How to develop a Housing app like Zillow
We all know some real cliche lines like “The home is where the heart is”, or “home sweet home”. However cliche these lines may seem, home is the closest place we have to heart. After all, it is THE place we can come back to after a long day and just take a nap!
Purchasing a home is not an easy task. You must go through various property listings, speak with agents, sort through paperwork, and perform numerous other tasks. This difficulty of the process necessitates a simple answer, which is real estate applications.
So, if you think you can deliver that answer as a startup, this post is for you. If you want to make your real estate app like Zillow but don’t know how this article will walk you through the process.
We’ll cover everything from idea validation to all of the stages involved in developing such an app (no pun intended!) to some unusual integrations. So, without further ado, let’s have a look at the actions you’ll need to take first.
Building a Zillow-style real estate app from the ground up
Let’s start building a real estate app right now!
- Why You Should Make Your Own Real Estate App (Idea Validation)
Before we get into the realtor app builder, let’s discuss the idea’s viability. At first glance, the concept of such an app appears absurd. Since purchasing and selling houses has been done for decades without the use of applications or software. So, why are you suddenly using an app?
The high rates of rent seen in the image above demonstrate why individuals prefer to buy their own homes rather than pay rent.
- Improved mobility
Is it going to be easier for customers to browse properties on their smartphones?
They already use their phones for everything else. Users can use these apps to hunt for a property on the go if you create a suitable app.
There’s no need for them to go to every possible property and location.
They can use the app to look at the features of the house or apartment and see if it meets their needs.
- Location-based
Every smartphone has a geolocation capability, which makes it simple to do location-based searches. It’s hardly surprising, then, that users can conduct location-based searches and easily locate nearby locations. It’s simple with the Zillow real estate app.
- Notification within seconds
People like things instantly in this day and age. They don’t want to wait weeks for property information; they want it now, or at the very least, as it becomes accessible. As a result, real estate applications are becoming increasingly important for users in their quest to find the ideal property.
- Customer Service Improvements
The real estate industry is hard, but you can make it easier by developing your real estate app. To get over this, the clients require proper customer service. And an app will be the ideal instrument for the job. Features such as regular and direct communication with clients will make it simple to establish a healthy relationship with them.
- Facility for Direct Marketing
Real estate applications are the most effective tool for direct marketing your company to customers. There is no third-party interference or spam.
It will not only bring in more clients, resulting in more business and money, but it will also keep your customers involved with your company.
- Set Yourself Apart From The Competition
With an app, you may gain a deeper insight into your customers and keep up with current industry trends. Having a specific app for buying and selling real estate can help you stand out in the market and attract more clients.
Now that we’ve shown the feasibility of real estate app development, we need to discuss the two sorts of apps that can be created.
2. Know Your App and Your Types
You must first grasp the app types before hiring any freelancer or real estate app development firm. When it comes to real estate mobile app development, there are two types of apps based on how they work. The first is a third-party app, and the second is an agency-based app. How do these apps work?
- App for the Agency
The agency app belongs to certain real estate agencies, as its name suggests. The agency app, which serves as the company’s digital face, lists all of the residences under their management and all of their agents for simple access by users.
The agency app allows them to keep track of their business progress, how many clients are engaged with them, and what their needs are. It’s essentially a better tool for business management and growth.
- Model of a Third-Party
The aggregator or third-party model acts as a middleman between buyers and agencies. The third-party model differs from the agency app in terms of how it works.
- Users can register as either buyers or sellers or as freelancer agents. The software allows freelancing agents to publish their listings and build their networks.
- On the other side, the user can contact local agents, explore their listings, and hunt for houses that interest them.
- Sellers can create an account and contact agents regarding the property they want to sell. The third-party software essentially serves as a platform for agents and buyers/sellers to communicate conveniently and quickly.
The following stage is to plan the correct real estate mobile app features once you’ve settled on the app model.
3. Developing futuristic characteristics
That’s why you need to be cautious when selecting features for your app.
The correct real estate mobile app features can make your app more functional and user-friendly. You can also have a whiteboarding session with a reputable New York-based mobile app development company to obtain a sense of the market. What functionality does your real estate app require?
Login/Signup
Users can create a personal account by signing up, which allows them to preserve various information and preferences, search history, and so on.
This functionality can be implemented in several ways:
Users can register with their email address or phone number. Implementing the social media registration option is also critical. Users can sign up with just one tap using this functionality. Ensure the app is easy to find during the login/signup process.
Edit/View Your Profile
Users should have the ability to view and amend their profiles in addition to the ability to create them. Users can modify their personal information, search histories, and preferences, among other things. This feature will allow them to personalize their profiles while also improving their app experience.
Search & Filter
Users will search for suitable properties using various keywords. This means your app will require a powerful search and filter capability.
The search feature must be extremely precise so that customers do not have to waste time looking for a location. You should also add a filter option to make it more accurate. The user can filter properties by location, price, type, ratings, and other factors with this option (which is also available in the Zillow mobile app).
Mapview
The map element becomes quite helpful for property searches.
The user may simply traverse new destinations, and routes, and look for certain landmarks near the properties with this tool.
Property Specifications
The property information comes next. Users must, of course, be fully informed about the property before expressing any interest in it. No buyer will show interest in the property if the property details part isn’t clear and precise, so make sure it’s there.
Ratings and reviews
Other vital aspects of your app are ratings and reviews. Users will be able to submit ratings on properties after viewing them and feedback on the agents on the platform to help other users understand the kind of service they can expect from the app.
Photo Gallery
Even though there is a comprehensive and detailed description of the property, the purchasers prefer to look at images. Sellers and brokers can use the image gallery option to upload detailed images of the property to attract more clients.
Social Networking
Because the majority of users today use social media sites, your app must contain a social sharing option. Since sellers and brokers can share a property listing on social media networks and attract more potential buyers by doing so.
4. The UI/UX Design is the app’s interior decoration.
The UI/UX for real estate mobile app design is just as significant as decorating the interior of a house. The UI UX of a real estate app is what will keep consumers interested in your app. If they don’t like the design or user experience, they will abandon the app. So, how will you ensure that your app’s design and user experience remain up to par?
5. The Technology Behind the Apps
After you’ve decided on all of your app’s features and functionalities, you’ll need to choose the right tech stack to implement them. To get you started in building your tech stack to create real estate sites like Zillow, below are a few tech stacks utilized by apps like Zillow mobile and Trulia.
- Property apps have a wide range of users, including people from all walks of life. As a result, it’s critical to use a multi-platform approach, in which case you’ll require Java to develop real estate apps for Android and Swift for iOS.
- Database: Postgress and PostGIS SQL can be used to connect the system’s databases. APIs such as SimplyRETS, home finder, and others can also be used.
- The Facebook SDK is required for social network sharing.
- The market allows you to create an interactive and customized map.
- Firebase SDK and Apple Push Notification are two options for push notifications.
Final Thoughts on Making Your Own Real Estate App
Mobile applications for the real estate sector might easily be described as the industry’s future. However, the real estate market is still relatively untapped, and there is plenty of potentials for you to acquire market share with your app. Have any inquiries? Please do not hesitate to contact us; we would be happy to assist you in realizing your real estate app development vision.
