How Much Does It Cost To Create An App Like Zillow In 2024?
The willingness of those looking to purchase or sell their property used to depend on the real estate agent's schedule. The agent was the only one who could visit homes for purchase, rental, or to arrange for potential clients to view them. Since Millennials and Gen Y entered the real estate market, traditional procedures have undergone significant change.
Similar to their present influence on all other industries, the property market has seen several changes as a result of millennials' entry into the workforce.
With their well-known tendency to want everything instantly and on-the-go, Gen Y put the traditional, slow-moving business on a platform that provides them with everything they require in the way they require it: the mobile platform. The numerous parties involved in the real estate market have observed this transition from in-person open houses to virtual tours on mobile devices, and they, along with millennials, are calling for the industry to go mobile.
As a result of this demand, there are now more people interested in the real estate market, and these people are trying to close the gap between supply and demand. And it all starts with a single query: How much does it cost to create an app similar to Zillow for real estate?
Let's first examine how current property market participants have been responding to the idea of handling the real estate transaction process on mobile devices, which gave rise to the question of how to build a real estate app similar to Zillow. This will help us better understand how much an app like Zillow?
The way that property transactions are carried out has completely changed as a result of the function that mobile apps play in the entire renting, purchasing, and selling process. In addition, it resulted in a flood of industry participants joining the scene to address the evolving requirements of today's real estate purchasers and sellers.
The names of the leading market participants who have established themselves in the real estate marketplace category are displayed in the image below.
After examining the dominant players in the property search mobile app market, it's time to examine the real estate mobile app features that have allowed these companies to establish their position in the business.
Must-Have Features of Property Search Rental Apps Like Zillow?
Your real estate app's success is probably going to be facilitated by a feature-rich app. What makes Zillow or Trulia what they are now are a few features. This implies that you need to consider the feature set you can include in your app if you're trying to develop a real estate app. Below is a list of a few essential features:
Database
One of the unnoticed aspects of developing a real estate mobile application is the database. Your real estate app will expand and gain traction if it has a robust database that offers value. The database must be integrated into your real estate mobile application development process for the app to even work. The more current and expansive it is, the more likely it is to maintain users' interest in your application.
Two main sources provide data to Zillow:
Working together with professionals and real estate traders in a specific area is essential to creating a robust database for your mobile application development.
User Profiles
Zillow and other housing applications are full of features that cater to various customer segments through a single app. Developers of real estate apps need to give customers the ability to make their own profiles within the app. Users, sellers, and real estate brokers are some examples of the profiles that can be made based on how useful they are. It will enable various user groups to carry out various tasks.
In contrast to the agent's profile, which contains the agent's published listings, schedules, interested buyer data, etc., the buyer's profile will have access to features like listings, the ability to submit an enquiry, save for later, etc.
Onboarding
The most crucial actions taken by the user after installing the mobile app are the first five. Users are more likely to stick with your programme longer if you make it easier for them to utilise.
A simple onboarding procedure will help customers understand your software and its features. You can put in place an onboarding procedure that satisfies the three main goals: operations, navigation, and adding value in the consumers' views.
Having a social media API integrated at this point makes it easier to convert users from the consideration stage to successful conversions, as onboarding only requires a few clicks.
Search, Filter, and Sort
Customers may choose the properties that best suit their needs and preferences based on parameters like location, amenities, requirements, and budget when you provide them the ability to customise your app. This makes your app more relevant. The ability to find and filter properties is an essential feature that must be incorporated in the real estate app design process. The addition of as many shortlisting options as feasible would assist real estate app developers in improving the dependability and user experience of their platform for end users.
You can add search and sort filters on the basis of:
Any mobile application that searches for properties must have adequate map integration because it provides users with a wealth of useful information. Ensuring that the property seekers arrive at the appropriate area at the appropriate time is your only option.
To help with locating all the locations nearby, you should really strive to incorporate a smart map element into the programme. You can display important information and figures regarding local institutions like banks, schools, hospitals, average household incomes, crime rates, etc.
Calendars
A calendar may seem like just another optional feature to many realtors, but it adds a lot of appeal to your app. For the stakeholders who are real estate agents in particular, the feature is really helpful. For example, buyers can quickly obtain the available dates and time slots for making an appointment using the app if they choose to meet with agents. Likewise, with regard to open houses, they have no trouble monitoring the events and interactions between buyers and sellers.?
Apartment Details
Every real estate listing has a wealth of information, including a description, images, videos, cost information, local locations, landmarks, owner data, and more. The only way your platform could be deemed truly productive is if it provided detailed information on each property that is listed on the app. Everything should be made extremely apparent on the app, including the area in square feet, the neighbourhood, and the contact information. The property's overall market value is increased when all of its details are readily available through the app.
Trulia, for example, provides information on 34 neighbourhoods, including pictures, videos, features, and resident biographies. Potential buyers are more interested in this feature since it helps them have a better understanding of the neighbourhood or community.
Push Notifications
Push notifications are a very effective kind of advertising. Push alerts, when used properly, provide too many advantages to be ignored. With the help of this tool, you can keep customers at the forefront of your thoughts. The same principles that apply to mCommerce apps also apply to property search apps. Through the installation of the push notification feature within the app, users will be informed about messages received, price changes, and even calendar appointment updates.
Currency Converter
Due to the current one-world situation, cross-border real estate transactions are now necessary in addition to cross-border human mobility. A currency conversion feature is a necessary in an application where more individuals are becoming open to the concept of buying or renting a home wherever they live, as any real estate mobile app builder team would advise.
Forum and Messenger
Your users will be able to openly discuss the property, its condition, its potential for profit, etc. if the programme has forum features. An incorporated chat system, for example, would immediately raise the rate of app engagement. Adding messenger capabilities will allow your stakeholders to communicate with one another more quickly, which will speed up the entire real estate process.
A built-in phone or chat feature will also enable customers to speak with a real estate agent straight through the app and finalise a transaction.
Virtual Tours
Virtual tours are becoming commonplace for real estate applications after the pandemic. Virtual tours are greatly aided by technologies such as AR/VR, which allow potential buyers to virtually tour the property before making a purchase. In today's digital world, it might significantly increase your turnover. Virtual tours are a fantastic tool for converting app users into prospective customers who are genuinely interested in connecting and making an investment in the property. The business model and user engagement of your real estate app can be significantly impacted by virtual tours.
Favorites
Let's say you are in the market for a property but aren't ready to commit right away. Before choosing a choice, you should consider your family's alternatives and your options research. What occurs, though, if you close the app? Perhaps you will need to restart your investigation, but perhaps you can store them for a later time.
The favourites function, which is essential to the success of any real estate app, allows you to save your for later. With this functionality, your end users may quickly shortlist their favourite properties. This tool gives your consumers the ability to access the properties they have shortlisted at any time and from any location, aiding them in the buying-selling process.
The success of your app also depends on other sophisticated features like behaviour tracking, multiple listing services, mortgage or interest rate calculators, etc.
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After learning about the essential characteristics of a real estate app, it's time to investigate the technology stack needed to create a mobile app for a real estate business.
Technology Stack Needed for Development of Property Search Apps
The technology stack is essential to the development of an app for real estate firms. You need certain technologies to make your app quick and reliable in order to integrate the features listed above. The technologies that real estate app developers utilise to create the best real estate apps are listed below.
Platform
Technology/Tools
Application Designing
Adobe Photoshop and Canvas Flips
iOS Application Development
Swift/Objective C, Mac OS, iPhone SDK
Android Application Development
Java, JDK, SQLite, Kotlin
Backend Development
PHP, MySQL
Video Calling API
Twilio
Database
CoreData or Realm frameworks, The Onboard Informatics Community
Database
Zillow app API, MapBoxGoogle Maps APIs, SimplyRets, iHomeFinder, Spark APIs, Spatial Neighborhood APIs, Google Places API
SDK files
Firebase SDK, Facebook SDK
What is the Cost of Building Real Estate Apps like Zillow?
The numerous variables involved in creating a real estate software, such as Zillow, determine how much it will cost. A few of these include the app's complexity, the size of the development team, the location of the development agency that was engaged, etc.
Your cost of developing a Zillow-like app would be between USD 83,000 and USD 1,00,000 if your property search app operates with the same features as those mentioned above and the same technology stack that we previously revealed.
At this point, we have determined the fundamental range by analysing the features and technology stack set that we previously supplied. Any changes made to the sets would inevitably have an impact on the price.
To keep your app development process on track, you can have an MVP created and approved before devoting your entire money to the project. After your app has been developed, it's time to research potential revenue streams for your app's development.
Monetization model to Follow in Your Real Estate Mobile App Development Journey
Apps that offer properties based on real estate can generate revenue in a variety of ways. These are a few that we recommend to our clients:
Until you carve out a niche for yourself in the gradually crowded mobile space, the money you invested in finding the answer to the question How to Make a Real Estate App Like Zillow and the money you stand to make will never reach a point where the costs of developing a real estate app are paid for out of the proceeds.
How to get your app a competitive edge in the real estate app space?
Understanding how to perform better or just have a competitive advantage potent enough to dominate the increasing number of real estate players actively joining the app market.
Numerous ideas exist for enhancing the user experience, and there are several elements that may be added to increase the experience's value and profitability. Drawing from our extensive experience as the top real estate mobile app software development company, we have developed numerous real estate housing apps, such as Zillow, and have identified these features that, when added to your app, can give your brand the edge over competitors and ensure its survival.
1. Low listing fees
Listing fees are the main reason why real estate agents and marketers frequently switch between real estate apps. Even if it would be utterly unprofitable to waive the listing fees, you should instead keep the fees reasonable as compared to other applications that are currently on the market. You may even offer customers an inauguration waiver, which exempts them from paying any costs for a predetermined amount of time.
2. Give detailed information
Another way to elevate your app beyond a simple listing service for real estate and turn it into the preferred platform for individuals wishing to buy, rent, or sell a property is to provide them with comprehensive details about the neighbourhood, safety, transportation options, area market value, potential for growth in the future, etc.??
3. Use blockchain
Blockchain technology is already significantly altering the global real estate landscape, despite its slow adoption rate. One of the leading innovations upending the real estate industry, this technology is set to provide a tangible solution for creating an app similar to the Zillow app.
You can use technology into your real estate app to position yourself as a disruptive competitor in the market. With the app's integration of Blockchain technology, you will be able to decentralise a number of features, such as name transfers in real estate papers and property verification.
4. Updated MLS integration
The fact that the data the popular real estate apps use is out of date is one of the main grievances raised by users against them. The price range indicated on the app is sometimes out of date, or the property that is offered has already sold. Better integration with MLS is the answer to this recurring issue. Your app would be more up to date and real-time the closer you kept it tied to the MLS.
How can Appic Softwares help you with Real Estate Mobile Application Development?
Leading real estate mobile app development business Appic softwares has assisted other clients in the same industry in producing effective mobile apps. Our team of creative real estate app developers specialises in creating breakthrough technology-powered property apps that can instantly satisfy the needs of all your stakeholders, both now and in the future.
Leading companies like Empire Hotels, Adidas, IKEA, and many more have partnered with us. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in integrating the needs of all your stakeholders—buyers, sellers, and aggregators—into a single app.?
Conclusion
We hope you now have a thorough understanding of the price of developing a real estate app as well as other pertinent factors. The goal of any real estate app, whether it is for iOS or Android, is to make the process of buying, selling, and renting a home easier for the final consumer. Don't forget to use a streamlined dashboard for profile management. Your real estate app's long-term success will be determined by how user-friendly its interface is. Recognise the benefits that the Zillow apps offer and keep adding new features to create the best possible app experience if you want to stay ahead of the competition.