I need software to manage/track leads. Any suggestions/recommendations?

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I need software to manage/track leads. Any suggestions/recommendations?

Frank McGovern
Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2009 · 97 posts · 31 votes

I am looking for something cheap or free that a "guru" isnt trying to upsell me on. I need it to input property addresses, the stage where the lead is at (needs research, owner not selling, send mail (if needed) etc. I would appreciate any and all recommendations. If you are recommending something, please let me know cost, what you like/dislike about it etc. Thanks in advance!!!

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James Vermillion
Lexington, KY · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y

Frank, it still sounds like excel can do what you want. You can sort and filter information, use formulas, etc. Even better, you can customize it to do almost anything you want if you know how. If you are a little more specific about what you need it to do I could maybe make a better recommendation.

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  • Jerry PuckettPro Member
    Wholesaler · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Hi Frank,
    I haven't actually used this because my website has a back office with an incredible data base, but I've looked pretty closely at it and it looks interesting.

    http://www.strugglinginvestor.com/free-rei-lead-management-software/

    I'm not affiliated with "the struggling investor" but I do enjoy his blog from time to time. The software is free, and is supported.

    If you have any skill with Excel or Access, you should be able to customize your own data base.

    0Reply
  • Frank McGovern
    OP
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2009 · 97 posts · 31 votes
    15y

    Thanks a lot Jerry!!! Will look into that and see if it works for what I need

    1Reply
  • James Vermillion
    Lexington, KY · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Frank,

    It seems to me you could very easily create an excel file that can do exactly what you are looking for. I find that simpler is often better.

    1Reply
  • Frank McGovern
    OP
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2009 · 97 posts · 31 votes
    15y

    I currently use google docs but Im really looking for something that can filter for specific types of leads, where im at in the lead process (if I need to research it, follow up at specific time, had contact but not selling, etc). This would save me time and time is money.

    1Reply
  • Chris Colvard
    Wholesaler · Dallas, TX · Member since 2009 · 308 posts · 92 votes
    15y

    Hi:

    I talked to Scott at strugglinginvestor.com and he is almost finished with the next version of free lead software.

    0Reply
  • Linda B.
    Investor · West Hartford, Meriden, Milford, CT · Member since 2009 · 77 posts · 3 votes
    15y

    @Frank - Couldn't you simply sort the Google Doc spreadsheet according to the types of information you're trying to grab? I'm a big fan of Google Docs.

    0Reply
  • James Vermillion
    Lexington, KY · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Frank, it still sounds like excel can do what you want. You can sort and filter information, use formulas, etc. Even better, you can customize it to do almost anything you want if you know how. If you are a little more specific about what you need it to do I could maybe make a better recommendation.

    2Reply
  • Frank McGovern
    OP
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2009 · 97 posts · 31 votes
    15y

    @david-I can do that but it will be a lot more time consuming. Just trying to find something that will save me more time.

    @james-I have primarily been getting leads by "driving for dollars". I drive and get the address, then research the properties to get contact info on the owners. I have about 500 properties now im working (and that number is growing). I want to be able to sort and break down each property so it can be search specific. Of the 500 properties, they are in 5-6 different areas (would like to be able to filter by zip/neighborhood). Some properties are govt. owned, some I have researched but cant find a # for the owner (if I cant find owners #, would like to categorize it by researched-no info found-send mail), some I find a good# (or should I say I feel confident its a good#) but havent had contact with owner, some I find # and have contact and owner doesnt want to sell now. Some I find relative #, who say they will give owner message. THese are just some of the situations (or whatever you may call it) and I want to be able to filter for each. On top of this, I plan on amping up my marketing (bandit signs, mailers, etc) and would like to categorize and filter for this as well. Hope that helps explain what im looking for. THanks for any advice/input you can give

    1Reply
  • James Vermillion
    Lexington, KY · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Frank McGovern:
    @david-I can do that but it will be a lot more time consuming. Just trying to find something that will save me more time.

    @james-I have primarily been getting leads by "driving for dollars". I drive and get the address, then research the properties to get contact info on the owners. I have about 500 properties now im working (and that number is growing). I want to be able to sort and break down each property so it can be search specific. Of the 500 properties, they are in 5-6 different areas (would like to be able to filter by zip/neighborhood). Some properties are govt. owned, some I have researched but cant find a # for the owner (if I cant find owners #, would like to categorize it by researched-no info found-send mail), some I find a good# (or should I say I feel confident its a good#) but havent had contact with owner, some I find # and have contact and owner doesnt want to sell now. Some I find relative #, who say they will give owner message. THese are just some of the situations (or whatever you may call it) and I want to be able to filter for each. On top of this, I plan on amping up my marketing (bandit signs, mailers, etc) and would like to categorize and filter for this as well. Hope that helps explain what im looking for. THanks for any advice/input you can give

    Frank, Thanks for explaining a little bit more about what you are doing. I am definitely not the excel expert, as I have seen some of the products put on BP, however I still see excel as being a very good method to do just what you are looking for. Perhaps you can find someone who can help you customize a spreadsheet for your use.

    If not excel, and access database is a very powerful too...although I am not very experienced with excel.

    0Reply
  • Jerry PuckettPro Member
    Wholesaler · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Frank, you really could take care of this handily with Excel. Your table will need a header for each parameter, and it sounds like you could use a drop down list for a number of them. Or you could use a different page for each type of lead... It could be as simple or as complex as you want.

    But easier still (for that many records) would be an Access data base. You can pick up the software from 50 to 100 bucks. You could devise 3 or 4 tables with the info you want, and then it would become searchable.

    Me, I don't keep so many. When a lead is dead, I drop it and move to the next. Incoming leads get an A, B, or C rating, worked in that order, Outgoing leads go into A+, Follow Up, Farm Out, or Dead Dead Dead.

    2Reply
  • Jackie Pyle
    Real Estate Investor · Rockaway Beach, MO · Member since 2008 · 29 posts · 8 votes
    15y

    Great thread guys! Frank if you are bent on something that will do what you want call your local college and see if a student can build you something in Access. It won't cost much and you will get a custom program that will do what your looking for. IMO anything worth having is worth paying for (even if it's a little).

    0Reply
  • Jerry PuckettPro Member
    Wholesaler · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Not too savvy with excel? Ever hear of a site called Fiverr? People post jobs they will do for $5 I looked around and saw this:

    "mrmagick93 mrmagick93: I will create, edit or fix your MS Excel Spreadsheet for $5

    Have a messed up Excel spreadsheet? Need to create a spreadsheet or get one edited? Excel Guru with 10 years experience using Microsoft Excel Can Help. "

    Here's the link: http://fiverr.com/users/mrmagick93/gigs/create-edit-or-fix-your-ms-excel-spreadsheet?ref=glst-g-ttl

    He get's good reviews...5 bucks cheap enough?

    (BTW I am in no way affiliated with Fiverr or mrmagick93)

    0Reply
  • Frank McGovern
    OP
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2009 · 97 posts · 31 votes
    15y

    @jerry-Im not too computer savvy so doing it on excel or access would be difficult for me personally. I have actually got cash buyer lists off of fiverr so I will def look into that. Great idea.
    @jackie-Thanks!!!! I will look into that if I cant get someone to do it on fiverr

    0Reply
  • Jerry PuckettPro Member
    Wholesaler · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Hey Frank, I just tripped over this today....can't believed I missed it. And from BP's own Danny Johnson.

    http://www.flippingjunkie.com/free-real-estate-investing-lead-manager-software/

    Free stuff.....

    2Reply
  • Frank McGovern
    OP
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2009 · 97 posts · 31 votes
    15y

    @Jerry-Thanks a lot!!! I think you solved my problem!!! Really appreciate the help

    0Reply
  • Jerry PuckettPro Member
    Wholesaler · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    That's what we're here for...

    0Reply
  • Chris Oshea
    Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 46 posts · 8 votes
    15y

    zoho.com CRM for free, gets my vote!

    0Reply
  • Jason Robinett
    Real Estate Investor · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2011 · 18 posts · 1 vote
    15y

    Another vote for excel! Create headings for the information you need to sort by and subfolders such as "leads" "followup" "under contract". Good luck!

    0Reply
  • Mike Currie
    Real Estate Investor · Columbia, MD · Member since 2011 · 24 posts · 2 votes
    15y

    Excel and Google Docs is all you need. Trust me, dont waste your money on expensive software

    0Reply
  • Donovan R.
    Real Estate Investor · Columbia, SC · Member since 2010 · 59 posts · 23 votes
    15y

    I agree with Excel and Google.

    However this is free and well organized -
    http://www.flippingjunkie.com/realestateanalysis

    I still use my spreadsheets though.

    1Reply
  • Frank McGovern
    OP
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2009 · 97 posts · 31 votes
    15y

    Thanks everyone!!!! I decided to just use google docs and that has been working well for me

    0Reply
  • Terry Royce
    Real Estate Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 619 posts · 75 votes
    15y

    I didnt read the whole thread, but once you start getting ALOT of leads google docs becomes cumbersome in my opinion.

    I keep signing up for salesforce trials under various email accounts. Their customer service is the main reason i will prob end up going with them.

    They are pretty responsive.

    0Reply
  • Scott Costello
    Wholesaler · Whippany, NJ · Member since 2009 · 412 posts · 183 votes
    15y

    Hey Frank. I agree Excel or access is a good way to go. My SI Lead Manager is based on an access database as of right now. I am working hard to get the next version out because it's so much better then the last beta. I offer it free of charge to anyone who wants to use it. I will warn that it is currently in beta so there may be some bugs. Also things may change drastically from one beta to the next. The one I'm working on now is a BIG change.

    Not tooting my own horn, but the software saves me TONS of time when searching for leads old leads when someone calls and also organizing everything.

    Just think how slow excel will go when you have over 10,000 leads in your sheet.

    If you have any questions feel free to send me a message anytime.

    1Reply
  • Chris ClothierBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · memphis, TN · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    15y

    Frank -

    When I first started I used a program called Mypropfolio.com and it worked very well for what I wanted. It was a total CRM and even allowed or tracking of the properties and the stages they were in during rehab.

    It was not free, but was inexpensive. I am now implementing Salesforce.com because we are getting about 350 leads a month, but that is too expensive for just starting out.

    I would atleast check out mypropfolio and see if it matches your needs.

    Good luck

    Chris

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    0Reply
  • Dan Schemerhorn
    Real Estate Investor · Elmira, NY · Member since 2011 · 51 posts · 5 votes
    15y

    You can also take the Excel to the next level by using Pivot Tables. Sounds hard but I could teach anyone that in 15 min. for FREE..

    Dan Schemerhorn

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