The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a vendor tool like AC3 or Hektor costs 60 to 120 EUR/month per agency and covers a standard real estate CRM. A custom CRM connected to portals via API — multi-posting, e-signature, real-time sync — runs 40,000 to 95,000 EUR excl. VAT over 14 to 20 weeks. The decision point: listing re-entry costs 8 to 12 hours/week per agent, waste that custom software eliminates.
Vendor or custom CRM: the 2026 comparison
For an agency network, the battleground is listing distribution and mandate processing speed.
| Criterion | AC3 / Hektor | Custom CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per agency | 60-120 EUR/month | Included in build |
| 5-agency cost / year | ~3,600 to 7,200 EUR | Maintenance 12-18% of build |
| Initial build | 0 to 3,000 EUR | 40,000 to 95,000 EUR |
| Time to deliver | 4-8 weeks | 14-20 weeks |
| Portal multi-posting | Standard | Custom + priorities |
| SeLoger / Leboncoin API | Subscription-based | Integrated |
| E-signature | Paid add-on | Included |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
Breakdown of a 2026 real estate build
Here is an order-of-magnitude estimate for a network of 4 to 6 agencies with 12 agents.
| Module | Range EUR excl. VAT | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| CRM contacts, mandates, buyers | 9,000 - 20,000 | 4-5 weeks |
| Property management + auto-matching | 8,000 - 18,000 | 3-5 weeks |
| Multi-posting + portal APIs | 8,000 - 20,000 | 4-6 weeks |
| E-signature + mandates | 5,000 - 12,000 | 2-3 weeks |
| Agent mobile app | 6,000 - 15,000 | 3-5 weeks |
| France hosting, GDPR, acceptance | 4,000 - 8,000 | ongoing |
Multi-posting is the most visible-ROI module: publish a listing once and distribute it automatically across all portals, eliminating double or triple entry.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Karim, head of a 5-agency network in Bordeaux (12 agents), pays 6,000 EUR/year in vendor licences. He invests 68,000 EUR excl. VAT in a custom CRM with multi-posting and e-signature. Previously each agent lost 10 h/week re-entering listings across several portals; custom software cuts that to 1 h. The net gain of 9 h × 12 agents = 108 h/week; at a loaded cost of 28 EUR/h, that's 108 × 28 × 45 weeks = 136,080 EUR/year of freed sales capacity. Redeploying even a quarter of that time to prospecting, the build pays for itself in under 8 months, avoided licences included.
FAQ
Are the SeLoger and Leboncoin APIs accessible? Yes, via their partner distribution interfaces, subject to an active portal subscription. Custom software connects to them to automate publishing and pull back contact statistics.
Is e-signature legally valid? Yes, with a provider compliant with the eIDAS regulation (advanced or qualified signature). It speeds up signing mandates and viewing agreements without a site visit.
Can we keep our existing listings? Yes, migration is done by importing from your current tool. Budget 3,000 to 7,000 EUR depending on property volume and data quality.
Is mobile essential? For field agents, yes: taking photos, creating a mandate and matching buyers from a smartphone avoids re-entry at the office. It's often the most-adopted module.
How long until go-live? Budget 14 to 20 weeks for a full scope, with an agency-by-agency rollout. Multi-posting requires careful acceptance testing with each portal.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of agencies, agents and target portals for an indicative budget between 40,000 and 95,000 EUR excl. VAT. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
