
Buildium is a comprehensive property management software designed to streamline tasks and boost productivity for property managers. It's a game-changer for those who want to simplify their workflow and focus on what matters most.
Buildium's user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate, even for those who are not tech-savvy. This is a major plus for property managers who may not have extensive technical expertise.
Buildium's robust features include rent collection, lease management, and financial reporting, making it an all-in-one solution for property managers.
Pricing Overview
Buildium offers a range of pricing plans to suit different property management needs.
The Essential plan is a great starting point for small property management companies with 150 units or less, starting at $58 per month.
Each plan includes standard features such as a free marketing website, accounting and maintenance tools, task management with vendors, a building violations log, and online portals for owners and residents.
The Growth plan is ideal for property management companies with 150+ units, and those needing frequent property inspections, starting at $183 per month.
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The Premium plan is designed for large property management companies that need business analytics and insights, starting at $375 per month.
Here's a breakdown of the key features and pricing for each plan:
The Essential plan includes electronic signature gathering for $5 per e-signature, while the Growth and Premium plans offer unlimited e-signatures.
The Growth and Premium plans also include live phone support and performance and business analytics and insights.
The Premium plan unlocks additional features such as API access, free eLeases, and waived payment processing fees.
Features
Buildium offers a comprehensive platform designed to streamline property operations. With advanced features, you can manage your entire property management business from one place.
You can create work orders, attach videos and documents, and send them to vendors, all from your smartphone or desktop. This is especially useful for maintenance management, which is a popular feature in property management tools.
Buildium's financial management system is robust, allowing users to track income and expenses, automate rent payments, generate detailed financial reports, and manage vendor payments all within one platform. This level of automation reduces errors and saves valuable time.
You can easily track income and expenses, automate rent payments, generate detailed financial reports, and manage vendor payments all within one platform. Buildium's financial management system is designed to help property managers like you stay on top of their finances.
Buildium's property accounting software is designed specifically for property managers. It allows you to record and view every transaction made through your business, including fees, payments, deposits, and refunds. You can also create comprehensive transaction notes directly in the software.
Some of the financial reports that can be easily created with the Buildium accounting software include:
- Balance Sheets;
- Income statements;
- Cash flow statements;
- 'Budget versus Actual' comparisons;
- General Ledgers;
- Rental owner statements and ending balances.
You can also pay vendors from right within the Buildium app, allowing you to keep everything in one convenient place. This is especially useful for maintenance management, which is a popular feature in property management tools.
Buildium's full suite of financial reports and tracking ensures you can continually check on the financial health of your property management business operations to identify any risk factors, unpaid bills or invoices, and address inefficiencies. All reconciliation reports created through Buildium are audit-compliant.
User Experience
Buildium's user experience is top-notch, with a score of 4.5 out of 5 based on 1,969 reviews from Capterra and Software Advice. This is a testament to the software's intuitive design and user-friendly interface.
The platform's online rent payment function and maintenance request feature are particularly popular among users. One user praised Buildium's wide range of functionalities, from accounting and leasing to communication and mobile apps.
Here are some key stats on Buildium's user experience:
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 based on 1,969 Buildium reviews
- Software Advice: 4.5 of 5 based on 1,969 Buildium reviews
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 based on 195 Buildium reviews
While some users found the learning curve to be too long, the majority of users appreciate the flexibility and convenience of Buildium's cloud-based platform.
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User-Friendly Interface
The user-friendly interface of Buildium makes property management tasks a breeze.
The Essential plan is just $50/mo and includes basic features, which is a great starting point for small property managers.
Buildium's cloud-based platform allows property managers to access their portfolio anytime and anywhere, providing flexibility and convenience.
From within the "resident center", tenants can pay rent, association, and other fees, and view payment history.
Tenants can even submit maintenance requests themselves, attach photos via their smartphones, and track the request from start to finish.
Pricing is per unit, and at 100 units, the Essential plan is an estimated $160/mo.
The Essential plan is limited to a max of 150 units, so it's perfect for small properties.
eLeases are just $5 each, making it easy to manage leases for multiple units.
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Screening and Communication
Screening and Communication is a crucial aspect of user experience in property management.
Buildium's tenant screening is powered by TransUnion, providing full credit, criminal, and eviction data to help landlords avoid tenant scams.
Landlords have two screening options: basic and enhanced. The enhanced option allows for customized thresholds on recommendations, requires minimal applicant involvement, and delivers faster results.
The enhanced screening option also includes rental recommendations from TransUnion, a full credit report, identity verification, eviction history, and background checks for renters.
You can communicate with tenants and vendors directly through SMS messaging, both individually and in bulk, from within the Buildium app.
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The app also allows you to send single or bulk emails to tenants, and even mail physical letters with the EZMail service.
Here are the key features of Buildium's communication tools:
- Send single or bulk emails to tenants
- Send SMS messages to tenants and vendors
- Mail physical letters with the EZMail service
Buildium's comprehensive screening feature helps to effectively screen applicants prior to review, saving property managers time and effort.
The screening tool provides access to full background checks on potential tenants, including data on credit history, criminal records, and prior evictions.
Resident Center
The Resident Center is a game-changer for property managers. It's a central place where residents can interact with each other and with property managers, making communication and rent collection a breeze.
With the Resident Center, property managers can collect rent payments or fees online directly in the Buildium software. This feature is a huge time-saver and eliminates the need for paper checks or in-person payments.
Residents can view their payment history and even register a bank account or credit card to process recurring monthly payments. This is a huge convenience for tenants and makes it easy for them to stay on top of their payments.
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The Resident Center also offers a community message board where residents can meet, discuss issues, and share news. This is a great way to connect residents to each other and create a sense of community within properties.
One of the most beneficial features of the Resident Center is the ability to collect rent payments online. This feature is available via desktop or mobile app, making it easy for residents to pay their rent on the go.
Here are some key features of the Resident Center:
- Collect rent payments or fees online directly in the Buildium software
- View payment history and register a bank account or credit card for recurring payments
- Community message board for residents to meet and discuss issues
- Announcement board and individual or group emails and text messages
Overall, the Resident Center is a powerful tool for property managers and residents alike. It simplifies communication, rent collection, and community building, making it a must-have for any property management team.
Accounting
Buildium's accounting features are designed to make financial management a breeze for property managers. With Buildium, you can track income and expenses, automate rent payments, and generate detailed financial reports all within one platform.
The software offers bookkeeping features, including payment tracking and bank reconciliation. This ensures that your company's bank records are accurate and up-to-date.
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You can easily track company expenses and income, and financial reporting tools generate reports for cash flow, balance sheets, and income statements. This provides a comprehensive snapshot of your business's financial health.
Buildium's accounting software also includes automatic payments, which saves time and effort by recording every check and transaction associated with the building. This feature is particularly useful for property managers who need to collect fees and deposits from tenants.
Some of the key features of Buildium's accounting software include:
- Property-specific accounting
- Overall company accounting
- Financial reporting
- Automatic payments
This comprehensive accounting software can track budgets, manage vendor payments, and coordinate rent payments and schedules with tenants. It also ensures that all transactions in your business are properly recorded and analyzed.
With Buildium's built-in accounting software, you can rest assured that the expenses you incur for your properties and business are being properly recorded and analyzed. This helps to ensure good financial health for your company.
Buildium's property accounting software allows you to record and view every transaction made through your business, including fees, payments, deposits, and refunds. You can also create comprehensive transaction notes directly in the software to keep track of troublesome payments and outstanding or unpaid fees.
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The software also includes a calculator function that shows property managers any outstanding amounts owed to your company and to vendors. This helps to ensure that your accounts payable are in tip-top shape.
Some of the reports that can be easily created with the Buildium accounting software include:
- Balance Sheets
- Income statements
- Cash flow statements
- 'Budget versus Actual' comparisons
- General Ledgers
- Rental owner statements and ending balances
These reports help you to continually check on the financial health of your property management business operations and identify any risk factors, unpaid bills or invoices, and address inefficiencies.
Rental Management
Buildium's rental listing syndication feature allows you to list units on major third-party platforms with just a few clicks. This includes major websites like Apartments.com, the Zillow Rental Network, Craigslist, and Zumper.
Online rental applications save time and hassle, and are fully customizable to fit your building's needs. You can also collect application fees online and screen potential tenants directly within the platform.
Here are some key features of Buildium's rental management tools:
- Syndicate listings to major third-party platforms
- Customizable online rental applications
- Collect application fees online
- Screen potential tenants
Rental Management
You can list available or upcoming units with just a few clicks as vacancies within the building arise. Lists units on major third-party platforms, anticipate upcoming vacancies, and provide full unit descriptions.
Property managers can see an overview of units listed on the market, units taken off the market, and potential upcoming vacancies. This helps them stay on top of their rental listings and make informed decisions.
The platform allows you to input a description for the listing, including unit details, amenities, building amenities, and photos or videos of the space. This ensures that potential tenants have all the information they need to make an informed decision.
Online rental applications save time and the hassle of physical paperwork. Interested parties can apply from anywhere, and application fees are automatically processed through the form.
The building application is fully customizable, allowing you to edit the application as needed based on required information from the building owner. You can also showcase building branding on the application to reinforce marketing efforts.
Here are some benefits of using online rental applications:
- Save time and reduce paperwork
- Allow interested parties to apply from anywhere
- Automatically process application fees
- Customize the application to fit your needs
Rental Management & Accounting
Buildium's rental management software is designed to help property owners and managers automate many of their property management tasks, including tracking income and expenses, automating rent payments, and generating detailed financial reports.
With Buildium's robust financial management system, you can easily track income and expenses, automate rent payments, and manage vendor payments all within one platform.
Buildium's bookkeeping software takes the ease of similar cloud-based accounting software available and adjusts those tools to fit the specific needs of property managers.
Buildium's property accounting software is designed specifically for property managers, allowing you to record and view every transaction made through your business, including fees, payments, deposits, and refunds.
Some of the key features of Buildium's property accounting software include:
- Property-specific accounting
- Overall company accounting
- Financial reporting
- Automatic payments
With Buildium's real estate accounting software, you can track company expenses and income and provide an accurate snapshot of bills, incoming rent, and security deposits.
Buildium's financial reporting tools generate reports for cash flow, balance sheets, and income statements, allowing you to make better-informed decisions about your rental business.
The ability to track all transactions for your business in one place is more efficient and ensures that no transaction slips under the radar.
Buildium's property accounting software also gives tenants the ability to pay their portion of maintenance fees through the common allocations function, eliminating the need to chase down individual payments.
With Buildium's built-in calculator functions, you can easily create work orders and invoices directly in the platform for a seamless online payment process.
Maintenance Management
With Buildium, you can create work orders, attach videos and documents, and send them to vendors from your smartphone or desktop. This feature is available on both the smartphone and desktop versions of the app.
You can also get status updates for those work orders sent to your smartphone, keeping you informed on the progress of the maintenance request. This feature is convenient for property managers who are always on the go.
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Once orders are complete, you can pay vendors from right within the Buildium app, allowing you to keep everything in one convenient place. This eliminates the need for manual payments and reduces the risk of lost or delayed payments.
Buildium's maintenance module makes tracking progress in real time a breeze. You can create work orders, assign tasks to vendors or staff members, and even capture photos or notes related to repairs.
Residents can also submit and track their maintenance requests through the Buildium resident center portal. This allows them to attach photos or videos directly from their phones and track the status update of their maintenance requests.
By tracking the performance analytics of all vendors, you can rest easy knowing that all vendors are being continuously evaluated. This helps you identify the most efficient vendors and assign them the most maintenance requests.
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Payment and Operations
Buildium's payment system is incredibly efficient, cutting payment processing time by up to 70 percent with their online payment portal.
You can accept rent payments using multiple payment methods, including credit card and ACH payments, making it easy for tenants to pay on time.
With Buildium's automated collection and payment processing system, you'll receive your money faster and more efficiently, eliminating the need to juggle finances or worry about insufficient funds.
Tenants can authorize a bank account or credit card through the Buildium resident site and set up a recurring payment schedule, ensuring timely payments and fewer headaches for both you and your tenant.
Payments are deposited into your bank account automatically, making it seamless to manage your finances.
Buildium's payment processing software also allows you to pay your own company bills in the most efficient way possible, automatically recording transactions and eliminating the need to double-check bill payments.
The Buildium platform is designed with the property manager in mind, easily fitting into your current business operations and processes, unlike generalized accounting and CRM softwares.
Property managers can share important notices and updates directly in the Buildium platform through hundreds of email and mailing templates, making it easy to communicate with tenants and vendors.
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You can even send vital documents through traditional post with the EZMail option, which automatically prints and sends written documents for as little as $0.80 per mailing.
Buildium's comprehensive financial management system allows users to easily track income and expenses, automate rent payments, generate detailed financial reports, and manage vendor payments all within one platform.
This level of automation reduces errors and saves valuable time, making it a game-changer for property managers.
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Security and Safety
Buildium takes security very seriously and has implemented several measures to safeguard user data. This includes the use of secure socket layer (SSL) encryption in transit, which ensures that all communication between the user's device and Buildium's servers is encrypted and secure.
Buildium's servers are kept in secure data centers that are monitored 24/7. This means that any suspicious activity is quickly detected and addressed.
Biometric access controls and video surveillance are also in place to safeguard the servers. This provides an additional layer of security and ensures that only authorized personnel have access to the servers.
Buildium's commitment to security is evident in its use of secure data centers and robust access controls.
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Alternatives and Comparison
If you're looking for alternatives to Buildium, consider the following options that offer similar features like listing syndication, maintenance management, tenant screening, and online rent collecting. Some of these alternatives may even offer more affordable price points.
Buildium's main competitor, DoorLoop, offers many of the same core tools, but at a lower cost. DoorLoop also includes features like QuickBooks integration and customizable marketing websites, making it a more affordable option for small to mid-sized portfolios.
DoorLoop is often easier to set up and provides more flexibility than Buildium, making it a great choice for those who want to get organized and grow their rental portfolio quickly.
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Doorloop Comparison
DoorLoop offers many of the same core tools as Buildium, but at a more affordable price point. DoorLoop includes features like QuickBooks integration, which can be a game-changer for those who need to manage their finances efficiently.
DoorLoop is often easier to set up compared to Buildium, making it a great option for small to mid-sized portfolios. This ease of setup can save you a lot of time and hassle.
DoorLoop provides more flexibility for those who need it, allowing you to customize marketing websites to suit your needs.
What Are the Limitations
Buildium's limitations are worth noting. It doesn't integrate with QuickBooks, which may be a deal-breaker for users already reliant on that software.
One of the standout limitations of Buildium is its lack of integration with QuickBooks. This can make it difficult for users to manage their finances and accounting in one place.
Buildium's higher-tier plans offer some useful features that lower-tier plans don't, such as live phone support, inspections, and e-signatures.
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Evaluation and Recommendation
Buildium's rating was determined by evaluating the platform alongside other tenant screening software for landlords and property managers based on its pricing, ease of use, customer reviews, help and support, and general and advanced features.
The evaluation criteria used to examine each platform included tenant screening features, which accounted for 25% of the overall rating. This is because comprehensive and reliable credit, criminal, and eviction history reports are crucial for landlords and property managers to evaluate prospects.
Buildium provides a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it a great option for those who may not have extensive technical expertise. Its well-designed user interface is a major advantage for property managers who want to manage their investment property management business entirely online.
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Here are the weighted evaluation criteria used to examine each platform:
- Tenant screening features (25%)
- Platform usability (20%)
- Customer reviews and feedback (20%)
- Help and support (15%)
- General and advanced features (20%)
Overall, Buildium is worth trying for property owners who want to manage their investment property management business entirely online. It provides comprehensive tools for managing properties, from automated accounting to online rent collection.
How We Evaluated
To evaluate the best tenant screening software, we considered a range of factors to ensure a comprehensive assessment. We looked at the pricing of each platform, as well as its ease of use, customer reviews, help and support, and general and advanced features.
We assigned a weighted evaluation criteria to each factor, with tenant screening features making up 25% of the overall evaluation. This is because reliable credit, criminal, and eviction history reports are essential for landlords and property managers to make informed decisions.
The remaining 75% was divided among other important factors, including property management features, usability, customer feedback, and customer service. We analyzed each platform to determine its value for the money, ease of use, and overall convenience.
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We used a combination of expert knowledge and firsthand experience to evaluate the standout features and value of each platform. This included looking at the level of expertise needed to set up an account and navigate the provider interface.
Here are the weighted evaluation criteria we used to examine each platform:
- Tenant screening features (25%)
- Property management features (20%)
- Usability (15%)
- Customer feedback (15%)
- Customer service (25%)
We believe that by considering these factors and using a weighted evaluation criteria, we were able to provide a fair and comprehensive assessment of each platform.
My Personal Recommendation
I've evaluated the options and I highly recommend considering the Hybrid approach, which combines the strengths of both Agile and Waterfall methods. This approach can help you adapt to changing requirements while still maintaining a structured project plan.
One key benefit of the Hybrid approach is that it allows for more flexibility in terms of project scope and timeline, which can be especially useful for projects with uncertain or rapidly changing requirements. This can help you avoid costly rework and delays.
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The Hybrid approach also enables you to break down large projects into smaller, more manageable components, which can help you focus on delivering high-priority features and functionality. By doing so, you can ensure that you're meeting the needs of your stakeholders and customers.
In my experience, the Hybrid approach can be particularly effective for projects with complex technical requirements or those that involve multiple stakeholders with competing priorities. By combining the best of both Agile and Waterfall, you can create a project plan that's both flexible and robust.
Ultimately, the Hybrid approach offers a balanced approach to project management that can help you deliver successful projects on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
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Is It Worth It?
Buildium is worth trying for property owners who want to manage their investment property management business entirely online. Its comprehensive tools cover automated accounting, tenant screening, and rental listing.
The user interface is well-designed and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and use. You can experience its services firsthand with a 14-day free trial.
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Growth
As your property management business grows, you'll appreciate the added features of Buildium's Growth plan. Live phone support is a welcome addition, allowing you to quickly resolve any issues that arise.
With the Growth plan, you'll also get onboarding, which includes additional fees, but can be a valuable investment for new clients. Property inspections are another unique feature that's free and can help you stay on top of your properties.
Here are the key features of the Growth plan:
- Live phone support
- Onboarding (additional fees apply)
- Property inspections
- Unlimited eLeases
You can schedule a demo in just 36 seconds to see how Buildium can support your growing business.
Essential Information
Buildium is a property management software that helps landlords and property managers streamline their operations. It's a cloud-based platform that offers a range of features to make managing rental properties easier.
Buildium's pricing plans start at $50 per month for properties with up to 10 units, and it offers a free trial for new users. This makes it an affordable option for small to medium-sized property owners.
Buildium's online rent payment system allows tenants to pay rent online, which can help reduce late payments and improve cash flow. This feature is especially useful for property owners who have a large number of tenants.
Buildium also offers a mobile app that allows property owners and managers to access their accounts on-the-go. This can be a big time-saver for those who need to manage their properties remotely.
Buildium's reporting and analytics tools help property owners and managers track key performance indicators, such as rent collection and vacancy rates. This information can be used to make data-driven decisions about their properties.
Buildium integrates with other popular accounting and payment systems, making it easy to manage finances and stay organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Yardi and Buildium the same?
No, Yardi Breeze and Buildium are not the same, as they offer distinct features and solutions for property managers. Testing them out can help you determine which one best fits your needs.
What company owns Buildium?
Buildium is owned by RealPage, a leading provider of property management software and services. The acquisition was valued at $580 million in December 2019.
Is rent reporting by Buildium worth it?
Rent reporting by Buildium can increase on-time rent payments and boost your bottom line by up to 60%. Consider offering rent reporting to attract more renters and improve your rental income.
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