Quicken Rental Property Manager 2009 Review - With Discount Links
A couple weeks ago I got two emails from readers asking me about the new Quicken Rental Property
Manager 2009 . To tell you the truth… I didn’t even know Quicken put out a new property manager version to upgrade from their 2.5 version … so I went out and bought it… and did a quick (but in-depth) video and written review for you.
Here’s the structure of the review:
- Quick look at the software
- Video review (with discount link)
- The pros and cons of Quicken Rental Property Manager 2009
- My overall impression of the software
- My grade
That’s about it… check out the review and see if it’s the right property management software for you! By the way, I think this is best for under 20 units (maybe even under 10 units )… if you have more than 10 units you might want to look at LandlordMax or Tenant File 6.0.
Enjoy!
Quick Look At Quicken Rental Property Manager 2009
Okay, the new 2009 version of Quicken Rental Property Manager is a completely different animal from the 2.5 version.
The 2.5 version was just a property management software… the new 2009 version is an integrated software with property management software , personal and business book keeping software, personal finance , etc. Basically, Quicken designed it to be an “all in one” solution for small landlords.
With this new version, the price went up a bit. The retail price of 2.5 was $99 ($89 w/ the discount link through our site)… the new 2009 “beefed up ” version is $149 (but it’s only $119 w/ the discount Quicken gives to our readers).
Quicken Rental Property Manager 2009 Video Review
- Click the play button to start the video. Running Time: about 11 minutes
**If you’re having trouble viewing the video above, follow the link below to watch it directly at the video hosting site:
Click Here To View Video If You Can’t View It Above <<
Here’s the link to purchase Quicken Rental Property 2009 w/ the $30 discount. <<
“Cliff Notes” Version of My Quicken Rental 2009 Review
Here it is… overall I liked the 2009 version of Quicken Rental Property Manager; however, there are some things I really liked… and really disliked. Since they took a big step with this version by integrating the property management software into a comprehensive personal and business finance software… there are a few things I think they need to “polish up” for the next release.
But, with the price tag for the property management software (with integrated personal and small business finance capabilities)… $119 (with the discount through The REI Brain) is a bargain in my mind… and they still offer the 60 Day Money Back Guarantee if you don’t love it.
The Pros: (what I like a lot!)
- You can manage all of your finances, even your rental properties … all in one software… and easily print off your tax reports come tax time
- Includes a series of easy to watch “how to” videos on the main screen that walk you through how to use the software… handy when you use it the first time
- Full personal finance capabilities that lets you schedule bills and bill reminders, manage your banking and bank accounts, savings plan, net worth and investments, taxes, etc. Basically all you need in a personal finance software (but that’s only one portion of the software).
- Manage your small business financials with profit/loss statements, cash flow statements, etc. Basic features… but great for a small business.
- Easy to record rents, expenses , etc… just a couple clicks is all it took me
- Nice looking Profit / Loss and Cash Flow reports and colorful charts
- Easy “quick snapshot” screen on the left side of the screen that shows the current state of all of your financials
- Very affordable when you consider all of the features you get. Personal finance and small business book keeping software can be $100 a piece… so this saves you a bunch.
- Has an easy mileage tracker component that lets you easily enter your mileage for tax time
Here’s a quick picture of the opening pane of the software:
Overall, it has most of the features anyone with 10 units or less may want… not hugely robust… but great for the price.
The Cons: (what I didn’t like about Quicken Rental 2009)
- Integrating all of those different softwares into one (all are simple and easy to use programs) kinda limits the software to those who have less than 10 units (maybe up to 20) and who need just simple features. If you already have a personal finance program you love and need those extra features… it might be an overkill to have the personal and business finance programs too (just my opinion)
- Not quite as simple to use as version 2.5 … simply because there’s a lot more “stuff” in this software and it can get a bit confusing at first. But, after tinkering with it for 20 minutes it gets pretty easy.
- Quicken dropped the main “quick snapshot” screen that I loved so much in the 2.5 version. Now, it takes a bit of looking through reports to see a single look at multiple months financials side by side. Not a big deal… but I really loved that snapshot screen from 2.5.
- The first time you go to add a property to the program… it says you have to set up an account… but doesn’t make it clear what the account should be or how to do it at a quick glance. I did go to the “Guide Me” tab on the right and typed a search… and quickly came up with the directions on how to do it… but I don’t think you should have to do that. They should automatically make that “Rents” account for you rather than making you figure out how to set it up.
- Not quite as intuitive as Quicken Rental 2.5 to download and start using right away… takes a bit of learning and getting used to because of all of the extra “non rental property related” features.
- Still doesn’t let you put any info about a property or tenant other than basic info… can’t upload documents, pics, etc. No biggie for people with less than 10 units… but when you get up there in units… I want to have more features and be able to keep more detailed info about my units and tenants.
My Overall Impression Of Quicken Rental Property Manager 2009
Here we go… I kind of have mixed emotions for the new release of Quicken rental. On one hand, they did a great job of putting in a TON of new features that really makes it a comprehensive “personal and small business finance” software… that also has the capabilities to manage rental properties.
However, to me (I’m not like the average person though)… if I’m getting a rental property manager software… I’d like it to have more features and for it to be dedicated to managing rentals … not the other personal finance stuff.
But… in all actuality, this is perfect for someone who doesn’t need a ton of advanced features for their rental property software, personal finance software, or business finance software. If you just want to keep nice clean and neat records… but don’t need advanced reporting or record keeping… this will do the job just fine.
For $119 (with the $30 discount link ), it’s definitely worth a try for someone who has less than 10 units and who might want an “all in one” solution for your simple finances. Hey… if you end up not liking it, all you have to do is call up Quicken and they’ll give you a refund very quickly (believe me… I’ve done it).
- Great for less than 10 units. If you have more than 10 units check out our reviews on LandlordMax and Tenant File softare .
- Kinda bulky if you don’t need a personal or small business finance software to go with it (but a time saver if you truly do use all of the features of the software)
- Very good software for the price (just $119)… especially if you’re looking for a personal finance software as well
- Best property management software still for around $100 (if you don’t need advanced functionality)
How Do I Grade It?? (out of 5)
Design: 
Affordability : and 1/2
Features: and 1/2 (graded strictly as a property management software)
Ease of Use : and 1/2
Overall (1-10 Units):
Basically, Quicken Rental Property Manager 2009 gets good grades on the “prettiness”, ease of use, and price. However, I graded it a bit lower than Quicken’s 2.5 version simply because I don’t think they really improved the actual property management portion of the software… instead just added a bunch of new non rental property features to the software.
All in all, if you’re in the market for a very affordable property management software (10 units or less) that is also a great (but simple) personal and small business finance software … this is a software that I would definitely recommend trying out. This will save you a ton of money rather than buying a property management software, personal finance, and small business finance software separately.
But… if you don’t need the personal finance part and are looking for more functionality … I’d pay the extra $30 and grab LandlordMax (which is what I personally use for my rentals).
To Purchase Quicken Rental Property 2009 At A Discount
If you like what you’ve seen… and/or just want to try it out to see what it’s like… use the link below to go to the Quicken site and purchase Quicken Rental Manager 2009 with the $30 discount they’re giving our readers.
There is no free trial… I even had to purchase the software to review it… but Quicken makes it very easy to return the software and get your money back (very very easy… I thought it would be more difficult)… so if you don’t like it there’s no hair off your chest.
Here’s the link:
Buy Quicken Rental 2009 w/ the Discount <<<
Hey, my name is Trevor and I'm the founder of The REI Brain and a real estate investor since the age of 21. Right now, my focus in real estate investing is multi-family income properties and I have plans on moving more into the commercial real estate investment world in 2008 and beyond. 
Hey Trevor,
Thank you for the Quicken Rental 2009 review. What do you know about the difference between Quicken Rental 2009 vs. QuickBooks 2004? I need a program that will print General Ledger Report, Balance Sheet Detail, Loss and Profit Detail. Will Quicken Rental 2009 provide all those reports? I am also looking to upgade my personal finance software. Do you advise getting Quicken Rental 2009 and combining them?
Thanks, in advance for your answer.
Amy
I really liked your reviews of the software for rental property owners. I had a few questions.
It says use the link to order quicken for the 30 discount (2009 version) but when I click on the link it takes me to the regular quicken site with the standard $20 discount. How do you identify yourself to get the extra $10 off.
Also, you say it is for the owner with 10 to 20 units. What do you lose out on if you say have 40 or 50 units. Is it that it can’t handle it or is it that there might be features like pictures that you can’t do and specifically what would be the things that it can’t do. If I knew these I could decide whether they are important to me.
Finally, I emailed quicken and at first they said 2009 does not have check writing abilities and when I questioned it they said it does. I assume it does but more importantly if I want to use it to pay bills on my rental properties can I pay one check to the water company and then split the check to each property. If quicken doesn’t allow me to split checks to apply to each property which of the other programs would allow me to do this. LandlordMax? Tenant File? I thought you said tenant file had a check writing system. Would it allow me to split a Plumbers bill to expense to each property and is it easy to use?
I look forward to hearing your response.
Ron
Hey Ron,
Thanks for the email.
Hmmm… Quicken must have changed the promotion on me… looks like it’s $20 off now. Thanks for the heads up!
As far as your questions… what would you lose out on if you have 40-50 units with Quicken Rental? Really… you don’t lose any extra functionality by managing 1 unit versus 100 units with Quicken.
The reason I say it’s probably best for 10-20 units is because Quicken Rental doesn’t have any of the advanced features and reporting that someone who manages a lot of units would usually like to have. Such as:
- Bank account integration
- Detailed record keeping (about tenants, units, etc.)
- An area to store files electronically in the software
- Email notifications to tenants
- etc.
Really, this stuff isn’t a huge deal for most people… but when you’re managing 20+ units it makes life a bit easier if you have some of these features.
Yes, if I remember right (things blend together after all of these reviews) Tenant File has check writing capabilities. Go download the tenant file trial and check it out… it’ll give you a better idea.
Anyhow… if you manage more than 20 units you may buy Quicken rental and see if it fits your goals… if not return it and get a refund. Then, download the Tenant File and Landlord Max demos (they’re free)… and buy the one you like best.
Hope that helps… but really software is so much a personal preference that you should probably download a few free trials and try them out yourself to see which fits you better.
Thanks!
- Trevor
Hi Trevor-
I’m not a big computer person so I’m looking for another visible way to learn QRPM 2009. I’m not catching on too fast with the on screen learning that comes with the software. If you know of somewhere else I can go to learn this software, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks, Wayne