Each day, I find more and more software suites for real estate professionals, especially agents and brokerages, that include helpful features tailored to daily business needs.

So you can do things like lead contact management, team and lead communication, and marketing campaigns from one place.

Now you might be looking for something like that and have stumbled upon the name Chime for Real Estate (not to be confused with the bank under the same name) and ask yourself what it is.

This article will not only explain what Chime for real estate is but will provide a full review of the software platform, including all the features of the different products, a short interview with a representative from Chime, the different plans and pricing, and the pros and cons.

 

What Is Chime for Real Estate?

Chime is a comprehensive software platform with CRM software at its core.

It provides three separate products: CRM software, IDX websites, and branding & real estate lead generation tools.

In developing the platform, the founders worked with real estate professionals to integrate the proper functionality in generating and tracking real estate leads, automated communications, and following up with buyers and sellers according to the professional’s needs.

The company claims to provide new features and integrations to its user base every month.

 

Who Owns Chime Real Estate?

Chime is not a small business.

Its headquarters are in Phoenix, Arizona, and incorporated as Chime Technologies Inc. (source),

And Chime Technologies is a US subsidiary of Renren, Inc (source).

Softbank (a Japanese multinational conglomerate holding company, source), CEO Joe Chen, and DCM are the largest three shareholders.

All three have a share of 79.8% of Renren (source).

So it’s fair to say that Renren and, thus, Chime Technologies Inc. is mainly in Asian hands.

On a side note, Renren, Inc. also operates a premium used auto business in China through other subsidiaries, such as Kaixin Auto Holding (NASDAQ: KXIN).

 

How to Use Chime Real Estate (The Three Main Products and Features)

The three main Chime real estate products are the “Responsive CRM,” the “Intelligent IDX,” and its “Optimized Marketing” tools.

Features of Chimes Responsive CRM

Operational Intelligence

1) Lead Scoring

The feature allows you to dynamically adjust the scoring of your leads.

The software does that by factoring the contact validity, online behavior, and property information.

2) Lead Analysis

Chime can analyze your site activity and factor in engagement indicators to calculate the likelihood of closing.

3) Smart Suggestions

Chime’s algorithm can also analyze lead activity and, based on that, suggest the optimal next steps.

 

Business Opportunities

The algorithm of Chime’s CRM can also identify the intention to do a transaction and help get closer to closing a transaction. The following function does this:

1) Site Activities Tracking

Chime’s IDX websites can track traffic live and display this in an activity timeline.

2) Featured Listing Management

This feature matches listings to the right buyers.

You can view property listings at reduced prices and those back on the market.

3) Communication Analysis

Additionally, the system’s algorithm also analyses your communication with your leads and integrates Mailchimp, Gmail, and Bombbomb, among others.

 

Reporting and Forecasting

1) Business Goals

With this feature, you can define goals and track progress.

This can be applied to the agent and team goals by closings, volume, GCI (gross commission income), or revenue.

 

2) Performance and Business Reports

The performance reports feature is connected with the business goals feature, which can monitor team progress and productivity and generate reports.

This is important to give feedback to your team (provided you use one).

From the CRM, you can also generate reports showing your business goals’ status.

Automated Nurturing

1) Listings for Leads

This feature consists of three functions: Auto Property Alerts, Instant Market Analysis, and Listing to Lead Matching.

With Auto Property Alerts, you can set up property alerts based on your lead’s history and behavior.

You can use the Instant Market Analysis function or tool to inform your potential buyers and sellers about market trends.

And finally, the Listing to Lead Matching function helps you automatically match the right property listing to the right buyers.

2) Manage Communication

This communication management tool comprises texting, Email Integration, Auto Emails, and Click-To-Call.

The texting tool enables you to send mass texts to potential clients.

You can use an omni-channel follow-up approach because with Email Integration and the so-called “Auto-Emails,” you can follow up with potential clients using automatic triggers.

This tool integrates with Gmail, Exchange, iCloud, Yahoo!, and others.

Further omnichannel follow-ups are possible with the Click-to-Call option.

You can call potential clients, leave voice messages, schedule follow-ups, and document conversation notes with a few clicks from one place.

3) Smart Plans

This feature consists of short- or long-term lead conversion and Process Management.

The Short or Long-Term Lead Conversion tool features pre-built or custom email campaigns that can be used for the short or long game.

It can be used on holidays, birthdays, closing dates, or other dates that you might find important.

With the Process Management tool, you can organize your team and make sure they stay productive.

It helps you to organize sales and transaction processes with automated action plans.

4) Auto-Import Leads

With the help of this feature, you can migrate or import lead contact information from third-party providers, such as Zillow and Realtor, into the CRM.

This enables you to manage leads from several platforms in one place.

This feature also includes an automatic import function.

Power Dialer

With the Power Dialer feature, you can use the already mentioned click-to-call function to schedule follow-ups, leave voicemails, call leads, and leave notes.

The Smart Call List function helps you create custom call lists based on profile information and pipeline status.

You can also use Chime’s artificial intelligence (AI) to generate call lists, depending on which leads require contact.

Although I am not a fan of call scripts, at least long-term (it can be helpful initially), the Smart Scripts function dynamically suggests call scripts to increase the chances of closing.

The Automated Response function comes into place when a call isn’t answered.

With it, you can set a text or voice message that automatically goes out once a call goes unanswered.

With the Live Transfer function, you can have inside sales agents (ISAs) directly transfer calls to available agents.

There is a Three-Line Dialer function to save time and increase call productivity.

It enables you to call three numbers at once.

AI Assistant

The AI Assistant feature only is included in Chime’s Team Leads Plan.

So if you want this feature in smaller plans, you would need to purchase it extra.

Later in this article, you will find several overview tables about the pricing options, where this will get a bit clearer.

So the AI assistant enables you to contact new leads instantly all around the clock.

You can prepare scripted responses and then have the AI assistant (chatbot) respond dynamically, depending on different lead sources.

They can qualify real estate leads and forward hot leads to agents when more human interaction is necessary.

The leads can be tagged and then organized accordingly. You can also focus on specific lead sources and forward conversations to agents.

Transactions

With the Smart Plans function, you can keep track of any transaction data, and all documents can be kept in one place.

You can also upload files from local devices or using Chime’s Dropbox and Google Drive integration.

Another benefit of the Transactions feature is tracking transaction details from start to closing.

This is done by a live-updating tool that determines the value of a deal.

You can also review the total earnings you’ve accumulated so far.

To make informed decisions in your real estate business, you can check on key metrics, such as team sales data, closings, revenue, and GCI.

Several real estate transaction management tools like Dotloop, Brokermint, and Skyslope can also be integrated.

 

Strong Teamwork

The Strong Teamwork feature helps assign leads to agents, lenders, and custom roles.

You can do that based on price, location, type, or source.

You can also follow up with other agents and use blast alerts to help them contact leads in a specific time frame.

It also supports team delegation. You can add an adequate team member to nurture a particular client relationship here.

With the ” Lead Pond function,” you can share leads within your team.

 

Mobile App

The mobile app helps real estate professionals keep up to date with leads while out of the office or on the road.

It gives you access to the full Chime CRM functionality.

It also includes instant notification and real-time chat with leads and/or team members.

Right now, they are working on additional functionality, so you will also be able to assign leads directly from the chat.

Integrations

I’ve already mentioned several integrations above, but I didn’t mention them all.

You can import leads from third-party providers, such as Homes.com, Realtor.com, Zillow, RE/MAX, Redfin, Bold Leads, Trulia, and Flipt.

The next integration option is third-party providers for transaction management, such as Brokermint and Dotloop.

You can also integrate Bombbomb, Gmail, MailChimp, Microsoft Exchange, Zapier, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, and Piesync.

 

All Chime Integrations at a Glance:

  • Gmail
  • Exchange
  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook Calendar
  • Chime Open API
  • Zapier
  • IMAP/SMTP
  • BombBomb
  • Mailchimp
  • Cloud CMA
  • Brokermint
  • Dotloop
  • Zillow
  • Trulia
  • Realtor.com
  • Google Contact
  • Skyslope
  • Slybroadcast

By the way, with the Zapier integration alone, you open the door to hundreds of more third-party software integrations.

Why?

Because Zapier is a third-party software, enabling the integration of third-party software.

It basically works as a bridge to other software providers and enables you to further automate different workflows.

 

Features of the Chime IDX

Intelligent IDX Website

Chime’s IDX website features a theme library where you can select different site templates, so you don’t have to create designs from scratch.

You can also create custom designs with a drag-and-drop editor.

You will also be covered when it comes to the integration of MLS. Chime supports several hundred nationwide MLS.

If you have pocket listings, you can manually add them to the IDX website.

The comparison with other websites in their table was a bit confusing.

For the comparison, the names of the other website providers weren’t included.

So you wouldn’t know which providers Chime’s IDX website was compared to.

Robust Data Dossier

With the “Robust Data Dossier” feature, you can access current information about school districts, demographics, hot properties, and marketing trends.

You can access data from more than 190,000 neighborhoods in 29,000+ cities.

This also includes a school district search for potential home buyers that you can include on the IDX website.

 

High Value Lead Capture

The next feature of Chime’s Intelligent IDX is “High Value Lead Capture.”

To capture your leads, you can also include home evaluation calculators, tour schedules, and mortgage calculators.

All these elements can be tracked, so you can learn about the behavior of your potential seller and buyer leads.

The IDX websites are designed and developed as SEO-friendly since they don’t use iframes, have speedy load times, and the MLS gets updated every 30 minutes.

Flexible Custom Website

Should you want to customize your IDX website, I already mentioned the drag-and-drop builder.

All elements of the IDX websites can be easily edited, such as the logo, page hierarchy, title, description, and more.

New pages can be created quickly, and elements such as lead forms, reviews, properties, and images can be added.

All websites are mobile optimized and responsive, by the way; otherwise, they wouldn’t be SEO-friendly in the first place.

Features of Chimes Optimized Marketing

Lead Generation

The Lead Generation feature is Chime’s advertising service to identify and attract potential leads via paid traffic campaigns using Facebook via dynamic ads for real estate and Google search ads.

Chime uses Facebook Dynamic Ads for real estate, Google PPC for buyer and lead generation campaigns, and uniquely Facebook for seller lead generation campaigns.

By the way, with Facebook Dynamic Ads for Real Estate, you can advertise to Facebook and Instagram users who visited your real estate or brokerage’s website to look for properties.

The unique thing about these ads is that they can connect the Facebook ad platform with your brokerage’s search data.

Chime also uses artificial intelligence to automatically optimize the advertising strategy.

It uses different calculations applied to keywords, targeting, creative variations, high-frequency bidding, and more.

The two basic lead generation processes work like this:

Process 1 – Lead Generated on IDX website

  • A potential lead views the ads
  • The potential lead visits the IDX website
  • The lead registers on the IDX website
  • The lead information and activity are imported into Chime’s CRM
  • A welcome email is sent to the lead, and a lead alert is sent to the respective agent

Process 2 – Lead Generated Within Facebook (Lead Campaign)

  • A potential lead views the ads
  • The lead registers via the Facebook Lead Form
  • The lead information and activity are imported into Chime’s CRM
  • A welcome email is sent to the lead, and a lead alert is sent to the respective agent

In this context, Chime also uses retargeting campaigns to show ads to potential leads that have already visited the IDX website and are familiar with your brand.

 

Branding Ads

The next service option of Chime’s Optimized Marketing is Branding Ads.

These campaigns focus not on lead generation but on brand awareness and encouraging referrals.

These ads will be displayed on the following:

  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Instagram
  • Yahoo!
  • Bing
  • YouTube
  • The NewYork Times
  • Something Digital

 

Property Promotion Ads

These ads focus on a single property listing that needs to be emphasized.

They can also be used to promote an open house.

 

Zip Code Dominator Ads

Here, the ad campaign focuses on a particular zip code, which can easily be done within the Facebook Ads Manager.

 

Direct Mail

You can also go offline with Chime’s optimized marketing service and run postcard campaigns using proven designs.

The company prevents you from competing with other Chime real estate professionals by giving you farming area exclusivity and locking down a certain zip code.

So you will get the exclusive right to send your mailers to a particular area.

 

My Short Interview with a Chime Representative

Since not all of my questions about Chime could be answered at first, I decided to contact a representative, and these were my questions and the answers I got:

Questions and Answers Regarding Chime’s Responsive CRM

1) Can you do A/B testing with the pre-build email templates and also the custom ones?

Answer: “I would love to know more about the testing you have in mind.

What criteria do you intend to test? We do track email open rates and response rates to facilitate testing in the system.”

In a further email, I explained that I meant to be able to A/B test different email subject lines or content of an email campaign and see which variation performs best.

By the answer, we can assume this feature isn’t available yet.

2) If I understand correctly from your website, the AI Assistant feature is only included in Chime’s Team Leads Plan; otherwise, you would have to order this feature extra, correct?

Answer: “Yes, that is correct. We include the AI Assistant in the Lead Gen packages for lead engagement and lead qualification.

It can also be added to the website/CRM a-la-carte.”

Questions and Answers Regarding Chime’s Intelligent IDX

1) Is there any forced registration for those websites in place? If yes, can this be turned off?

Answer: “Yes – Forced registration is included and can be toggled on/off as well as customized based on the number of listings a website visitor looks at.

It can also be triggered based on browsing time.”

This is good news because you will be able to test one against the other and won’t be forced to sacrifice website usability for forced conversions that might not turn out to be high-quality leads.

2) Is there an easy A/B testing feature available?

Answer: “Yes, you can test which style of forced registration works best for your website experience.”

3) Do you use iframes to integrate MLS data via IDX?

Answer: “No, we do not.”

This is also good news because otherwise, it wouldn’t be a really SEO-friendly IDX website.

Questions and Answers Regarding Optimized Marketing

1) In the flow diagram for lead generation, you only show that Facebook Leads Campaigns are used (for branding ads, you also use others).

Is Facebook the only ad platform used for lead generation?

Answer: “We offer Facebook DARE Ads and Google PPC for Buyer Lead Generation Campaigns. We use Facebook for Seller Lead Generation Campaigns.”

 

Chime Real Estate Pricing

The only two products that can’t be purchased separately are the “Intelligent IDX,” and the Branding Ads feature from the “Optimized Marketing” product.

This “Intelligent IDX” product is included in all the platform plans where the CRM is included.

I assume this is because the IDX websites are inseparably included in the whole CRM system and wouldn’t work properly without the connection to the CRM.

 

Chime CRM Platform Plans & Pricing

Growth (for solo agents and small teams) - from $499/ monthTeam (for medium to large teams) - from $899/ monthTeam Leads
Package (for medium to large teams) - from $1549/ month
Broker (for multi-office brokerages) - Price Undisclosed
Auto import leads from 100+ providersAll Growth Plan FeaturesAll Growth Plan FeaturesAll Team Plan Features
IDX Website + Agent SubdomainsCustom RoleCustom RoleOffices Management
Smart PlanPermission ManagementPermission ManagementBrokerage Website
Buyer & Seller Property AlertBlast Alert & Round RobinBlast Alert & Round RobinISA Solution
Listing DiscoverLead PondLead PondDatabase Access
Market ReportTeam ChatTeam Chat50 hrs Dedicated Tech Support
OpportunityTransaction ManagementTransaction Management
Lead RoutingBusiness Report and ForecastingBusiness Report and Forecasting
Lender Account (support cost sharing)Marketing Budget includes lead generation and AI Chatbot
Open House Tool
Mobile App

Buyer Leads per MonthPrice per MonthSeller Leads per MonthPrice per Month
20-30$30010-20$300
50-70$60020-40$600
More than 70$1,000 +More than 40$1,000 +

You will need to consider that Chime will charge an additional 20% ad management fee.

Suppose you only need the seller lead generation service without purchasing one of the platform plans where IDX websites are included.

In that case, you will also be charged an additional $70 per Month for a Home Evaluation Page that works as a lead magnet for sellers.

Ads by Zip Code - $150 per slot per zip code per monthAds for Your Sphere - $150 per 1,000 contacts per month
10,000 impressions per zip code area3,000 impressions for 1,000 contacts
Up to 5 slots per zip code

For Branding Ads, Chime also charges an additional 15% ad management fee, but it also requires that you purchase the CRM Professional Plan or above.

 

Chime Real Estate User Reviews

To get a better picture of Chime, I analyzed four major user review sites to learn more about what the majority of users experienced with the software.

So I went to G2, GetApp, and Capterra to deepen the research. And the following is what I found…

User Reviews from G2

Positive Reviews: 

Users generally laud Chime for its easy-to-use interface and the efficient functionality of its app and website. 

They appreciate the availability of a drip campaign feature and support for sales funnels and process streamlining, highlighting these aspects in positive feedback. 

The design of the platform, its approval process, and mobile features are also commended, with users particularly mentioning the benefit of no-fee banking. 

The software’s excellent price-to-feature ratio is another aspect users are fond of.  

Negative Reviews: 

Despite the favorable reviews, Chime also has its share of criticisms. 

Users have pointed out problems like expensive deposits and poor customer service. 

Limited functionality is another issue that users have brought up, along with challenges in integrating the software with their websites. 

There are also concerns about the quality of leads and difficulties faced with technical support and billing. 

Some users describe the process of implementation and tech support as challenging. 

Some users have expressed a desire for additional features, such as adding money from another card, and felt that the software could be more affordable, particularly when loading the card. 

Experiences with lead generation and customer support have been mixed. 

User Reviews from GetApp?

Positive Reviews: 

There’s an appreciation for Chime’s user-friendly system, quick performance, and competitive pricing. 

Users highlight specific features like the option to round up purchases for savings, no overdraft fees, responsive customer support, smart plans, lead capturing, and lead scoring. 

It’s particularly recommended for small-scale companies due to its value for money, features, and customer support.

Users generally find Chime valuable for managing contacts, lead generation, and business communication and commend its ease of use.

Negative Reviews: 

Users have expressed difficulties in canceling the service, citing poor customer support as a significant issue. 

Unresponsive leads and billing issues have been reported by a handful of users, leading to some dissatisfaction.

There are also complaints regarding technical problems, deposit fees, and missing features. 

In particular, users mention the lack of transaction management features, an essential functionality for many businesses.

User Reviews from Capterra

Positive Reviews:

Users praised its notifications and text alerts informing them about their account activities.

The AI-powered automation and digital marketing tools offered by Chime are well-received. In particular, users praised its CRM for its robustness, including features like user-defined email templates and action plans.

Users find value in Chime’s professional-looking landing pages and tools for business growth.

Chime is appreciated for being affordable, offering a clean and streamlined interface, and its convenience of mobile banking.

Many users gave positive reviews about Chime’s customer service, mentioning it as helpful and responsive.

Negative Feedback:

A common criticism among users is poor customer service, which mentions slow response times, difficulties in getting support, and frustrations with customer support practices.

Several users found Chime counterintuitive and frustrating due to layout and technical issues. 

There were mentions of limitations in transaction management and the need for integration with external vendors.

Some users expressed frustration with the lack of local banking options and difficulties in finding help and support within the Chime platform.

The quality of leads received, and the high ad spend were also areas of concern for some users.

Users expressed frustration with difficulty in canceling their Chime subscription and continued billing. There were also mentions of a lack of joint account options.

Some users mentioned difficulties importing contacts from an Excel spreadsheet and the need for transaction and listing management features. 

There were also mentions of challenges with implementation and email-based technical support.

User Review Distill from All Three Platforms

To give you an overview, I further analyzed the reviews to distill what positive and negative reviews across all three user review platforms have in common.

Positive Reviews:

  1. Chime’s easy-to-use, user-friendly interface and the efficient functionality of its app and website are consistently praised.
  2. Users appreciate features such as drip campaigns, support for sales funnels, process streamlining, and lead capture.
  3. Chime’s design, approval process, mobile features, and no-fee banking are positively highlighted.
  4. The software’s competitive pricing and excellent price-to-feature ratio are seen as beneficial.
  5. Notifications, text alerts, and AI-powered automation, and digital marketing tools are also positively viewed.
  6. Users appreciate the value for money, features, customer support, and the CRM features like user-defined email templates and action plans.

Negative Reviews:

  1. Issues with customer service, including slow response times and difficulties in getting support, are frequently mentioned.
  2. Users express difficulties with canceling the service and continued billing.
  3. Technical issues, poor lead quality, high ad spending, and difficulties with website integration are common complaints.
  4. Users have mentioned expensive deposits, deposit fees, and the lack of local banking options as problems.
  5. There are requests for additional features such as transaction management, adding money from another card, and integration with external vendors.

The average star rating across all three user review platforms is 4.1 of 5.

Chime Real Estate Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Great features for lead analysis and lead scoring
  • Lead communication analysis and good integration with third-party software, such as Mailchimp, BombBomb, Gmail, and more
  • Progress Tracking of Business Goals
  • Automatic and system-guided lead nurturing.
  • Supports omnichannel follow-ups via calls, texting, and email
  • AI-supported call recommendations so you know which leads require contact.
  • Automatic text messages when calls go unanswered
  • AI assistant to contact new leads automatically.
  • Real estate transaction management software integration
  • Many different third-party software integrations
  • IDX websites are fully integrated into CRM for lead capturing
  • Several lead capture features are available.
  • Generated leads are exclusive.
  • A/B testing is possible with IDX websites when using forced registration pages
  • SEO-friendly MLS integration via IDX

 

Cons

  • The plans might come in a bit pricey when you also want to add the lead generation service.
  • You must register with your contact information to check prices and plans on Chime’s website.
  • You can’t do A/B testing with the pre-build email templates.
  • The AI Assistant feature is only included in Chime’s Team Leads Plan.
  • The branding ads service can’t be purchased separately from a platform plan.
  • An additional 20% ad management fee for the lead generation service could have already been included in the pricing (shown as a footnote).
  • An additional 15% ad management fee for the branding ads service could have already been included in the pricing (shown as a footnote).

 

Conclusion

Overall, Chime for real estate makes a good impression with a wide array of features distributed over three main products/services.

You realize early on that the needs of real estate agents and brokers were considered when they developed this software. 

This is especially the case for the CRM and IDX products.

Their marketing services, especially lead generation, can be a nice option for real estate professionals who don’t want to spend too much time and money developing a profitable PPC campaign on Facebook or Google.

The pricing per lead seems fair to me when you consider that you won’t need a campaign testing period, where money is often spent for several months without seeing great results from the get-go.

So you may give Chime a try.

Here, you can head over to their website.


This article has been reviewed by our editorial team. It has been approved for publication in accordance with our editorial policy.


Tobias Schnellbacher