CPA.
- Active online community: Engage with a dynamic community in a forum where users connect, exchange ideas, learn from shared experiences, and offer mutual support.
For even more financial management capabilities, you can open Stessa Cash Management deposit accounts for each property and easily integrate them into the platform. Unlock real-time financial insights and built-in expense management with no minimum balance requirements and no fees for bounced checks, inbound wire transfers, or monthly maintenance. Plus, these accounts boast interest rates significantly higher than the national average.
With Stessa, property investors gain a comprehensive management tool and an opportunity to make their money work harder for them.
Pricing
Stessa created its tiered pricing structure carefully to accommodate the diverse requirements and budgets of owners of residential rental properties.
Here’s a breakdown of features offered in various Stessa plans:
Essentials Manage Pro
PRICING
Free $15/month
($12/mo when paid annually)$35/month
($28/mo when paid annually)
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Track properties Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Dashboards Key metrics only Key metrics only Full chart history
Property manager connections Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Document & receipt storage Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Organize & manage portfolios 1 1 Unlimited
Shared account access Yes Yes Advanced ownership metrics
BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING
Advanced transaction tracking No No Yes
Smart receipt scanning 5/month 5/month Unlimited
Manual expense tracking Yes Yes Yes
Automated bank feeds Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Budgeting & pro-forma analysis No No Yes
Project expense tracking No No
Yes
REPORTING & TAXES
Reporting level Basic Basic
Advanced
Full data export Yes Yes Yes
Accountant tax package Basic Plus Schedule E Plus CapEx
BANKING
High yield Cash Management 2.67% APY* 2.67% APY* 4.32% APY*
FDIC insured up to $2.5M/entity Yes Yes Yes
No minimum balance Yes Yes Yes
1.1% cash back on purchases Yes Yes Yes
ONLINE RENT COLLECTION
Accelerated rent payments No Yes Yes
Automated reminders and late fees Yes Yes Yes
Tenant autopay Yes Yes Yes
Tenant ledger and rent roll Yes Yes Yes
Tenant ACH fee waived No No Yes
LEASING
Vacancy advertising Yes Yes Yes
Syndication to Zillow Yes Yes Yes
Tenant applications & screening Yes Yes Yes
Lease template No Yes Yes
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
eSign leases, contracts, etc. No 1/month 7/month
60+ Forms and templates No Yes Yes
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Basic support Yes Yes Yes
Priority chat support No Yes Yes
Live phone support No No Yes
Get Started Get Started Get Started
Go here to get started with Stessa.
DealMachine
DealMachine is a highly-rated app for real estate investors with several features to facilitate sourcing and underwriting of potential investment targets. It offers multiple software plans, generally based on per user pricing.
Key features
- Driving for dollars helps you create a personalized property list
- Skip tracing to locate property owners efficiently
- Detailed real estate data for informed decisions
Pricing
- Pricing starts at $99 per month for 1 user.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Real estate investors who are just getting started or with small to medium-sized portfolios looking for off-market deals
Valuate
Valuate by REFM is a software solution for multifamily core and value-add real estate investors. It allows you to model properties from the rent roll through unit renovations, refinancing, and sale.
Key features
- Cap rate calculator for property valuation
- Monthly and annual ROI analysis
- Cash flow and resale analysis
- Cash on cash returns for investment evaluation
Pricing
- A free starter plan is available.
- Paid plans range from $19 to $49 per month.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Real estate investors who own or want to invest in multifamily properties, particularly those interested in value-add opportunities
RealData
RealData is designed to help real estate investors and developers make informed decisions. The company offers multiple products, including REIA Express for small residential investors and REIA Professional for investors with large portfolios.
Key features
- Comprehensive real estate investment analysis tools
- Tailored solutions for both small residential and large portfolio investors
Pricing
- Software bundles range from $229 to $1,599.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Real estate investors and developers with medium to large portfolios who require comprehensive financial analysis capabilities
TheAnalyst PRO
CRE Tech recognized TheAnalyst PRO as the leading investment modeling software. It includes lease analysis, demographics, and offering memorandums, catering to professional real estate investors who need detailed analysis quickly.
Key features
- Lease analysis for assessing potential investments
- Demographic data to better understand the market
- Offering memorandums for property marketing
Pricing
- Pricing ranges from $69.99 per month to $599.99 per year for an annual license.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Professional real estate investors who need detailed investment modeling and analysis quickly
RealNex
RealNex is an all-in-one platform that combines real estate analytics, marketing and lead management, and customer relationship management (CRM). It’s used by brokerage firms, investment brokers, leasing agents, property owners, and asset managers with medium and large-sized property portfolios.
Key features
- Real estate analytics for in-depth market understanding
- Marketing and lead management tools to boost your business
- Customer relationship management (CRM) to manage your contacts efficiently
Pricing
- Pricing begins at $199 per month for a single user.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Real estate practitioners with medium to large-sized portfolios who require an all-in-one platform for real estate management
ProAPOD
ProAPOD offers two real estate investment software solutions to help you start, build, and scale a rental property business. The software allows investors to calculate cash flow and rate of return and generate pro formas for residential multifamily and commercial properties.
Key features
- Cash flow and rate of return calculations
- Pro forma generation for investment planning
- Suite of 62 real estate calculators
Pricing
- One-time pricing for software packages ranges from $149.95 to $279.95.
- The Pro RE Calculator suite of 62 real estate calculators is available for a one-time fee of $79.95.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Beginner and experienced real estate investors who need detailed cash flow and rate of return calculations along with a suite of calculators
PropertyMetrics
PropertyMetrics is a web-based software solution specifically designed for commercial real estate investors. It provides an easy-to-use platform for creating, analyzing, and sharing a detailed cash flow pro forma, performing discounted cash flow analysis, and generating comprehensive reports.
Key features
- Create, analyze, and share a commercial real estate pro forma online
- Run a discounted cash flow analysis
- Generate presentation-quality PDF and Excel reports
- Compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
Pricing
- 7-day free trial
- Contact PropertyMetrics directly for monthly pricing details.
Who this tool is ideal for:
- Commercial real estate investors who seek a robust, online platform for streamlined financial analysis and professional report generation
PropertyTracker
PropertyTracker offers two online tools, Property Evaluator and Property Tracker, to streamline real estate investment management. Property Evaluator helps compare properties based on professional indicators, while Property Tracker helps monitor key financial metrics for smarter management decisions.
Key features
- Property Evaluator for professional comparison of properties
- Property Tracker for monitoring significant financial indicators
- Tools for maximizing profits and making smarter management decisions
Pricing
- Free “Baltic Ave.” Property Tracker account, with basic features for up to 10 properties
- “Marvin Gardens” Property Tracker Pro account (basic features plus unlimited property tracking, income and expense tracking, and mortgage reports) for $497 per year
- “Boardwalk” Empowered Investor Inner Circle (all features plus private community access and Property Tracker access) for $998 per year
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Real estate investors who need tools to compare properties professionally and monitor key financial indicators efficiently
Real Estate Analysis Software, LLC
Real Estate Analysis Software, LLC offers Cash Flow Analyzer Pro Software for long-term rental investors and Flipper and Rehabber Pro Software for house flippers and rehabbers. These tools simplify deciding whether to buy, sell, or keep looking for real estate investment opportunities.
Key features
- Cash Flow Analyzer Pro Software for long-term rental investors
- Flipper and Rehabber Pro Software for house flippers and rehabbers
Pricing
- Pricing ranges from $99.95 to $129.95 for a combo package.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Long-term rental investors, as well as house flippers and rehabbers, needing software solutions tailored to their unique needs
Visit Real Estate Analysis Software.
Rehab Valuator
Rehab Valuator is a comprehensive tool for rehabbers, house flippers, and wholesalers. It assists in calculating offers and analyzing deals, sharing deals with buyers, creating deal-funding presentations, and managing projects and budgets.
Key features
- Calculates critical financial metrics such as After Repair Value (ARV) and Maximum Allowable Offer (MAO)
- Helps in creating deal funding presentations
- Assists in managing projects and budgets
Pricing
- A limited free plan is available for 1 user.
- Pricing ranges from $49 to $99 per month, depending on the number of users.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Rehabbers, house flippers, and wholesalers who require a tool to calculate offers, analyze deals, and manage projects and budgets
REIPro
REIPro offers an all-in-one solution for real estate investors, featuring a real estate CRM, MLS comparable sales, a deal analyzer, a quick property information lookup, a premium phone number search, and ongoing education. The software caters to all property types, from single-family homes to large commercial properties.
Key features
- Comprehensive real estate investor CRM
- MLS comparable sales and deal analyzer
- Quick property information lookup and premium phone number search
- Ongoing educational content
Pricing
- Pricing starts at $109 per month for up to 3 users.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Real estate investors who need a complete package of tools, including CRM, deal analyzer, quick property information lookup, and ongoing education
Zilculator
Zilculator is a software solution designed for residential real estate investors. It automates property analysis by pulling data from the MLS, Zillow, and Rentometer to create professional-grade investment reports in minutes.
Key features
- Automates property analysis
- Pulls data from the MLS, Zillow, and Rentometer
- Creates professional-grade investment reports
Pricing*
- Plans range from $17 to $49 per month, with annual billing options available.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Residential real estate investors who require an automated system for property analysis and report generation
*Pricing does not reflect promotional offers.
Argus
Argus offers software solutions for a wide range of real estate professionals, including owners and investors, asset and portfolio managers, fund and investment managers, and property developers. The software aids in valuations and cash flow analysis, scenario and risk analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning.
Key features
- Valuations and cash flow analysis
- Scenario and risk analysis
- Budgeting and strategic planning
Pricing
- Contact Argus directly for pricing information.
Who is this tool ideal for?
- Diverse real estate professionals who handle complex portfolios and require robust tools for financial analysis, risk assessment, and strategic planning
*Stessa is not a bank. Stessa is a financial technology company. Terms and conditions, features and pricing are subject to change. This article, and the Stessa Blog in general, is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is not investment, tax, financial planning, financial, legal, or real estate advice.