As a homebuyer, you can never have too much information. The more informed you are, the better chance you have of making a wise investment. And now, more than ever, you have ample data and insights available at your fingertips. Knowing which mobile apps to use can make a huge difference in your home buying experience.
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The Best Apps for Homebuyers
Despite suggestions from so-called experts who said that real estate would cool off in 2019, we’re still firmly in the middle of a red-hot market. In cities like Phoenix – which is the fastest growing city in the country – single-family home listings often come and go within hours. The same is true in markets like San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, and Charlotte.
As a homebuyer in today’s market, you have to be informed and educated. Being even a few hours behind on what’s happening in your market could cause you to miss out on opportunities. That’s why we recommend loading your smartphone with helpful resources.
For your reference, here are some of the top real estate apps for homebuyers:
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1. Zillow
When it comes to consumer-facing real estate websites, Zillow is a household name. It has the greatest market penetration and attracts millions of visitors every single month. It’s renowned for its proprietary formula that accurately projects home values. It also features a robust database of past sale prices, transactions, and taxes. The app version of Zillow is just as powerful as the desktop website. You can set up custom searches and alerts, view neighborhoods geographically, or even check on the estimated value of your current home.
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Bigger Pockets doesn’t have the abundance of real estate listings and data that most of the apps on this list offer. Instead, it should be viewed as an educational resource that provides users with all of the information they could ever need on buying a house, selling a house, conducting due diligence, making offers, finding the right property, etc. It includes blog posts, guides, podcasts, and forums where other users ask and answer questions.
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3. RedFin
RedFin is both an app and a brokerage firm. It allows users to carefully filter listings based on a number of unique criteria. It even lets you filter listings based on upcoming open houses that fit your needs. On the brokerage side of things, you can list or buy a house using the RedFin app. Most homes list for 1.5 percent, while the average buyer gets $2,000 in refunds on agent fees.
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4. Homesnap
If you’re looking for a fresh app that combines classic elements with new technology, Homesnap is it. It offers exciting features like augmented reality, Apple TV and Apple Watch connectivity, in-app messaging, and the ability to quickly snap a picture of a property to get data and records.
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Work With a Real Estate Agent
These apps are great for keeping tabs on what listings are on the market and how prices are fluctuating, but they aren’t a replacement for working with a good real estate agent who knows your area. When you’re ready to get serious about buying a house, it’s highly recommended that you hire an experienced buyer’s agent in your area.
By working with a skilled agent, you gain access to all of the best listings (including those that are only found on the MLS), resources, and skilled expertise. Your agent looks out for your best interests, helps you make strategic offers, and provides protection and peace of mind when it comes to conducting due diligence and crafting airtight contracts. Best of all, you don’t have to pay your agent a dime. In most cases, the seller pays commissions to both agents involved in the deal.
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A good agent has been in the business for a few years, has local experience in your market, and has a long list of clients. Yet despite this success, the agent should also be accessible. If your phone calls go unanswered and your emails don’t get replies, this is an indication that you aren’t a high priority.
Depending on the app you’re using to stay up to date on the real estate market, you may actually find suggestions for good agents inside of the platform. Otherwise, try asking around for recommendations or conducting simple Google searches for the best agents in your area.
