Zillow and Trulia’s real Estate apps are the undisputed leaders in app stores, with over 10,000,000 downloads. The secret to making a real estate app that is successful is obvious: copy Zillow and Trulia.
There’s no place quite like home, everyone agrees. Right? You can’t feel at home in a high-ranking hotel or resort. Returning to your comfort zone (home) has always felt the most relaxing. When purchasing a house or property, you will consider many options before settling on your dream home. The search for the perfect home has been made easier by technology. You can now check out your preferred properties on your smartphone using real-estate app like Zillow and Trulia.
After receiving numerous questions from clients, we have compiled a comprehensive guide for real estate agents planning to create an app that is more powerful and better than Zillow and Trulia. First, clarify why businesses are investing in Real estate mobile app development is important.
Why should you develop your real estate app in 2023?
Maintaining your business presence in fast-paced technology takes time and effort. It is just as important to register your business with a legal institution as it is to have an online entity.
Real estate is experiencing a boom with new market trends. Trulia is a good example of a real estate app that can help you maintain your market share. Mobile apps for real estate are also a great way to support a company’s digital presence.
It is also evident that more people search online for their home needs. Users trust mobile apps because they offer everything at their fingertips. If you want to develop real estate app like Zillow and Trulia with a strong presence, then comparing the features of Trulia or Zillow would be a great way to simplify the process.
What is the current US real estate market like?
Agents are still the most sought-after service in the US housing market. 87 percent of buyers seek an agent’s assistance. Property information, previously only available via real estate agents and brokers, is now accessible through search engines or mobile applications.
97 percent of home buyers search online for properties. More than 90% of real estate companies maintain websites that list homes. A buyer’s smartphone is used to browse real estate aggregators, which include photos of properties, listings, and websites that explain the buying process. The buyer will then contact an agent to visit several houses before purchasing.
The Story of Zillow and Trulia
Zillow is a popular real estate website in the United States. The statistics of the app will speak for themselves.
- Zillow has more than 160 million active monthly users. This is the equivalent of half the US population (or Germany, France, and The Netherlands combined).
- Zillow has been visited by 80% of US home buyers.
- As of 2014, 186 houses are viewed every second on mobile devices. ).
Zillow occupies the same niche in the real estate market as Uber, for instance, in the taxi industry. Behind this remarkable result are years of work and gradual growth.
Zillow, founded in 2006 by former Microsoft executives, is a real estate website. It took three years for the project to move from a website to a mobile app. Zillow iPhone App was still the leader in iOS rental apps for 2009.
What is Zillow, and how does it work?
Zillow is the largest real estate marketplace in the US. It provides a platform for dialogue between business owners and customers. Customers can refine their search results to find a home that meets their needs. The platform offers a wide range of residential services. Zillow operates and owns many real estate applications that are available in all of the major app stores.
Customers can use filters to find a two-bedroom apartment for rent. They should select the most important criteria. Listings usually include images, videos, and information about the property. Clients can shortlist properties, message the individual, or schedule a phone call. Zillow, the leader in real estate and a leading innovator in this sector, is often referred to. The app is popular and has a large clientele because of its excellent features.
How do you create an app for real estate like Zillow or Trulia?
To develop a real estate app like Zillow and Trulia, you must have much planning and real estate mobile app development services. Here are some things to think about when creating a real-estate app:
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Define the purpose of your app and gather data
It is important to identify the primary purpose of your app before you begin development. It will search for homes, provide information about the real estate market, or offer other features. The purpose guides the design and development of an app. It is also important to gather information on the market and industry trends. Data is a key component of real estate apps that provide users with accurate and relevant data. These data may include real estate trends, market data, and property listings. Before developing an app, collecting and organizing all of this data is important.
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Consider Features and a Development Platform
Determine what features you want to include in your real estate app like Zillow and Trulia based on the data collected and the purpose. Real estate apps should include search filters, maps, and property comparisons.
There are a few things to consider when creating a real-estate app:
- Property Listing: Accurate and current property listings are crucial for real estate apps. To guarantee that the app has an extensive and trustworthy database of properties, you might collaborate with multiple listing services (MLS) or other data suppliers.
- Search Filters: The majority of the time, users have particular criteria for the properties they are interested in. Make sure the app offers effective search filters, such as those for location, property type, and price range.
- Maps: Users may view the locations of homes and convenient facilities close by using maps. Make sure the app has a solid mapping system and offers tools like directions, street view, and a satellite view.
- Analytics: A lot of data is produced by real estate applications. Use analytics to monitor user activity, evaluate the effectiveness of your app, and spot potential development areas.
- Communication: Communication between buyers, sellers, and agents is frequently necessary for real estate transactions. To make it easier for users to communicate within the app, think about incorporating services like chat or messaging.
The development platform choice depends entirely on your budget, the features of the application, and the target audience. You can choose between three different venues: native development (specifically for iOS or Android app development, cross-platform, or hybrid development.
- Design and Develop the App
Create the app using a user-centric design, ensuring it’s easy to use and navigate. It will be necessary to have an intuitive user interface with a simple visual hierarchy and the appropriate use of typography, colors, and images.
You can start developing real estate app like Zillow and Trulia after the design. The app can be developed emphasizing performance, scalability, and functionality. Integrating third-party APIs and building a backend infrastructure that handles user data and interaction may be necessary. Use the tech stack below, or consult your development team about what best suits your needs and budget.
- The Tech Stack:
To develop an app like Zillow or Trulia, we recommend the following technology stack:
| Development Language | Python and Java |
| Cloud Storage | Amazon S3 |
| Cloud Hosting | Amazon EC2 |
| Data Management | CoreData and Real |
| Version Control | Jenkins |
| For Android | Kotlin or Java |
| For iOS | Swift or Objective C |
| Additional APIs for geographical information | SimplyRets, Google Places, MapBox, CoreLocation, and Mapkit or CoreData. |
| For real estate websites/apps like Zillow with trending features | Facebook SDK (social media sharing capability). |
| Notification | Apple Push and Firebase SDK |
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Test, Launch and Maintain
After the development phase, test your app thoroughly to ensure its bugs-free. It works well across different platforms and devices. It may be necessary to combine automated and manual methods.
You can now launch your app on the platform of your choice. You may need to submit the app to other channels or stores.
Maintenance of the app is the last and most important step. Maintaining your real estate application is as simple as providing regular updates, fixing bugs, and improving features based on user feedback. Maintaining the user base and keeping up with current market trends is important.
Upgrades to tech will outperform real estate apps like Zillow and Trulia.
It can be challenging to create a real estate app like Zillow and Trulia. It’s one thing to know how to build a website that looks like Zillow, but it’s another to make your site stand out. Your software solution must use the latest technology to compete in the industry. This section contains some of the latest technologies that can be used to create a profitable and exceptional real estate platform.
Virtual Reality
VR technology makes property tours more immersive. Virtual tours allow prospective homebuyers to see a property in their home. Brokers can also save time by avoiding showings. This can be useful for clients from overseas who need help viewing the property in person.
Blockchain
The real estate industry can benefit from blockchain technology. Blockchain is not just for cryptocurrency. It can also be used to verify and secure transactions and store and safely exchange property data. You can build trust in your market by incorporating blockchain into your real estate platform.
Digital Twins
Digital twin technology creates exact 3D digital copies of actual housing. This technology lets homebuyers and tenants view the property with great detail from their smartphones or laptops. You can make your digital twins more interactive and engaging for users. This will help you to stand out in the market.
To build a successful platform for real estate, it’s important to use the latest technology. You can use them and other technological advancements to create an engaging and interactive user experience, increase trust and credibility on the market, and make your platform stand out.
How much does it cost to develop an app like Zillow or Trulia?
The costs of acquiring real estate apps like Zillow and Trulia depend on various factors. These factors include the application’s complexity, the development team’s size, the hired agency’s location, etc.
If you want to build real estate app like Zillow and Trulia, your app would have the same features as those below and the same technology stack. The cost for this app could be anywhere between USD 83,000 and USD 1,000,000.
This is the most basic range we have settled on after analyzing all the features and stacks of technology. The cost would be affected by any changes made to the set.
You can develop and validate an MVP for real estate app like Zillow and Trulia before investing your budget in the app development. This will help you stay on track with your app development. After you have created your app, you should look at the various monetization options.
Apps like Zillow and Trulia must have certain Features
Your real estate app will be more successful if it has many features. Zillow and Trulia are what they are because of a few key elements. If you plan to create real estate app like Zillow and Trulia, it is important to consider the features of the Real Estate App that can be implemented. Below are a few must-have features:
Database
The database is an invisible feature of the development of real estate app like Zillow and Trulia. A solid database will lead to the growth and engagement of your app. Integrating your database into the real estate mobile app development process is essential to the functioning of the application. The more it’s updated and the wider the database, the better your chances are of keeping users interested.
Zillow & Trulia rely on two main sources for their data:
- National Association of Realtors
- Listing services from multiple third-party sources
To build a robust database, you should collaborate with local real estate professionals and traders to create a large database to support your mobile app development.
Onboarding
The user’s first five actions after installing the app on their mobile device are crucial. By making it easier, you can increase the likelihood that users will not abandon your app on their first try.
A simple onboarding process helps users understand your app’s functionality. Implement an onboarding procedure that meets the three main objectives – navigation, operation, and adding value in users’ eyes.
Integrating a social media platform API at this stage is helpful, as it makes onboarding a simple matter of clicking a few buttons.
Search and Filter Options
This feature lets users quickly enter keywords when searching for a home and see relevant properties within the suggestions. Users can narrow their search results using location, privacy, and more criteria!
Property Listings
Owners or agents can create a detailed property listing on the app. This includes the location, size, and amenities nearby. This listing allows the owners to provide comprehensive information about their property. It is an excellent way to do this.
Virtual Tours or 360-Degree View
Technology has changed our lives in every way. Virtual tours and 360-degree images can help you see the property’s size and location without going there. Real estate apps are increasingly using virtual tours to show the property. This is due to the recent pandemic.
The app allows users to tour the property before purchasing. Virtual tours and 360-degree views of the property are excellent ways to convert app users into potential prospects. This increases the likelihood of the user investing and connecting with the property. Virtual tours can also impact your app’s revenue model and user engagement.
Map Inclusion
Like Zillow’s map function, it helps users get exact information and the property’s location. This is a great way to get information about your neighbors and give users a deeper understanding of the nearby shops, restaurants, etc.
Maps are a great way to analyze a location and determine its pros and cons quickly. Property seekers can also benefit from physically visiting the property. Trulia also provides a list with the required information, such as:
- Review and rate nearby schools, shops, hospitals, hotels, etc.
- Crime rates
- Average Traffic
- Population Statistics
- Distance from Airports and other public transport, etc.
It is, therefore, a smart mapping function that allows you to collect and inspect in-depth information about the property requirements of your users. You instantly gain users’ trust by integrating a mapping function into your real estate app like Zillow and Trulia.
Push Notifications
Push notifications are a great marketing tool that can be used to promote your real estate app. You can retain customers by grabbing their attention and slapping them in the face. The push notifications feature of the app allows users to stay informed about messages, price changes, new listings, and more.
Chatbot (or Messenger)
Chatbots are growing in popularity on the market. This is the best way to chat and connect with visitors. Users can ask about any property instantly. This is an excellent way to increase your users’ engagement and turn them into customers.
Users can also move down the sales funnel by having online conversations with real estate agents to learn more about a particular property. Zillow collaborated with agents to establish communication channels for both agents and buyers. It streamlines the listing process for a customer.
Dynamic Calculator
The calculator is a great tool to include in your mobile app for real estate app like Zillow and Trulia. Its versatility and flawless features will make it easier for the customer. The interest rate will be displayed instantly based on the loan amount. The calculator calculates the price, tax, and other factors. It helps with accurate calculation and offers an alternative to a loan.
The Key Takeaway
You should better understand how much it costs to develop a real estate app and the other factors involved. Whether it’s a real-estate app for Android, iOS app development, or both doesn’t matter. The goal is to make buying, renting, and selling easier for end users. Implement a dashboard that is easy to use to manage your profiles. Your real estate app’s success will be determined by its intuitive user interface. Understand what the Trulia and Zillow apps offer and upgrade features continuously to provide an unmatched app experience.
Apps for real estate will continue to be in high demand. The competition will also increase. Despite their presence, people are still searching for alternatives to Zillow and Trulia. How can you create a real estate app like Zillow and Trulia that is worthy of its niche?
Keep in mind, too, that the design of your mobile real estate app needs to be easy to use. Apps like Zillow or Trulia have become popular because of their easy-to-use interfaces and large property databases. It takes work to balance these requirements for app development. With the right team of developers, you can achieve anything.
FAQs
- Why would I want to develop an app similar to Zillow or Trulia?
To provide users with access to real estate listings and services. Users can search properties, view listings, connect with real estate agents, and gain valuable market intelligence.
- What features should my app contain?
Essential features should include property listings with detailed information, search filters, location-based searches, user profiles, saved searches, mortgage calculators, and communication tools for directly connecting agents or owners.
- How can I source property data for my app?
You can acquire property data using APIs provided by Multiple Listing Service providers, real estate data providers, and local real estate agencies – while ensuring data accuracy meets legal regulations.
- How Can I Monetize my Real Estate App?
Monetization strategies could include:
- Subscription models for real estate agents and property owners.
- Featured listings from property owners for renters or sale.
- Advertising revenue generated by mortgage lenders or moving services as referral fees.
- Premium access with enhanced features for users.
- What technologies should I consider for app development?
You might look into cross-platform app technologies like React Native or Flutter; backend frameworks such as Ruby on Rails or Django; cloud hosting services; databases like PostgreSQL; APIs designed for property data integration are among the options worth examining when developing apps.
- How can I build user trust in property transactions?
Implement user verification mechanisms, secure payment gateways, user reviews and rating systems, privacy policies, and tools allowing them to verify property ownership as part of due diligence before concluding transactions.
The post How to Develop Real Estate App Like Zillow and Trulia appeared first on Leading Mobile and Web Technology Blog - JPloft Solutions.
