is there a real estate research website that is better than zillow?

before buying a house what tools can i use to research real estate….anything better than zillow or similar ?

please help::: marketing tool used by real estate licensees in the process of soliciting for listi?

A marketing tool used by real estate licensees in the process of soliciting for listings that is intended to help sellers determine an asking price is known as a(n)

appraisal.

comparative market analysis.

federally related transaction.

appraisal report.

As a real estate buyer searching foreclosures on the Internet, what tools would help you on a website?

I’m a real estate agent in Sarasota, Florida setting up a new website geared towards distressed properties. What tools would you like to see on a website that would help you learn more or do more with foreclosures?

How do I deduct my hand tools for my real estate practice and client party?

Two in one question. I am a real estate broker and I manage properties. In the process I have to do repairs on certain properties and have purchased hand tools for this purchase. I don’t want to have to capitalize and all that for a 3.99 screwdriver so how do I deduct these purchases.

Part two. If I throw a client party at my house, can I write off the entire amount or is it subject to the 50% entertainment stuff.

Thanks in advance for your answer.
I have several hand tools so the screwdriver is an example. I can’t imagine I have to fill out a sect 179 deduction for each one

What are some of the best real estate tools for a new agent?

I am new to real estate and I noticed a lot of websites that offer pre-listing, expired listing, and buyers presentation systems. I have seen these kits available for 0 to 0. dollars. What is the best program to purchase for the best price?

How can I add real estate tools to my website?

I am building a website for my husbands business. www.tobarhomeloanservicesinc.com It’s a real estate site so I wanna have cool tools on it like a mortgage calculator, a tool to search for properties currently on the market, a tool to check property comps for clients to know the value of their property, a tool Check Rates both wholesale and retail, etc. I have found a couple of websites that offer the mortgage calculator and rates but they link the viewer to their website which obviously I don’t want. Don’t mind paying a reasonable price just dont know where to start. HELP

Real Estate Software 7

Affordable Real Estate Investment Software (Part VII)

Some people are old fashioned, and that term isn’t being used in a negative way. Sometimes what works, works, and when trying to reinvent the wheel results in a mash of inconsistency, nothing but new-fangled versions of the original blueprint are created, and are usually lacking. Improvements on an original model are always good, but marketing plays a big role in what is necessary and what is just fluff when it comes to real estate investment software. A smallish portion of real estate investors today still rely on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to determine their ROI, and still consider it to be a tried and true way of manually crunching numbers, creating a strong portfolio.

However, it takes someone incredibly proficient in math, exceptionally organized and someone who is extremely familiar with financial analysis models and equations to accurately piece together the correct information in accordance with an accurate prediction of an ROI possibility for real estate investing.

One software option that has ear mocks of the spreadsheet mentality but has been given a facelift is the ROI Forecaster. The ROI Forecaster has the ability to take “1,000 combinations of a given investment scenario over eight different variables simultaneously to provide you with a full understanding of the likelihood of achieving a given level of financial performance for the investment being considered.” It claims that it is easy to use despite the complicated numbers it is able to produce.

This product offered by Real Estate Informatics is called ROI forecaster. This is a software program that includes all types of investor’s needs, and is self described as a tool that will assist in making any investment easier to diffuse and dissect whether it is an “investment is a single family home, a multi-family unit, an apartment building, an industrial property or an office building.”

Most real estate investment programs say that they can offer anywhere from 5-20 year analysis of operating data (APOD), for an investor to generate an investment conclusion from. But the ROI Forecaster says that this is simply not a broad enough perspective. The ROI Forecaster offers the investor the ability to collect investment analysis data over the course of X many years, and can invariably calculate what a “lifetime” APOD may look like for an investment property. While this may or may not be of appeal to those realism investors, who take into account that the market values are too volatile to compartmentalize, may find the ROI Forecaster intriguing for its lofty self-proclaimed proclamations, if not anything else.

Another thing to consider when investing in any real estate software program is how many different types of software they offer the consumer. The reason this is important to take into consideration is that sometimes they will structure their investment software like a pyramid. Meaning that after purchase of the first “level” of software, you may find yourself forced to purchase the next “level” up, since the software you initially purchased may be limited.

Whether or not that is the case with ROI Forecaster is a matter of debate and can only be determined by research and or user testimonials. What isn’t of debate is that they do break down their software into “levels” and that can be a cautionary sign that their programs may or may not be “all-inclusive”. The pricing for the ROI Forecaster breaks down as follow: Advanced Risk Analysis, $229.95, Professional Edition, $179.95, Standard Edition, $129.95.

Real Estate Software 6

Affordable Real Estate Investment Software (Part VI)

Comparing and contrasting various real estate investment software programs will help you decide what program is the best deal for your money. The market is saturated with various programs all promising virtually the same things. However, beside the necessary equation and presentational data that all investors need to accurately calculate an investment strategy and to appear professional to clients, there are other options to consider.

For starters, the price isn’t the only instigator between a good investment software program and a mediocre one. When it comes to rental software, the content of the software, its user friendliness and the design precision to meet the individual needs of the investor all need to be considerably weighed before the purchase.

For instance, let’s take a look at Rentalsoftware.com, and what they offer in the realm of investment software. First, let’s focus on one of their most popular investment software programs the Landlord’s Cash Flow Analyzer. First of all, depending upon whether you hope to be in rehabbing, wholesaling, commercial or residential real estate with most real estate investment software you have to decide what is most important for your business to progress. Accuracy in investment estimations is a must, no matter what type of investments you are going to pursue, however this isn’t necessary for the Landlord’s Cash Flow Analyzer and here’s why.

One of the best features of the Landlord’s Cash Flow Analyzer software program is that it doesn’t cater to one type of investor over another. Some software programs only offer specific investment software for residential, commercial, rental etc, separately. This type of marketing will, in the end, drain more money from you, unless you know you will never have a need for a combination of investment strategies.

The Landlord’s Cash Flow Analyzer boasts the following features: Presentational reports, analysis of 1-1000 rental unites per property (20 year analysis), property value determination, rent determination, vacancy rates annually, what-if calculations, management fee option, cash flow forecasting, evaluate ROR, COC, IRR and MIRR, Currency Conversion, refinancing, annual hold or sell decision assistance, alternative investment comparison, calculate all of the important financial ratios (debt coverage ratio, debt to equity ratio, gross rent multiplier monthly and annually, net operating income, net presents value, debt service ratio, capitalization rates, loan to value ration, etc.)

Usually, that isn’t the case and an affordable all-inclusive software program is a cheaper way to go. Also it is compatible with a PC and some Mac’s however, it isn’t compatible with the “latest” Mac, as they refer to it. So since it isn’t compatible with VBA code, be sure that your Mac computer is able to translate VBA code before purchase or it will just be money down the drain.

The price for this program is $79.95. They also offer other software program’s that specifically meet the needs of “flippers” and “rehabbers”, that program runs for $149.90 and is called Flipper’s and Rehabber’s Software. There are multiple packages where you can mix and match materials. Their cash flow analysis book ($115) can be bought in a package, as well as they offer an E-Guide to their programs.

Real Estate Software 5

Affordable Real Estate Investment Software (Part V)

Real Data is another option for Real Estate Investment Software. They have a particular software program called Real Estate Investment Analysis (REIA), which they self-described as being “A product line (that) produces comprehensive projections of income, expenses, resale, taxes and rates of return for income-producing real estate. Use REIA to create compelling presentations for clients, partners and lenders. Automatically calculates all key investment measures including IRR, MIRR, cash-on-cash, and more.” There are 4 different editions.

The first edition listed is the Standard. This is a software tool that can be used by both the residential and commercial investor. So if you are planning to split your time between two different types of investment properties this may be a good option for you. It has up to 20-year “after-tax” analysis and runs for $495.

The next option if the International edition. This is for those buying properties outside of the United States that may need to switch currencies on normal basis and it offers an easy data field in which you can switch to metric measurement. It also includes Canadian semi-annual interest calculation. This runs for $397.

Another tool is the Lite edition, this is for those that don’t need to use the Standard edition for the commercial real estate investing feature and are just planning on focusing on residential investments. It offers a 10-year before and after tax analysis, as opposed to the 20-year calculation offered in the Standard edition. This program costs $295.

The last software program that they offer through the REIA is the Ultra-Lite. Advertised as quick and easy, this is a 10-year pre tax analysis program that will help a novice investor and first time residential property owners begin to formulate an accurate concept of what t investing in real estate really calculates out to be. It is the cheapest option at $99 dollars and is offered as eligible for an upgrade to more intensive programs as your education of real estate investing continues.

Another nice advantage to using Real Data as your software provider is that if you use a Mac, Real Data offers a Macintosh version of their Real Estate Investment Analysis program. It also offers a unique program that caters to those investors that are interested in evaluating what a section 1031 tax-deferred exchange can offer. This can accommodate as many as four investors at once and assist those that wish to use the typical, “three-legged” exchange. This is priced at $195.

Real Data Software also offers “bundles”, which enables an investor to choose a software program and take an e-course, or to customize their own program package to best suit their needs. The savings can be as much as $592 dollars, depending on how many programs you bundle together.

Here is one testimonial of Real Data, “Several years ago I reviewed a number of financial analysis programs in an attempt to find one with the flexibility to do a simple analysis quickly, yet perform a complete analysis that was suitable for presentation to a client. As a result of my review I purchased REIA 9. Over the years I have upgraded to REIA 11 and am currently using REIA 12. It is with pleasure that I can report that your program is even more flexible than when I first started using it. Not only has it been an extremely useful tool for me but produces a complete analysis report that is requested by clients and lending institutions alike.”

Real Estate Software 4

Affordable Real Estate Investment Software (Part IV)

Real estate investing is a complicated layering of multiple processes that includes estimating, evaluating, applying and reaping. With volatile market potential, and the fickleness of the unsteady climate of the housing market, the success of an investment can be boiled down to the investors ability to properly estimate the most low risk investment possible with the highest rate of return. Real estate investing is a numbers game, and because of this, contains numerous elements of chance and timing that can affect the outcome of an investment.

However, there are certain numbers to “crunch” that will aid you in making a better informed investment choice. The math involved in real estate investing, ranges from basic fractions, average and ratio equations to formulaic financial models and highly complicated return scenarios. Whether you are a math whiz or not, this imperative data can be easily accessed through one of the numerous real estate investment software programs there are out there.

The closer you can get to an accurate estimate of an investment cost and return, the better. Alleviating some common concerns, especially for those first time real estate investment buyers, by doing some research and plugging in the right numbers will be extremely beneficial in developing sound investment strategies.

The affordability of a software program should always be of concern for an investor, since everything he purchases towards developing his portfolio will affect his bottom-line and if an investor can get a premiere product for less, that only helps the return on the investment in the long run. One software program called Advantage Software is advertised at $97.95. The popular product that they sell, which they say is helpful for all types of investors, is called Target 3.01.

The Advantage Target 3.01 program is only downloadable for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Vista, so be doubly sure that your computer is compatible with this format before purchasing it. This product specializes in the following sales data analysis information: Cash Flow, after-tax Sales Proceeds, after-tax Future Wealth, after-tax COC Return, after-tax IRR and after-tax MIRR. This is a helpful tool, since income tax can has a large involvement in the determination of your bottom-line.

One testimonial from their site says this, “Your software is fantastic! I have been using it for about 4 years now, for all my real estate investment decisions. You have saved me hundreds of thousands of dollars! Thank you so much.” Remember, one important thing to consider when looking into investing in any real estate investment software is to ask around.

If you have a mentor, or a well-known real estate investor in or around your circle of influence that can point you in the direction of a software program that they would consider worthwhile, that is always a good reference to go by. Also, be sure that whatever your specific needs may be for using investment software is of supreme concern in whatever program you choose. Most of the software programs out there contain a lot of analysis options, but a lot of them may not be applicable to your needs.

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