100 million+ homes listed in some of the most preferred locations of the United States represent the dominance of Zillow as a real estate giant in the nation. From buying a new home to renting the first apartment in the big city, this #1 real estate application is helping millions of people live their American dream vividly. 

Zillow was founded by Rich Barton in 2006. Rich was also a part of the founding team of Expedia.com by Microsoft, which is a popular travel booking portal. He once stated that the idea of a large-scale real estate application spawned from Expedia itself. 

At present, there are more than ten million downloads of the Zillow mobile app. It clearly shows that the majority of Americans trust this app to buy and rent apartments, homes, commercial properties, etc. Even as a seller, Zillow offers so many options for property owners to make the sale a success at the end of every deal. 

You can also read – Guide to Building Highly Profitable Fintech Apps – Features & Best Practices 

As the most popular real estate mobile app in the US, Zillow has so much to deliver in terms of application interface, platform accessibility, business model, app architecture, and features. We will explore all of it to figure out the cost of building a real estate app like Zillow throughout this blog! 

An Overview of Zillow Market & Business Model 

Zillow is presented as a nationwide real estate marketplace offering an extensive range of services for residential buying, selling, renting, and financing. In 2022, the mobile app company announced its release as a housing super app. The existing design of the portal will be upgraded to help users not only search for a place but close the deal and move with convenience. 

In order to boost its consumer base and expand revenue, Zillow simply acquired a few other brands like Trulia, Dotloop, RentJuice, and other promising real estate applications while also eradicating the competition at the same time. 

You can also read – How Much Does It Cost to Make A Mobile App In 2023: Detailed Cost Analysis

Here’s how Zillow generates revenue as the biggest online real estate marketplace in the USA: 

• The housing company buys homes from the sellers and sells them in quite a short amount of time. It is an advantage to sellers as they get to sell their property for cash without listing it on different portals and waiting around for suitable buyers. 
• Aside from being a buyer and a seller itself, Zillow also acts as a mortgage lender and charges interest on home loans. Zillow’s mortgage services contribute to a large percentage of its total profits. 
• Zillow has been way ahead of its competitors in terms of its offerings. Its services as an internet media and technology provider prove why it is the most profitable and successful housing application in America. 

Understanding Zillow with Architectural Breakdown 

As we have just learned, Zillow performs as a selling and buying application platform for properties across America. However, the immense amount of user data available on the app plays its role in facilitating several services such as housing listing and buyer data management. 

The backend structure of the Zillow application is scaled to create information streams that can deliver the needed data without mixing up. This data streaming & ingestion process covers real-time assessment of people looking for rentals and homes in an area. 

You can also read – A Guide to Smart Home App Development: Costs, Challenges & Process

List of Top Features for Real Estate Apps like Zillow 

1. Property Search Filters 

The cost of building a real estate app like Zillow involves a strategically applied search filter that can deliver the most accurate property options on every prompt. An app that shows listings based on pricing, area, location, transportation connectivity, etc. An app for housing solutions is customized to provide house and rental matches for users.  

2. Property Media & Description 

People spend weeks and even months browsing for homes online before choosing one definite property for rental or purchase. To dive into the buyers’ minds and help them with their decision, a real estate app ensures to provide all kinds of descriptions including the images and videos of the property. This feature of real estate mobile apps also adds up to the total cost of applications like Zillow. 

3. Database Collection 

Data can be far more imperative for real estate portals and applications than you would imagine. Popular housing apps like Zillow collect this user data and make the most of it to boost engagement and revenue. For example, some real estate apps use this data to expand their customer base and alert them of available property in their selected area every time a good deal comes up. 

You can also read – MACH 101 – A Comprehensive Look Into the Most Scalable & Future-Proof Architecture

4. Mortgage Calculator 

Zillow played the biggest card with this feature and gained an advantage against all its competitors. While several applications already offer loan calculators and other tools to alleviate the decision-making process for buyers, Zillow took it to the next level with its mortgage calculator. Aside from this custom calculator, the real estate marketplace also offers its own mortgage services for its customers. 

5. Map Integration 

The success of a real estate app depends partially on how the map on the portal works. This is why Zillow spent a fair share of its real estate app development cost in building the most efficient map feature that allows its users to locate the property without much hassle. It also presents nearby hospitals, schools, banks, markets, restaurants, etc. near the available property. 

6. Property Alerts & Updates 

When it comes to driving engagement and revenue to a real estate portal, the power of push notifications can never be denied. Zillow has impeccably tailored its property alert and update system to make sure that its users don’t miss a single chance to explore the best property available in their areas. 

7. Virtual Tours 

In a tech-ridden world, offering innovative experiences to your target audiences is the most effective way to beat the competition. Zillow made it through the technology edge and came up with its virtual tour feature with AR/VR implementation. It is an advantage that comes with augmented reality and virtual reality app development and integration in an existing or a new real estate application. 

App Budget Evaluation for Applications like Zillow 

Before we move to the exact cost structure of real estate mobile app development for apps like Zillow, you must know that the integration of features such as AR tours, smart map implementation, and custom calculators causes a great difference in the budget of the application project. 

You can also read – How do Successful Startups Save Money with MVP Development?

The average cost of a typical housing mobile app ranges between $30,000 to $40,000. In addition to this, some capabilities of Zillow such as backend data management, virtual tour, property media description, and mortgage calculator may raise the budget for up to a total of $60,000 and even higher. 

When it comes to setting up a well-defined budget, your selection of a recognized real estate mobile app development company also matters. You must acknowledge that the process of building a housing application like Zillow is far more intricate than user design and feature integration. 

You will need to hire a real estate app development company that can scale its methodologies as per the data drawn from in-depth competition research and insights. At Zazz, you get to work with that kind of team that acquires experience in business assessment and scope analysis.  

How to Build a Successful Real Estate Application like Zillow 

Now you have the answer to how much it costs to build a real estate app like Zillow. Apart from that, you know what features and technicalities go behind the robust digital structure of a highly successful real estate mobile application. So, what’s next? Do you also have an idea brimming in your mind that can accelerate your real estate venture? 

If you are looking to establish your housing business from scratch and planning a mobile app, then you can connect with our mobile app development company. We are one of the top cutting-edge IT agencies in the USA with hands-on experience in technologies such as AR/VR, automated map integration, multiple calculator implementation, & real-time data management. 

You can also read – How Did Starbucks Increase Sales by 14% with Its Mobile App? Let’s Find Out!

Our methodologies for real estate app design and development services span from user research to market study which lets us accumulate the needed insight for the app project. Quality testing takes over prominence once we have an MVP with basic mobile app functionalities. 

Get in touch with our real estate app developers now! 

Real estate applications like Zillow and Redfin have a great run among consumers. Apart from these famous housing platforms, Trulia and Xome Auctions have substantially made their way into the realty niche in America. More than 75% of Americans prefer to do a search on realtor apps before finalizing a property purchase. This widened engagement scope also shows how housing apps have managed to leverage the market demand.

Aside from the demand for real estate services, what other elements make these apps so popular and profitable? The answer lies within the real estate mobile app features that you will explore throughout this checklist. In addition, you will also learn about the housing domain in America and some other features that should not be overlooked.

Real Estate in the United States – Scope of Housing App Development

According to Statista, the United States is among the top 5 countries in the world known for generating the highest revenue through real estate. Given its immense population & geological expansion, the US has left behind major countries like France and South Korea in this list. From 2012 to 2022, the housing market has seen an unaffected increase in revenue.

However, there was a slight decline in 2020 at the time of COVID. But the realty domain thrived again and showed a gradual boost over the years. The 2022 real estate market in America locked $369 billion in revenue. By the end of 2024, the ROI will effectively reach the count of $400 billion. Many people see property purchase as a long-term investment and this is why the profitability will be high. 

If we talk about the most engaging real estate mobile apps and portals in the USA, then Zillow and Xome seem to seal the highest number of bids. Zillow is an all-rounder mobile app for real estate solutions. On the contrary, Xome Auctions specialize in auction-based property sales. Apart from these two prominent housing service applications, Trulia and Redfin simplify home value estimation and purchase.

Each and every realty portal and application has its appeal to the masses. Some of these apps are dedicated to providing rental property options whereas some of these deliver a cost estimate for a property in a specific region. It depends on the real estate mobile app development company that you consult for growing your housing venture.

Best Features of A Real Estate Mobile App for Engagement and ROI

1. Virtual Tour

In a world driven by augmented reality and virtual reality, a simple realtor app platform will not suffice. These digital technologies may seem to elevate the budget of managing a business, but their influence comes with long-term advantages. This is the reason why every other industry in the world uses a combination of IT technologies to keep up with the trends.

You might think that there are apps that got popularity even before the invention of VR and other similar innovations. This idea may refrain you from considering this feature for your real estate brand. On the flip side, the feature of a virtual tour of the property will provide you with an edge against other realty competitors.

2. Mortgage Calculator

Arranging the required capital for buying a house in a crowded nation like America is not an easy chore. Your app users will need a custom calculator on your real estate mobile app as one of the main features. It will help them estimate the sum that will be required while applying for a housing loan.

In fact, you can also customize a tool where people can check whether the mortgage is available on a specific property or not. Top real estate app development agencies in the USA often recommend realty ventures invest in this feature to engage the end user.

3. Property Navigation

Does the property that you’re selling or listing appear clearly on the map? If so, how will you or your client know? Well, this is a very small detail about housing services that lead to the need for smart real estate app features like property navigation. Around 40% of mobile applications actively leverage the efficiency of navigation features.

Your housing mobile app can also be one of those platforms where people can navigate their desired properties easily and reach a decision. It may also help your clients assess the facilities around the property such as a grocery store, eateries, dry cleaners, etc.

4. Advanced Search

The advanced search option on a real estate mobile app is key to making the application more user-friendly. Moreover, this feature will allow you to cater to a vast group of users looking for properties across the United States. This advanced search option will simplify the search in particular cities, states, neighborhoods, etc. 

5. User Analytics

There are some features on real estate mobile apps that are designed specifically for the admin side. It means that you can go through the engagement database of your business app whenever you prefer. The feature of user analytics will take you to insights that will eventually turn into optimization, higher engagement, and more ROI.

More Real Estate App Features that Should Be Included in the Integration

1. User Onboarding

A streamlined process of registering and logging in will make your audiences on the real estate mobile app feel more welcome. 

2. Property Listing

A well-known real estate mobile app development company in the USA always adds this property listing feature to make the database more diverse for users.

3. Chat/Call Options

Suppose, a user likes a property and wants to clear some queries. In that situation, chat or call features will turn the app visitor into a lead immediately.

4. Category Filters

An experienced on demand app development company will suggest category filters add value to the search system of an application.

Why Hire Zazz for Real Estate Development Services in the USA?

According to real estate surveys in the United States, Florida and Georgia are the most popular states where people invest frequently. These housing reports also interpret that despite the slow market growth, people would continue to look for and invest in rental commercial and residential properties. The sale of over 5 million existing properties and 8,00,000+ newly built homes across the nation prove how vivacious and profitable realty businesses can be.

If you own a housing service business in the USA, real estate app development services can drastically transform the growth structure for you. Given the integration of essential real estate app features, you can put the sale process in order and automate some basic tasks that take on a huge amount of your time aside from property screening.

Moreover, your own real estate application will help property seekers contact you directly. Zazz can help you end your search for a real estate mobile app development company in the USA. We are a highly recognized application design firm that caters to residential & commercial property realtors with bespoke housing application solutions.

Zazz can be the right selection for realtor application and software services because our expertise in AR and VR allows us to make the housing search experience for your clients more lively and lucrative. Get in touch to discuss a real estate app project today!

Staging a property with AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality)-based real estate applications is turning out to be immensely popular. They allow realtors to offer a unique perspective and experience to potential customers by a digital tour of properties from anywhere across the globe.

Virtual reality is a powerful medium within reach of organizations that are always up for innovation as a component that keeps them way ahead of their competitors. VR-enabled real estate applications are a robust means for visual communication that can help organizations find new ways of interaction display their products to the customers and generate revenue.

How Virtual Reality Is Transforming the Real Estate Legacy Sector

Let’s get a bigger picture of how you can benefit from real estate app development with the power of Virtual Reality (VR).

• Saves Time

Suppose a buyer wants to get information on more than a particular apartment or house; they don’t need to roam around in the city to search for properties. With a seamlessly developed VR software for property display, buyers can view as many properties as possible with just a simple click on their device. The result will be lifelike, and the potential buyer can see the state of properties in an immersive environment closer to reality. 

Through VR-powered real estate applications, users can know how close or how far they are to their places of interest, how their furniture will look in this property, and experience what it feels like to be in their new homes. This can help them save quite a lot of time that was earlier a problem since they needed to hit the streets frequently to search for houses.

This is why many realtors are rooting for companies providing best-in-class virtual reality app development solutions to ease buyers’ property-buying process and move streets ahead of their competitors to drive sales and profit.

• Forms Emotional Links

Today, realtors are highly considering real estate computer applications or similar solutions to offer improved services to their clients. This is especially done to envisage every property with stunning visuals, unlike the traditional ways of showing photographs or images.

Virtual reality in real estate is completely reliable since there’s no haste when it comes to taking the property rounds. It’s based on customer-oriented specifications. It’s also important that the absolute immersiveness of such solutions builds an emotional linkage with the buyers, helping realtors to interact with them better.

• Save Resources and Time

Building robust VR-enabled real estate applications might weigh down your pocket a bit. Still, considering the overall view and legacy marketing strategy, it’s probably the best bet for you to think about. Previously, it was required to provide pictures and loads of printing material to the buyers, but now it’s a thing of the past.

Staging a property with AR/VR, real estate agents, or realtors can save quite a few bucks by using similar content but with multiple consumers. All you need is a basic concept with the economic camera and rendering to shoot the virtual property tours. 

• Global Reach

Realtors understand their client’s requirements and expectations very well. Showcasing properties, negotiating on diverse terms, arranging visits are extremely time-consuming. Hence, it is no surprise that a real estate agent can only give their time to a smaller number of buyers. But today, it’s possible to cater to many buyers across physical boundaries. The AR/VR apps designed for real estate have empowered realtors to work more effectively.

With VR-enabled real estate applications, buyers can get every single detail about properties irrespective of their geographical location, resulting in agents reaching maximum customers and easily solving their inquiries right from the comfort of their house.

• Quick Ownership

Most realtors find it extremely exhausting when it comes to dealing with legal forms and signing agreements since the process is lengthy and time-consuming. But tailor-made real estate applications came as a savior to this dire need. These VR-powered applications have empowered the ownership and connections between agents and clients. Several engaging add-ons like the description of landmarks or neighborhoods, mortgage calculators, property details, etc., have enhanced the customer experience to a huge extent.

Trending Ways Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Real Estate is Revolutionizing the Sector

The real estate sector should embrace these tech-based solutions to offer buyers tailor-made virtual experiences to facilitate their buying decisions. 

• Immersive VR Software for Property Display

Virtual headsets are the future of the real estate. As a real estate agent, you can offer your buyers an intuitive space experience. Rather than wandering around from one place to another for a decent property, you can offer them virtual 3D tours. These tours can guide your clients with conventional and interactive videos. With these videos, they can get a full 360° view of the place virtually.

By creating a replicated tour, buyers can roam around in the property by tapping on exclusively designed sites. This VR software for property display can enhance the user experience and help buyers to make quick decisions.

• Staging a Property with AR/VR

Is it easy to sell a furnished house or an unfurnished house? A furnished house for sure, right? Buyers are very particular and possessive when it comes to purchasing a working space or a house. They’re always after the designs and aesthetics. Seeing an empty house doesn’t feel like home unless it is decorated with furniture. But with AR/VR, you can stage a property easily and make it look livable by displaying the property with essential amenities and furniture. This very thing can result in closing the deal quickly.

• AR/VR Apps

From booking a cab to ordering food, people rely on their mobile phones for everything. As a result, they want every experience to be mobile-first, even for tasks like purchasing and selling the property. So why not invest in developing a robust AR/VR-enabled real estate application and perform multiple tasks and streamline your business operations?

For instance, with real estate app development projects like Zillow and Redfin, realtors and clients can have an integrated platform for browsing, purchasing, or selling a property, track down an agent, and get alerts when a new listing comes to the market. 

• Architectural Portrayal of the Space

When you build a robust VR-enabled real estate application for your business, it’ll open a myriad of opportunities that’ll lead you to the path of success. This disruptive technology has the power to build properties that are not constructed. 

Previously it used to be tricky and difficult for real estate agents to sell such a property. But, with the emergence of AR and VR technology, the unbuilt properties can be displayed with their interiors, architectures, and infrastructure, helping customers select land by marking the apt area and surroundings.

The Bottom Line

Virtual reality and augmented reality are transforming the real estate industry for their convenience, cost, and time-saving benefits. The companies who have embraced this disruptive technology have already started seeing the face of profit, considering the key aspects of selling and buying. 

So, why stick with the age-old real estate marketing processes that result in losing customers. You should revolutionize your real estate business by harnessing the power of robust VR-powered real estate applications and carve a good name in the industry. If you’re planning to develop such apps to give an immersive experience to your clients, then you’re at the perfect place.

Zazz, a leading destination for VR and AR app development services, is advanced and technically innovative in developing VR-enabled real estate app development solutions. So, if you’re planning to build an innovative solution for your business, choose Zazz as your real estate application development partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are some of the best real estate applications in the app store?

Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia are some of the good real estate applications available in the app stores that meet all your needs.

Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, ZipRealty are some of the most sought-after real estate applications that provide all the nitty-gritty details of the properties along with some exceptional add-on features like video walkthroughs and virtual tours with the help of AR/VR technology, real-time messaging for smooth interactions, mortgage calculators, etc., to improve the buying and selling experience.

Q2. How have real estate applications revolutionized the industry digitally?

Real estate applications have completely transformed the industry digitally in many ways.

Here’s how real estate apps have transformed the industry. 

• Curbing the cost by cutting off the requirement of an agent or a broker;
• No need to hop or travel from one place to another in search of property;
• Infusion of Artificial Intelligence for smarter property display;
• Virtual tours and video walkthroughs using virtual reality technology;
• Use of augmented reality for managing the interior of the building;

Q3. How much will it cost to develop a real estate application? 

Several factors determine the cost of your real estate application development project, like the app idea and the features.

• The idea and complexity of your project;
• Single platform or cross-platform app development;
• Total number of screens or pages;
• Wireframing and Prototype creation;
• Infusion of AR and VR technology within your app;
• Access to your device’s features;
• Customization levels;
• Developer’s charge;
• Support and Maintenance.

Also Read:

App Development Companies in Chicago

Top Mobile App Development Companies in New York

Mobile Application Development Companies Dallas