Best Apps for Buying Homes

Finding a new home may be a difficult and time-consuming process. When you add house shopping to your already busy life, driving to neighborhoods and properties, seeing homes, and finding the surrounding schools and supermarkets might feel like an additional part-time job.

Apps for home buying can greatly cut down on and streamline this time commitment. The extensive selection of items up for sale can be searched so that you only view the listings that meet your criteria. Once you have your shortlist, you start eliminating the candidates you don't like. Then you can take a car to only go to such houses.

This post reviews 15 free, highly regarded real estate apps for both Apple and Android platforms. We looked for apps with the biggest databases of homes and evaluated their data mining skills and listing updates frequency. However, we understand that when making a significant purchase like buying a home, consumers frequently prefer to speak to a human being to provide guidance and answer questions. As a result, we chose apps that make it simple to connect with qualified agents. Here are some of our best picks.

Zillow

Zillow's broad range of services and inventory make it the best overall app for buying a home. Additionally, the app offers free pre-approval help, foreclosure statistics, and user-customizable search criteria.

Positives Over 135 million residences are available to users.

Zillow-owned homes in participating markets are vacant and open for interested parties to visit without an agent or a scheduled time because the homes can be unlocked using the app.

specific search and filtering requirements

Tag elements of your home and share your favorite listings with your roommate or partner to coordinate your search.

Cons

Results from the Zestimate algorithm, which utilizes tax records, can occasionally be erroneous.

Multiple agents are present in properties. The lister is only one of these. The others frequently lack knowledge of the property and must pay a premium to be showcased.

The greatest tool for buying a property is Zillow's app because it contains the largest database—more than 135 million homes—a comprehensive range of search options across the country, and the opportunity to connect with agents for in-person assistance.

Zillow offers services for all phases of house ownership and habitation, including purchasing, selling, renting, financing, renovation, and more. Under the Zillow name, the company operates Trulia, Out East, StreetEasy, HotPads, Zillow Offers, Zillow Premier Agent, Zillow Home Loans, Zillow Rentals, Zillow Closing Services, Zillow Homes, Inc.

The program utilizes a database of more than 135 million American houses, including those that are vacant and those that are for sale or rent. The agent finding tool can aid in the search for a real estate agent. Location, housing price, size, and other criteria are all searchable.

The app's database is updated frequently. Although all modifications are uploaded within 24 hours, certain minor adjustments made by vendors appear on the app within a few minutes.

Both buyers and sellers on Zillow are free.

Xome

Due to its simple user interface for seeing and bidding on properties across the country, Xome was named the best app for purchasing a home at auction. The bidder is kept informed of activities by detailed data including financing, property, and area statistics, alerts when another bidder places a bid on a property you are watching, and property price history. A reliable e-signing option for contracts gives Xome Real Estate Auctions an advantage over its rivals.

Pros

A vast database of auction properties

View properties up for auction

The whole feature set offered on the website is also present in the app.

You are informed when a competitive bid occurs by push notifications.

E-signing contracts through the app

Cons

Despite having a sizable auction inventory, the app has received only a small number of reviews on both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.

Xome Real Estate Auctions is an international app with offices in Texas and California. A number of Xome's subsidiary businesses and divisions also offer title services, mortgage solutions, field services, valuations, notary signatures, and other services.

One of the greatest countrywide collections of REO, short sale, foreclosure, and luxury homes are available for auction through Xome Real Estate Auctions. Our top recommendation for purchasing a home at auction is the app since it makes it simple to browse for properties for sale across the country.

Although it costs nothing to sign up for an auction, potential bidders must consent to a $1,000 hold for each event they register for. A "Buyer's Premium," which is equal to 5% of the winning bid amount or $2,500, whichever is higher, will be added by Xome if a buyer buys a property. This will be the new purchase price, excluding closing charges, for the property.

The buyer's realtor, Xome, and the seller's Xome agent all receive a commission from the buyer's premium. This differs from the commission system used in a typical real estate transaction, in which the seller is typically responsible for covering all realtor fees.

Within one business day of placing the order and receiving the email confirmation, a Xome Agent will call to arrange the completion.

Trulia

Due to its flexibility to allow users examine properties in a variety of ways, Trulia edged out competition to claim the title of best home buying app. For instance, a person can view the property itself, local crime statistics, a list of restaurants and shops, a commute time calculator, and opinions from neighbors.

Benefits of the Trulia app include local information like shopping, schools, and communities.

The app notifies you when new properties that meet your criteria are added to the market.

The website offers calculators and pre-qualified funding.

To alter the location of your search, you can make drawings with your finger on the map.

Each property listing contains a direct contact link to the listed agent.

Cons

listing "for-sale-by-owner" homes is a difficult process.

Receiving notifications unrelated to their search has been a complaint among users.

The San Francisco-based business was established in 2005 and was acquired by Zillow Group in 2015. Users may browse millions of postings nationally utilizing 34 neighborhood map overlays, making the app the finest for searching. These overlays give viewers extra information about what it's like to live in that particular house as well as the area.

Since Zillow purchased Trulia in 2015, the majority of Zillow's 135 million home database is available to Trulia. Trulia processes more than 1.5 terabytes of data every single day to guarantee that customers are viewing the best and most recent information available, giving it the necessary data for customers to search more effectively than on other applications. Listings and public record data and consumer behavior data are the two main data sources that comprise the information. Trulia provides property information based on public records, like other house buying apps.

Users generate an average of 18 to 20 events, or signals, reflecting their purpose or preferences within only a few minutes of engaging with the app. Trulia analyzes these signals to deliver personalized content and promote interaction.

Users can see the names and contact details of listing agents on Trulia so they are aware of who they will be dealing with for each property. Users of the app are not charged.

Homesnap

Due to the fact that realtors, teams, and brokers may access production data, agent rankings, and reports, Homesnap is rated as the house buying app with the finest realtor options.

Positives MLS integration provides access to extremely reliable listings.

Find the ideal home with extensive filters, handy map overlays, and other choices.

high-resolution images

Cons

Limited coverage in some areas because Homesnap must collaborate with separate MLSs

People may explore homes, look through listings, and collaborate all from their phones using the reliable home buying website known as Homesnap. In late 2020, commercial real estate data supplier Costar acquired the business.

Homesnap gives customers access to data-backed prospecting tools, unmatched client communication features, and a direct connection to your Multiple Listing Service (MLS) real-time data in one location, making it the greatest alternative for realtors.

The real-time data from over 240 MLSs, property tax records, census data, geographic borders, property polygons, school data, mortgage rates, and other real estate-related data are all integrated into a customized houses database that powers this app.

Users of the app can access new and updated listings before users of other applications because the software claims to have a real-time MLS update.

Users can connect with their agent or the agent who is best knowledgeable about the home they are interested in buying using the find-an-agent tool. In order to communicate with their clients on the app and assist them in finding the ideal house, realtors utilize a comparable version of the app with more advanced features. Real estate professionals can operate more conveniently on the road with the optional Homesnap Pro, which provides free access to real-time, agent-only MLS data as long as the agent is an active subscriber of a participating MLS.

Realtor.com

Because it serves as the National Association of Realtors' official search engine, Realtor.com is recommended as the most trustworthy app for purchasing real estate. The intimate relationship realtors have with the Multiple Listing Service, which provides the data feeds used by the majority of home-buying apps, makes this possible. Because of this connection, Realtor.com frequently receives updates from the MLS that are a little quicker.

Users have the option to remove a listing from their search results.

With the click of a mouse, look up additional rentals nearby.

Assessments of the amount of neighborhood noise are included in property listings.

Cons

When you choose "Contact Agent," local agents who have paid for this lead service rather than the listing agent will be contacted.

The Google Play app frequently has issues for Android users.

Move, Inc., a division of News Corporation, is the current owner of Realtor.com, which was established in 1996. (NWS). Due to the National Association of Realtors' influence, requirements, and data mining from the MLS, Realtor.com has the most trustworthy app.

This house buying software, which is accessible on both Android and iOS, offers real estate listings drawn directly from more than 800 MLSs. Every 15 minutes, the data is updated. It provides easy-to-use search tools along with anything from extensive images of houses to information about property taxes and sales history. This program is a perennial favorite among experts and investors alike.

The software collects leads from users trying to buy a house and then distributes them to partner agents who are willing to pay for that particular zip code.

Home purchasers can use this software for free.

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Redfin

Because it offers its consumers a combination of cutting-edge technology, excellent support, and cheaper agent commission rates if you use a Redfin broker, Redfin came out on top as the greatest value in house buying apps. The cost of purchasing a home may be less than usual because Redfin brokers charge lower commission fees, even if all applications are free to use.

Pros

You may use the app to alter how you look for homes and to mark a radius on the platform's map.

calculation of home values that is accurate since a large portion of the data is derived from realtor listings

If you use a Redfin realtor to buy a home, Redfin will reimburse you for a portion of their commission from the seller.

The program provides a function to personalize and figure out insurance, property tax, and mortgage payments.

Cons

less information about the neighborhood around the house than other apps

Redfin, which was introduced in 2006, enables users to look for neighboring homes, apartments, and townhomes that are for sale or having open houses. A home tour can be scheduled directly from the app. Redfin is a brokerage company as well as an app.

Because Redfin charges reduced listing fees while retaining competitive technology and customer service, it provides the best value. Most homes only list for 1.5 percent (and 1% in some markets) when they are for sale. The typical buyer receives a $1,500 refund on the realtor's fees when they purchase a home. Although all apps are free to use, Redfin allows you to look for homes listed by Redfin agents, which have cheaper fees and give buyer refunds, so the expenses of buying a house may be lower than with other apps.

Redfin's real estate app, which is accessible in over 100 U.S. locations, updates listings every five minutes, enabling potential buyers to narrow down their search by city, ZIP code, school district, and other factors.

Redfin has access to information from the local MLS because it is a real estate firm and employs agents there.

The app combines cutting-edge technology with timely and personalized human engagement. Simply click the "Connect with a Redfin Agent" button to ask a question, and a Redfin real estate agent will get back to you by email or phone. If you have questions about a specific home or want to work with a Redfin agent.

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What Is a Real Estate App?

An app for buying a house is one that offers you a range of practical real estate services. These apps allow users to look for properties, agents, and property values.

Prospective buyers might benefit from many home-buying apps since they can search by location and filter by precise details like the number of bedrooms or square footage, among other things.

How Reliable Are Apps for Buying a House?

Apps for buying a home combine real estate expertise, big databases, and technology in a practical style that is clear and easy to use. Each app for buying a property includes unique tools and features that cater to a variety of consumers.

How Can I Purchase a Home Using an App?

Numerous other chores, such as finding the ideal property and calculating your mortgage payment using real estate apps are all possible.

For instance, you can choose from a number of property search choices and customize the filtering to suit your needs. You can do this by looking for a house that meets your preferences for size, location, neighborhood, cost, number of bedrooms, and parking.

Interested homebuyers are better able to select a property that fits their tastes now that they have access to this information at their fingertips. People may easily compare homes with the use of virtual tours without having to travel to each site in person.

How many houses should you view before making a purchase?

There isn't a precise number, but thanks to technology, home buyers may quickly view dozens of properties thanks to home-buying apps.

You'll start to see patterns in the neighborhoods you seek after viewing so many properties from the convenience of your mobile device. You can modify your expectations for the price and features you want by using the search. Additionally, you'll see that new houses are published every day, so if you have the luxury of time, it's worthwhile to take your time and search for the ideal house.