By John Triplett
Some landlords are changing how they set multifamily rents as a result of the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against RealPage alleging price-fixing on rents by landlords.
At the Bisnow Southeast Summit in Atlanta, Kenneth Racowski, an antitrust lawyer and partner at Holland & Knight, said, “Many multifamily companies are moving away from RealPage products, moving away from revenue-management software that uses private information and moving away altogether from revenue management [software].”
Racowski said the issue comes down to whether the information used to establish apartment rents is coming from exclusively public sources. Racowski has helped two multifamily companies get dismissals from charges of price-fixing using algorithmic price-setting software, the Bisnow article says.
“The most conservative risk-mitigation advice is not to use revenue-management software that uses confidential nonpublic information,” Racowski said.
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RealPage has said in response to the lawsuit that its products that use algorithms are legal. RealPage announced earlier this month a feature that allowed users to remove “nonpublic competitor data” from the results.
Several states, including Arizona, have sued RealPage and landlords for price-fixing and conspiring to illegally raise rents for hundreds of thousands of renters.
“The conspiracy allegedly engaged in by RealPage and these landlords has harmed Arizonans and directly contributed to Arizona’s affordable-housing crisis,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in the release earlier this year.
“In the last two years, residential rents in Phoenix and Tucson have risen by at least 30% in large part because of this conspiracy that stifled fair competition and essentially established a rental monopoly in our state’s two largest metro areas,” Mayes said. “RealPage and its co-defendants must be held accountable for their role in the astronomical rent increases forced on Arizonans.”
Melissa White, the chair of the board of directors for the Atlanta Apartment Association, an organization representing more than 300 companies managing more than 415,000 apartment units, said during the Bisnow multifamily event that even the methods by which apartment owners conduct basic competitive-market studies are seen as risky by association.
“Something as simple as a market survey that we have been doing forever is now looked at in a negative manner, and it could impact any involvement companies are having related to this issue,” said White, a partner with the Atlanta-based urban mixed-use development firm Perennial Properties.
“It’s definitely a conversation that you should all be having if you don’t have priorities established for 2025,” she told the audience at the event, Bisnow reported.
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By Ryan Squires
Finding the best real estate accounting software for your needs is crucial, no matter the size of your portfolio.
Because, let’s face it, streamlining bookkeeping and ensuring your numbers are airtight is non-negotiable.
In this guide, we’ll evaluate eight of the industry’s most trusted real estate accounting software solutions, compare essential factors, and match you up with the best fit for your needs.
And to simplify your search, we’ve split our recommendations into two categories:
- All-in-One Real Estate Accounting + Property Management Software
- Accounting Software without Property Management Features
Let’s get started.
All-in-One Real Estate Accounting + Property Management Software
To begin with, we’ve selected four widely used and highly rated property management software solutions that offer integrated accounting and financial reporting.
While universal accounting solutions like Xero, QuickBooks, and Zoho Books could be adequate for your needs, these platforms weren’t engineered explicitly for landlords, property managers, or real estate investors.
As such, we recommend considering all-in-one property management software that handles accounting and streamlines rental marketing, tenant screening, lease generation, rent collection, maintenance requests, and other essential duties.
Best All-in-One Accounting + Property Management Software
TurboTenant
We’d be selling you short if we didn’t start this guide by recommending TurboTenant, the best property management software with integrated accounting and tax reporting on the market today.
TurboTenant’s highly-rated landlord software integrates with REI Hub’s top-notch accounting features that thrive for landlords, property managers, and real estate investors. Boasting a sterling 5.0-star Google Business rating, REI Hub’s customers have nary a bad word to say about the company.
Perhaps that’s because REI Hub forgoes the antiquated spreadsheet model in favor of more visually appealing features that securely integrate expenses, allow users to create rule-based transaction matching, and generate handy templates that save landlords time and money.
Accounting aside, TurboTenant’s powerful property management software enables landlords to advertise rental properties, process rental applications, screen tenants, craft lease agreements, accept rent payments, handle maintenance requests, and do it all from their laptop or mobile device.
So, sign up for a free account to take TurboTenant for a spin. Most property management features listed above are free, with no strings attached. Plus, we’re offering a 50% discount for the first two months of REI Hub so that you can get a feel for how TurboTenant and REI Hub empower landlords to eliminate pricey property management companies from their bottom lines.
Pros
- Utilizes REI Hub’s highly-rated rental accounting software
- Comes with a full suite of property management financial reporting
- Rent payments and other real estate expenses automatically sync with the software
- Features real-estate-specific capabilities, including tenant screening, rental advertising, lease agreements, maintenance management, and more
- 50% off introductory offer
- Users can track accounting and run reports for unlimited units at only $85 a month
Cons
- REI Hub’s free trial doesn’t transfer to TurboTenant
Best for Small-to-Medium Sized Portfolios
RentRedi
Like TurboTenant, RentRedi utilizes REI Hub’s powerful accounting software to help its customers effortlessly balance their books and generate flawless financial reports.
RentRedi’s accounting features ($39 per month for landlords with ten or fewer properties) work well for landlords of all stripes but best suit those with growing portfolios. Ultimately, their pricing structure for small-time landlords makes the software appealing.
As with TurboTenant, RentRedi offers all of the property management features you’d expect from an all-in-one software, including rent collection, credit boosting, e-signing, renter’s insurance, and more.
Pros
- Utilizes REI Hub’s highly-rated rental accounting software
- Full suite of property management features
- Highly rated and reviewed across many platforms
- Users can track accounting and run reports for unlimited units for $99 a month
Cons
- No free trial available
Premium Free Trial
Landlord Studio
Though we recommend TurboTenant and RentRedi above all other property management software solutions, Landlord Studio offers something you can’t find from either: a 14-day free trial to test drive their premium software and accounting features.
If you use Xero, Landlord Studio integrates with it, making the pairing convenient for real estate investors already familiar with the widely used accounting software. Integrating existing financials from Xero to Landlord Studio could get complicated, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Since Landlord Studio’s prices operate on a sliding scale, visit their pricing page to see if their software makes sense for your budget.
Pros
- Free 14-day trial for PRO features
- Receipt scanner and mileage tracker are helpful
- Integrates with Xero
Cons
- Doesn’t integrate with REI Hub or QuickBooks
- A maximum of five users are allowed on the PRO Plan
- Pricing only makes sense for landlords with small-to-medium-sized portfolios
Well-Established and Widely-Used
Buildium
Of all the property management software we’ve recommended up to this point, Buildium has been around the longest. Their accounting and reporting software, included in all three pricing tiers, is trusted by thousands.
Buildium’s integrated property management software is robust by industry standards and covers all the essential features you’d expect, including intriguing standouts like client lead generation, and property inspections.
However, Buildium is the most expensive solution among the four products we’ve recommended, and it’s not even close. For instance, a landlord with 150 properties in their portfolio will be on the hook for $375 a month after signing up for Buildium’s Premium Plan.
TurboTenant landlords who subscribe to the Premium Plan and add on accounting features, however, will pay less than $98 per month to manage unlimited properties.
Pros
- Accounting software is included in every tier
- Robust set of property management features
- Widely trusted by property managers
Cons
- Doesn’t integrate with QuickBooks or Xero
- Expensive; the premium plan starts at $375 per month
- Might not make financial sense for landlords with small portfolios
A landlords one stop shop for tenant management…for FREE
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Accounting Software without Property Management Features
If the property-management-specific solutions above are giving you pause, you might want to consider a service that focuses solely on accounting and reporting.
Well-known companies like REI Hub, QuickBooks, Xero, and Zoho Books offer intuitive and powerful solutions that can balance your books and take the stress out of tax season.
But keep this in mind: The four companies we’re about to recommend won’t help you accept rental applications, initiate background checks, advertise your rentals, manage maintenance requests, or handle your many other property management needs.
Best Real-Estate Specific Accounting Software
REI Hub
At this point in our write-up, we’ve made our glowing opinion of REI Hub quite clear.
And, though we’d recommend signing up for property management software already integrated with REI Hub’s powerful accounting features, we wouldn’t fault you for seeking out their services independently.
Designed explicitly for property managers and real estate investors, REI Hub’s robust set of features includes 1099 vendor tracking, double-entry accounting, and automatically generated reports like balance sheets, cash flow, P&L, cash-on-cash, and net operating income.
On top of that, REI Hub returns countless five-star reviews from satisfied clients and offers thoughtful customer service from well-trained professionals based in the US.
Property managers who already have their day-to-day operations on autopilot but crave a more streamlined accounting solution might find REI Hub to be the perfect fit.
Pros
- Designed for property managers and real estate investors
- Integrated into trusted TurboTenant and RentRedi
- Each tier enjoys the same full suite of features
- Pricing is based on the size of the portfolio
- 5.0-star Google Business rating
- Free 14-day trial
Cons
- Limited integrations compared to competitors
Best Introductory Offer
Xero
Xero is one of the big names in the accounting software universe, and its services could be helpful for property managers and real estate investors seeking to tidy up their numbers.
Equipped with intuitive features like project tracking, payment collection, payroll, bank reconciliation, automated bill paying, and more, Xero will undoubtedly meet the needs of busy landlords who need to bring order to their finances.
Xero offers potential clients a free 30-day trial and a generous 95%-off introductory rate for their ‘Growing’ and ‘Established’ tiers, allowing users to thoroughly test their product before committing to it long-term.
While you shouldn’t doubt Xero’s ability to balance the books, remember that they are a big box supplier that doesn’t offer complimentary real-estate-specific features that you’d enjoy with all-in-one property management software.
Pros
- Incredibly affordable three-month intro offer
- Automation features allow for enhanced efficiency
- Integrates with Gusto payroll
Cons
- Not explicitly made for real estate
- Some users have reported a steep learning curve
- One of the more expensive solutions (after the intro offer)
Used by Millions Worldwide
Intuit QuickBooks
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re likely aware that QuickBooks is a powerhouse in the accounting software arena. They offer a functional and full-featured interface that helps millions of people worldwide keep their finances in order.
QuickBooks has long been the industry standard regarding invoicing, tracking expenses, managing bills, uploading receipts, and integrating with tax software, but their impressive features don’t necessarily mean they’re your best option. Why, you ask?
Exhibit A: Intuit’s abysmal Trustpilot page, where thousands of unhappy QuickBooks users go there to vent about the company’s poor customer service, unexplained account deactivations, and questionable business practices. Yikes.
Not to mention, QuickBooks (as you may have gathered by now) doesn’t offer integrated features built for property managers, such as tenant screening, rental advertising, or maintenance management.
Pros
- Widely-used and full-featured
- Syncs with TurboTax to streamline filings
- Integrates with over 750 other popular business apps
Cons
- Big box company; doesn’t specialize in real estate
- At $235 a month, their Advanced Plan is as expensive as it gets
- Terrible customer service reviews on Trustpilot
Rock-Solid Customer Service
Zoho Books
Zoho Books has all the features you’d expect from a major player in the accounting software game, including expense tracking, purchase approvals, secure document storage, bank synchronization, and more.
However, they separate themselves from the other big names in the industry through top-notch customer service. By all accounts, clients seem thrilled with the support they receive from Zoho’s knowledgeable help team.
To attract potential customers, Zoho Books offers a free 14-day trial to anyone who wants to test their product. They also allow anyone with less than $50,000 in annual revenue to use their software for free as long as they stay below the threshold. That’s pretty generous.
Though we’re impressed with Zoho Books’ customer service ratings and product, we think property management software with integrated accounting features is the no-brainer choice for anyone looking to simplify their real estate investment operation.
Pros
- Offers a free plan for businesses with under $50,000 in annual revenue
- Each plan comes with a free trial
- Great customer service reviews on Trustpilot
Cons
- Like Xero and QuickBooks, not specifically designed for real estate
- Not as many integrations as its competitors
- The highest-tier plan is expensive: $240 a month
We Have a Winner
Thank you for sticking around as we analyzed the best real estate accounting software solutions of 2024.
For our money, we believe TurboTenant’s all-in-one property management software with integrated accounting features from REI Hub is superior to all other options.
TurboTenant’s powerful accounting features can help you track every expense, organize essential data, set customizable rules, and generate easy-to-understand graphs and charts to visualize your financial picture.
All while seamlessly simplifying the rest of your property management needs, such as rental marketing, tenant screening, lease generation, rent collection, and more.
Sign up for a TurboTenant account today to immediately automate your bookkeeping and property management operation.
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When you’re ready to part with old furniture, knowing where to donate furniture can make the process smoother and more rewarding. Why donate, you might ask? Donating helps those in need, supports communities, and reduces waste. On top of that, many organizations offer free pick-up services. All of this makes it easier to get your items into the hands of those who will benefit from them. So, with this in mind, let’s explore some top options for furniture donations. We’ll also give you a few tips on preparing your items.
Why Donate Furniture?
Donating furniture has several benefits that go beyond simply clearing out space. On the one hand, it’s a beautiful way to support those less fortunate. It helps families and individuals struggling to furnish their homes. Therefore, your donations can significantly improve living conditions by providing essential items that others might be unable to afford. Additionally, donating furniture leads to a more sustainable environment. This is because it reduces waste by keeping valuable items out of landfills. It’s a win-win situation where you give back to your community while maximizing space for yourself or your tenants.
How to Prepare Your Furniture for Donation
Preparing your furniture for donation involves a few key steps. This can involve a few more things, especially if you live in a busy city like Toronto. However, don’t let this prevent you from donating. First, clean each piece thoroughly to remove any dirt or stains. Then, if the items have glass or other delicate ornaments, wrap them up. This will prevent unnecessary damage. For large items, consider disassembling them to make transportation easier.
If you’re using a moving company, check whether movers do this and how much it might cost, as they often provide disassembly services for relocation. Finally, consult with the donation organization for any specific guidelines they might have. Proper preparation ensures your furniture is ready for its new home and helps the donation process go smoothly.
Top Organizations Offering Free Pick Up
Donating furniture can be a rewarding experience. And the best part? Many organizations offer free pick-up services to make the process more convenient! So, here are some top organizations that provide this valuable service.
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries has a long tradition of dedicated job training and community support. Donations help fund job training programs and other community services, ensuring that your furniture supports a good cause and is reused or resold to benefit local initiatives.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a well-known organisation and for a good reason. Its wide range of social services includes emergency shelters, addiction recovery programs, and support for needy families. Scheduling a pick-up with them is simple, as their service is designed to make it easy for everyone who wants to make any donation. So, your contributions can help fund critical programs and support individuals and families facing hardship, all while making your apartment cozier and more inviting by reducing clutter.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Habitat for Humanity ReStores accepts furniture donations and also offers free pick-up services. Furthermore, the sales from donated items help fund the construction of affordable homes for families in need. So, when you donate your furniture to ReStores, you can also support their mission of building homes. Not to mention that their efficient pick-up service means you’ll have an easier time organizing the donation on your part.
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Tips for Scheduling a Free Pick Up
Scheduling a free pick-up for your furniture donation can be straightforward with the following tips in mind:
- Check local availability: In order to be sure that the organization has free pick-up in your area, contact them directly. Service availability can vary by location.
- Schedule in advance: Book your pick-up appointment as early as possible. This way, you give yourself and the organization enough time for everything. Not to mention, you can avoid delays.
- Prepare your furniture: Find the reparation guidelines for your furniture. This means you might need to do a bit of cleaning or disassembling. Also, don’t forget to wrap delicate pieces to prevent damage.
- Provide accurate information: Be precise with the details about your furniture. Furthermore, give as much information as you can about the pick-up location (availability, parking, and such). The organization will surely appreciate it.
- Confirm the appointment: Last, but probably the most important thing, is to verify the pick-up date and time. Do this a day or two before to ensure everything is on track.
With these tips, the whole furniture donation process will be a breeze!
Where to Donate Furniture if Free Pick Up Isn’t Available
If free pick-up isn’t available in your area, don’t give up on donations. There are still plenty of options. One alternative is to deliver the items directly to a local donation center. Many organizations have drop-off locations where you can bring your furniture during operating hours. If you’re renovating and need to clear out old furniture quickly, check the donation policy with local thrift stores or second-hand shops. Chances are they accept donations and may even offer to assist with transportation. Additionally, consider reaching out to community organizations or shelters that might coordinate pick-up through volunteers or local networks. Exploring these alternatives ensures you can still find a suitable place for your donations, even if free pick-up isn’t an option.
Final Thoughts on Donating Furniture
Donating furniture is a meaningful way to give back to the community and support those in need. Because of this, it’s crucial to understand where to donate furniture. Luckily, you can explore many different options to make a positive impact and help those who might not have the means to furnish their homes. In the end, your contribution helps reduce waste and supports a more sustainable environment. And this is true whether you utilize free pick-up services or explore alternative donation methods. Every piece of furniture you donate has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life. So, give your furniture a chance to find a new home where it can continue to be valued and useful.
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