Independent Brokerages Love Loft47
Why Do Entrepreneurial Brokerages Love Loft47?
The Real Estate industry has levels of entrepreneurship and at Loft47 we celebrate that spirit in common.
Independent brokerages say they love Loft47 for its ability to streamline back-office operations and commission management through seamless and various integrations. The platform connects effortlessly with popular transaction management systems like SkySlope, DotLoop, and DocuSign Rooms, eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors.
Loft47's accounting integrations with tools like Xero and QuickBooks Online are another major benefit. These integrations enable real-time data synchronization, automating complex processes like commission payouts, tracking deposits, and generating accurate financial reports. The platform’s bi-directional connection ensures that brokers can manage workflows and fix any transaction errors easily.
Features loved by Boutique & Large Brokerage like you
Seamless Deal Management
- Users can create, update, manage and approve deals from any device in under a minute.
- Documents can be attached, synced, or forwarded directly to deals.
- Real-time deal tracking, progress updates, and communication are accessible.
- Personal notification preferences help users stay informed on deal activity.
Efficient Communication
- Templates / Google Docs can be used to save time on repetitive communications.
- Communications can be sent to any transaction party.
- Outgoing communication and deal activity are trackable and viewable at all times.
Collaboration & Team Management
- Teams can be created and managed efficiently, assigning split percentages for faster deal creation.
- Team performance and completed transactions can be easily monitored.
Integration & Automation that works
- Loft47 integrates seamlessly with Dotloop, DocuSign Rooms, QuickBooks and Xero, automating commission calculations, payouts, and reports.
- This reduces manual data entry and ensures accurate payouts, preventing errors.
High Quality Support & Partnership
- Loft47’s customer support is praised for being responsive and collaborative, offering practical solutions and forming strong partnerships with users.
- Loft47 in-app chat is answered in under 2 minutes on average.
Agent Empowerment & Engagement
- The platform offers agents tools like Google Data Studio for tracking performance, setting business goals, and enhancing accountability.
- Features like the dashboard improve transparency and interaction with data, empowering agents to focus on productivity.
Scalability & Growth
- Brokerages like Dobi and Regal Realtors experienced significant growth after transitioning to Loft47, thanks to the platform’s ability to support complex commission structures and streamline operations.
- Loft47 helps brokerages scale efficiently while maintaining smooth workflows.
Time Savings & Efficiency
- The automation of key processes has reduced administrative workloads, saved time, and increased operational efficiency across brokerages.
- Reporting and workflow improvements have provided better visibility into financial health, helping brokerages focus more on growth and agent support.
Trust & Recommendations
- Users highly recommend Loft47 for its ease of use, time-saving features, and supportive partnership approach.
- Many brokerages made the switch based on trusted recommendations from peers, accountants, and positive experiences with customer support.
These key points highlight Loft47's ability to streamline operations, improve collaboration, and support both agents and brokerages through intuitive features and strong customer relationships.
Beyond functionality, Loft47 is prized for its stability, scalability, affordability, and strong customer support. With mobile accessibility, customizable workflows, and robust training programs, the platform empowers both brokers and agents to operate more effectively. Independent brokerages appreciate Loft47's flexibility in managing complex commission structures and its ability to integrate with best-in-class tools without sacrificing ease of use. This adaptability, combined with a collaborative support culture, makes Loft47 a valuable tool for scaling and enhancing brokerage operations.
Mini Case Studies
DOBI REAL ESTATE
Current Size: The brokerage is a local operation in Michigan with approximately 111 agents and one office, planning to expand to additional locations in the Metro Detroit area.
Previous Software: They previously used Brokermint for accounting, which integrated with QuickBooks and other platforms like Dotloop and SkySlope.
Challenges with Previous System: Brokermint couldn't accommodate a new commission structure, leading to frustrations due to lack of support and problem-solving options.
Key Benefits:
Transition to Loft47: Chose Loft47 for the staff’s ability to brainstorm solutions, despite some limitations in automation.
Efficiency Improvements: Loft47 reduced manual labor by automating calculations and ensuring accurate agent payouts. Integration with QuickBooks improved accuracy and reduced manual journal entries.
Positive Support Experience: The support team is responsive, providing quick assistance, and offers proactive/logical solutions if there’s a feature missing, this contrasts with previous experiences of feeling neglected after onboarding.
Growth Focus/scalability: The brokerage is in growth mode, aiming for expansion and loves the scalability of Loft47.
Agent Dashboard Feedback: Agents are initially excited about new features, but there may be a lag in engagement. The dashboard allows tracking of individual goals, which is expected to enhance accountability.
Partnership Over Transaction: The brokerage values the partnership approach of Loft47, highlighting the importance of communication and adaptability.
High Recommendation: Highly recommends Loft47, citing trust and satisfaction with the support and overall service.
COSTELLO REAL ESTATE & INVESTMENTS
Current Size: Costello has about 350 agents across three offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Fort Mill, SC.
Previous Software: BrokerWolf
Key Benefits:
Agent Empowerment: The brokerage eliminates common fees (desk and printer fees) to empower agents and support their growth.
Background: The interviewee has an accounting degree and transitioned from a career as a touring musician.
Software Transition: Costello switched from Broker Wolf to Loft47 and Zero for accounting to improve reporting and workflow.
Positive Experience: The transition to Loft47 was smooth, with effective support and user-friendly features.
Improved Reporting: Loft47 provided better visibility into financial health and performance metrics that were previously unavailable.
Standout Features: Easy setup of agent profiles, tracking split fees, and an intuitive dashboard are key benefits of Loft47.
Time Savings: The new system has reduced administrative burdens and saved time for the brokerage.
Recommendation: Highly recommends Loft47 for brokerages looking to scale, rating it an 11 out of 10.
DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP
Dudum and Loft47 discuss the challenges brokerages face when transitioning to new software, particularly after negative experiences with previous products that over-promised and under-delivered. Many brokerages are hesitant to trust new solutions, feeling burned by past failures. However, the support and training provided by Loft47 are highlighted as exceptional, contributing to a more confident user experience. Tracey, from Dudum, appreciates the system's user-friendliness, seamless integration with existing tools like SkySlope, and reliable accounting data, which contrasts sharply with issues faced with previous software. While agent engagement is improving, there is still a need for better reporting capabilities. Overall, the brokerage values Loft47’s responsive support and partnership approach, emphasizing trust and collaboration as key factors in their satisfaction with the product.
Current Size: Dudum has about 350 agents across five offices in the Bay area in Northern California.
Previous Product Struggles: The brokerage had challenges with previous software that over-promised and under-delivered, leading to a lack of trust in new solutions.
Key Benefits:
Positive Experience with Loft47: The training and ongoing support from Loft47 are highly valued, setting it apart from previous experiences.
Ease of Use: The new system is user-friendly and efficient, allowing for quick and easy processing of deals, which saves time.
Accounting Integration: Loft47’s integration with accounting software has been smooth, unlike previous products that caused errors and additional work.
Agent Engagement: Agents are gradually becoming more engaged with the new system, which offers better interaction than prior software.
Reduced User Error: The system's design minimizes user error, which helps prevent costly mistakes in transactions.
Trust and Recommendations: The decision to switch was influenced by trusted recommendations from other brokerages and accountants.
Reporting Needs: While reporting capabilities need improvement, plans to use Google Data Studio may address this.
Support Importance: Immediate and effective support is crucial, and Loft47 provides this level of service, which was lacking in previous experiences.
Partnership Approach: The relationship with Loft47 is viewed as a partnership rather than a simple customer-vendor dynamic, emphasizing mutual support and trust.
REGAL REALTORS
Melanie from Regal Realtors discussed the company's growth and their transition to the Loft47 platform. Regal Realtors, an independent family-owned brokerage founded in 1991, expanded from 40 agents in 2014 to over 200 by 2023. Before adopting Loft47, they used Dotloop for transaction management and QuickBooks for accounting, but manual data entry became inefficient as they grew. Seeking a streamlined solution, Melanie chose Loft47 for its integration with both Dotloop and QuickBooks, which significantly improved efficiency, especially with managing agent payments. Since adopting Loft47, the brokerage has continued to scale, with Melanie praising the platform for freeing up her time to support agents and manage other departments. She also commended Loft47’s customer support team for their responsiveness and reliability. While minor glitches occur occasionally, Melanie remains satisfied with the service and has already recommended it to others.
Background: Regal Realtors, an independent brokerage founded in 1991, is family-owned. It grew from 40 agents in 2014 to over 200 agents by 2023.
Challenges Before Transition: Before switching to Loft47, Regal Realtors used Dotloop for transaction management and QuickBooks for accounting. However, manual data entry and Google Sheets became cumbersome as the brokerage expanded.
Key Benefits:
Transition to Loft47: Melanie sought a more efficient system to handle commissions, payments, and operations. She found Loft47 through Dotloop and liked its integration with QuickBooks, simplifying processes like paying agents quickly. Loft47's interface and branding also appealed to her.
Results of the Change: The implementation of Loft47 significantly streamlined operations, reduced time spent in QuickBooks, and allowed Melanie to focus more on supporting agents and managing other departments. She highlighted the importance of timely agent payments and credited Loft47 for contributing to the company’s growth.
Growth: Since adopting Loft47, Regal Realtors has seen significant growth, and the platform continues to support their scaling needs. They grew from around 120 agents at the start to over 200.
Customer Support: Melanie praised Loft47's support team, appreciating the responsiveness and assistance provided for any challenges faced. She’s already recommended Loft47 to others.
Suggestions for Improvement: Melanie had no major improvement suggestions, though she acknowledged occasional glitches, which she attributed to any system of this scale.