Brokerage Builder
Build a profitable Brokerage with the help of our expertise in Real Estate Escrow & Trust Reconciliation and Accounting services.
We genuinely want to see your business succeed.
Brokerage Builder partnered with Loft47 to provide enhanced support services for brokers, helping them stay ahead of their reporting requirements, optimize their financial workflow, and find peace of mind knowing that this essential business function can be relied upon.
We are experts in real estate accounting with decades of experience in Escrow, Trust, and commission management. We specialize in reviewing your bookkeeping and financial records to deliver clear business reports and key performance metrics that keep your brokerage optimized for growth. It all starts with Trust and Escrow reconciliations.
When challenges arise—whether it’s the loss of a key employee, a hectic busy season, or simply the need to focus on higher-value tasks—we streamline your operations. We aim to ensure your systems work as promised, eliminating inefficiencies and bad habits so you can rely on consistent, accurate reporting without the stress.
With Brokerage Builder, you can confidently know your financial operations are running smoothly without wondering if it’s time to manage it all yourself. You'll value the predictable, trusted service that saves you time, hassle, and surprises, allowing you to focus on what you do best—growing your business.
Building Blocks for Growth
The Foundation
- Your Brokerage needs to have bank accounts reconciled and balanced.
- We prepare your bank reconciliation report each month, and provide it in a clean reporting package to keep you compliant.
- We work in your accounting software to make this a seamless experience..
- You'll sleep easy knowing we've got it covered.
System Integrations
- We work in the cloud and with leading technology providers like Loft47.
- Your bank reconciliations require communications between your accounting system and the ledger of deals in progress from Loft47.
- System communication and activity are transparent, trackable and viewable at all times.
Collaborative Approach
- We are not an accounting firm, but we are happy to coordinate with your other advisors. Our services do not include tax or financial statements. We focus on high value-add services, exclusively for Real Estate Brokerages
- Maybe you are doing just fine on your own, DIY-ing your own accounting; then you hit a wall and nothing is working. We can help clear up the mess, and provide a constructive summary of what went wrong.
Ready to get started?
- What we need to get started is simple:
- Intro call to understand your current processes, how we do things, and if we see some chemistry working together.
- Access to your Xero (advisor invite)
- Access to your Loft47 account
- Bank statements
- Depending on what we uncover while working, some other information is occasionally needed:
- Xero may not have downloaded bank transactions completely.
- Bank statements for accounts not in scope. Sometimes transactions are transferred to the wrong bank account, and we need to confirm before fixing.
- Approval for booking hours outside the scope of work included in monthly services. This only happens for major issues!
Our Clients Are Just Like You - Learn how Loft47 has helped Brokerages like yours.
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.