Greeting from Ipswich, Mass. My name is Kevin.I just got my salesperson license. I'm a newbie in real estate.
What is your PIM (Personal Information Manager)/Contact software preference? If you use the contact software on a handheld, what is your handheld device?

I have just learned of a nice software/handheld solution called Pathfinder. It is remote mls accessing. This is in the Boston area. I don't know if it is available nationwide.
Best wishes to you. Keep in touch, Kevin

I use Outlook (not express) and although it doesn't handle the MLS info, it is usefull since you can sync with handhelds... You just need to keep it updated. That is the hard part. I used GoldMine for a while but it got real complicated so i went to Outlook.
www.suehead.com

Great, Suehead! Nice to hear from you. If I come across anything else possibly useful to us, I'll let you know. Best wishes, Kevin

I used to use Outlook ... it works fine I guess. It really depends on what you want to get out of it.

I would recommend that if you are new now's the best time to truly do it right. I just started about 8 months ago and went with Agent Office. It's offline and is Real Estate Specific. Very important in my mind. It manages people (agents, contacts, etc), it also manages properties (very important) you can arrange and track who showed your property, it reminds you to follow up with the agents and makes it simple as their name and number shows up when it's time to call them (of course you have to input it and use it)

That's the most important thing ... the best contact management system is the one that you use. If you're new ... why not use one that's specific to our industry and still syncs with the handhelds.

www.Wiseagent.com

monthly subscription service, but i LOVE it. real estate specific password protected complete contact management system along with forms, property tracking, referal management.. you name it and this solution has it.

I have been using outlook with good results. I had used ACT when I was in the mortgage business, I liked that better, because I could customize it fairly quickly. I heard recently that ACT is comming out with a custom program for Real Estate. Has anyone heard anything?

James


www.firstyearinrealestate.com
www.jameskaleda.com
www.jamessells.com
www.eastonparealestate.com
www.EastonPAHomes.com
www.westeaston.com

If you like Outlook, the 2003 version is actually quite customizable for real estate. For an example of custom fields creation and a link to the Microsoft help for that purpose check this link.

Although not certified by Sage Software, I've performed a number of installations for ACT!

http://www.act.com/Home/index.cfm

Those that take the time to learn the capabilities and use it fully integrated as a CRM tool seem to be very happy with the product.

One caveat, networking ACT! is a chore for the first-timer.

My vote is also for Outlook 2003. We use it to track all of our foreclosure leads, and we've done extensive modification through add-ins and scripting.

Every day, new foreclosure leads get put into Outlook as new contacts. I then use a custom add-in to validate all the addresses, and print out all my envelopes and personalized marketing letters with the click of a button.

It's flexible and powerful. We've actually toyed with the idea of turning this into a product. If there is any interest in helping to design it (features, look-n-feel, etc.), let me know.