There’s no shortage of flashy tools in the property world — dashboards, apps, plug-ins, all claiming to “automate” or “10x” your portfolio. But most of them just clutter your process.
Here are a few tools I actually recommend — the ones that help you move faster, calculate smarter, or avoid financial blind spots.
🧮 1. A Deal Analysis Spreadsheet That Actually Works
Every investor needs a tool that doesn’t just look pretty — it needs to tell you quickly if a deal is worth chasing.
Your spreadsheet should include:
- Purchase price vs total acquisition cost
- Refinance calculations
- Monthly vs annual ROI
- Rental yield (gross and net)
- BRR or rent-to-rent cash flow
- Scenario toggles (e.g. if interest goes up 1%)
If you’re still relying on back-of-envelope maths, you’re just hoping for the best.
🛠 Want a free one? I’m building a Deal Analyzer you can download soon. Keep an eye out.
📸 2. Virtual Viewing Tools & Video Walkthroughs
Sometimes a good video walkaround saves you a 2-hour train journey — or lets you filter bad deals before stepping out the door.
If an agent won’t send you a video, that’s a signal in itself.
For your own listings, tools like:
- Giraffe360 (for virtual tours)
- Or just a clean Canva photo layout for marketing
…can massively boost guest or tenant trust.
💰 3. Project Cost Tracker or Refurb Budget App
Whether you’re doing a light refurb or full conversion, tracking costs as you go is the only way to stay profitable in the middle, not just on paper.
Apps like:
- Sorted (for refurb tracking)
- Notion or Google Sheets for custom tracking
- Even Xero for expense logging tied to property tags
…can help you stay within budget before you’re halfway through and out of pocket.
🔍 QS Insight: Keep It Simple, But Bulletproof
A lot of property people get excited about shiny dashboards, but most of the time? You just need:
- Clear numbers
- Fast comparisons
- Confidence in your assumptions
Don’t overcomplicate. But don’t freestyle either.
If you can’t tell someone your projected ROI or actual spend with two clicks, your systems aren’t tight enough yet.
Final Thought:
The right tools don’t just save time — they protect your confidence. When numbers are clear, decisions get easier.
Pick tools that help you think, not just look impressive.
Image Credit: Stocksnap via pixabay