We know that real estate agents strive to offer the best service to their clients in any real estate transaction. Whether your clients are selling their home and/or buying a new one, there are numerous apps that can be handy in almost any situation. Here is the list of the 10 best real estate apps to help you, the Realtor®, stay organized and also ensure your clients have the best transaction possible.

Click the app icons below to download!

Homesnap
This app allows you to take photos of any home in order to capture special details about each home someone is considering buying. Once you take a snapshot of a particular house, the app will display home value estimates, interior photos, number of beds and baths, taxes, related schools, school ratings, and more. You’re also able to search for open houses by date. For real estate agents, Homesnap helps you keep track of the homes you’ve discussed with buyers all in one place. It also organizes all of your listings on one page.

ShowingTime
This app helps real estate agents schedule and manage their showings and provide feedback on properties. You can search for listings by specific locations, share listing activity with your clients, alert the sellers once the showing is completed, and you can sync these appointments with your personal calendar. ShowingTime also has an offline mode, so you are still able to access important information. The app’s description states that ShowingTime products (available via the app) are used in more than 250 MLS’s across North America, representing more than 750,000 members.

Real Estate Dictionary
This app is especially helpful for newer agents who are not familiar with real estate jargon. Even for seasoned realtors, the Real Estate Dictionary can be helpful when you’re on the go and need to explain a term or process with your clients. Learn about all aspects of the real estate industry, including commercial, residential, and industrial developments, risk analysis, investments, finance, market analysis, law, and more. You can even quiz yourself on your real estate knowledge.

Panorama 360
This app allows you to take high quality panoramic images and share them on social media. This can be useful while showing houses and you send them to your buyers. Or sharing photos of your listing on MLS, social media, email, etc. looking for a potential buyer.

Sherwin Williams, ColorSnap® Visualizer
With this app’s “Paint a Scene” feature, you can literally try a different paint color on any wall to get a vision of what it would look like. The app’s description says, “You can use augmented reality or a photo of your space, tapping the wall to change its color instantly.” Help your clients stay organized and figure out exactly what they’re looking for in their home with the Sherwin Williams app.

Dropbox
Just like the desktop version of Dropbox, the app allows you to access your files in a protected environment. You can also share your folders with others, use the document scanner to turn notes and receipts into PDFs, and you can sync and edit your files with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Houzz
Ready for some DIY projects? The Houzz app helps you improve and design the interior and exterior of your home. Houzz has you covered, whether you are building, remodeling, or decorating. Look through millions of photos to find inspiration. You can also save photos and share with others.

Houzz has millions of products available to purchase as well, such as furniture, cabinets, lighting, tiles, etc. You can discuss projects with other users, share ideas, and give each other feedback all through the app.

SlyDial
Skip the lengthy conversation and get sent directly to someone’s voicemail when you use the SlyDial app. This is especially helpful for when you are short on time, but need to get important information to your client, lender, or title office. The app takes you straight to their voicemail to leave a message. It also has a group messaging feature, which allows you to send a voicemail to up to ten people at once.

MileIQ
This app automatically tracks when you’re driving and logs your business miles. This saves you time as you no longer have to physically jot down each mile you drove showing houses or running errands for a client. Simply swipe left for personal trips and swipe right for business trips. You can run a report at the end of the year, allowing you to be prepared for tax season. The free version allows 40 drives per month and you can choose to upgrade to have unlimited logged drives.

FirstInAgent ONE
First International Title’s newly updated real estate app helps you with on-the-spot questions from clients, such as “How much will I need to bring to closing?” or “Should I continue renting or can I afford to buy a house?” Closing costs estimates, Rent vs. Buy, Net Sheets, marketing flyers, photo filters, and so much more that you can share on social media, or text and email directly to your clients. It’s real estate in the palm of your hand! Download it for free or pay $1 per month for the premium version.

All apps are available on Google Play for Android download.

Questions? Comments? Reach out to your First International Title Sales Executive today!

For real estate agents, there are countless programs and charities available nationwide for you to give back to your communities. If you’re looking for a more local program, Lead the Way Home Savings, founded by Jeff Parkerson, gives back to the people who serve their communities on a daily basis.

After settling down in Texas with his family, Parkerson began searching for ways to give back to his community. As a former Marine, police officer, and air marshal, among other positions, Parkerson decided this was something he needed to do.

“I looked at some other programs,” Parkerson said. “But I wanted to do something a little differently.”

So, in 2015, Parkerson started Lead the Way – Home Savings Program. His program offers qualified applicants 25 percent of the realtors’ commission on real estate sales. Those eligible are active military, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, professors, doctors, nurses, ministers, and all supporting personnel.

One important factor Parkerson noticed about other programs similar to Lead the Way was they did not include supporting personnel or ministry. For example, police dispatchers and admin personnel did not qualify. He wanted to be different. Lead the Ways Home Savings not only includes all folks who serve their communities with the above careers, but their entire supporting staff as well. 

“These people behind the scenes are very crucial,” Parkerson said. “Even though they don’t qualify for those other programs, I felt that they deserve it.”

He said the program has evolved a lot since its inception. At first, he was the sole realtor offering Lead the Way and it was a local program, serving the Dallas, Houston, and Austin areas. Now, he works with realtors nationwide that also have a passion for service. Additionally, many mortgage and title companies have joined the network of Lead the Way to offer even more benefits.

“We started working with agents outside of our area,” Parkerson said. “We’ve had great success but we’re still getting the word out.”

Any real estate agent from any brokerage is able to take part in Lead the Way. Parkerson’s goal for the program is to have agents, nationwide, that are ethical, and passionate about serving – no matter which brokerages they work for.

Parkerson also hosts a radio show called “Lead the Way Radio,” at KVGI Studios in Frisco, Texas. The show airs nationwide and is broadcasted live every other Thursday from 1-2pm CST and he said it’s not focused only on real estate, but that it’s just another way to focus on people giving back to their communities.

“It’s all about charities and nonprofits and great people doing great things for the community,” Parkerson said. “Our show demonstrates that the world is made up of good people, and we love being able to share those organizations and those people to the world.”

“We’re just passionate about giving back about those who protect us and add value to our community,” Parkerson said. “These are the types of people you want as neighbors.”

For more information about Lead the Way Home Savings Program, to join the program as a realtor, or to apply as a home buyer go to www.LEADTHEWAYhomes.com.

Questions? Comments? Reach out to your First International Title rep today!

Newlywed couples are wonderful. They’re full of life, energy, excitement, and passion. They’re quick to forgive and easy to please. However, it does come with new challenges as well. Moving into your first house together can be daunting. Whose stuff do you keep? Whose do you throw away? How do you decide which way the furniture should face?

Although every couple and every home is different, here are a few easy steps to get started in your new home together.

Plan Ahead
Don’t get stuck the week before the wedding to start packing and planning for your move. Give yourself plenty of time to pick your house and sign the documents well before the best day of your life. Weeks, or even months, in advance, start packing up boxes with items you don’t use every day.

If you’re able to start moving in boxes, a couple at a time every single day, at least two weeks in advance then by the time it comes to officially make the move, it won’t feel like so much work at once. Weddings can be stressful enough on their own. You may also consider hiring a moving company to do all the heavy lifting for you. Literally.

Also, make a list of important tasks, like changing your mailing address, to get done and cross them off as you go along. Make another list of things you’ll need to buy for the house that are non-negotiable. Don’t forget the little things like toilet paper, nails to hang up photos, and coffee for the first morning in your new home.

Maximize Your Space
Whether you buy a 4,000 square foot house or a 1,200 square foot house, a house that’s cluttered still looks small. Maximize your space by, first of all, getting rid of things you don’t use anymore. That stack of newspapers may be helpful to wrap fragile items while you move, but once you’re in, toss them out.

Look over your area and play with the furniture until it looks right. Every house is different and you may need to move the couch two, three, or four times until it fits just right without taking up too much space. Utilize the space in the corners with a tall DVD rack, side tables, or a dog bed. Not only do you save the precious space in the middle of each room, empty corners usually look odd anyways.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of shelves. You can add extra shelves in your living room, dining room, or office to store knick knacks, kitchen tools you don’t use often, decorations, and other random items.

Create an outdoor space for yourself on your patio or porch. If you have a covered area, consider placing padded chairs and a rug outside with a table and outdoor utensils. It serves as an extra place for you to go and relax.

Combine Your Things
It can be bittersweet getting rid of household items that you’ve used for a long time. However, there is really no point (and, most likely, no space) for you and your new spouse to have two blenders, two toasters, and two cheese graters. Get rid of the things you won’t need.

If you’re having difficulty choosing who should let theirs go, try to make the most logical decision by choosing the newer of the two and set feelings aside. Choose the toaster that will last longer and prolong you having to buy a new one.

On the other hand, if one spouse has an item, say a special recliner or area rug, which has been passed down in his or her family, it has a sentimental value that no amount of time can take away. Consider keeping these unique pieces. After all, you will want your house to feel personal.

Make Your House a Home
You and your partner are going to be spending a lot of time in this space. Create an area that is special, cozy, and a place that you want to spend time together. Candles, blankets, old family photos, reading books, and rugs are just a few of the many things that you can use to make your home feel comfortable.

Keep things out that are special to you, such as a candle that was used during your proposal or a framed letter that you sent to your partner while you were apart. It also reminds you of your unique relationship, especially when you have friends or family over and it creates a topic of discussion.

Although hotels are nice to stay in from time to time, you won’t want to feel as though you live in one. Proudly display the items that are special to you and make your relationship unique.

Questions? Comments? Reach out to your First International Title rep today!