Yardi Breeze Review: Simple Property Management Tool

Property managers likely agree that accounting can be complex and time-consuming.

Yardi Breeze aims to simplify accounting for real estate professionals with its user-friendly property management software.

This review dives into Yardi Breeze's features, including its accounting capabilities, support services, and value proposition compared to alternatives like AppFolio and Buildium.

Introduction to Yardi Breeze Property Management Software

Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based property management software solution designed specifically for residential and commercial real estate managers. As the article states, this review will provide an in-depth look at Yardi Breeze's key features, pricing models, competitors, and overall suitability for property management professionals.

Some of the notable capabilities offered by Yardi Breeze include:

• Centralized accounting and financial reporting
• Integrated lease management and tenant tracking
• Maintenance and work order coordination
• Robust analytics and customized reporting

In terms of pricing, Yardi Breeze uses a subscription-based model with costs varying based on the number of units managed. Implementation and training services are included to help property managers get set up quickly.

When considering alternatives, Yardi Breeze competes closely with options like AppFolio Property Manager and Buildium. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses depending on the size and needs of the property management firm.

Overall, Yardi Breeze stands out as an end-to-end solution for mid-sized residential and commercial real estate portfolios looking to optimize operations and boost their bottom line. The platform brings an intuitive user interface, flexible pricing, and the resources of an established industry provider.

How can I learn Yardi for free?

Client Central is a free resource database for Yardi clients that provides various learning opportunities to use Yardi Breeze effectively. Here are some key ways to learn Yardi Breeze for free:

• Client Central: This portal offers the latest product updates, documentation, release notes, and technical tips. You can access tutorials, training manuals, and other learning resources.

• Online Training: Yardi provides free online training courses that teach you the basics of using Yardi Breeze for property management. The modules cover lease management, accounting workflows, reporting, and more.

• User Conferences: Attend regional user conferences to get hands-on learning. You can network with peers and get advice from Yardi experts on optimizing your use of the software.

• User Forums: Active community forums allow you to ask questions and get answers from fellow Yardi Breeze users. Experts also participate.

The key is that Client Central acts as a central hub for free training resources. You can access this platform anytime to find documentation, support articles, training courses, and community forums to master Yardi Breeze for your property management needs. Yardi provides multiple self-service channels so you can learn cost-effectively at your own pace.

Is Yardi used for accounting?

Yardi Breeze and Yardi Voyager are both property management software solutions by Yardi that include accounting functionality.

Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based software designed for small to mid-sized property management companies. It includes general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, and other accounting tools to help property managers track finances. Some key features include:

• Automatic rent collection and cash application
• Integrated banking for simplified bank reconciliations
• Customizable financial reports and dashboards
• Budgeting and variance tracking

Yardi Voyager is an enterprise-level software suite for large real estate management companies. The accounting and financial management tools are very robust, including:

• Automated revenue recognition and straight-line rent calculations
• Full accounts receivable and accounts payable workflows
• Detailed analytics and custom reports for properties and portfolios
• Flexible chart of accounts and multi-entity management

Both platforms use Yardi’s centralized database to enable real-time visibility into accounting and performance data across the portfolio. This allows property managers to make better business decisions based on actionable financial insights.

So in summary, Yardi has embedded advanced accounting capabilities into both Breeze and Voyager to meet the end-to-end financial management needs of real estate companies, whether small or large portfolio sizes. The tools simplify accounting workflows while providing detailed analytics and reporting.

What is Yardi breeze used for?

Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based property management software designed to help real estate professionals efficiently manage their properties. Some of the key uses and benefits of Yardi Breeze include:

• Property Management: Yardi Breeze centralizes operations by providing tools to manage leases, tenants, maintenance, accounting, reporting and more from a single platform. This saves property managers significant time and effort.

• Accounting and Financials: The software enables property managers to handle accounting, including AR/AP, general ledger, budgeting, bank reconciliation and financial reporting. Automatic rent collection and invoice reminders also simplify finances.

• Marketing and Leasing: Managers can market rental listings across multiple platforms and accept online applications/payments with Yardi Breeze. The software also facilitates the entire leasing workflow from listings to lease creation/management.

• Maintenance and Inspections: Streamlined maintenance request tracking, preventative maintenance scheduling, inspection checklists/reports and vendor payments optimize property upkeep.

• Business Intelligence: Robust, real-time reporting provides actionable insights. Managers can track KPIs like occupancy rates for better decision making.

In summary, Yardi Breeze is an end-to-end property management platform designed to help real estate professionals improve operational efficiency, cash flow, leasing velocity, resident retention and overall productivity. The software aims to provide an all-in-one solution to simplify property management.

What is Yardi in property management?

Yardi is a software company that provides a suite of applications designed specifically for the property management and real estate industry. Their products serve companies of all sizes, from small residential property managers to large commercial real estate firms.

At the core of Yardi's offerings is their flagship product, Yardi Breeze. Breeze is an all-in-one property management platform that handles key tasks like accounting, lease management, maintenance, and more. Some of the key features of Breeze include:

• Accounting and financials: Breeze centralizes accounting into a single ledger, with tools for managing budgets, bank reconciliation, accounts payable/receivable, and custom financial reporting.

• Lease management: The system stores all lease documents and terms in one place. It automates rent collection, tracks tenant ledgers, and manages lease expirations and renewals.

• Maintenance: Work orders, preventative maintenance schedules, inspections, and vendor communications can be managed within Breeze.

• Resident services: Breeze enables property managers to track applicants, run background checks, collect renter's insurance certificates, and more.

In summary, Yardi Breeze aims to be an end-to-end property management solution. It consolidates core functionalities to help managers reduce manual processes and operate more efficiently. The platform scales from small residential buildings up to large commercial portfolios.

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Yardi Breeze: Streamlining Real Estate Property Management

Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based property management software designed specifically for the real estate industry. It aims to streamline operations for property managers with an intuitive all-in-one platform.

Accounting Simplified for Property Management

The accounting module in Yardi Breeze automates tasks like invoicing, collections, and financial reporting. Key features include:

• Customizable invoices and statements
• Recurring billing for rents, fees, etc.
• One-click bank account reconciliation
• Real-time accounts payable tracking
• Expense categorization and reporting
• Integrations with major banking institutions

These capabilities simplify accounting workflows for property managers. The system takes care of collecting rents, tracking expenses, reconciling accounts, and generating financial statements.

Efficient Lease Management with Yardi Breeze

Yardi Breeze centralizes lease data and documents in one location. Managers can easily track all active leases, including:

• Lease terms, rents, deposits
• Tenant and unit details
• Custom lease rules and schedules
• Automated rent increases
• Expiration/renewal tracking

Its lease management tools enhance oversight and prevent missed billings or collections.

User-Friendly Interface and Navigation

The Yardi Breeze interface features an intuitive dashboard, navigation menus, and form-based data entry. Key aspects include:

• Touch-optimized screens
• Drill-down reporting
• Customizable home page
• Role-based access
• Contextual help guides
• Mobile optimization

These features allow staff to quickly find information and update records on-the-go. There is little learning curve given the simple menus and data entry forms.

Comprehensive Support Rating for Yardi Breeze

Yardi Breeze receives consistently positive reviews for customer support and training resources:

• 4 out of 5 stars average across review sites
• Live phone, email, and chat options
• Standard and priority support tiers
• Onboarding assistance and web-based training
• Active user community forums

While a couple areas need improvement, most users find Yardi's support team responsive and knowledgeable overall.

Real Estate Property Management Reporting Features

Robust reporting functionality allows property managers to closely monitor metrics and trends. Examples include:

• Financial reports: P&L, balance sheet, budgets
• Leasing reports: Occupancy, expiration, turnover
• Maintenance reports: Work orders, preventative, costs
• Custom reports: Operational KPIs specific to property

The reporting engine equips managers with actionable business intelligence for smarter decision-making.

In summary, Yardi Breeze aligns well with property management operational needs. Its end-to-end platform, intuitive interface, efficient tools, and responsive support provide a complete solution for the real estate sector.

Diving Into Yardi Breeze Accounting Capabilities

Yardi Breeze offers robust accounting and financial reporting capabilities to streamline property management operations. Key features include:

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Customizable financial statements and reports provide real-time visibility into financial performance
• Tools for tracking income, expenses, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and cash flow
• Automated general ledger eliminates manual data entry and reconciliation
• Integrates with major banking institutions for efficient payment processing

Streamlining Rent Collection and Payment Processing

• Online tenant portals facilitate electronic rent payments
• Automatic rent collection reminders and late fee assessment
• Accept ACH and credit card payments with reduced transaction fees
• Deposit rent payments directly into owner or trust accounts

Budgeting and Expense Management

• Built-in budgets with forecasting tools to easily track variances
• Manage operating expenses for multiple properties
• Code expenses to custom categories and cost centers
• Ensure accurate expense allocation across owners/tenants

Automated Bank Reconciliation

• Automatic matching of bank and ledger transactions
• Tools for handling outstanding checks, deposits in transit, and other exceptions
• Maintain an accurate record of cash balances and transactions
• Saves significant time compared to manual reconciliation

In summary, Yardi Breeze equips property managers with the accounting tools and automation needed to simplify financial operations. Key benefits include streamlined rent collection, reporting visibility, budget controls, and reconciliation automation.

Software Review: Yardi Breeze vs. Alternatives

Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based property management software tailored for small to mid-sized real estate portfolios. In this comparative review, we'll analyze how Yardi Breeze stacks up against leading alternatives like Yardi Voyager, AppFolio Property Manager, and Buildium.

Yardi Breeze vs. Yardi Voyager: A Comparative Study

Yardi Voyager is Yardi’s flagship enterprise-level property management platform built to handle large, complex real estate portfolios. Compared to Voyager, Yardi Breeze offers a streamlined set of features focused on core property management needs of smaller companies, at a more affordable price point.

Some key differences:

• User experience: Breeze prioritizes simplicity and ease-of-use through its intuitive dashboard. Voyager offers more customization but has a steeper learning curve.
• Features: Voyager has significantly more built-in modules like investment management, energy management, document management etc. Breeze focuses on essentials like accounting, maintenance and leasing.
• Scalability: Voyager can support unlimited users and properties. Breeze is best suited for up to a few hundred units.
• Implementation: Breeze is a quicker setup as a cloud solution. Voyager usually requires long on-premise implementations.
• Cost: Breeze starts under $100/month. Voyager is over $1,000/month and requires large upfront costs.

Overall, Breeze hits the sweet spot for basic property management capabilities with SaaS convenience and affordability. But Voyager excels at enterprise-level sophistication for large property managers.

Alternatives Considered: AppFolio Property Manager

AppFolio is a top contender in cloud-based property technology. AppFolio Property Manager is feature-packed software with excellent usability.

Compared to Breeze, AppFolio offers superior accounting capabilities like automated cash flow management, investor reporting and batch payment processing. It also provides built-in data intelligence through reports and dashboards.

However, a key advantage of Breeze is its lower cost. Breeze starts under $100/month for up to 150 units while AppFolio starts at $200/month. For budget-conscious small businesses, Breeze provides core functionalities for nearly half the cost.

Another differentiation is Breeze’s strategic focus on property management compared to AppFolio’s wider suite of software products. So Breeze aims to provide deeper specialization.

Overall, AppFolio leads in premium features and analytics. But Breeze balances essentials with affordability.

Buildium as an Alternative to Yardi Breeze

Buildium is a well-regarded cloud property management solution. It’s designed specifically for residential and small commercial real estate.

Buildium rivals Breeze in simplicity of use with its clean, intuitive interface. It also matches Breeze in core property management features like accounting, maintenance, leasing workflows, and mobile apps.

Unique differentiators for Buildium include built-in credit card processing, energy benchmarking insights, and predictive analytics using AI algorithms.

However, Breeze has the edge when it comes to scalability supporting up to 12,000 units compared to Buildium’s 3,000 unit limit. Breeze also offers fixed monthly pricing whereas Buildium charges per unit.

For large property management portfolios, Breeze provides more growth potential. But Buildium is a close competitor with value-added features like predictive analytics.

In summary, while the alternatives have unique strengths, Yardi Breeze strikes an optimal balance between ease-of-use, essential features, and affordability for small to mid-sized property managers. Its strategic focus as a SaaS platform elevates it as a specialized solution for core property management needs.

Assessing Return on Investment with Yardi Breeze

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Property Managers

Yardi Breeze offers an affordable all-in-one property management solution that can provide significant cost savings for small to mid-sized property managers. By consolidating accounting, operations, and reporting into one streamlined software platform, managers can reduce reliance on manual processes and spreadsheets leading to improved efficiency and productivity.

Specific benefits of using Yardi Breeze include:

• Automated accounting, from invoicing to cash flow reporting, eliminating manual data entry
• Centralized database for managing tenants, leases, vendors, etc.
• Customizable reports and business intelligence tools providing real-time visibility into operations
• Integrations with listing sites to simplify vacancy marketing
• Mobile access enabling remote management

These capabilities translate into tangible time and cost savings. Yardi Breeze's monthly subscription fees are also very reasonable compared to the expense of piecing together various software tools and the hours spent on manual tasks.

Long-Term Value Proposition of Yardi Breeze

While the upfront cost savings are compelling, Yardi Breeze also offers long-standing value by enabling sustainable business growth. By optimizing back office tasks and providing data-driven insights, property managers can focus on strategic initiatives to expand their portfolio.

Specific ways Yardi Breeze fuels long-term growth include:

• Improved resident retention through streamlined maintenance requests, online payments etc.
• Enhanced operational visibility to proactively address issues and identify areas for improvement
• Access to performance benchmarking reports to stay competitive
• Scalable platform that evolves along with business needs

Additionally, Yardi Breeze facilitates compliance by keeping accurate financial records. This prevents regulatory issues from hindering growth plans.

Comparing ROI of Yardi Breeze to Competitors

Yardi Breeze balances robust functionality with affordability, standing apart from competitors. All-in-one platforms like AppFolio are powerful but entail hefty pricing only suitable for large enterprises. Basic tools like spreadsheet-based systems lack automation capabilities necessary for efficiency at scale.

Yardi Breeze hits the sweet spot, packing must-have property management features into a cost-effective solution perfect for most small-medium businesses. The rapid return on investment makes it a smarter choice compared to alternatives. With long-term growth enablement, Yardi Breeze continues providing enduring value.

Customer Support and Resources

Yardi Breeze offers comprehensive customer support and learning resources to help users get the most out of the software.

U.S.-Based Support

Yardi Breeze includes unlimited phone, email, and chat support during business hours from knowledgeable U.S.-based representatives. Users can get prompt answers to questions about the software's features, integrations, customizations, and more from friendly experts.

Having domestic support can facilitate faster issue resolution compared to overseas teams due to fewer language or time zone barriers. Yardi's focus on North American markets also means representatives have specialized expertise for regional accounting practices and compliance needs.

Online Knowledge Base

Yardi maintains an extensive knowledge base with manuals, training videos, release notes, and searchable frequently asked questions. Users can access step-by-step instructions for setup, configuration, and advanced features.

The materials are regularly updated for the latest product versions. There are also dedicated sections covering integrations with other software like bank feeds, payroll, and document management. This allows users to learn specialized workflows.

User Community Forum

Breeze customers can participate in a community forum to ask questions and discuss best practices with peers and Yardi experts. Forum threads often provide quicker responses compared to formal support tickets.

Users can search existing threads or post new ones to get insights from the engaged user community. For example, discussions cover tips for custom fields, rules automation, report building, and more. The forum facilitates informal peer learning to supplement formal documentation.

Conclusion: Yardi Breeze's Position in Property Management

Final Verdict on Usability and Features

Yardi Breeze provides an intuitive user interface and comprehensive feature set for property managers of small to mid-sized portfolios. Key highlights include:

• Easy to navigate dashboards for tracking key property management metrics
• Robust accounting tools for managing income and expenses
• Flexible lease management and rent collection
• Customizable reports and business intelligence

While it may lack some advanced functionality of enterprise-level systems, Yardi Breeze strikes a strong balance in catering to the core needs of small-medium business owners in an affordable and user-friendly manner.

Recommendations for Different Sizes of Real Estate Portfolios

Less than 100 units: Yardi Breeze is a cost-effective option that provides all the necessary property management capabilities without unnecessary complexity.

100-500 units: Yardi Breeze can easily scale to handle mid-sized portfolios while remaining intuitive and affordable. Provides the right blend of features and flexibility.

500+ units: Consider upgrading to Yardi Voyager for more robust accounting, analytics, and customization to manage large national portfolios and enterprise needs.

Future Outlook for Yardi Breeze Users

As Yardi continues enhancing their product suite, Breeze users can expect ongoing improvements including:

• Expanded integrations with other proptech platforms
• Enhanced mobile accessibility and reporting
• More custom dashboarding and business intelligence capabilities
• More flexibility around billing and payments
• Upgraded functionality around online leasing and applicant screening

With their strong market presence and investment in product R&D, Yardi is well-positioned to continue delivering value and innovation to Breeze customers over the long term.

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