How Mobile Apps are Driving the Future of Real Estate

Recent studies show that 57% of mobile phone owners use it for browsing and data searching, shopping, messaging. Such popularity of the pocket gadget has also pushed many businesses and even industries to mobile. Mobile versions of sites and applications are created with one main goal – to attract more consumers. However, to meet all their requirements it is not enough to keep up with the times. Let’s explore how mobile applications can affect the real estate market.

Applications for Real Estate Companies

Conditionally, applications can be divided into two groups. Some applications are created specifically for real estate agencies and agents, while others are intended for potential sellers or buyers of real estate.

Applications for internal use include CRM apps, paperless offices, document and collaboration apps. Their main task is to accelerate and make more efficient the work of the agency and its employees, to enable them to provide consumers with the best experience and service.

For instance, CRM is a powerful lead generator tool, that uses social media and portals’ ads to attract new buyers. The app tracks communications and reminds agents when it is time to reach out. It simplifies websites’ building, email campaigns sending, and viewing lead score rankings.

Most customer-focused businesses struggle with a huge amount of paperwork as it reduces productivity and slows down customer service. The mobile app development has made it possible to refuse to fix a number of processes on paper. Convenient and effective real-time document management applications have been created. It allows realtors to be more efficient and productive and engage in their sales/core business, rather than paperwork.

Most requests for documents and paper exchanges can now be completed online. One swipe or click is enough. Convenient cloud storage or data exchange programs made it possible in a few minutes to get the necessary data from lawyers, clients or other real estate agents. You no longer need to wait or carry documents in person, it is enough to have an application and high-speed Internet to succeed.

Top real estate companies have already applied disruptive technologies to improve their ROI, enhance the employees’ managements, provide better customer service and overcome competitors to become a leader on the market.

Consumer-Oriented Real Estate Apps

Applications for customers should meet their basic needs, anticipate desires and offer suitable solutions. However, before evaluating the functionality of the application, the user evaluates its appearance and ease of use. Therefore, only UX/UI high-performing applications are successful.

The functions of such an application can be very diverse. Basic components: a photo of the real estate object, its detailed (or short) description, the main characteristics, and contacts of the agent for appointing to view.

However, the high competition in the market and the desire to attract as many customers as possible forced the agencies to improve their real estate apps.

Now applications for clients have become more convenient and solve more urgent tasks. In addition to a photo of a house or apartment for sale or rent, a video review or a virtual tour is offered. The use of augmented or virtual reality in real estate apps provides a unique experience for the client, allowing him to explore the housing without leaving his place.

Also, applications were supplemented by an interactive map and geolocation, with a smart adviser that demonstrates the infrastructure, shows nearby buildings, traffic jams, and other important factors. Another useful feature for customers is a mortgage calculator that calculates additional costs, taxes and insurance.

Thanks to applications, the real estate market have become available 24/7. The client no longer needs to wait for the right time to contact the agent, because he already has it on his phone: by opening the application, he gets access to all the offers in the city and district that interests him. However, for such an experience to be as satisfying as possible for the consumer, it is necessary to implement smart search, filters, and recommendations based on the history of previous visits and consumer preferences.

The communication system with the agent is also undergoing constant changes. Studies show that most users prefer messaging over calls, so it’s so important to integrate this feature into the application. Leaving a contact phone number and specifying a messenger for communication is no longer relevant, if the consumer needs to switch to another application to contact the agent, he will most likely won’t come back.

The built-in calendar allows the client to schedule a meeting and immediately add it to his own schedule, set a reminder for the specified time. Such an easy and comfortable interaction will not seem intrusive, but rather will be an added plus to the quality of service.

Taking all these factors into account, industry leaders strive to create applications that best meet the needs of their customers. However, they always need to keep abreast and keep pace with the rapid changes in the market.

Innovative Technology in Real Estate Mobile Apps

We have already talked about the experience of using AR/VR technology in mobile applications. However, the creation of client-oriented content pushes the real estate industry to adopt the latest developments and thereby transforms it.

Smart AI advisors and recommendations, the Big Data analysis, the use of cloud storage for quick access to data and recovery – all this is embedded in applications to keep up with rapidly changing customer moods. These technologies help solve the challenges of the industry and get ahead of the competition.

Experts say that investment and adoption of such technologies will increase by 15% in the coming years compared to previous periods. However, many companies are afraid of the difficulties that may arise when implementing AI-based or cloud solutions.

Meanwhile, market research claims that the continuous improvement of the mobile application strengthens the agency’s market position and increases consumer loyalty to the brand.

Mobile applications literally push the real estate industry to change and improve, forcing them to apply the latest developments and technologies. They are equally useful both for internal use and improving companies’ processes, as well as for interacting with customers.

Author’s Bio:

Betty Lockwood is a blogger, mobile apps developer, healthtech expert and caring mother of two kids. She loves to write about new technologies, e-commerce news, traveling, and music events.