Online property searches have reached unprecedented levels, creating fierce competition on the real estate market.
reports on the market have found that 95% of real estate agencies offer property listings online.
Building a website may only be one step towards keeping up with the competition to gain an edge; youll also need an app in addition to your site.
Your real estate app needs to stand out in an overcrowded app store, so people will download it.
What defines an outstanding real estate app and makes yours distinctive? Before answering that question, lets first explore why mobile applications are vital for real estate businesses like yours.
Real Estate Mobile Apps: Definition And Types
Lets first define our terms when discussing real estate apps. Theres no single type of app you should create to serve all players involved in real estate - landlords, tenants, agents and sellers among them - this means your real estate app could serve multiple audiences simultaneously at different stages in their process or different users with its use solving various problems for all these parties involved in it.
Lets consider some examples.
Apps For Renting/House Searching
Real estate listing apps often spring to mind first when people think of real estate apps, enabling users to search based on parameters like address, region or city.
Listing-based applications require close cooperation with multiple listing services (MLS). MLSs maintain databases containing an exhaustive listing of accommodation options at any given moment in time.
Real Estate Agents Apps
These apps help brokers and agents deliver services more effectively to clients, from virtual 3D tours of apartments, communication between agents and clients to document management software programs that reduce paper usage while streamlining processes.
Real Estate Investment Software
Real estate investing is a burgeoning field. Investors and agents alike seek solutions that enable them to keep an eye on potential purchases; applications of this sort must provide great flexibility.
Why Should You Have A Mobile App For Your Real Estate Business?
Real estate has become highly digitalized. Buyers no longer need to visit multiple agents before finding the ideal property; now, people can quickly explore various properties on their smartphone.
Mobile applications have quickly become popular tools among homebuyers, realtors and sellers to explore the real estate market.
Your real estate app must stand out amongst a crowded field by including features which set it apart in order to remain relevant.
Here are a few key characteristics you should include in your app.
Developing A Real Estate App In 5 Steps
We have finally reached the stage of developing a real estate app. All mobile app development is the same.
- Research
- Develop
- Launch
- Iterate
Real estate app development is unique in some ways. This section will discuss the challenges that arise at each stage of creating a mobile real estate app.
Step 1. Find Your Goal
Your app cannot be built in a vacuum. Your product will still fail if you try to do this. You should decide which problem of the user will be addressed by your product to avoid this.
To do this, you will need to:
- Determine the market that you want to target.
- Select the target audience
- Find out what users are experiencing and try to solve it.
The client of the project came to us with a specific problem - the chaos in the Dubai real estate market. At that time, all the platforms with listings were flooded with buzzy agents and fake offers.
Such circumstances made searching for an apartment a long and tedious process.
We wanted to create an application that would simplify the house-hunting process in Dubai. It also aimed to reduce the bureaucracy, and take on the monopoly agents have.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Step 2. Think How You Will Stand Out
What sets your company apart? Which features, details, or services set you apart? And on what you founded your beliefs?
Your product shouldnt have to be distinctive in order to offer value; sometimes being available can provide more benefit than standing out from competitors.
Think ahead! Imagine this scenario unfolding before your very eyes - then plan accordingly!
Step 3: Collect the Listings Step
Listings form the cornerstone of any real estate app. Listings serve as databases with real estate data or apartment or home offerings that can easily be integrated into an apps user experience.
Ultimately, listings help make sure users find something worthwhile on your app.
Listings can easily be integrated into your app; however, due to not always having access to an MLS database in every market.
There may also be special brokers communities available in some markets that specialize in listing management - these special broker communities may allow for partnership partnerships to work effectively in those specific instances.
As there may not always be a central database available, in such situations, it will fall to you to compile the data yourself.
There are a few other things to take into consideration besides the list:
- How do you update your listing database?
- Can users upload their listings? Can only agents list their items?
- Are there moderators and administrators to verify that the offers are genuine?
Step 4. Gather A Team Of Professionals
As soon as a new idea enters our mind, it can be easy to become attached. When something you love so deeply has the ability to draw you in so deeply that questioning it may become impossible, unfortunately, this could mean discovering that there simply is no market for your product!
Your product team must test out your idea with real users before proceeding to development and hiring developers as needed.
Step 5. Develop MVP
After you and your team have validated an idea, development begins immediately. Timely development decisions matter for startups; therefore, it is critical that a quick MVP be developed quickly.
Consideration must also be given as to how your product may expand in scale; change must then occur accordingly in its architecture and design.
Product development studios can also assist. Within several months, youll discover the ideal approach to realizing your concept; while Web Architects ensure your architecture remains scalable.
The Must-Have Features in a Real Estate Mobile App
An app designed specifically to assist homebuyers or sellers is intended to attract users while streamlining the transaction process of buying or selling real estate.
Not just another app in the app store that nobody downloads; keeping up-to-date with features and trends to implement them into your application is of utmost importance.
Below we have listed some of the key features you should include in your real estate application.
Read More: Mobile App Development Trends
1. Sign up/Login (User Onboarding)
The user onboarding process is the core feature of any real estate app. It should be as easy as possible. Three ways are available to achieve this.
- Social media authorization
- Authorization via email
- Phone verification
Use any or all of the methods outlined above to allow users to sign up for your app, or combine all three for added flexibility and simplicity during registration.
Doing this will give users more choice while simplifying registration procedures.
2. User Profiles (Users, Sellers and Agents)
Users should have the ability to create profiles within an application so they can carry out different tasks more easily, and distinguishable profiles for specific groups should also be created.
Buyer profiles offer considerably different features than agent profiles do. Buyers have access to home listings, can view individual properties more in depth, send inquiries about those listings they like best, and can save favorites; more will be discussed about these features later.
An agent can view his own listings and schedules as well as the buyers interested in each listing and how often they have seen it.
There may also be shared features. All users may access messaging and map features.
3. Listings and Databases
Property listings are an essential element of an apps property search functionality; this must provide users with all available properties along with required details.
Users looking to list their property for rent or sale should have no difficulty with the listing.
Property listings will continue to expand over time, and youll require a large database. As more users and listings emerge over time, make sure your server or database can accommodate scaling operations effectively; any real estate app requires such an important resource.
4. Filters and Categories
Whats the trickiest aspect of online property searches? Finding the ideal house.
Provide users with advanced search features in order to streamline the property-finding process and meet users specific requirements.
Add categories and filter options that help users narrow their results quickly and efficiently.
5. Property Profiles
These profiles contain extensive details of each property including descriptions, photos and videos, as well as value propositions, neighborhood information, owner data and much more.
Over 80% of users make decisions to purchase homes based on photos and videos they see online.
Include the contact details of both the propertys owner or agent for completeness.
6. Favorites (Shortlisting)
Users should have the ability to save and shortlist properties they like, making the decision-making process simpler for themselves.
All information related to a users personal profile, including their preferred properties, can be accessed easily.
7. Maps
Implementing maps into your real estate app is essential in providing users with useful information and can increase user retention rates.
Display data and statistics regarding selected properties. Find information from government websites pertaining to crime rates, infrastructure development plans for schools nearby and average income estimates.
8. Push Notifications
Push notifications can be an extremely powerful marketing strategy and must be included as part of any real estate app if it wants to succeed over time.
Send push notifications to keep customers memories fresh while also helping promote your business. This strategy could keep customers thinking positively of you!
Utilize push notifications to keep your prospects and clients up-to-date on industry developments and provide important notifications such as price changes or the arrival of specific properties in certain locations.
Push notifications only work if theyre tailored specifically to each of your users, so only send those that apply.
9. Property Cost Calculators
Price calculators make an invaluable addition to any real estate app, giving users a good sense of how much their dream house might cost them.
Therefore, have mobile app developers implement cost estimation features so as to give users an approximate idea as to the costs involved with owning or renting one of your properties.
Be certain the calculator offers enough details. A reliable calculator should enable users to calculate a final figure by altering various factors like initial payment range, tax rates, interest rate and repayment schedule.
10. Calendar
Though it might appear unnecessary at first, buyers and agents alike will appreciate its benefits.
App allows buyers to explore available dates before scheduling appointments directly in the app - with both parties receiving reminders at their scheduled times.
11. Call or Direct Messaging
The first step is to provide users with detailed property information. Add the direct messaging or call feature to move the user to the next step of the sales funnel.
You can use different methods to connect buyers and agents.
- Call Direct
- Callback Option
- Online chat
- Book a consultation
A buyer should be able to contact the owner or dealer to find out more information about a particular property.
12. You Can Also Read About The Advantages Of Using
Apps offering analytics are essential components for success in todays mobile environment.
Understand your users interactions with your app - be it real estate based such as buying, renting, selling property platforms or standalone apps tailored specifically for businesses - whether its creation involves property sales, rentals, purchases.
Analytics provide valuable insight into how your app performs and what can be done to enhance it. By studying user activity within your app - for instance how long they spend viewing specific screens - analytics data helps make more informed decisions regarding its design and functionality.
Utilize data effectively by segmenting users based on their behavior and including them in various marketing campaigns.
13. Virtual Tour
Virtual tours or 3D walks provide homebuyers an effective way to explore potential purchases before actually visiting an Open House event.
According to one survey, 70% of first time homebuyers consider virtual 3D tours just as necessary when searching homes for sale.
Virtual tours provide an engaging way of showing a property without actually needing to visit it in person.
Nice-To-Have Features For A Real Estate Mobile App
Imagine that you have launched your MVP successfully. What next? What next? You can introduce new features to your product.
You can add these functionalities:
Saved Apartments Tab
Searching individually, saving them, and reviewing them together (or sharing the links). This approach often allows partners, family, or friends living together to locate apartments efficiently and cost effectively.
As it may take multiple visits before making a choice, this feature adds tremendously to user experience (UX).
Comparative Feature
Finding an apartment can be challenging. Decision-makers sometimes face difficulty selecting from both too few and too many options.
Users typically conduct internet searches across various browser tabs in an attempt to narrow their choices down faster.
Extended Search Filters
Search filters with detailed parameters are another way to assist your users. Dont limit your search to just a few parameters, such as location, size of the room, or amenities.
Consider other factors that may influence your audiences choice, such as:
- What do the neighbors think about the neighborhood?
- Information on the crime rate of the area;
- Probability of natural disasters
Read More: Mobile App Development- How It Affects Your Business Growth?
How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Real Estate App?
Are You Wondering the Cost to Create a Real Estate App? If this question comes to your mind, heres the breakdown:
What are the costs involved with creating an app for real estate? Unfortunately, app development expenses depend on several variables.
Cost factors to keep in mind when developing an app for real estate are typically as follows.
- Set of Features
- You can also Design Your Own
- Device (iOS or Android) and Technology
- Rates of development companies by the hour
Hourly rates depend heavily on where a company operates; those located in North America generally charge between $50 to $250 an hour per person while there may be more cost-effective options in Eastern Europe.
Use our project cost calculator to get an approximate idea of the costs involved with creating a mobile real estate app.
Most Successful Real Estate Apps
Home buying is one of the most costly purchases we make and people investing six-figures require an established platform with reliable services and plenty of features for safekeeping of such an investment.
By including these features in your real estate app, you can provide users with comprehensive knowledge about properties while building trust among potential purchasers.
Here is a list of real estate apps that have revolutionized the US real estate market and offer unique services for homebuyers, sellers and agents alike.
1. Zillow
Zillow was established in 2006, and today stands as one of the premier real estate apps available in the US. Offering millions of listings both for sale and rent as well as home value estimator technology to calculate current and past prices of properties for sale/rent, Zillow provides one-stop real estate shopping.
Zillow emphasizes its true magic for both sellers and buyers by uniting complex elements into one easy package.
2. Redfin
Redfin, located in Seattle, serves both as an real-estate brokerage and app for users searching for homes for sale or rental; their app provides search filters as well as estimates for home values to make the search experience seamless for users.
Redfins business model prioritizes customer experience over anything else.
Redfin said in an interview: "Our aim is to offer consumers something completely new - and improved service with faster access to houses and the possibility to sell quickly if desired."
3. LoopNet
LoopNet by CoStar Group offers investors a powerful real estate app tailored specifically for commercial properties - think Zillow for commercial real estate!
LoopNet is your go-to option if you are searching for commercial properties, from office space and land for industrial use to large investment properties.
The listing services features have been specifically developed to promote listings of such commercial real estate listings.
Real estate apps have seen increased demand recently due to migrations, unstable economics and historically low mortgage rates - creating an extremely competitive real estate app market in which niche applications must find their place quickly in order to remain successful.
To stay on the cutting edge, developers need to quickly find their place within this highly contested field - finding their niche quickly is paramount in staying afloat and staying ahead.
As a product manager, we understand the difficulty in finding an app suitable to its market - both local and global - with real estate apps.
Together with my team and colleagues in developing real estate applications before successfully releasing one that met these criteria on the Dubai market. From these experiences came valuable learnings that we wish to share.
Unlearn what it takes to develop products that address real estate challenges!
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Wrap-Up
Real estate app builders is a highly competitive field.
Trulia, Zillow and other big players in this space set the rules of play early. But that does not preclude you from entering this race: find your niche market/audience segment and offer solutions tailored specifically towards their needs - your company now exists!
Contact us if you require guidance in how to implement an idea, or have any fresh thoughts that need further exploration.
