Is PropStream the Best Real Estate Software for Investors in 2022?

Investing in real estate properties is serious business.

Other than access to funding, it also requires gathering extensive market research and data for proper real estate analysis. These two things are necessary to find the most profitable property that’s right for you. And by profitable, we mean getting the best possible deals that are in line with your investment goals and criteria. 

You’ve probably already heard investors and industry experts talk about how location matters. While it is true that a property’s location plays an important role in the success of the investment, finding the best deals is the most important part of real estate investing. And finding those deals requires access to the right tools to get those leads. 

The internet has a few good platforms and sites that investors can access for investment tools and real estate market analysis. One such platform is PropStream. 

A Closer Look at What the PropStream Software Has to Offer 

When it comes to real estate software, there are several good ones that investors and brokers can choose from. One of the software that pops up during a Google search is PropStream. Let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer and how it fares against Mashvisor. 

What is PropStream?

PropStream is an online real estate platform used by real estate professionals and investors to get access to data software and analytics for multiple types of investment analysis. It gathers data from multiple sources which are then uploaded to its database for investors to access. 

PropStream’s primary audiences are real estate investors and professionals who are looking for a SaaS data analysis tool to help simplify and boost their businesses. It is ideal for wholesalers who are looking for good deals for other investors. It is great for realtors in search of off market properties for both buyers and sellers. It’s even used by house flippers who are looking for potential fix-and-flip projects. 

What Does PropStream Have to Offer Its Users?

As a service, the real estate software has plenty to offer its users, especially when it comes to data. Here are a few of its features:

Details

Serious investors are always on the lookout for the details. This is one of PropStream’s strengths. More than just knowing how to find distressed properties on PropStream, users have access to trends, statistics, and analytics like the following: 

• Targeted property lists
• Property values
• Rent prices
• Property details
• Available MLS details
• Foreclosure details, if any
• Real estate comps
• Mortgage information
• Tax details
• Owner details
• Transaction history
• Other available detailed reports and documents
• Premium reports (subject to a small fee per report)

Skip Tracing

On top of that, it has a skip tracing function which allows users to zoom in on pre-foreclosures. If you’re wondering how to find motivated sellers on PropStream that could land you a very lucrative off-market deal, you will find this feature very useful. 

Related: How to Find Off-Market Properties in 2022: The Complete Guide

Rehab Calculator

It also comes with an integrated rehab calculator to give investors an idea of how much the estimated cost will be for a rehab or home improvement project based on the local labor rates and materials that will be used. 

The amount of data alone found on the website seems impressive enough to make any investor or broker sign up for its services. However, just like any real estate investment software, it does not come without its flaws. 

The Downsides

Like all other types of software, PropStream does not come without imperfections. Here are a few of its most common flaws: 

User Interface

One of the most glaring shortcomings that users find highly challenging and somewhat annoying is its user interface or UI. A lot of folks have a hard time navigating the site mainly because the UI isn’t as user-friendly as it should be. There seems to be a bit of a learning curve to learn the system and get used to it, unlike other similar sites and software. And while there are several instructional videos on how to use PropStream, most folks would rather not have to go to a different website to learn how to use the software. The Help section isn’t as helpful as well as there is no search function to make searching for topics easier. 

Small Font Size

Another thing that puts it at a bit of a disadvantage among investors and users, especially those who have some sort of visual impairment, is that the site’s font is on the small side. Perhaps adding a feature that allows the font size to be adjusted might benefit the site and make it easier to use for those who have poorer eyesight. 

Pricey Compared to Other Similar Software and Services

And then there’s the matter of pricing. Several users have commented on different PropStream reviews that PropStream pricing is a bit on the expensive side compared to other real estate marketplace platforms, especially ones that offer free real estate investment analysis tools (like Zillow and Realtor.com) and those that offer subscription services like Mashvisor and other PropStream competitors. Although it has a 7-day free trial offer, the platform only has one monthly subscription offer of $99 with a few add-on services at additional costs. Although, the price is still quite reasonable considering its features. However, there are other options that offer similar services—plus a few more—that don’t cost as much.  

That being said, what is a good PropStream alternative that investors can turn to?

Mashvisor vs PropStream

Investment property analysis is a very important aspect of real estate investing. No serious investor will ever consider going into business or taking on an investment opportunity without it. Buying rental properties involves more than just having enough capital to fund the purchase. It also requires extensive knowledge and in-depth understanding of what a certain property has to offer in terms of rate of return, cash flow, and cap rate among other things. 

Real estate online platforms like PropStream and Mashvisor offer investors and professionals access to specific data and information as well as numerous real estate investment tools to help them make wiser and more confident decisions. 

One of the PropStream alternatives investors can look into is Mashvisor. 

Related: AirDNA vs Mashvisor: Which One Is the Better Source of Airbnb Data?

What Is Mashvisor? 

Mashvisor is a real estate marketplace website that allows folks to optimize their rental strategies and understand different markets all over the country while saving time and money. It has several investment tools that help real estate investors make faster and smarter business decisions. 

What Does Mashvisor Have to Offer Its Users?

Mashvisor has plenty to offer real estate investors and professionals when it comes to property location and data analytics. Here are just a few of its sweet features users can’t get enough of: 

User Interface

For starters, Mashvisor’s dashboard has an easy-to-use interface allowing new users to quickly adapt to the system and navigate it with ease. It is easy to understand and fairly simple and straightforward, one thing that thousands of users are thankful for. The platform was specifically developed for first-time users, experienced investors, real estate agents and brokers, and property managers. Mashvisor understands that each user has his or her own technical know-how and challenges, that’s why it developed its UI to be as user-friendly as possible.

Property Finder

One thing Mashvisor has in common with other online real estate platforms is its Property Finder. Just like the others, the site allows its users to locate properties from different markets and neighborhoods across the US. The site uses predictive analytics to find the most lucrative traditional or short-term rental properties with greater ease in a matter of minutes. The results are sorted automatically based on their listing price, rental income, cap rate, cash on cash return, and occupancy rate. 

Results are also sorted to match your investment goals and criteria to meet your expectations when it comes to the type of property, return on investment, listing price, availability, and rental strategy. 

One of its unique features is it allows users to search up to five different markets simultaneously. This is a huge time saver for the more serious investors who are looking for investment properties in different cities. 

Search Engine

Another Mashvisor tool its users find very helpful and easy to use is the Search Engine. This feature is often used to find different types of properties on MLS listings, foreclosure lists, and off-market in any US market. Its wide range of filters allows users to come up with very precise results that line up with their criteria. Some of the most notable filters include: 

• City
• Neighborhood
• Property type
• Financing method
• Budget range
• Number of bedrooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Cash on cash return
• Cap rate
• Rental income

When you click on any property from your search results, the platform will then take you to a page where you can conduct a very comprehensive property analysis. 

Related: How to Do Investment Property Analysis

Real Estate Heatmap

Mashvisor’s real estate heatmap is one of its features that sets it apart from the competition. Think of it as a weather map used by weathermen and newscasters. Its color-coded maps show how hot or cold a specific market or neighborhood is based on four main property filters, namely:

• Listing price shows you properties that fit your budget
• Rental income is one of the factors that determine a property’s profitability if converted into a traditional or short-term rental.
• Return on investment, along with rental income, completes the picture of determining profitability through cash on cash returns.
• Airbnb occupancy rate shows neighborhoods that have a high Airbnb booking percentage.

Investment Property Calculator

The site’s investment property calculator points users to the most lucrative properties that are available in different US markets. Mind you, it is not just a simple calculator tool that you can find online. It helps investors conduct a complete neighborhood analysis to determine if the market is right for them. After all, location is one of the most integral considerations in real estate investing. 

Once users have identified their market of choice, they can proceed to perform a more in-depth neighborhood analysis using the investment property calculator using the following data:

• Median price
• Average price per square foot
• Average Airbnb and traditional rental income 
• Average Airbnb and traditional cash on cash return
• Average Airbnb occupancy rate
• Optimal rental strategy
• Optimal number of bedrooms
• Optimal property type
• Number of Airbnb and traditional properties for sale
• Walk Score
• Mashmeter Score
• Real estate comps

All of these data are then used to see if the math checks out and if the results are favorable for the investor. No investor would go into business just to break even. Their goal is to make a profit. 

That said, the site’s investment calculator helps users check to see how profitable the property is based on the property price and other expenses related to its acquisition. And as we already mentioned, the investment property calculator is quite unique compared to other real estate sites and software in that it also has a mortgage calculator and Airbnb calculator. A lot of Mashvisor’s users find these features very helpful in predicting profits. This enables them to make the most confident investment decisions. 

Rental Comps

Another feature loved by Mashvisor users is the rental comps or rental comparables. Although other companies offer the same service, Mashvisor has the leg up on the competition due to a longer and more comprehensive list of comparable rental properties. Investors find it easier to compute rental income, vacancy rate, and return on investment given the massive database available to them. 

Airbnb Data

If it’s still not obvious to you, Mashvisor is one of the few platforms that specifically cater to real estate investors who are considering Airbnb properties. Its exhaustive Airbnb database allows it to tap into a rapidly growing niche market and helps aspiring Airbnb hosts and operators launch their short-term rental business off the ground. 

Rental Strategies

With all the tools and data directed to the Airbnb property audience, one might mistakenly think that this is the only thing Mashvisor is good at. On the contrary, other than the acquisition of residential property and Airbnb rental property, the site also supports traditional long-term rental analysis. 

While Airbnb rentals have the potential to generate a higher rate of return and income, they also come with stricter enforced rules. Investing in Airbnb rental properties also comes with greater responsibilities and will require a more hands-on approach. Hiring an Airbnb property manager may be handy but it comes at a cost. Having a feature that also supports traditional rental property analysis helps investors in search of rental properties know which rental strategy to go with. 

Pricing

And lastly, there’s the pricing. Compared to PropStream, Mashvisor is far more affordable with three choices for monthly subscription plans:  

Lite Plan. This is the basic plan that allows subscribers to analyze properties, get estimates on rental rates, and project rental ROIs. This plan is available for only $17.99 a month.  

Standard Plan. The Standard Plan comes with all the features of the Lite Plan with a few add-ons, including identifying more profitable properties and markets, short-term and long-term rental comps, and up to 20 searches that can be exported to Excel per month. The plan costs only $49.99 monthly.

Professional Plan. The Professional Plan includes all the features of both Lite and Standard Plans plus a few exclusive benefits like bulk research and client management, access to multifamily and foreclosure listings, and up to 60 exports per month on Excel plus property PDFs. All of these can be accessed by subscribers for only $74.99 a month. 

Plus, Mashvisor offers a 7-day free trial that allows users to get 15% off on their subscription for life after the trial period expires. Compared to other similar platforms, Mashvisor prices are a steal.  Click here to try out our services today.

PropStream vs Mashvisor: Which Is Better?

Even though we are comparing the two platforms, it is important to note that the two aren’t in direct competition against each other. Although the two have plenty of similarities, they also have a few key features that keep them distinct from one another. And while they both cater to real estate investors and professionals, each one has unique features that their users may find useful at different times.

PropStream is a good software that has helped plenty of investors land great deals. However, for investors who are keen on looking for highly lucrative investment properties to convert into rentals, whether traditional long-term or short-term vacation rentals, Mashvisor has a clear advantage on this one given its tools and massive Airbnb database. 

And even if you’re just looking in the market for affordable (read: undervalued) properties in different markets nationwide, Mashvisor can help you locate the right property that aligns with your investment goals and criteria. Whether you plan to use it as a rental or fix and flip it, or even just use it as your primary residence, your ideal property can be easily found on Mashvisor. 

To learn more about how Mashvisor can help you find profitable investment properties, schedule a demo.