The verdict in three sentences
A real estate SaaS at 40 to 120 EUR per month covers mandates, listings and portal syndication for a standard agency, with no development. A custom build at 50,000 to 120,000 EUR is justified when you want proprietary buyer matching, a portal synced to your showcase site and your own commission processes. The deciding criterion: your volume of listings and agents, plus the need for a showcase site synced in real time.
SaaS or custom: the decision criteria
An 8-agent agency with 200 mandates does not have the same needs as a 40-agent network. SaaS excels at standard functions; custom takes over when the site + portals + signature sync must be seamless.
| Criterion (2026 ballpark) | Real estate SaaS | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 - 3,000 EUR | 50,000 - 120,000 EUR |
| Monthly subscription | 40 - 120 EUR | 0 (ownership) |
| Portal syndication | included (limited) | unlimited and steered |
| Synced showcase site | often optional | native real time |
| E-signature | paid add-on | integrated |
| Buyer matching | generic | business algorithm |
| Maintenance / evolutions | vendor roadmap | 500 - 1,000 EUR / month |
| Rollout timeline | 2 - 4 weeks | 5 - 8 months |
Below 10 agents with standard needs, SaaS stays the rational choice. Beyond that, or if the showcase site is a major acquisition channel, custom regains the edge.
What custom unlocks
Custom only makes sense if it solves a problem SaaS does not. Here are the value-adding bricks and their indicative cost.
| Module | What it delivers | Budget impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mandate management | exclusivities, deadlines, alerts | 9,000 - 20,000 EUR |
| Multi-portal syndication | automated push to major portals | 8,000 - 18,000 EUR |
| Buyer matching | automatic criterion/listing match | 10,000 - 24,000 EUR |
| E-signature | remote mandates and contracts | 6,000 - 14,000 EUR |
| Synced showcase site | listings updated in real time | 12,000 - 28,000 EUR |
| Post-launch maintenance | evolutions and support | 500 - 1,000 EUR / month |
Allow 5 to 8 months for a mandates + syndication + matching + synced portal scope.
Mini case study
Sophie runs a 12-agent agency in Miami with around 350 active mandates. Her current SaaS costs 95 EUR/month per main seat plus options (signature, portal) that push the bill to about 1,100 EUR/month, i.e. 39,600 EUR over 36 months, without a synced showcase site.
A custom build at 85,000 EUR plus 700 EUR maintenance comes to 85,000 + 36 x 700 = 110,200 EUR over 36 months. Pricier, but her synced showcase site now captures 30% of leads directly, with no portal commission. If each direct lead saves 1,200 EUR in referral fees and she gains 25 a year, that is 30,000 EUR/year bringing the break-even under three years, while giving her an asset she owns.
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FAQ
At what volume is custom justified?
Generally beyond 10 agents or 300 mandates, or when the showcase site becomes a strategic acquisition channel against paid portals.
Does SaaS handle portal syndication?
Yes, but often with quotas or limited portals. Custom allows unlimited, steered syndication per your agreements.
How much is e-signature in custom?
Between 6,000 and 14,000 EUR for mandate and contract integration, versus a recurring monthly add-on with most SaaS.
How long for a custom agency platform?
Five to eight months for a full scope. A mandates + syndication MVP can ship in 3 months.
Can the showcase site be synced in real time?
Yes, it is one of custom's main strengths: published listings update automatically, budget 12,000 to 28,000 EUR.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of agents, your mandate volume and whether the showcase site must be synced, and we will frame the right scope. 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.
