May 8, 2024
Last Updated
One thing that can drive just about anyone mad is getting mixed signals. Have you ever been online shopping, only to read one review that raves about a product, while another one says it’s a waste of money? I’ve seen it time and time again, but when I discovered this software, I had to make an Appfolio review that was detailed and honest.
If you own property or are a landlord, having property management software can save you so much time, money, and energy. Your workload will decrease significantly and you’ll likely be more organized.
Appfolio is one of the best property management software available right now and I want to share my experience to hopefully make your life a bit easier. Let’s jump into it!
[box]However, why pay for software when you try QuickLease Pro, which is completely free? Check out our detailed review on QLP.[/box]
A Table Of Contents For Appfolio Reviews?
Appfolio Reviewed
Instead of searching online and reading through a bunch of Appfolio reviews that will leave you confused about whether or not you should use it, I thought I’d create an in-depth look into the software for you.
After my review, you’ll see an honest pros and cons list to help you decide if this is the best software for you and your properties. Let’s talk a bit more about what exactly Appfolio does!
One of the best things about Appfolio is how mobile friendly it is. If you’re someone who works from their phone a lot, you’ll get a lot of use out of it.
There are two apps for this software and both of them run really smooth. One app is specifically for property management, while the others is a portal that landlords, tenants, and maintenance employees can use.
Speaking of Appfolio’s impressive mobile functionality, you’ll be able to upload photos and videos from your device to the software. You’ll also be able to easily take notes using a voice-to-text format. Both of these features will come in handy when you’re performing inspections.
After you upload photos or voice memos, you’ll have the information you need, right at your fingertips. This saves you from having to upload the photos or type up notes after the inspection.
Something that can be intimidating when using a new software is learning how it works. One great thing about Appfolio is their customer service. If you’re having any issues with the software, they’ll help you troubleshoot the issue.
This saves you time and keeps you from taking on any extra stress. Their customer service staff are patient and friendly. They’ll guide you through any questions or problems you’re having and can be contacted at any time!
Along with fantastic customer service, there are plenty of other amazing features you’ll get with the software. Appfolio can help you organize your payments, including paying any vendors you may have or allow tenants to pay their rent online. Tenants will also love the ability to send in any maintenance requests they may have and the tenant and you will be able to track the progress right from the portal.
Something I like a lot about this software is its ability to keep reports and important documents organized and filed. There are plenty of free templates that come with Appfolio, such as tenant applications or leasing agreements.
On the marketing end of things, this software will list any vacancies you have across the most popular sites online. Potential renters will be able to fill out their information online, letting you know that they’re interested in an apartment showing, and Appfolio will send their information right to you.
Appfolio has a lot of similarities to other popular property management software available, but it offers a lot more options, especially when it comes to payments. I talk in detail in the buyer’s guide about the cost and pricing that Appfolio has and what sets it apart from those other software options.
Of course, this software isn’t perfect. With my experience using Appfolio, I only found two negatives. This software isn’t the cheapest option available and there isn’t a free trial to give it a test run, but those things don’t have to hold you back from giving Appfolio a try!
Even though there isn’t a free trial like most other software options offer, there is a free demo. To take part in a free demo, you simply reach out to their customer service team to schedule taking a look at this during a time that works for you. The demo does take quite a bit of time, but you can read all about that in the buyer’s guide below.
I also want to talk a bit about the price of Appfolio. Unlike many other property management software options there is an initial onboarding fee, and it’s not cheap. In addition to that one time fee, there is a minimum base cost of over $200 a month.
When you break down the cost per unit, Appfolio is actually a lot cheaper than competitor software. I feel like this software is best used for people with several units or a lot of properties they’re renting out. If this is you, you’ll like save a lot by using Appfolio, but if you’re just renting out a house or two, you might be losing money using this software.
Below I included a broken down version of everything above to give you an easy digested pros and cons list of my Appfolio review. This is a good section to take notes on and compare it to other property management software you may be considering.
Pros
- Friendly and helpful customer service
- A lot of great features that include accounting and marketing
- Easy to use
- Functions great on mobile
- A wide variety of plan options
Cons
- A one time onboarding fee that could be expensive to some
- Monthly minimum of at least $250
- No free trial period – but there is a free demo!
So, is Appfolio the best software for property management for you? If you find yourself using your phone a lot to complete and keep track of all your daily tasks, you will get a lot of use out of the software. You may think it’s expensive, but if you have a lot of units and want to decrease your workload while actually becoming more organized, it’ll be worth it.
Analysis Of Appfolio
Appfolio has a lot of great features that make property managers flock to the software. I wanted to share with you what I think are the best features about this software and why it’s better than the other ones available.
It’s Easy To Use
You read a bit about how easy this software is to use in the review. Having software that is easy to learn will save you so much time and energy. You’ll be able to focus on your business instead of trying to memorize how to use software.
Thankfully, Appfolio makes it simple, even for people with little to no experience with technology. Not only is it easy to learn, but it’s a quick and simple set up as well. Once you know how to use Appfolio, you’ll be able to manage the software with ease!
Technology Based
When looking for a quality property management software, you want something that has a technology infrastructure that’s no match to competitors. This software was built using the best resources, upgraded technology, and one of the greatest engineering teams out there.
They spent their energy and time in the software, so you don’t have to. You’ll be able to focus on more important tasks because the software is thorough and capable enough to take a load off your back! Who doesn’t want that?
You’ll Save Money
If there’s one thing property management and landlords know, it’s that everything costs money. With this software, you’ll end up saving plenty of green. For starters, the software will cut down on the amount of manual hours needed to be worked. If you have a lot of staff, this will save you quite a bit.
Appfolio will be able to tackle marketing tasks, maintenance requests, and organize any reports. With software like this, you also won’t need to hire an accountant, since it does the accounting for you!
[box]Yes, can you save a lot of money using Appfolio, but you’ll end up saving even more with QuickLease Pro, which is completely free! Yes, you read that right! Free.[/box]
Information In The Cloud
I mentioned in my review above that Appfolio uses the Cloud. This is a great feature because you won’t need to have bulky hardware, a bunch of software discs or expensive servers. All of those things cost money, take up space, and require consistent updating.
Having software use the Cloud saves you from all of that drama! You and your entire team will be able to work on any device, anywhere in the world with Appfolio. This is incredibly handy for those property owners that aren’t physically on the property that often or if you have multiple properties.
Cost
Though Appfolio doesn’t have a free trial like other property management software available, it does come with a free demo and easy-to-understand pricing models. There are four different price points, depending on what type of property you have.
Appfolio works well with student housing, commercial properties, residential units, and community associations. The starting prices are based on single units, and you must have a monthly minimum that adds up to $250.
After you pay the onboarding fee and download the software, you will be updated and notified if anything changes with the prices or fees associated with your account.
Constantly Up-To-Date
To keep up with the always changing housing market, you want to make sure you choose software that is constantly updated. Potential tenants are always changing, so you have to keep up with what’s required of a property management team.
The software takes the majority of that burden off you. Appfolio is modern and uses tactics like online portals and text messaging that tenants have access to. This will help your renters know when rent is due, when their lease is about to be up or help you if you need to evict a non-paying tenant. Once again, this saves you time and energy!
Security And Trust
When you’re using a software for your business, it’s absolutely crucial that it’s secure. There will be information stored that is confidential and must be kept private. The engineers behind Appfolio designed it so that it has bank-grade security.
All sensitive information you have on the software like tax data or account numbers are safely encrypted. Picture the software having a big, beefy security guard 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
When it comes to trust, Appfolio focuses on customer retention instead of just selling a product. They know that if they have high-quality software, they can focus more on the customers and what they have to say.
There is 24/7 customer support, training, and upgrades available when you purchase Appfolio. They want you to know that no matter what question or concern you may have about the software, they are there to help.
Tenant Screening Is A Breeze
One of the most time consuming tasks as a landlord or property manager is tackling anything to do with prospective tenants. Property management software helps with not only marketing your vacant units online but screening potential renters too!
It will save you time from completing background or credit checks, as the software does this for you. You’ll also have the option of allowing people to put in their information and upload any important documents like pay stubs or proof of employment.
You’ll be able to keep an organized list of people that pass your tenant requirements on Appfolio. After you have that list, you’ll be able to easily schedule showings and print out any agreements or leases for the renters to look over and fill out!
The Software Is Durable
When you invest in a software like Appfolio, you want to make sure you’re getting your monies worth. This software is long lasting and the company is focused on the future. The company has only been around since 2015 and has already managed to create massively successful software that property managers have been using since it was first released.
If you plan on growing your business, buying more properties or expanding on a building you already do have, Appfolio is there for your long term success and will help your business grow!
The Creators Are Experienced
By now you’ve heard me ramble on about how great the creators of this software are and it’s because they’ve built a successful company that made a great software that has made my life so much easier.
They’ve already made two other web-based collaboration solutions that were so successful that they won awards. They were rated one of the top ten cloud companies to work for and Appfolio itself won an award for innovation!
Where To Buy AppFolio
If Appfolio sounds like property management software you’d be interested in using, there are a handful of places where you can get it. I suggest before you spend any money, sign up for a free demo.
The demo often takes between one to two hours to go through in its entirety so it’s best to do it on a day when you have a bit of free time. A customer service employee will call you to schedule a time to look at the demo and go through it to show you the ropes.
If after the demo you’re interested in purchasing Appfolio, you can do so from the website here, or there are two mobile apps available on the App store for your mobile device. For the property management app for iOS, click here and there is also an online portal app for iOS.
For people that use Android devices, you can find both of those apps available to you as well. There is an online portal app, along with the property management app via the Google Play Store.
[box]The fact is that while this software is great, the cost can add up quickly if you have lots of units. QuickLease Pro is free and may be the better option. We even have an in-depth review if you are interested. Go on; check it out![/box]
Final Words
You and I both know how much work it takes to be a landlord or own property. You’re responsible for just about everything that needs to get done. One person can only do so much and that’s why having property management software like Appfolio is so important.
You’ve read in great detail everything that this software is capable of doing. It’s now time for you to make the decision if it’s right for you and your business. If you want to spend less time writing up records, listing vacancies online, or keeping up with maintenance requests, it’s the best way to go.
You’ll have more free time to focus on things you enjoy and may even get to know your tenants a bit better! Whether you’re just trying to get more organized or you need to take a load off, Appfolio is wonderful software that can help with both of those things, along with many others!