As of 2018, there are not so many businesses or industries left that have not been followed by a web or mobile application. People tend to organize their working tools in one place, and today it is not a laptop anymore but the smartphone. Real estate agents and their clients are no exception. And not just agents but brokers, sellers, buyers, homeowners, investors but also other people who have relation to real estate business.
Real estate apps just like any other apps make people’s’ lives more comfortable and organized. It is also an additional source of income for a real estate agent. In this article, we will tell you how to build a real estate app.
Variety of real estate apps
The work of real estate and property agents often implies working away from their personal computers and laptops but now away from their smartphones. With the help of mobile apps, realtors get access to information about commercial real estate properties from everywhere. Some apps can track user’s location and offer available apartments and property listings in the nearby area. Users can search apartments by address, city or zip code. Apps associated with real estate can be as follows:
- Real estate buying/selling guides
- MLS listing apps (Multiple Listing Service for northern California), houses for rent and sales
- Mortgage calculator apps
- GPS based real estate apps
- Region wise property viewer apps
Some of the best apps for real estate agents and brokers presented on the market
ZILLOW
Zillow is a multi-use platform for property search. It offers lots of search filters and extra features (such as mortgage calculator, access to “hidden” inventory, property estimates). Website provides a good overview of the real estate market and available properties.
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Price: Free
TRULIA
Trulia is an all-in-one real estate service that provides you with information about homes for sale, apartments for rent, real estate markets and latest trends for the property. Apart from general information about the property you can see the level of crime in the chosen region, school rating and recommended minimum of your income for a comfortable rent of chosen accommodation.
Platform: Web,iOS, Android
Price: Free
REALTOR.COM
According to the description, the service offers the most homes for sale nationwide than any competing app. Alongside with other apps, Realtor.com provides you with details about the chosen property such as price, sales history, property tax, school information and others.
Platform: Web,iOS, Android
Price: Free
DOORSTEPSSWIPE
Powered by Realtor.com owner Move inc. Doorsteps Swipe is a Tinder for real estate. Showing you the photos of houses based on your criteria, the app gives you an ability to swipe the property left or right depending on your like or dislike. A fun way to sort houses based on your preferences for style and price.
Platform: iOS
Price: Free
MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
Mortgage Calculator is an easy-to-use tool that helps you to calculate the mortgage payment. Once you fill in the blanks and press “calculate” button, the app provides you with accurate details including biweekly and monthly payment.
Platform: Web
Price: Free
There are many other apps for real estate. Some are more popular than the others, some are chosen by users for their style, some for functionality, so there is always room for something new and unique.
Real estate app features
The functionality of any app divides into two categories:
- Core functionality without which the app is not possible.
- Additional functionality. This makes your app differ from other competing apps.
Let’s take a look at the core functionality of any real estate app.
- User authentification (log in/sign app). The user can log in to the existing profile, create a new one or log in with an account of a social network such as Facebook.
- Account settings. Users can modify their personal data, browse through their Favourites list, check messages.
- Search and navigation. Search filters, real estate categories. List of houses for rent/sale, saved favorites.
- A map that utilizes geolocation. The map is one of the most important features for real estate apps. User can click on the map and see the house location, surf the nearby area and make their decision about the region.
- History. A list of already seen houses.
- Mortgage calculator. If the house is for sale, the user can quickly calculate the required monthly or biweekly payment and see if they can afford this house.
- Inner messaging system. A button “Order house view” or “Contact agent” or “More about this house” implies filling in several fields for a callback.
- Push notifications, alert system. Users can be notified whenever a chosen house undergoes any changes.
As an additional functionality, you can implement any features that would make your app stand alone from others. You can make an additional line in house description such as crime level like it is done in Trulia, or make a nice marker whether the house for rent allows pets. Whatever it is, it should be nice and clear, but in either way, it should not copy the style and look of already existing apps.
Implementing the core functionality of real estate app takes about 700 – 800 hours. The rate for development depends on the developer’s location and experience. Choose the one to meet your budget and personality expectations.
Bottom line
Just like it works with any application development, do not expect to get rich quickly. You can monetize your app with the help of premium plans like it’s done in some above-described apps or place advertisements. Either way, be patient and concentrated on the concept, not the profit.
