As real estate agents, there are a lot of different tasks we need to complete. And since a missed task could cost our clients or cause delays in a closing, it’s important for us to stay organized with all of our to-dos. A real estate agent planner, or realtor planners, is the best way to do that.
In this post, we’re talking about the best realtor planners — both online and offline versions.
Some agents prefer to work online, while others prefer a more traditional approach through a paper planner. At the end of the day, keep one principle in mind: the best real estate agent planner is the one that works best for you.
Virtual or Paper Planner?
One decision you have to make is virtual or paper. Do you want your planner to be virtual — like through an app or on the computer? Or, do you prefer a paper planner?
I have a strong preference for virtual calendars and planner options as a real estate agent. So much so, that I recommend every real estate agent try to make a virtual planner work.
The primary reason is due to integrations. With the right virtual calendar, you can integrate your email or real estate CRM with your calendar. Allowing you to seamlessly keep track of all of the details going on in your business.
But, at the end of the day… do what works for you. If it works and you’re destroying your to-do list, then by all means use a paper planner for your real estate career.
Business And Personal?
Another decision you need to make — one that influences your options — is whether you plan to use the planner for only real estate or if you will add personal tasks in your planner, too.
In this case, a paper planner might work better for you. You might even use two separate planners to keep track of your personal life and real estate career.
I know some agents who use virtual real estate planners for their business, but use a paper planner to prioritize, schedule and plan all of their personal tasks.
Either way, here are some of the best planners for real estate agents and realtors.
#1: Calendly
Calendly is a software built for setting and scheduling appointments rather than a pure planner. However, it’s worth mentioning since it’s such a powerful tool, especially when integrated with other calendar applications like Outlook or Google Calendar.
I use Calendly in my business for setting appointments with buyers and sellers. The scheduling application is able to read my Google Calendar and show only available times to prospective buyers and sellers.
First, this prevents double booking. Second, it streamlines my scheduling process. Rather than having to coordinate back and forth, buyers and sellers can just go online and book an appointment with me.
Let me provide another use case for this application. Say you’re balancing being a mom and a real estate agent. You can block off your personal stuff — school pick ups, doctor appointments, swim lessons, etc. — in your Google Calendar. This way, buyers and sellers know when you’re available for appointments, showings, and more.
#2: Google Calendar
Google Calendar has been around for a long time and is a great, simple virtual planner. It works like a traditional paper planner, showing various blocks of time. Here you can schedule your various activities.
Over the years, Google Calendar has improved their functionality. In the sidebar, you can keep track of to-do’s and notes. The ability to create different lists allows you to customize and organize your tasks.
For example, you could separate your lead generation tasks from client tasks. You can have two separate lists and keep yourself more organized.
The best way to use Google Calendar is by blocking off your time for specific activity types — working on clients, lead generation, bookkeeping, etc. Then, create a to-do list that tracks all of the things you need to do for the various activities.
Trying to schedule everything into your calendar is a recipe for disaster and will cause you to constantly manage your calendar rather than actually getting stuff done.
#3: ClickUp
ClickUp markets themselves as a “one-app solution”. No more need for multiple apps and playing around with various integrations.
It’s a calendar, planner, project management solution, doc storage app, and more. It has everything you could need.
I used to use Click Up back when I worked in the transportation industry. This was a while ago. I know Click Up has since made a lot of upgrades and improvements to their software solution.
Depending on your needs, Click Up may cost you. They do have a free option, though, as well as plans ranging from $5 to $19 per month (at the time of publication).
I do believe there is a lot of potential with ClickUp for real estate agents. The only downside is the learning curve. If you’re not used to using project management software, then there is a learning curve. It might take some time to fully learn how to use the solution.
But, if you don’t mind making the investment to learn, then it can definitely be worth it and has the potential to be a one-app solution.
#4: Microsoft Outlook
Just like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook offers their own version of a calendar. The planner integrates with your email, so scheduling and booking appointments is easy.
If your broker provides email accounts on Outlook, then this is a great free real estate planner. Plus, Outlook also offers a Task Planner solution. I don’t have a ton of experience with it, but it can allow a real estate agent to manage various projects and keep track of their schedule.
For example, a real estate agent could create a task project for a client transaction. In the software, they can create different tasks, with due dates, they need to do in order to move the transaction to a successful close.
#5: Brokers Planner
The Broker’s Planner is built specifically for real estate agents by a real estate agent. My favorite part is that it includes a tracker section for leads and income. No more keeping leads and your calendar separate. Now, you can stay organized in a single book.
According to their website, they include a market update on Mondays to keep track of area stats. This is critical in 2022 where the real estate market is changing fast.
There’s also sections for keeping track of your social media and lead generation efforts. Of course, it includes a regular planner and calendar where you can time block.
The only downfall is that each calendar is quarterly, so you have to purchase the realtor planner four times a year. Each planner is roughly $37.05 (at the time of publication), so that means about $150 for an entire year’s worth.
#6: Real Estate Agent Planner Pro
Created by DesignedForAgent, this is a top-selling real estate planner. I know several real estate agents that use this planner in their real estate careers.
The planner is broken down into four different sections — (1) your big why and goals (2) productivity and gratitude (3) weekly goal tracking (4) monthly goal tracking. The planner includes daily planning pages where you can create your hourly schedule, prospecting goals, administrative or client tasks, your wins, and more.
It’s designed to help real estate agents keep track of their production and marketing goals. The best part is that the calendar can be used at any point in the year. You don’t have to start on January 1st or buy a planner where half the pages are useless since the dates have already passed.
Just like the Broker Planner, this planner has only enough pages for a quarter. If you’re looking for a full year’s worth, then you need to purchase four of these paper realtor planners.
#7: Purple Trail Planner
The Purple Trail Planner is the simplest paper planner that we’re featuring in our list. This real estate planner is closer to any traditional planner you likely have come across.
However, you can customize the planner to your style. First, you can design the cover of your planner. If a certain style will help you use it more, then great!
Second, you can customize the interior pages, too. Not fully, but you can select different add-ons that you find useful. This way, you build a real estate planner that is built for your business and how you work.
Quick Note On Getting Things Done
There’s a great book by David Allen, called “Getting Things Done”. The book shares a methodology for getting organized and getting things done. It’s important to understand that a calendar and planner plays only a small part in your entire system.
If you can’t seem to stay organized, the issue might not be with your calendar or planner. Instead, it could be the way you collect your to-do’s, review your lists, the responsibilities and roles you have agreed to, and your decision-making process on various tasks.
I’d encourage you to order a copy along with your planner. If you’re trying to stay more organized, then this book is worth the read. Or, get the Audiobook version and listen to on your way to showings and listing appointments.
Final Words On Realtor Planners
We shared various realtor planners, but the best planner is the one that works for you. Try different solutions until you find one that works for you. If you go through various planners, it’s worth looking at your organization process. In that case, check out the book “Getting Things Done”.
When it comes to a planner, you can go virtual or stick to paper. You can integrate it with your personal life or use it only for your real estate career. The choice is yours. Do what’s best for you.
