- There are a lot of good transaction management tools out there. But the key is how they reflect the actual practices of a real estate deal.
- Companion apps are becoming common value-adds for real estate software developers.
- A deal isn't really a transaction until its closed. The act of seeing it to that point needs to be considered a business process.
Have suggestions for products that you’d like to see reviewed by our real estate technology expert? Email Craig Rowe.
SkySlope is real estate sales management software.
Platform(s): Browser-agnostic; app for iOS; Android app pending
Ideal for: Mid to large companies and multi-office brokerages
Top selling points
- DigiSign: proprietary electronic forms execution
- Comprehensive broker control and oversight of transactions
- Fully-featured iPhone and iPad apps ensure seamless flow across all devices
Things to consider
There is no agent-only version of SkySlope, it’s a tool targeted to help brokers manage sales. The software was developed by a former broker to better control his office’s data and business processes.
Full review
Between email inbox document storage and printing and scanning and stapling, inconsistent and antiquated document management practices are as common as Bluetooth ear pieces in real estate offices nationwide.
SkySlope was designed for brokers by a broker who grew tired of the multitude of sales process methods his agents used to move a deal to closing.
His answer to a better paper management mousetrap has a number of features that are common to most transaction oversight systems, but several that make it standout.
DigiSign, its proprietary electronic signature tool, is as sharp as any stand-alone system.
Templates allow for fast set-up and make finalizing deals a snap.
SkySlope DigiSign screen shot
Outside parties can be invited via branded email to sign, and every action is tracked via the system’s status monitor.
Templates allow for fast set-up and make finalizing deals a snap.
Brokers and other team members can monitor their deal’s progress through a simple, color-coded document status chart. Approval or rejection is a click and comment away.
It also has a nifty way to pull apart batch scans often sent by those still not comfortable with well, computers. And probably microwaves.
If the cooperating agent sends a massive PDF of pertinent documents, DigiScan’s “split and assign” lets users pull it apart based on page range, and rename each numbered section as a separate document.
The resulting document compendium can be pulled smoothly into the transaction to be assigned, signed and made part of the overall process.
SkySlope’s iPhone and iPad apps lets users transition transactions from cubicle to curbside to couch.
Whereas the browser version will track all emails sent within the confines of a transaction, its apps do the same for text messaging.
This is a smart way to accommodate the mobility of today’s tech-addled agent and demonstrates its developer’s proven industry insight.
SkySlope’s task module includes sets of action items common to each phase of a sale.
Once a few templates are established, a broker will begin to see how a tool like this goes from being enterprise software to a business process management solution.
There are a lot of good transaction management tools out there. But the key is how they reflect the actual practices of a real estate deal.
I’ve said this before, but you can’t dismiss the importance of real estate software solutions developed by real estate agents.
SkySlope’s current browser interface won’t be around much longer, thankfully. It’s a bit dated.
Don’t dismiss the importance of real estate software solutions developed by real estate agents.
However, I’ve seen screengrabs of a new design and it’s much-improved, reflective of its iOS companions.
SkySlope Android app screen shot
Also of note is SkySlope’s support infrastructure. They have chat tools, click-to-call tools and the promise to mail a $5 Starbucks gift card if they don’t answer on the second ring.
The company also proactively seeks customer input on new features. As the list piles up, they offer voting and polling to consider what will make it into the next update.
If you’re a broker seeking a better way to manage how your agents manage their sales, give SkySlope a look. It has a bunch of customers around the country and looks poised to even further prove itself.
Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe.
