Apps are everywhere—helping us book appointments, check the weather, and even order our favorite meals. But they’re not just transforming our daily lives; they’re revolutionizing industries, too. One sector seeing massive benefits? Real estate.
With the growing demand for seamless digital experiences, real estate app development is becoming a game-changer. These apps empower realtors to boost productivity, streamline property listings, and offer a more engaging experience to clients—whether on smartphones, tablets, or iPads.
As technology evolves, more realtors are embracing mobile solutions to stay ahead in a competitive market. Even those once skeptical of enterprise real estate apps are now recognizing their potential to enhance efficiency and drive business growth.
In today’s digital-first world, having a real estate app isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity
Types of Real Estate Apps
Among those who use real estate apps are landlords, sellers, homebuyers, renters, and agents. Before beginning the development process, a real estate app developer must determine the purpose/focus of the application. Here are some of the most common real estate app usage:
1. Apps for Buyers/Renters
A variety of filters are available in these apps, such as location, state, neighborhood, and amenities.
2. Real Estate Agent Apps
Apps such as these facilitate communication among real estate agents by simplifying client documentation and property management. This reduces paperwork hassles to a great extent.
3. Apps for Property Management
Agents can use these apps to manage properties more efficiently. All properties are tracked throughout the process, revealing their status at any given moment.
4. Apps for Real Estate Investors
People who wish to buy real estate for investment purposes can use these apps to monitor on-sale houses and filter their search based on their requirements.
Real Estate Mobile App Development: Why You Need It
The real estate industry is evolving fast, and technology is at the heart of this transformation. From artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to augmented reality (AR), modern innovations are making property buying, selling, and renting more seamless than ever.
Think about it—wouldn’t it be easier if you could:
✔️ Get accurate property value estimates in seconds?
✔️ Chat with an assistant 24/7 to answer property-related questions?
✔️ Lease a home online without the hassle of endless paperwork?
That’s exactly what real estate apps are bringing to the table! With 73% of homebuyers using digital tools and 58% relying on mobile apps to find their dream property, it’s clear that mobile solutions are the future of the industry.
If you’re in the real estate business, investing in real estate app development is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity that can transform your operations. However, before you dive in, it’s crucial to understand app development costs and choose the right mobile app developers to ensure a smooth and successful launch.
Here are the two main reasons why real estate mobile app development is a game-changer.
1. High User Engagement and Conversions
Mobile apps for the rental market are extremely popular. In a report released on Real Estate in a Digital Age Group, 56% of those under the age of 36 and 50% of those 37-51 say they found their new houses online.
Meanwhile, NAR’s Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report reports that 73% of customers searched for housing on their smartphones. The example illustrates that mobile devices can be useful tools, allowing users to search for homes with a mobile app, without requiring a computer. Thus, real estate mobile applications seem to be a viable solution for the future.
2. Better Viewing Experience
According to NAR (National Association of Realtors) research, approximately 77% of real estate agents agree that the ability to visualize a house would help them better sell a house to a buyer.
At the moment, lots of mobile real estate apps are offering 360-degree interactive VR real estate video tours as part of their mobile applications for iOS as well as Android platforms.
3. Improved Property Sales and Lead Retention
Mobile apps offer many tools that can increase sales and simplify lead retention. Using calls, emails, in-app chats, notifications, and other features, you can always be in contact with your clients and keep them updated on the real estate operations they are engaged in.
4. Automated Routine Tasks
Both agents and ordinary clients can benefit from applications that simplify and even automate many routine tasks. Neither the agent nor the client will have to wait very long for the documents necessary to complete the transaction. Thanks to the wonders of automation, the app will assist in this process.
5. Constant Customer Feedback
By using mobile apps, you will be able to easily collect customer reviews and stay up-to-date on the progress of your business.
You will always receive new development ideas and information about weak points that need to be corrected immediately. In this way, you will be able to deliver high-quality service to our customers and stay competitive.
A real estate app must have the following features:
When developing a real estate app, it is essential to take into account the app’s target audience first. It is equally important to examine functionality. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at some features.
Real estate applications can target agents or clients in general.
Features for clients | Features for Agents |
Navigation and street view | Database |
Advanced Search | Real-Time Messaging |
3D Virtual Tours | Calendar |
Save Search and Favourite Listings | Analytics |
Property Costs & Mortgage Calculators | Personal Profiles |
Feedback Systems | Administrative Panels |
Chatbot | |
Augmented Reality | |
Categories & Filters |
Trends in Real Estate Mobile App Development
The real estate industry follows its own trends, just like any other industry.
1. Big Data
Traditional data-processing applications may not be able to handle large amounts of data. Big data is a field that analyzes and extracts information from large amounts of data.
Big data development is used in real estate applications to store, process, and gather information about users. Using this information, we create the perfect search suggestions for each user based on their behavior and decisions.
2. Artificial Intelligence
With artificial intelligence, computers can understand visual perception, recognize human speech, translate between languages, and even make decisions. With the development of big data technologies, artificial intelligence plays a key role in analyzing the preferences and requirements of real estate app users.
In this way, people get precise, fast, and personalized suggestions about accommodations. Furthermore, artificial intelligence can help with management, listing changes, and price comparisons.
3. Blockchain
A blockchain is a distributed database where records are maintained across a network of computers. Blockchain technology development is transparent and widely used to prevent fraud. Blockchain can be useful for real estate when it comes to document verification, security, and reducing red tape.
4. Augmented Reality
An augmented reality experience creates an environment that appears real-like but is generated by a computer. Real estate mobile applications can use augmented reality to show what a property would look like in real life. App users can use this approach to decide whether to buy or rent.
How Do Real Estate Apps Make Money?
There are many types of real estate applications, and each has its own monetization strategy. Buying/selling/renting apps are two of the most popular types of real estate apps. We will discuss how to monetize them here.
1. Fees
Real estate applications can charge commission fees to users. Each time buyers purchase a property, a fee can be charged. Additionally, real estate agents may be charged fees to feature themselves on the service.
2. Advertising
Almost all existing mobile applications monetize through advertising, and real estate mobile applications are no exception. You can advertise mortgage lenders, real estate agents, additional listings, interior designers, and so on.
3. Premium Features and Subscriptions
A premium subscription plan offers advanced features. These packages may include extended options, premium properties, more listings, free consultations with real estate agents, etc.
It depends on the type of app you are building. With premium packages, real estate agents can reach a wider audience of buyers, or appear more frequently in property listings.
Transform your Ideas into Digital Reality
Looking to Boost Sales and Productivity in Real Estate? Here’s How!
Are you a real estate professional or business owner searching for innovative ways to streamline operations and close more deals? If so, investing in real estate app development could be the game-changer you need.
A well-designed real estate app can simplify property listings, enhance client communication, and improve workflow efficiency, keeping your buyers and sellers engaged in real-time. Whether you envision an app like Zillow or want to create a custom solution tailored to your business, now is the time to embrace digital transformation.
At ScrumDigital, we specialize in web and mobile app development for real estate businesses, helping you stay ahead in a competitive market. Our expert mobile app developers bring your vision to life, delivering high-performance, user-friendly applications that enhance customer experience.
Let’s bring your real estate app idea to life—connect with us today!