ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Smartphones and tablets, iPhone, iPad and Android – mobile devices are the heirs of the home computer, making it possible to do business anywhere and everywhere. There’s an app for virtually every need, including investing and managing investment properties. Here’s a rundown of five handy apps, mostly free, from leading app stores for investors on the go.
The Landlord AppFor purchase on both the iPhone and Android devices, this app allows landlords to keep track of tenants, rental payments and other expenditures. The app can also provide updates on property values and home prices, and help check backgrounds of prospective tenants.
AroundMeFree for iPhone and Android, AroundMe tracks properties around a user’s rentals for changing property values, availability for purchase and rent, and much more. Users can also create a customized profile for their own interests and needs.
CreditKarmaThis free credit-checking app for iPhone allows users to perform credit checks on the spot and track accounts over time. Since it’s free, the app is advertising-heavy, but its simple interface and repaid response make it useful for screening prospective tenants quickly.
BloombergAvailable for iPhone, iPad and Android in both free and paid forms, the Bloomberg app offers most of the features of the Bloomberg website. Users can read the latest business updates, listen to the site’s podcasts, and view trending financial and investing news.
WSJ House of the DayWall Street Journal’s House of the Day app for iPhone and Android showcases a new home every day, with details on architecture, furnishings and more. Homes on the site range from high-end mansions to newly renovated vintage homes, with plenty of images for inspiration and information.
Mobile apps make managing investments and rental issues easier and faster – but they aren’t without risks. Experts advise treating your mobile device like a computer: passwords protect it, shop for apps at recognized stores such as Amazon, and use secure connections for transactions. Bur for the investor building wealth in income property as Jason Hartman advises, mobile apps can save time and travel.
