Real estate apps have revolutionized how we search for good places to live. Thanks to the rise of technology and app-based algorithms, prospective renters and first-time home buyers have access to more listings than ever. Whether you want to move into a new house, apartment, or condo, check out this list of the best real estate apps to help you with your search!
Why Should You Use Real Estate Apps?
If you’re new to real estate apps, you might be curious about how and why they’re useful. Here are a few ways housing apps can enhance your house or apartment search.
- Vast databases: Real estate apps typically provide aggregated listings from several consistently updated sources so you don’t have to search multiple sites.
- User-friendly interfaces: These apps make it easy and convenient to find relevant information about a property, browse high-quality images, and even take virtual house tours.
- Advanced search options: Real estate apps allow you to customize your search and filter properties based on specific criteria—including number of bedrooms, location, and price range.
Best Housing & Apartment Apps
Nowadays, top real estate companies offer excellent home search apps with user-friendly interfaces and an impressive assortment of in-app features. These are some of the best real estate apps that make buying, selling, or renting a house or apartment easier than ever.
Apartments.com
Geared towards those looking for great rental properties, the Apartments.com app simplifies the search process with its focus on convenience and accessibility. This apartment search website’s robust filter allows users to look for exactly what they need from their apartment, townhome, or condo. And when you’re ready to apply, you can complete all the necessary paperwork directly in the app.
Additional features:
- Filter by price, amenities, and pet permissions
- View apartments, townhomes, and condos with verified photos and reviews
- Take virtual 3D tours of any space
- Explore nearby amenities with an interactive map
HotPads
HotPads is another real estate marketplace specializing in rental properties, making it an excellent resource for experienced or first-time renters. The app provides a user-friendly interface, detailed filters, and interactive property maps on individual pages to help users visualize neighborhoods and nearby amenities. You can also create a hub of your favorite listings, receive real-time alerts, and send applications to landlords—and even pay rent directly from the app once you’ve moved in!
Additional features:
- See how many renters have viewed a listing and contacted the property owner
- View listings in a list view, map view, or hybrid view
- Visualize housing prices with color-coordinated “hotspots”
- Set up backups for highly-competitive listings
Realtor.com
Realtor.com is one of the most reliable sources for people looking to buy or rent a home in the U.S., since it’s updated daily by listing agents. Search for homes using typical search filters, or draw your desired search area on a map to view available houses labeled by price. Their RealView maps feature also allows you to see possible climate concerns like wildfires and floods, as well as noise level ratings. Note that Realtor.com does not having listings available directly from owners, but if you prefer working with a real estate agent, this app makes communication easy.
Additional features:
- Search by school name for surrounding listings
- View an interest map layer to see nearby amenities
- Link other Realtor.com accounts to quickly apply with a roommate
- Filter by price or estimated monthly payments
Redfin
Redfin is one of the best home-buying apps due to its unique features. For instance, the “favorites” tool allows you to save listings and view them anywhere you’re signed in—and notifies you when there’s a change in the listing’s status. Redfin also makes touring properties easy with convenient lists of open house times and the ability to schedule same-day or advance visits with a qualified team of agents! Just keep in mind that Redfin is currently available only in select U.S. markets.
Additional features:
- Calculate mortgage, property tax, and insurance
- Get notified of climate risks (flood, fire, etc.)
- Ask questions online for virtual assistance
- View written reviews by trusted Redfin agents
Trulia
Trulia is a top real estate app for finding a new home due to its customizable home search experience! You can view their map from normal, satellite, or terrain mode, and its “layers” feature allows you see what schools, amenities, and more are available within a specified area. You can also use in-depth video walkthroughs and 3D tours to explore properties and neighborhoods remotely—and the “What Locals Say” section gives you the inside scoop on topics like whether the area is dog-friendly, has good parking, and more. Plus, the affordability calculator, mortgage calculator, and easy-to-use home comparison tool make picking your home a breeze!
Additional features:
- Contact listing agents directly
- View in-depth resident reviews
- See detailed school district information
- Leave notes on favorited listings
Zillow
Zillow is a go-to app for house hunters and stands out as the most downloaded real estate app for a number of reasons—including its database with over 160 million homes across the United States! You can refine your search using advanced filters, utilize the mortgage calculator, and coordinate your apartment search with roommates through the shared “favorites” feature. And if you’re looking to sell your current home, quickly get a home value estimate using the Zestimates tool.
Additional features:
- Complete the rental application process in-app
- Browse personal rental profiles
- View a property’s sale price history
- Use a home-buying budget calculator (BuyAbility)
Zumper
Zumper is a digital marketplace for renters and property managers that offers a comprehensive database of rental properties for sale. Known best for its focus on local neighborhoods, this rental housing app lets you find freestanding homes, apartments, and even condominiums for rent. Filter by long-term, monthly, or vacation home rentals and view rental market trends based on properties in the surrounding area. The “map view” feature even shows an interactive grid of neighborhoods nearby so you can explore virtually.
Additional features:
- See rent trends in the area
- Directly communicate with the property manager
- Receive real-time listing alerts
- Apply using “Instant Apply” application submission and credit report
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