BEST APP/SOFTWARE FOR SHOWINGS

Winner: Showing Suite; Google Docs/Calendar

SHOWING SUITE

PROS: A cloud-based productivity program, Showing Suite is designed to automate the components of the buying and selling process by collecting feedback from potential buyers and agents and organizes them into a dashboard. It’s easy to use and can control and manage lockbox on properties. The app is both iPhone and Android friendly.

CONS: Showing Suite has an unorthodox pricing structure that agents should consider. It follows the typical formula of higher prices for more features, but it also offers a “pay as you go” plan that charges $19.99 a listing. Choose wisely, and consider how often you will use the program while deciding which plan will work for you.

PRICE: Prices start at $9.95, and you can sign up for a free trial on its website.

WHERE TO BUY: www.showingsuite.com/pricing

GOOGLE DOCUMENTS

PROS: Google has increased in popularity, because there are so many easy ways to share, organize and collaborate on documents. Hegedus-Garcia uses Google docs and Google calendars to organize her schedule, and says it is very helpful. She can easily import events to her calendar; send reminders to clients or co-workers and can quickly upload any document on her computer. Everything she types is “saved” every couple of minutes, and is accessible from any computer.

CONS: Google docs are great for organizing files, however there is no way to organize things by folders. The only option is to categorize files by “tagging” them, which doesn’t seem as clean as folders. And you can’t tag a document the same time you write and save it – it’s a whole separate process, which seems a little more complicated than necessary.

PRICE: Free for up to 10 users; $5 per month for an extension

ADDRESS: www.docs.google.com