Among the many online real estate platforms out there today, PropStream is one of the names that keep popping up. But just how reliable is it?
Table of Contents:
- 4 Challenges in Real Estate Investing in 2023
- What Is PropStream?
- What Is the Best Alternative to PropStream?
Real estate investing is a serious business. It involves a substantial amount of money and can be quite time-consuming.
Other than access to funding, success in real estate investing also requires gathering extensive market research and data for proper real estate analysis. Both 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 such deals requires access to the right tools to get those leads.
One of the best things about modern-day real estate investing is that we can now access technology that allows us to do as much work in a fraction of the time. What took weeks to months of conventional research and data gathering before can now be done in a matter of minutes using real estate investing apps and websites.
The internet is home to a few good platforms and sites that investors can access for investment tools and real estate market analysis. One such platform is PropStream. Let’s take a closer look at what it offers and how it fares against Mashvisor.
4 Challenges in Real Estate Investing in 2023
Real estate investing may be very lucrative, but it is not without challenges. One of the biggest challenges we faced within the last two years was COVID-19. The pandemic, especially at its onset, adversely affected the entire global economy, including the real estate market.
For most of 2021, though, the real estate industry experienced some sort of revival when we saw mortgage rates hit record lows of below 3.00%. Real estate properties were also more affordable as a lot of sellers were willing to go below their asking prices just to make a sale. It led to an unexpectedly stellar performance by the industry amid a pandemic.
However, as economies reopened and industries were on the road to recovery, we got hit by geopolitical conflicts earlier in 2022. It once again interrupted the global supply chain, which impacted the construction industry.
We’re also presently dealing with high inflation on a massive scale, which is affecting buyer behavior, as well as mortgage rates and higher costs of home maintenance.
Additionally, there are also four very specific challenges that industry experts are anticipating for 2023. They are:
1. Access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
As a real estate investor, one of the things you need access to is the multiple listing service or MLS. It is where you will find most of the available investment properties in any real estate market. The MLS usually includes undervalued and distressed properties that are ideal for real estate investors.
As an investor, you won’t always be able to directly access the MLS, especially if you’re new to the game. It is why a lot of investors connect with local real estate professionals because they can access the local MLS. Not only that, they know what the local market conditions are actually like.
It has been an ongoing challenge for most investors and will continue to be one of the top challenges going into 2023, as access to the MLS is very location specific. You need to consider other options that will give you access to a database that is not limited to just one location.
2. Supply Chain Disruption
COVID-19 and the ongoing geopolitical conflict in Eastern Europe have both affected the global supply chain. The pandemic made it harder for supplies to get around out of fear of spreading the dreaded coronavirus.
One of the main hindrances is the high cost of oil and fuel, which makes transporting raw materials and supplies a lot more expensive. Rising fuel prices, along with surging inflation, are causing another round of disruptions in the global supply chain.
Supply chain disruptions have been a constant headache to almost every industry in the past couple of years. From grocery stores to automotive to construction companies. We still have to deal with this problem going into 2023. It isn’t just a US problem, mind you. It’s a global concern that needs to be addressed, with no clear resolution in sight.
And while we may all be inclined to think that it started with COVID-19, it didn’t. Most experts believe the problem started well before the pandemic and will not go away any time soon.
3. Housing Imbalance
It is not surprising that one of the challenges of real estate investing in 2023 is this great housing imbalance. The US real estate market has been experiencing lower inventory in relation to the increasing demand for years. It has not caught up, despite the rosy expectations for the 2022 real estate market.
The shortage of housing supply can be attributed to several factors, such as:
- Availability of land
- Increasing land, labor, and material prices
- An increase in regulations through fees and longer and more complicated entitlement processes.
On the demand side, we’ve seen an uptick in numbers even amid a pandemic as more companies embraced the new norm of allowing employees to work from home. People were looking for properties that offered them more space. It is one of the reasons why the real estate industry performed well during the COVID era.
On the other hand, as far as inventory is concerned, developers couldn’t keep up with the increasing demand for affordable housing. The number of single-family units completed was just shy of its normal average of one million units per year. The number is way below the 1.6 million units completed in 2006.
And while developers and builders are doing their best to catch up with the growing demand, given the existing supply chain disruptions, it will not happen overnight. It means that we are looking at the same demand vs supply ratio in 2023.
4. Cybersecurity Issues
As we mentioned earlier, perhaps one of the best things to happen to real estate investing is the advancement of modern technology. However, real estate websites and platforms are not without their challenges, one of which is cybersecurity.
There is always the threat of hackers getting into security systems and accessing private and sensitive information. As technology keeps advancing, so do the hackers’ skills. It is why real estate platform developers and cybersecurity need to constantly improve their security systems to mitigate the risks of hacking.
The above are just some of the notable challenges experts and analysts anticipate we will face in 2023. Given such challenges, how does a real estate platform like PropStream work to put investors’ minds at ease?
What Is PropStream?
Technology has played a huge part in advancing the real estate industry and ushering it into the 21st century. That said, online platforms designed to help real estate investors have proliferated in cyberspace. One of the more popular real estate investing platforms today 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 on undervalued and distressed properties for other investors.
PropStream is also 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 an online real estate platform, PropStream is one of the more popular apps among real estate professionals. PropStream’s website offers a lot to its users, especially when it comes to real estate market data.
Here are a few of PropStream’s more notable features:
Details
Serious investors are always on the lookout for the details. It is one of PropStream’s strengths. More than just knowing how to find distressed properties on PropStream, users can access 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)
As you can see, the wide range of real estate market data available to PropStream users is what makes it a hit among real estate professionals and investors.
Skip Tracing
On top of the quality data offered by PropStream, it also comes with a skip tracing function that allows users to zoom in on pre-foreclosures. If you’re wondering how to find motivated sellers on PropStream that can land you a very lucrative off-market deal on undervalued and distressed properties, you will find this feature very useful.
Rehab Calculator
When you’re in the market looking for distressed properties, you need to manage your expectations that rehabilitation and repairs are inevitable. Keep in mind that updating a property to make it up to par with local city engineering standards can be quite costly.
In this regard, PropStream 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. The cost estimate is based on local labor rates and materials that will be used.
The amount of data alone found on PropStream’s 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 flaws.
The Downsides
Now just because technology has made real estate investing level up by leaps and bounds, it doesn’t mean that it’s all sunshine and rainbows. Like all other types of software, PropStream does not come without its fair share of imperfections. Here are a few of its most common flaws, according to user reviews:
User Interface
One of the most glaring shortcomings that PropStream users find highly challenging and somewhat annoying is its user interface or UI. Many people find it difficult to navigate PropStream’s 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 PropStream’s system and get used to it, unlike other similar sites and software. While there are several instructional videos available, most users would prefer not to go to a different website to learn how to use the software.
PropStream’s Help section isn’t as helpful as it is supposed to be as well because it lacks a search function to make searching for topics easier.
Small Font Size
Another thing that puts PropStream at a bit of a disadvantage among investors and users, especially those with 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 makes it easier to use for those with poorer eyesight.
Pricey Compared to Other Similar Software and Services
And then there’s this small matter of pricing.
According to different PropStream reviews, its pricing is a bit on the expensive side compared to other real estate marketplace platforms, both free and paid.
Although PropStream users can take advantage of a 7-day free trial, the platform only offers one monthly subscription plan of $99, with a few add-on services at additional costs. 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?
What Is the Best Alternative to 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 accumulating enough capital to fund the purchase. It also requires extensive knowledge and an in-depth understanding of what a certain property can offer in terms of rate of return, cash flow, and cap rate.
Real estate online platforms like PropStream and Mashvisor offer investors and real estate professionals access to specific data and information. They also provide 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.
What Is Mashvisor?
Mashvisor is a real estate marketplace website that allows investors to optimize their rental strategies and understand different markets all over the country while saving time and money. It offers several investment tools that help real estate investors make faster and smarter business decisions.
Mashvisor was established with the goal of helping real estate investors to find the best deals in the most profitable real estate markets. Countless investors are able to benefit from using the website. With the help of Mashvisor, they’ve found the right investment properties that align with their goals and needs.
As a real estate website, Mashvisor comes with a few advantages over PropStream. These are some of the reasons why investors prefer using it over PropStream, especially those who are in the market looking for traditional or Airbnb rental properties.
Let’s take a look at some of the things that put Mashvisor above other platforms like PropStream.
What Does Mashvisor Have to Offer Its Users?
Mashvisor offers a lot to 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 is easy to use, allowing new users to quickly adapt to the system and navigate it with ease. Compared to PropStream’s UI, Mashvisor’s interface is fairly simple and straightforward, one thing that thousands of users are thankful for.
The platform was specifically developed with first-time users, experienced investors, real estate agents and brokers, and property managers in mind. Mashvisor understands that each user is unique in terms of technical know-how and challenges. That’s why it developed its UI to be as user-friendly as possible.
Mashvisor’s user-friendly interface enables users to navigate the platform with minimum instructions.
Property Finder
One thing Mashvisor has in common with other online real estate platforms like PropStream 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.
The results are also arranged to match your investment goals and criteria, specifically regarding property type, 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. It is a huge time saver for the more serious investors who are looking for investment properties in different cities.
Search Engine
Another Mashvisor tool that its users find very helpful and easy to use is its Search Engine. The feature is often used to find different types of properties on MLS listings, foreclosure lists, and off-market properties 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.
Real Estate Heatmap
Mashvisor’s real estate heatmap is one feature that sets it apart from PropStream and other competitors. 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, which makes it easier to locate properties that fit your budget;
- Rental Income (Traditional and Airbnb), which is one of the factors that determine a property’s profitability if converted into a traditional or short-term rental;
- Return on Investment, which, along with the rental income, completes the picture of determining profitability through cash on cash returns for both traditional and vacation rental properties; and
- Airbnb Occupancy Rate, which shows neighborhoods with a high Airbnb booking percentage.
Investment Property Calculator
Mashvisor’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.
After identifying their market of choice, users 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 the above 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 property calculator helps users check to see how profitable a subject 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 in that it also comes with a mortgage calculator and an Airbnb calculator.
A lot of Mashvisor’s users find the above features very helpful in predicting profits and making more accurate and realistic income projections. They, in turn, allow 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 outdoes 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 that’s easily accessible to them.
Airbnb Data
If it’s still not obvious to you, Mashvisor is one of the few platforms specifically catering to real estate investors considering Airbnb properties. Its extensive Airbnb database allows it to tap into a rapidly growing niche market. Moreover, the Airbnb data provided 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 it is the only thing Mashvisor is good at. On the contrary, other than the acquisition of residential property and Airbnb rental property, it also supports long-term rental analysis.
While Airbnb rentals can potentially generate a higher rate of return and income, they are also subject to 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.
A feature that also supports traditional rental property analysis helps investors in search of rental properties know which rental strategy to use.
Pricing
And lastly, there’s the pricing. Compared to PropStream, Mashvisor is far more affordable, with three choices for monthly subscription plans:
Lite Plan. The Lite Plan allows subscribers to analyze properties, get estimates on rental rates, and project rental ROIs. The plan is available for only $17.99 a month.
Standard Plan. The Standard Plan comes with all the features of the Lite Plan, along with a few add-ons. The add-ons include 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. Subscribers can also access multifamily and foreclosure listings and do up to 60 exports per month on Excel plus property PDFs. They can all 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.
To learn more about how Mashvisor can help you find profitable investment properties, schedule a demo.
Wrapping It Up: Which Is Better? PropStream or Mashvisor?
Even though we are comparing the two platforms, it is important to note that the two are not in direct competition against each other.
Although PropStream and Mashvisor share plenty of similar qualities (like both providing search functions and free trials), they also offer a few key features that keep them distinct from one another. And while they both cater to real estate investors and professionals, each one comes with its own unique set of features that their users may find useful at different times.
PropStream is a good software that helps investors land great deals. However, for investors who are looking for lucrative investment properties to convert into rentals, Mashvisor is clearly ahead here. It is because of its wide array of tools and massive Airbnb database.
Mashvisor’s investment property calculator alone already sets it apart from the competition. Not only does it help make computing and analyzing easier, but it also points you to the ideal properties that fit your investment needs. Its real estate heatmap is another feature that’s quite popular with users as it makes the search for profitable neighborhoods easier.
And even if you’re just looking in the market for affordable (read: undervalued) properties, Mashvisor can help you locate the right property that aligns with your investment goals.
Whether you plan to use a property as a rental unit or fix and flip it, or even just use it as your primary residence, your ideal property can be easily found on Mashvisor.
To get access to our real estate investment tools, click here to sign up for a 7-day free trial of Mashvisor today, followed by 15% off for life.