Most Property Management Software pricing starts at
$500.00 and goes up from there - WAY UP. What you may not
realize is that over the years, you will pay many times the
original cost in 'hidden charges' with other real estate
management software. Here are some 'hidden charges' in
Property Management Software to look for:
Online Software: There
are a lot of things that are better online. Property
Management Software isn't one of them. That is the reason
the Tenant File is not an online software - it is a 'desktop
software'. By the very nature of the word, that means your
sensitive business information is sitting on 'your' desktop,
not somewhere else in the world.
Here are the top reasons
why you should buy a DESKTOP software for your Property
Management business:
#1 Security -
All of the financial information for your Owners and your
Tenants are in YOUR possession. Can you really trust
that there won't be a breech of security wherever your data
is located? Do you know where it is? At least if it is on
your computer you can insure that your precious data is in
your trust, not a stranger's. It is just too valuable
to take a chance!
#2 Down time -
Ever think about what happens when power goes out? Your
business is dead. No accounting for Tenants or Owners. At
least when you control the data, you can run on a generator.
But you can't control what happens in India or San Francisco
or wherever your data is located. When the Internet goes
down, your business is at a standstill. Could you accept
that for days or weeks?
#3 Speed -
The secret you are not told about web based software is that
is works slower than desktop software. Sometimes much
slower. Every bit of information stored has to be
transferred to what ever state or country your data is
located in, then sent back to you. It is frustrating.
#4 Cost - A 'small' monthly fee sounds
good, huh? Well, add it up. If you are paying the 'minimum'
of $50.00 per month, you are really paying $600 PER YEAR,
and you never even get to own the software! Throw in a
another 3 years and you will have paid $1800.00 for the
'use' of the software, and the rates will probably go up
after you are 'locked' into the purchase. They say you
can cancel at any time, but what happens to your data?
There are many other
reasons why your business should rely on a stable, tested,
desktop software. You valuable data is the backbone of your
business. Don't take a chance on your business with a
web-based software that has only been in business a few
years!
Updates are required purchases to receive support:
Some companies REQUIRE you to purchase all updates to
continue support. These updates can cost into the hundreds
of dollars. At Tenant File, our policy is simple - we will
notify you of all major updates, and if you pass on the new
added features, you can purchase another update later on. We
will provide free support for all users with the latest 3
updates.
Missed Updates must be purchased at full cost: If
you miss an update and decide to update your software later
on, many companies require you to separately purchase 'each'
update through the current one at full cost. With the Tenant
File, all previous updates are included at a 50% discount.
Expensive update costs: The Tenant File has never
had an update that cost more than $130.00 in it's 14 year
history. Compare that with hundreds or thousands of dollars
for others.
Technical Support costs: One of the biggest fees
you will pay with software is the tech support fees. Each
time you call with a question, be ready to pull out your
credit card before speaking with someone. Many companies
charge $1,000 plus per year or $100.00 per hour for calls!
Phone is free for 60 days, and email/fax support is free for
all users with any one of the last 3 versions.
Training Costs: Many companies require attendance
at costly seminars. We feel that if extensive 'training' is
required, the software is poorly designed and too difficult
to use. Most people need no training for the Tenant File,
however, if you would like a phone training session with a
Tenant File expert, we offer that for a nominal fee. You'll
call us at a designated time and we can even work with your
own data that you send us ahead of time. You'll receive
valuable tips and shortcuts in using the program.
Options: Many programs charge 'extra' for options
that should be part of the software in the first place, such
as check writing. We at the Tenant File have only 3 options,
which are items our users may not always need and shouldn't
have to pay for. They are the Work Order Option (creates
Work Orders for your contractors), the 1099 MISC Option
(prints on forms for your Owners and contractors), and the
Word Processor (uses the Tenant File database in a Word
Processor with pre-designed letter templates).
Networking Options: Perhaps the most expensive of
all, many Property Management Software companies add on
hundreds or thousands of dollars to use the program in an
office network environment. The Tenant File can be used by
multi-users without any additional costs. You can have
simultaneous users on different parts of the program at the
same time.
Save yourself time and
money now and in the future. Get America's Favorite Software
- the
TENANT
File!