Search On-the-go with Real Estate Apps
Today almost 90% of real estate consumers use the internet as part of their home search efforts. As consumers we are utilizing the internet more than ever, and it’s extending far beyond the traditional desktop. Handheld mobile devices have changed the way we access the web dramatically, and this shift is also affecting the way home buyers search for homes allowing consumers to tap into the market using GPS enabled search and a range of additional features. With innovative real estate apps for the iPad, iPhone and Android you can search for homes from anywhere your devices take you.
There are many mobile resources available to home buyers for: searching, pricing, and comparing homes and today we’re reviewing the top mobile real estate search apps.
When it comes to the best mobile search apps for real estate consumers, it’s a close race between the top three real estate portals: Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia — the three topped the lists for both Android and iOS apps, whose features and functionality have, in general, converged.
1) Realtor.com has a solid app backed up by the most current and accurate MLS listing data to search (data is pulled directly the MLS and updated every 15 minutes), so it’s a must-have app for any serious mobile buyer. If a user wants to know a property is really for sale and the price is current, check Realtor.com first. Get the Realtor.com Mobile Search App
- Draw your own custom search area right on the map! (also known as Area Highlighter)
- Search nearby homes for sale, open houses and recently sold homes with one touch (the site also includes foreclosure listings and homes available for rent)
- Use Area Scout to see average values update as you move
- REALTOR.com® has more listings, better photos and updates listing information more often than any other mobile real estate app. Most listings updated every 15 minutes. All the rest updated at least once a day.
- Get directions to properties of interest with a simple click.
- Sign-in to save searches and listings. Access them again on your mobile phone or online.
2) Zillow, despite inaccuracies in listings data, ranked in the top group, too, thanks to an abundance of in-depth property-related information like market data, graphs, pricing history and tax history. Zillow has the most property related information available, however, much of the listing data is outdated and many of the so called “available – for sale homes” are already incontract or sold, while many of the pre-foreclosure (short sale) and foreclosure listings aren’t actually for sale and may never be listed for sale. Despite this, and regardless of how inaccurate the Zillow’s Zestimate® may be on a specific property, Zillow’s richness and depth of market data, charts, graphs, pricing history, tax history, etc. make this a useful app as well. Get the Zillow.com Mobile Search App
- Search nearby homes for sale, open houses and recently sold homes with one touch
- Get home values ‘approximations’ with Zillow Zestimates
- Abundance of in-depth property-related information like market data, graphs, pricing history and tax history however, much of the listing data (property listings) is outdated and inaccurate.
- Sign-in to save searches and listings. Access them again on your mobile phone or online.
- Access to mortgage interest rates and mortgage calculators
3) Trulia wins the “best dressed” app award for its clean interface design and its logical icons and an easy workflow. It’s a good app and we can see why consumers rank it highly, however, data accuracy — the issue plaguing Zillow — is also a problem for Trulia’s app, but its simple, elegant design paired with enhanced listing features like traffic info, nearby amenities, map-based school boundaries, price histories and a plethora of sharing tools, elevates it to the top tier of real estate-related mobile consumer apps. Get the Trulia.com Mobile Search App
- Search nearby homes for sale, open houses and recently sold homes with one touch
- Get directions to properties of interest and view the locations of local restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, banks and schools.
- Sign-in to save searches and listings. Access them again on your mobile phone or online.
In summary, Realtor.com, with its accurate and up-to-date listing information, ranked in the top tier of apps. Zillow, despite inaccuracies in listings data, ranked in the top group too, thanks to an abundance of in-depth property-related information like market data, graphs, pricing history and tax history. With its clean interface, smooth design and intuitive workflow, Trulia rounded out the must-have mobile app category.
If you, or someone you know is considering Buying or Selling a Home in Columbus, Ohio please contact The Opland Group. We offer professional real estate advice and look forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals!
The Opland Group Specializes in Real Estate Sales, Luxury Home Sales, Short Sales in; Bexley 43209 Columbus 43201 43206 43214 43215 Delaware 43015 Dublin 43016 43017 Gahanna 43219 43230 Grandview Heights 43212 Hilliard 43026 Lewis Center 43035 Marysville 43040 43041 New Albany 43054 Pickerington 43147 Powell 43065 Upper Arlington 43220 43221 Westerville 43081 43082 Worthington 43235
