July 31, 2023
By: TucsonBizz Staff Writer
TucsonBizz is a division of Sofvue, LLC.
Printed with permission of Data Titan, Sofvue LLC
Mobile apps have been around since 2010 and 2012, respectively, and with a wide population base now owning one or more smartphones, mobile apps provide a huge base for app revenue. Real Estate businesses, like many other industries, can improve profit margins when merging real estate with technology services, and having a real estate mobile app can help effectively generate solutions that benefit sellers and buyers, and even other real estate agents.
If you own a brokerage and want to leverage the mobile app development technology in your sector, then you’ve come to the right place. We have prepared all the necessary information needed to identify the steps required to launch a mobile app for your business.
What is a real estate app?
A real estate app is a mobile application designed for smartphones and tablets that allows users to search, list, and interact with properties in the real estate market. Depending on the type of app you want to create, they can serve multiple purposes including that of a virtual marketplace for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents. With a well-defined real estate app, users can browse listings, view property details, compare prices, and even schedule property showings and previews. They also facilitate seamless communication between all parties involved in a property transaction. Real estate mobile apps also come in handy for handling multiple tasks simultaneously. They also allow businesses to leverage the data and information of users using analytics, reporting metrics, and quick view dashboards.
Features included in a real estate app
The success of an app depends on its audience. If users love it, it will be a hit. If they don’t, it won’t. Your real estate mobile app should have some unique features that add value to the user experience, leading to an increased download count for your audience base. Features needed include:
#1. Property Listings
Thousands of listings. The app should allow users to find a property of their choice easily and quickly. A property listing feature helps would be buyers compile, save and view a list of results based on their search filters. Buyers can narrow down the results by searching according to the location, amenities, price range, property type, etc.
#2. Property Details
Another essential feature of a real estate app is the property details. You can add high quality images and video for a better user experience. The section should also include details like floor plan, property size, YOC, etc.
#3. 3D Virtual Tours
What is better than a live tour of the property? A mobile app can help you achieve this through a VR tour. This feature becomes valuable when you have customers living in a different location who are unable to physically visit the property. 3D tours give buyers the privilege of visiting the property from their mobile device, and from any location.
#4. Chatbot
With a chatbot included with your mobile app, visitors can receive swift resolution to their queries, even if your customer support team is tied up with other customers. By harnessing the power of AI and advanced coding mechanisms, chatbots can promptly clear up confusion and offer real-time answers for your customers, both buyers and sellers.
#5. Administrator Interface
Often not considered in pre-planning, the Administrator Interface (AI) is what allows your real estate mobile app to even function. With it, you can manage and view all the ongoing property listings, available rentals, site activity, reports, etc. Administrators can also manage other real estate processes through the AI, saving unnecessary paperwork and constant back and forth between the lenders, sellers, and buyers.
Benefits of getting an app developed for your real estate business
The real estate market is competitive, and a mobile app can help you stay ahead of competitors. Below are the primary reasons why a real estate mobile app can be beneficial for your business:
1. Communications
Real-time communication is a significant part of the real estate buying and selling process. With in-app messaging and instant notifications, your real estate agents can interact with clients and respond to inquiries promptly. Effective communication fosters trust and builds lasting relationships, making it easier to convert leads into successful transactions.
2. Wider audience
It is estimated that today, 9 out of 10 adults in this country own at least one smartphone device, and you don’t want to overlook that audience. A mobile app can bring more customers to your company because of the wider impact of offering a mobile experience. Many people now prefer to search for services online, and a good real estate mobile app will be a perfect model for advertising your business to a wide audience base. An increased visibility can attract potential buyers and sellers who prefer the convenience of mobile apps, giving your business a competitive edge in the market.
3. Streamlined Operations
With a company mobile app, your company will begin attracting a larger audience of both buyers and sellers, increasing the visibility of your company. Additionally, real estate apps streamline various processes, optimizing the workflow for both real estate agents and customers. Property listing, lead management, documentation, and even virtual property tours can be integrated within the app, enhancing operational efficiency, and reducing manual workloads.
The development process of a real estate mobile app
Hiring a professional real estate mobile app development company is the first step needed to leverage this technology for your benefit. Professional mobile app developers follow a robust app development procedure for error-free and seamless applications. Services you are looking for should include:
Step#1 Planning and Research
The first step is identifying your project’s requirements and creating a work plan. During this stage, you can list down the app features, specifications, target audience, platforms, etc.
Step#2 Mobile App Design
A user-friendly UI/UX design forms the basis of an impressive design. Your real estate mobile app should have a unique design that resonates with the target audience. Users should also be able to easily navigate through various menus with ease.
Step#3 Coding and Development
Next comes coding. This includes creating high markup code for efficient app performance, database structure, the mobile apps architecture, and list of other elements associated with development. The choice of technology stack and development platform (Android, iOS, or cross-platform) is determined during this stage. The developers should ensure that the app functions smoothly across various devices and operating systems.
Step#4 Testing
Various tests should be conducted at distinct stages to identify and rectify the bugs and issues with the code, design, or backend development. The final app is tested on various devices and platforms to confirm accuracy and responsiveness.
Step#5 Launch
Once the app passes all user acceptance and quality assurance phases, it is time to launch. All apps must pass acceptance requirements set by the Play Store and App Store. Once approved, the mobile app becomes available on these platforms for download and use.
Step#6 Updates
All apps require occasional updates and maintenance to keep the app optimized, secure, and up to date with the latest features and functionalities.
Cost factors involved in Real Estate App Development
As more businesses adopt mobile app technology to their business, the more the overall costs of developing a mobile app will fall, but everything is relative. Mobile app development costs vary widely, and costs vary from $10,000 to over $1,000,000. Everything hinges on the Master Scope Document (MSD).
1. App Design
An app with useful features and a simple, attractive design, always wins. The type of app design you choose will directly impact the cost of development. Never skimp or eliminate this step.
2. Platform
You should decide whether you want an app for a single platform like iOS or Android, or cross-platform. There are cases for all three.
3. API Integration
API integrations allows real estate apps to connect with external services such as Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as other API providers for virtual tours and other services, data sources, and platforms, enriching the user experience and expanding the functionality of the app.
4. Team Size
Project scope and complexity determines the number of people required to develop a mobile app, and for most projects, you can expect a “Project Owner”, “App Architect”, “Business Analyst”, “Project Manager”, “Programmers”, “Testers”, and in some projects, “UX/UI Designers”, “Writers” and even “Sales Associates”.
Frequent questions asked about real estate mobile app development
How long does it take to build a custom real estate mobile app?
We’ve built solutions for real estate companies of all sizes and scale, from residential to commercial. To date, our projects have varied in development time from our low of three months, to our highest of two years.
What is the cost of developing a real estate mobile app?
The complete cost depends on a range of factors like the app complexity, UI/UX design, integration with existing systems, deadlines, and more. You can contact our dedicated team to discuss your project further.
How can a real estate app benefit my business?
We are living in a digital world where the Internet rules the marketplace, and real estate is no exception. A real estate mobile app not only broadens your customer base, but it also helps you highlight your services online. You can communicate with potential buyers and sellers using real-time communication tools, including live virtual tours of the property.
Conclusion
Do you need a real estate mobile app with robust features and responsiveness? If you think it is time to invest in a mobile app, consider Tucson Bizz. With over a decade of mobile app development experience, we have designed and developed $23MM in solutions for companies across numerous market segments.
We have a team of experts, including software architects and engineers, designers, developers, analysts, and coders well-suited for building mobile apps that bring ROI to your business. Tucson Bizz takes pride in serving our clients across Tucson, Arizona and the entire nation. We have been leading the industry since 2010, we are award winning, and our singular goal is serving small business owners within the real estate industry with state-of-the-art mobile apps that generate measurable, meaningful, ROI.
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Read More:
▪ Is A Mobile Application In Your Company’s Future?
▪ Real Estate Mobile App - Laguna Properties Portfolio
