With the real estate market still in full swing even with rates fluctuating, the popularity of easy-to-use, quickly downloadable house-hunting apps is on the rise. These apps are able to provide consumers with accurate housing information of their choosing, which not only help their realtors but also the consumer with narrowing down their house search.
Each app has different features and tools that cater to a variety of users, which include filtered criteria, community insight, and “apply now” features. Once the apps are downloaded, the house-hunting process becomes a little less stressful and a little more fun.
Trulia Real Estate & Rentals
Available On Android & iOS
Trulia provides a plethora of information about any home with the help of Zillow’s data, map overlays, reviews, and virtual tours. It uses its data to provide neighborhood-focused information to narrow the user’s search for a home.
The focus on community insight helps its users get a better feel of the community the home is in, especially with its newer features: “what locals say” and “local legal protections.” These features provide local feedback and public data regarding the neighborhood. Users can view properties along with information regarding restaurants, schools, and other demographics nearby. If renting an apartment is the route to take, they have an app called Rent Trulia as well.
Available On Android & iOS
Realtor.com is the official search portal for the National Association of Realtors, making it the best for on-market and accurate listings. It is excellent for either renting, buying, or just looking for a home’s estimated value. It provides users with millions of homes to fit their needs based on a variety of filters to tailor their home search.
Many features help its users find the perfect home which includes multiple layers on a map, 3D home tours, timely home alerts, and two calculators for affordability and mortgage. Each home contains a property profile with details that suit all users such as crime rates, school ratings, property tax, and past home value estimates. It updates frequently, allowing for more potential even if the app is unknown to many.
Homesnap Rental & House Finder
Available On Android & iOS
Homesnap is the only nationwide home search portal that offers real-time Multiple Listing Service information available to the homebuyer’s agent. It gives the user the ability to collaborate with their real estate agent through the private messaging function that saves their listings for easy access.
Similarly to many real estate apps, the user is able to create a customized search area with many filtered options, which offers information such as commute times, school zones, and satellite photos. One significant feature that sets it apart from the others is the ability for users to snap a picture of any home and the app will provide its details based on the Multiple Listing Service or public records.
Rocket Homes Real Estate
Available On Android & iOS
The mortgage lender company, Rocket Mortgage, created the Rocket Homes app to assist users in the search for homes on the market while preparing them for the mortgage application and home purchase process. This app is free for Android and iPhone users alike.
Once the user finds the home through Rocket Homes, the sister company, Rocket Mortgage can go over financing options all within their app. Although users have said it’s more difficult to connect with a real estate agent through the app, it is still possible. The access to a free credit-tracking feature within the app is a significant tool to prepare its users even further through the financing process.
Available On Android & iOS
Apartments.com is the perfect place to be to find more than one million listed rentals with professional images to showcase its listings to possible tenants. These tenants are able to easily apply directly through the app to find that perfect place, maybe after a big day. Although the name is apartments, it also offers a large inventory of rental houses, townhouses, and condos.
It offers extensive search capabilities to assist the user with narrowing their search. The information provided is given in real-time for availability, rent ranges, and specials. Oftentimes it only shows options nearby, but their “apply now” feature makes the process run smoother.
Airbnb
Available On Android & iOS
Airbnb is a home-sharing app that revolutionized the travel industry. It offers a place for those looking for accommodations with people who want to rent their place out. These are typically used for short-term stays, but many users are able to book long-term and pay monthly with a decent discount.
Although it doesn’t show other options besides Airbnbs, it has a great cost-saving benefit long term, stability during the user’s stay, and the possibility for credit card points. Long-term stays in Airbnbs are becoming increasingly common, so it now has its own search filter for easier access to its options.
Rent.
Available On Android & iOS
Rent is the quickest way to find houses, apartments, condos, and townhouses for rent within the United States. There are thousands of new listings every day to assist with the home search. Many users say they are able to find great deals with countless options within their budget.
The app allows users to find their perfect rental through its maps, reviews, and virtual tours. The advanced search tools with available floor plans, the best neighborhoods, pet-friendly options, and trusted listings offer a narrower search in the rental process. The user can even reach out to the landlord or office right from the comfort of the app.
Available On Android & iOS
Homes.com gives users access to millions of homes for sale and for rent. They offer features including interactive maps, property photos, live mortgage rates, and many useful home-buying tools. They have a partnership with MLS boards and local data providers, to provide its users with the most up-to-date quality listings. Even though its name is homes, they offer houses, condos, apartments, and townhomes.
Many reviews boast about its easy-to-use and attractive interface. The app adds an exclamation point icon next to each new listing for the users to easily distinguish which has just been added. Their mortgage calculator is able to give the user a better idea of what they can afford so that once the user is ready, they can be connected to a real estate agent and schedule a showing to begin.
Zillow Real Estate & Rentals
Available On Android & iOS
Zillow is one of the leading apps in the real estate market with over 36 million users monthly. They give consumers access to over 135 million homes with the ability to receive notifications for new real estate listings. Many options are offered to the user such as listing apartments for sale, rent, or lease, virtually touring properties, and contacting agents who signed up for Zillow leads.
It has efficient features that include detailed search and filter criteria, personal rental profiles, and Zillow’s signature map. Though the Zestimate algorithm isn’t always accurate, it gives the consumer another useful tool during their home search. One of its best features is the in-person self-tour of Zillow-owned homes, allowing the user to stop by the property at their own convenience and unlock the house within the app.
Redfin Homes For Sale & Rent
Available On Android & iOS
Redfin is a real estate brokerage firm that created an app to revolutionize the buying and selling process. It helps users with home purchases by connecting them with actual Redfin real estate agents. It provides customized searches, estimates of home values, mortgage calculations, property tax, and insurance.
With its user-friendly interface, they can quickly book home tours with a Redfin agent and even list their property for sale. The map provided indicates which properties are actually listed by Redfin and prioritizes the hot homes in the Hot Homes feature. The best part of going through Redfin would be their lower listing broker fees, charging sellers a listing fee of 1.5% – 1%. This gives the user a percentage of their agent’s commission from the home seller when they purchase with a Redfin agent.
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