FREE Real Estate Technology Tools

Why pay for something you can get at no cost? And it's even better when the free solutions do such a great job of helping you to market and manage your real estate business. I run through software, hardware and services technology solutions with a vengeance. I use them, abuse them, and throw many out. However, I do have some favorites that I use and love. Here are the top ten free real estate technology solutions.

1. Gmail for Lots of Things
Gmail is my most-utilized online application. Not only do I have my personal Gmail address, but I also have multiple business addresses for different purposes. It is accessible from any Internet computer, fast, a huge storage facility, and I can find my old emails with ease.

2. YouTube for Video MarketingYouTube
, another Google product, is fast becoming the only place to go for videos of all types in business. Major TV networks and shows place their segments on YouTube. As a real estate professional listing properties, you cannot afford to overlook the marketing exposure you can get with a video of your listing on YouTube.

3. Google Calendar for Time & Task Management
Yes, another Google product. It's just that Google has done a great job of bringing a calendar online in a way that works for me. And, it's free. Because Gmail is my email choice, and Google Calendar integrates beautifully with my Gmail application, it helps me to manage my time better. The ability of Gmail to recognize appointment type verbiage and suggest a one-click entry into the calendar is a big plus. Using Google Calendar to Stay on Track

4. I Want Sandy for Task Management
I Want Sandy is in continual improvement mode. The users make suggestions, and the staff try to do something about them. It is a calendar application and task management online service that is completely free. Sandy can be integrated with your Google Calendar, and it allows entry and manipulation of tasks and appointments via email. You Blackberry addicts will love it. Learn more about Sandy here.
Tie Sandy to Your Gmail and Calendar in a Flash

5. Xpenser for Easy Accounting
Now, if you're super analytical, and you want huge detail in your accounting records, then stick with QuickBooks or Peachtree. However, if you're into simplicity, and spending as little time as possible in getting expenses and income into an online and free solution, then Xpenser is worth a look. Entry is fast and easy, even using your cell phone.
Accounting Can Be a Pleasure with Xpenser

6. Jott for Voice Management of All Kinds
Jott is by far the most effective tool on this list, because it communicates with many of the other items here. In fact, most items on this list will take entries via voice from your Jott cell phone account. Use it to do accounting, enter appointments and tasks, and much more. This is probably the most useful tool for all of you who spend a great deal of time out of the office. Your Cell Phone Becomes Your Best Tool

7. YouMail for Custom Greetings and More
YouMail is a free online message service that takes over your cell phone voicemail function. Using caller ID, it can answer your calls with customized greetings depending on the identity of the caller. It also sends you an email with the voice message attached as an MP3 file. If you want to save messages related to a transaction, it's easy now. There's more.
Impress Your Clients With Voicemail That Knows Them

8. 4info.net for Listing Text Messaging
Using the free 4info.net service, you can create text messages with listing details, place a sign rider with a text message address, and a drive-by buyer can get listing details instantly. It isn't that difficult to set up, and you can throw away that brochure box for something better. Get Info to The Buyer's Cell from Yard Signs

9. WordPress - The ONLY Blogging Solution
The most widely used blog platform in the world, WordPress powers many sites that you wouldn't even recognize as blogs. Though the basic WordPress-hosted blog platform is free, you'll want to look carefully at hosting it yourself at a small cost in order to take advantage of many more formatting and other powerful features. Get the tutorial here.
Step-By-Step How-to Set Up Your Wordpress Blog

10. Feedblitz for Emailed Blog Newsletters
If you're going to blog, why not make multiple uses of the content. Learn how a free Feedblitz account can take your blog posts, create a nicely formatted email newsletter, and send it out on your assigned schedule. I now use it instead of drip email for a much more user-friendly and current email contact system.

11. Microsoft Small Business LIVE, offers a FREE Websie and design tools. $50.00 credit for ASK and MSN ad searches, each. FREE Email and newsletter campigns.

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This list was compiled originally by James Kimmon and I have used it dilligently and I also added some of my own in here as well. I hope this helps get you REI business up and running at a lot less out-of-pocket expense.