ListedKit v. Transactly: The Complete Guide

by Lauren DeSeno | Jun 8, 2022 | Uncategorized

Being a real estate agent comes with many detailed tasks that have to be completed on time. Not doing so can affect other deadlines and will likely put the transaction’s closing at risk.

It can be helpful to have assistance managing all the moving pieces. Unfortunately, not everyone has the budget to bring on full or part-time support to help with these endeavors. 

Thankfully, there are now real estate transaction management tools available to help real estate professionals stay organized and on top of all the necessary paperwork between the offer phase and closing. Two of these are ListedKit and Transactly.

How do you know if either is a good fit for you and your workflow? This guide outlines the many features that come with each program to help you decide.

At a Glance: ListedKit vs. Transactly

There are various features that both platforms have in common, and also a few that are specific to each solution. Here’s a table that outlines a couple of the top service functions of each.

Similarities Between ListedKit and Transactly

When researching a transaction management tool for your real estate business, you may start to notice a few underlying similarities. Both ListedKit and Transactly share a few features, including:

• Free version or trial
• Live support available with specific plans
• DIY management platform
• Customizable templates

How They Are Different

• Third party transaction coordinator assistance
• Payment plans
• Text notifications regarding changes
• Client portal
• Task automation

Transaction Coordinator Assistance

As stated before, hiring full or part-time support to help you streamline administrative operations isn’t feasible for everyone. However, there are options available to retain the assistance of a transaction coordinator when your workload is large and time is limited.

When you pay annually for Transactly’s premium version, you can add on the service of a third party transaction coordinator. This option is also available with the free plan, but the rates for adding on an outsourced transaction coordinator are discounted with a premium subscription.

ListedKit, however, was designed to help busy real estate agents manage their own transactions more easily without needing a transaction coordinator. Its features allow agents to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time helping their clients close deals.

Payment Plans

Subscription plans can impact an agent or brokerage’s decision when it comes to choosing the right software and tools. For some, a small monthly fee is more feasible, whereas others prefer a one and done annual payment.

Many appreciate that both ListedKit and Transactly have a free option for their services. With ListedKit, you can use the platform for free until your first financial transaction. You can add all of your client information, preferred vendors, custom templates, and other details before ever having to enter a payment method.

Once your first transaction goes under contract, you will be prompted to enter credit card information to begin a 14-day free trial. When the trial concludes, the monthly subscription gives you unlimited transactions and clients with additional fees.

With Transactly, you can use the free version for all features and transactions. However, you are limited to just one transaction. Therefore, you will need to upgrade to the paid option to manage additional transactions. Transactly’s payment model is an annual fee that renews each year until canceled. 

Text Notifications Regarding Changes

Buying and selling a home can sometimes feel like a game of “hurry up and wait.” Because of this, you’ll want to be as up-to-date as possible. When something comes up that requires your attention, you’ll want to know immediately, so that you can keep things moving forward.

While ListedKit does not offer a text notification service through their management platform, you will find the option available through Transactly. However, ListedKit does include automated email reminders that directs agents and clients back to their respective portals to follow up on or complete tasks.

For those who don’t want to rely on emails, text notifications may be a desired feature.

Client Portal

You will notice that with both ListedKit and Transactly, there are options for connecting externally with clients and outside contractors. The difference lies in the dedicated portals available through each.

ListedKit offers a portal that is specifically designated for clients. This area allows clients to view all of their upcoming tasks and transaction requirements for moving forward in the sale or purchase of their home.

Transactly does not have a dedicated client portal. However, they offer agents opportunities to assign tasks and connect with sellers and buyers. These customized links will lead customers back to the principal agent portal but in a limited capacity.

Many prefer the ease of use of a dedicated portal for buyers and sellers. Instead of receiving an onslaught of notifications regarding tasks that need to be fulfilled, customers can log into one site at their leisure to fulfill any obligations that are waiting for them.

In addition to the streamlined benefit described above, there’s the added perk of being able to reference materials as needed.

Often a form or signature page can get lost in the process, causing delays and creating extra work to get sorted out. Having all of the completed materials stored in a central location accessible through the client portal allows them to review what has been done and relay that information back to those requesting it.

Task Automation

One of the most time-saving perks of a real estate transaction management platform is automating tasks.

For each sale or purchase there’s a stack of materials that needs to be distributed and completed immediately. Historically, this process has happened in person. In previous years, the agent would call a client into their office to walk through the documents and complete the required forms in person with step-by-step instructions.

Due to the time-consuming nature of this approach, many agents later went the route of digitizing this process.

This stage is where task automation becomes highly beneficial. With ListedKit, your customized transaction templates include automations that will immediately send the required information and instructions to clients on your behalf.

Once you and your client have agreed to work with one another, you can add their information into ListedKit and apply a previously customized template to automatically outline their transaction and begin the automations. 

This “hands-off” method can save a lot of time that would be otherwise spent on organization and consultation and free up time for acquiring new clients and business. 

Things to Consider

When you’re thinking about implementing a transaction management application or software, there are a few pertinent things to consider before you choose one.

• Budget – It’s vital to review the cost obligations of a new management service as well as what hidden fees there might be. You want to avoid having extra charges come about when trying to complete a sale.
• Ease of Use – Some applications are easier to manage than others. It’s best to review the design and functionality of the app before committing to its use. 
• Priority Features – When starting your search for a new management tool, take the time to identify what’s most important to you and your business. While some features may be optimal for some, they aren’t as important for others.
• Amount of Users – Although you may be looking to implement a management application because you don’t currently have the budget for support staff, this could easily change in the future. Especially with the gift of extra time that apps of this type give you! Therefore, if you think you may have other staff members utilize the application in the future, or you want to share it with other agents in your organization, you need to look into how many users each membership allows. 
• Customization – Both ListedKit and Transactly allow customization of the templates they provide. Therefore, you can tweak things like client thank-you letters to reflect your individual personality. However, not all applications allow this functionality to take place. It is essential to check for this option ahead of time. 
• Setup Time – For things like process automation, there will be a period of time that needs to be dedicated for setup. Without this, the application won’t know what specificities to include or have any custom language included. Depending on which real estate transaction management application you choose, this could take a few minutes or a few hours to prepare.

In the end, agents should take the time to decide what’s most important to them and what would take the most off of their plate. The ultimate goal is to help agents succeed, so finding the appropriate features is critical. Once these are determined, selecting an application to perform those tasks will be easy.

Conclusion

With the explosion of mobile applications in recent years, many products are coming to market and are sophisticated in the features and functionalities they offer. 

In a demanding field like real estate, finding ways to reduce the amount of office time and increase productivity is highly sought after. With all the options available, proper research and hands-on testing will bring to light the best tools for your needs.

If you’re considering taking a leap to a new real estate transaction management application, don’t be afraid to test them out. You can try most platforms for free first to see which one fits your needs best. 

ListedKit v. Paperless Pipeline: The Complete Guide

by Lauren DeSeno | Jun 2, 2022 | Uncategorized

Everyone working in real estate today understands the need for help managing some of the time-consuming and intricate tasks that make up the job. The fast-paced nature of the industry creates pressure to keep multiple clients and closings on track.

In a career that leaves little margin for error, the speed at which tasks need to be completed may lead to occasional mistakes. Having a good support system or tool stack in place to alleviate your workload is beneficial, but can also be costly.

Thankfully, a new wave of real estate-focused applications has begun to emerge, with transaction management applications leading the way. These tools help agents  streamline their tasks, track timelines, manage clients, and provide an exceptional client experience.

Two helpful web apps available right now are ListedKit and Paperless Pipeline. To help you out, we put together a comprehensive guide outlining the prominent features of both platforms and how they can help agents streamline their processes and improve their workload.

At a Glance: ListedKit vs. Paperless Pipeline 

Both applications share similar core features, but also diverge in a few areas. Below you’ll see a summary of what each platform offers for agents.

As you’ll learn throughout this guide, both tools have benefits and one platform may stand out as a better option for you and your specific needs.

How Are ListedKit and Paperless Pipeline Similar?

ListedKit and Paperless Pipeline are both real estate transaction management applications. Both programs have several features that serve similar functions, including:

• Task management checklists
• Vendor and user profile database
• Document storage

In addition to the above, you’ll also notice that they each have features suited for the clients they serve. The user experience may look different, but both applications will arrive at the same end goal of a successful transaction.

How They’re Different

While ListedKit and Paperless Pipeline have several common features, they also have a few key differentiating features, including:

• Two different tracks
• Audit heavy
• Client portal
• Customizable templates
• Multiple user access
• Pricing guidelines

As you continue reading, you’ll learn more about the differences between the two platforms and the types of real estate agents, transaction coordinators, and brokers that they serve best. 

Difference 1: Two Different Tracks

One of the first things users may notice when they open Paperless Pipeline compared to ListedKit is that it has two different avenues you can utilize. Not only can you access a specific set of features as a real estate team, but there’s another set for those who occupy a brokerage role.

Additionally, you’ll find both transaction and commission management features on the applications. While ListedKit emphasizes buyer and seller relations, Paperless Pipeline focuses on more administrative tasks. 

There is overlap within the features, as evidenced in a previous section. However, the communication portion is more prevalent in the ListedKit platform. You will find that Paperless Pipeline is a great option for those in a corporate real estate environment, while ListedKit is best for those working independently or as part of a small team.

Difference 2: Audit Heavy

If you’re an agent concerned about having all of your ducks in a row in the event of an audit, then Paperless Pipeline may be the route for you. With their platform, you’ll have all the necessary documents and materials in one place, stored and ready.

While ListedKit can also store all of the transaction documents you need, its overall focus is more on customer relations.

As mentioned above, Paperless Pipeline heavily emphasizes administrative assistance. To accommodate that goal, it provides a space for tracking all transactions, recording all essential documents, and backing them up monthly to a cloud-based server. 

Your work will also be reviewed for compliance issues, eliminating an additional stressor that many face. 

For those who find that the possibility of an audit brings anxiety to the workday, an application like Paperless Pipeline can greatly decrease that emotion and bring higher levels of security and productivity to your day. 

Difference 3: Client Portal

One of the most significant differences between the two applications is the existence of a client portal in one (ListedKit) but not the other (Paperless Pipeline). While some agents may not deem this a priority, it does have its place in creating an efficient workflow and enjoyable client experience.

Before the incorporation of the Internet into real estate transactions, many agents had to gather all necessary onboarding materials and forms once they landed a new client. After doing so, they then scheduled a sit-down meeting where they would review all of the documents and complete them, step-by-step, with their new clients. 

Then, clients would sign all forms, and this time-consuming chore would then be complete.

Many agents can email the appropriate documents to their clients by integrating services like DocuSign. Clients can then review and sign any relevant documents via the third-party website. However, this process still requires substantial legwork by the agent.

No longer do agents have to customize each packet of materials for every client they serve. The portal eliminates this tedious task, giving much-needed time back to agents.

Difference 4: Customizable Templates

Going hand-in-hand with the client portal is the ability to create custom transaction templates for your buyers and sellers. Agents can use the standard transaction templates that come with ListedKit as a starting place and customize each to fit their needs. 

Custom templates can be saved to re-use as a starting place for future clients, or they can be updated and changed on an as needed basis per unique transaction. 

In the interest of time, many agents follow the same workflow for each client. However, customizable templates allow you to tailor task management and timelines to each transaction for a more organized and personalized client experience.

You can also use the pipeline view in ListedKit templates to keep upcoming tasks and deadlines top of mind. The templates also include automated reminders, checklists, and milestone completion notifications. 

Difference 5: Multiple User Access

Many agents look to using a transaction management tool to alleviate the strain from a high volume of work and little assistance or minimal budget for support. However, it’s essential to remember that your current position isn’t necessarily the same as what you will have in the future. 

What’s to say that a few years from now (with more time for productivity due to management apps), you won’t have the budget for support staff or a team?

Keeping this in mind, you may want to consider choosing a platform that allows multiple users to access your database and information. Therefore, if you were to add an administrative assistant to your staff later on, you will have the seamless ability to add them to the application and access all of your client information. 

Another consideration to think about is those who work in real estate corporations. If you have multiple agents in your brokerage, it might be worth it for everyone to utilize the application. Instead of purchasing it separately, you can choose a tool that allows all potential users to have their own account for easy access.

While ListedKit does not offer this functionality, Paperless Pipeline does. As one of the primary differences between the two platforms, you will see that one option has a customer-centric, individualized scope (ListedKit), and the other has an admin-focused, corporate take on management tools (Paperless Pipeline).

Difference 6: Pricing Guidelines

When considering which application to utilize, it’s necessary to look into how fees are charged. While both ListedKit and Paperless Pipeline offer complimentary trials to test their services out, what follows is different.

ListedKit allows you to add all your customer information and company documents for free. Once you begin your first closing transaction, you move into the paid version of the tool. With this upper tier, you are charged a low monthly fee and have unlimited access to future closing transactions and clients.

However, Paperless Pipeline operates a bit differently. Instead of a monthly fee, you are charged based on the number of monthly transactions you manage. After you complete the free trial, you will select a package that corresponds best with the amount of transactions you intend to complete each month. 

If you surpass the amount you chose, you are bumped up to the next tier. For those operating with multiple users and a high volume of transactions, it’s best to seek out the unlimited option that the company offers. 

Things To Consider

When you search for a proper real estate transaction management application, you’ll want to take several things under consideration. While all platforms are unique in their own way, there are elements among them that are similar in nature.

• Budget – As we mentioned previously, different companies operate under various fee structures. Whereas some will charge a flat monthly fee, others will come with an annual rate. Some, like Paperless Pipeline, will charge based on the number of transactions. It’s best to select an option that works well with your budget and finances.
• Ease of Use – An application is useless if you are unable to use it in a manner that is conducive to your workflow. If the layout is too complex or requires several steps to complete a simple task, it’s likely not a good fit for your needs.
• Workload Conducive – While many applications say they can simplify a large workload and make things more automated and seamless, this isn’t always the case. As we see with ListedKit vs. Paperless Pipeline, two real estate applications that assist agents, how they offer this assistance is very different. 
• Features – In regards to the last point, it’s imperative to choose which features are most meaningful to you and the work that you do. If there are certain areas in which you need more support, it’s best to focus on platforms that will aid you in that particular area.
• Customer Support – At times, applications can run into snags. These issues can be especially aggravating when you are in the middle of a timely transaction. Having access to customer support when you need it most is critical. 

In the end, it’s important to think through your needs and pain points before settling on a tool. You want to avoid getting caught in a subscription that doesn’t solve your problems, which can happen if you don’t correctly identify what you need and research your options beforehand. 

Conclusion

Real estate agents are constantly on the go. Whether it’s procuring new clients, showing homes, representing buyers and sellers, or marketing their business, they are always fulfilling a variety of tasks. However, finding knowledgeable andand budget-friendly support for these duties isn’t always feasible.

Because of this, and due to the rise of mobile applications, many agents are turning to real estate transaction management platforms. These tools assist those in the real estate world in organizing their documents, preparing for what’s to come, and performing compliance checks.