Searching for and purchasing a home can be an exciting yet stressful process. Thankfully, home buying and house hunting apps have made finding your dream home easier than ever before. These real estate apps provide user-friendly access to listings, photos, virtual tours and a wealth of data to aid you in your search.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the 10 best home buying and house hunting apps for 2023. For each app, we‘ll overview key features, strengths and what platforms they are available on. We‘ll also cover important factors to weigh when purchasing a home. Let‘s get started!
What Are Home Buying Apps and How Do They Help?
Home buying apps are mobile applications designed specifically to assist users throughout the home search and purchase process. They provide powerful filtering options and rich property data at your fingertips.
Key benefits home buying apps offer:
- Search Filters – Easily filter through millions of listings by location, price, size, neighborhood amenities and more
- Photos & Virtual Tours – View high quality listing photos or take virtual tours of properties from anywhere
- Market Data & Intelligence – Access real-time market trends on pricing, mortgage rates and neighborhood info to guide decisions
- Organization & Notifications – Save favorite listings, create search alerts and get updates on new options or price changes
- Affordability Calculators – Quickly determine home price ranges affordable based on income, debts and financial goals
- Agent Communication – Directly connect with real estate agents to schedule showings or ask questions
In short, home buying apps maximize convenience while minimizing the legwork in finding that perfect house. They enable home searches on-the-go and simplify the process from start to finish.
Key Factors To Consider When Buying a Home
While home buying apps aid greatly in the search process, choosing the right home still requires careful consideration:
Location – Think about proximity to your workplace, amenities, schools, parks and transportation. Ensure the neighborhood aligns with your lifestyle.
Budget – Be realistic about what you can afford. Factor in the home price, taxes, insurance, HOA fees, moving costs and maintenance expenses.
Size & Layout – Consider current and future space requirements. Does the home offer room to grow? How practical is the floorplan?
Condition – Take into account the home‘s age, quality, upgrades and general state of repair. Older homes may require more maintenance.
Professional Guidance – Don‘t go it totally alone. Seek support from a trusted real estate agent, lender, inspector and attorney.
Keeping these key factors in mind while using home buying apps will lead to smarter decisions. Now let‘s explore some of the top-rated options among users searching for their ideal residence.
1. Zillow
Zillow is one of the most popular real estate apps with over 100 million home listings accessible right from your smartphone. It offers robust search capabilities and rich, up-to-date housing data.
Standout Zillow features:
- Market temperature gauge shows if local markets favor buyers or sellers
- View price and payment history on a home with Zestimate data
- Customizable searches and notifications for listings matching your criteria
- Easy MLS access and contacts for agents
- Rental search with affordability filters and rental history data
- Immersive photos and 3D home tours makes virtual shopping a breeze
Platforms: iOS, Android
Zillow brings industry-leading data and searches with a user-friendly interface. Whether buying or renting, it has the tools to find that perfect place.
2. Realtor.com
As one of the web’s largest real estate portals, Realtor.com seamlessly transitioned their offerings into a fully-featured mobile app. Sync searches save across devices.
Useful Realtor tools:
- Draw search areas on maps for proximity-based browsing
- Realistic 3D previews of homes and neighborhoods
- Customizable property alerts via email or SMS
- Affordability calculator shows loan amounts matched to income, debts and location
- Community information on crime, schools and local amenities
- Top-rated agents can schedule showings and field questions
Platforms: iOS, Android
Realtor.com makes every step from search to purchase smooth, informed and customized to your needs.
3. Homesnap
Called "the future of home search," Homesnap leverages proprietary technology for unparalleled convenience. It empowers buyers with data, accuracy and speed.
Why Homesnap stands out:
- Location-based search automatically populates relevant, nearby listings
- Faster pre-approval from over 1,500 partner lenders
- View past and estimated future value changes on any home
- Constant updates from MLS ensure most current status
- Send listing links via SMS text and share searches
Platforms: iOS, Android
Homesnap sets a new standard for real-time searches and lightning fast data. Its predictive capabilities better orient users to local market conditions.
4. Rocket Homes
Rocket Homes excels at keeping eager homebuyers continually looped into the latest listings and sales. The app simplifies monitoring active options on any budget.
Notable features:
- Automated daily listing updates from MLS
- Price drop alerts so users can jump on deals
- Mortgage calculators including closing cost estimates
- Save favorite homes and receive status change alerts
- Home value estimates based on recent sales
- Local market reports on trends and predictions
Platforms: iOS, Android
For budget-focused buyers, Rocket Homes delivers the property intel needed to leap on affordable listings as soon as they hit the market.
5. Compass
Compass merges optimal search technology with experienced agents. The app offers big data muscle with white glove service.
Compass app advantages:
- Thousands of updated MLS listings searchable by location and filters
- Customizable listing alerts for immediate notification
- Integrated chat and scheduling seamlessly connects users with Compass agents
- Robust search data enhanced by friendly local expertise
- "Collections" feature stores favorites, notes and must-have amenities
- Next-generation platform learns preferences improving matches over time
Platforms: iOS, Android
The Compass app provides refined searches supported by local real estate experts guiding buyers to dream homes.
6. Homes.com
Homes.com opens house hunters to nearly 2 million listings via partnerships with over 800 MLS databases across North America.
Useful Homes.com tools:
- Intuitive map-based searches with customizable filters
- Integrated mortgage calculators show loan rates and options
- Detailed neighborhood profiles on school districts, walkability and crime
- Augmented reality previews let you envision properties in context of surroundings
- Refinance calculator helps current owners weigh options
- iOS widgets enable quick access to saved searches and listings
Platforms: iOS, Android
For widest selection across the most regions, Homes.com should be a go-to. Augmented views also help buyers better envision living in listed spaces.
7. Trulia
Trulia stands out with unmatched neighborhood insights crowd-sourced from local residents first-hand. It amplifies listings with boots-on-the-ground community feedback.
Trulia advantages home buyers enjoy:
- Vast inventory of homes for sale and rent with filtering
- Crime maps detail safety down to the block-level
- Locals dish on pros and cons of specific areas in "What Locals Say"
- Time-lapse pricing shows average and historical values
- School district ratings and boundaries easily mapped
- Mortgage payment calculator for quick affordability checks
Platforms: iOS, Android
Trulia listings offer not just four walls and a roof but the culture, vibe and feel users need to choose the best lifestyle fit.
8. Redfin
Redfin updates market stats every 5 minutes ensuring buyers have the freshest data. They also provide direct access to local Redfin agents.
Notable Redfin features:
- Frequent pricing and status changes for real-time tracking
- Book home tours directly with Redfin agents
- Detailed graphs on past listing prices aid negotiations
- Sortable school rankings powered by Niche data
- Interactive maps with layers for transit, parks, noise and walkability
- Offline access to saved listings and tour requests
Platforms: iOS, Android
Redfin keeps buyers continually updated while connecting them to knowledgeable representatives that can answer questions or provide home tours.
9. Homesnap Professional
Homesnap Pro offers a specialized version of Homesearch aimed at real estate professionals. It equips agents with next-level listing management and client services.
Benefits Homesnap Pro provides agents:
- Centralized dashboard to track clients, searches and listing stats
- Lead and contact relationship management tools
- Create fully customized CMA reports with auditing
- Access 100% of listings from any MLS plus private listings
- Listing alerts notify agents of status changes
- Listing presentation builder creates rich visual reports
Platforms: iOS, Android
Homesnap Pro amplifies agents’ capabilities to serve more clients with personalized services and unmatched market coverage.
10. Loopnet
Where most home buying apps focus on residences, Loopnet specializes in commercial properties. For investing buyers, it’s an invaluable resource.
Advantages Loopnet offers commercial buyers:
- Over 5+ million commercial listings updated daily
- Multi-unit listings ideal for potential landlords
- Tools supporting property stakeholder roles from owners to brokers to tenants
- Map-based filtering by property categories – multifamily, office, retail, etc.
- Integrated mailing list manager and requirements tracker
- Space calculators assess options fit for business needs
Platforms: iOS, Android
Loopnet provides the spam-free, streamlined search process business buyers need to find space purpose-fit and investment worthy.
FAQs About Home Buying Apps
Should I use more than one home buying app in my search?
Yes, leveraging multiple apps can be beneficial as each has unique listing sources, data and features. Casting a wide initial net across apps enables you to zero in on the one(s) that best meet your search needs.
How accurately do these apps estimate home values?
Home buying apps generate home value estimates based on recent sales, public records, user data and proprietary algorithms. While reasonably accurate, advertised listing prices and expert appraisals may provide greater precision.
Can I complete the full home buying journey only using apps?
While home buying apps can do much of the heavy lifting finding and evaluating homes, its still wise to consult professionals like agents, lenders and attorneys at certain stages, particularly making offers and closing.
The Takeaway
Home buying apps place the power of search into the palm of your hand. They make finding that perfect residence easier than ever. Keep key buying considerations in mind as you leverage these apps’ rich features and data to your advantage.
So download a few appealing options to kickstart your hunt today! Best of luck with the search and purchase.
