Special offer
Tony Whiteside, GRI, MRP, e-PRO (VanderMorgan Realty)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

There are three popular methods for keeping milage logs.

  1. The paper trail
  2. Standard deduction
  3. The interactive trail
  4. The passive trail (passive meaning no daily interaction)

Most agents rely on the paper trail.

Some agents use an app to enter milage as it occurs. This is simply a digital version of the paper trail.

The milezip program combines historic location of listing, manual entry for buyers and your movements as reported by your cell phone app.

The end result is a compreshensvie report of every encounter of historic data which intersects cell phone locaton. Also calculates derived milage based on the 'routes' concept.

The mileage report is printed as needed.

Make certain to tell'em who sent you.
That would be me, Annette Lawrence

Go to: MileZip.com

 

Apr 19, 2016 11:23 PM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Quickbooks which I use for my accounting, also has an app. that you can log your miles into, or you can even use your phones location services to keep track.

Apr 19, 2016 11:19 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

A little spiral notebook and pen in the center compartment in my car.

Apr 20, 2016 12:08 PM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

The oldest most trusted, reliable app ever created since man. 

Paper and pen written by my hand.  Nothing is easier than that.  

Apr 20, 2016 12:44 AM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I'm old fashined and keep a log book

Apr 20, 2016 12:12 AM
Rainer
232,019
Jessie Cochran
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Panama City Realty Group

I use a simple spreadsheet - easy peezy

Apr 20, 2016 12:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I just total my mileage from Jan1-Dec 31 each year, and then share with my CPA the % used for business, which I actually think she uses a standard calculation. I have a second vehicle, so it's easier for me to claim majority business on my "real estate" car.

Apr 19, 2016 11:56 PM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

I have any awesome app using MileIQ.  It will email you to update info on your drives.  Good Luck

Apr 23, 2016 02:17 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I am old fachion and just write down the mileage daily

 

Apr 23, 2016 01:18 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I did hear of an app on your phone you record when you leave and when you return, but cannot remember it.  I have a small spiral notebook in the side pocket of both cars and keep track of the miles manually.

Apr 23, 2016 12:59 AM
Rainer
98,823
Becca Rasmussen
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Highlands Ranch, CO

In short, I don't use an app. I track business-related miles by printing to PDF a map of each business-related route from Google Maps then I upload that PDF to Quickbooks online into an invoice with other supporting documentation.

In long: thanks for the blog post inspiration! :0)

Apr 20, 2016 10:53 PM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

MileIQ is one of the best.

Apr 20, 2016 09:49 PM
Rainmaker
5,215,498
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Small spiral notebook in my center console!

Apr 20, 2016 08:26 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Tony. I don't track mileage at all, I don't use it as a deduction.

Apr 20, 2016 05:46 PM
Rainer
35,544
Corey R. Roberts
Keller Williams Realty—Yuba Sutter - Yuba City, CA
Turning Dreams into Realty.

MileIQ. It's rated #1 in the app store. It's pretty awesome. You get 40 free drives a month, or you can get a subscription (which pays for itself almost right away). Everytime you get in the car, it tracks your miles without even having to open it up. Some people might be concerned about that, but I think it's totally worth it

Apr 20, 2016 03:16 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I write it down in my steno book.  It never fails.

Apr 20, 2016 03:04 PM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Pen & Paper. I also use my google calendar to track my miles. 

Apr 20, 2016 02:35 PM
Rainer
2,685
Phillip Kochan
MileZip.com - Hereford, OR
Mileage Log Expert Since 2003

Thanks to Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041  for mentioning MileZip.com.  I'm Phil Kochan, the founder.

For over 13 years, we've helped many thousands of real estate agents PASS their mileage log audits with flying colors.  

We're the ONLY solution tailored to real estate agents.  We are fully integrated into 100's of MLS systems and in those MLSs MileZip often generate 100's of pages logs with all miles calculated covering up to 5 years years in about 30 seconds of effort.  Compare this 5 years of pen and penciling or being interrupted 25,000 times by a mindless 'tracking app'. :) 

The average agent who does not have a complete mileage log under reports their mileage deduction by $6000.  So whatever you do, make sure you are confident of your mileage log and claim the miles you deserve! :)

 

I  feel I should respond to a few of the answers below:

Please NEVER claim 100% business use. Biggest audit flag in the world.  You're claiming that for an entire year you never stopped to pick up a gallon of milk or your kid at school.  Claim 95% and have a mileage log to back it up.  This is detailed in our '3 Tricks IRS Agents Use to Reject Your Mileage Log' at www.MileZip.com/LP/ThreeTricks.

Writing down 1/1 and 12/31 odometer reading means nothing without a proper log.  There is NO 'standard' percentage of business use and if your accountant picks one for you, then he/she will get in trouble with the IRS.

 

Apr 20, 2016 01:24 PM
Rainmaker
713,282
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

no idea, but checking in for answers.

Apr 20, 2016 12:42 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I use a lead pencil in my paper calander note book.  I can record an entry faster than typing it into an app or computer

Apr 20, 2016 12:40 PM
Rainer
96,384
Alesha A. Wilson, M.Ed.
Buy and Sell Oklahoma LLC - Oklahoma City, OK
Buy and Sell Real Estate with Confidence

TripLog synchs with car and phone - allowing you to categorize each trip (business, personal, etc...).  My favorite feature is being able to enter the odometer miles (once) and it keeps track from then on (:

One month free ~ then $25/year after that

Apr 20, 2016 07:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I've seen some systems, like MileageIQ, that interact with the car and automatically pop-up on your in-dash system asking you if the trip is business or personal.

Apr 20, 2016 07:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Tony Whiteside A paper log and a pen.

Apr 20, 2016 07:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I use a certain credit card to fill up my car with gas. But since I have only one car that I use for both: personal and business, my CPA just divides my millage and all car related expanses. 

Apr 20, 2016 05:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

As long as I have an odometer and digital recorder the tracking is pretty straightforward Tony. It also hones my arithmetic skills at the end of the week, day or month when I reconcile the mileage.

Apr 20, 2016 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I use my car 100% for real estate, so the odometer works for me.

Apr 20, 2016 04:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

write in a pad milage put in your glove compartment.

Apr 20, 2016 03:36 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Reading the answers; looking for a better solution.  I am still pen on paper.

Apr 20, 2016 01:55 AM
Ambassador
6,392,889
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

One vehicle for business, one vehicle for personal.  Keep them separate, be strict about this and you will only have to record that mileage once a year.

Apr 20, 2016 01:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Paper is easier than an app.

Apr 20, 2016 01:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

I took the easy way out Tony Whiteside, two cars - one for work and one for personal.  

Apr 20, 2016 12:52 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

interesting question - parked and reading!  I like the response from Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 

Apr 19, 2016 11:35 PM