How to Build a Real Estate App like Zillow: Cost, Features & Trends

Real estate is another ever-changing industry moving forward with the digital movement as technology continues to shape the sector. Indeed, today, homebuyers, sellers, and even tenants want a simple yet highly interactive experience while looking for property inspection apps to book a property of their choice. With an application at the lead such as Zillow, the opportunity to build real estate apps seems great. A well-designed app is of great help in improving the user experience. This user can get information about his property, connect with various agents, and even facilitate transactions from the palm of his smartphone.

Businesses and developers would soon be eager to capitalize on the growing interest, as a Mobile App Development Company in Tokyo would be approached to design a revolutionary real estate app. Through the app, an entrepreneur or established real estate agency could take the business to the next level with better customer experience and efficient process flow. Unlock with the right technology partner the infinite opportunities to boost your business to the maximum level while keeping in line with what is being transformed by the ever-evolving real estate market. 

This guide covers everything you should know to develop a successful real estate app similar to Zillow, its core features, development steps, costs, and the trends for the future.

Why Build a Real Estate App Like Zillow?

Today, the consumer is used to getting instant information. Indeed, in real estate markets, it’s also very important because, with the emergence of mobile apps such as Zillow, one can find homes, look at pictures, and even get all the pricing information right there in real-time at your fingertips. This is an emerging trend in consumer behavior, with people wanting more mobile-friendly solutions that make property searches quick and seamless. You can capitalize on this demand by creating a real estate app similar to Zillow, thereby putting your business at the helm of digital transformation in the real estate industry, where customers have now come to expect when deciding on properties.

By collaborating with an On-Demand App Development Company to create a powerful real estate app that’s unique. In this case, you will be assured of the skills and adaptability required to produce an application tailored to your business needs. A well-crafted real estate app streamlines the property transaction process for all parties including homebuyers, sellers, and a realtor. It is also one of the reasons that has made Zillow, the best app to search for homes. Therefore, sharing an outstanding success by offering simple access to important information that will allow you to view a list of property views, schedule viewings, and connect with agents. The real estate industry demands the scalability of a mobile app. 

Moreover, the industry’s evolving nature means adding upcoming technologies such as virtual tours, AR, and AI-based tools will ensure future readiness. Developing your real estate app now addresses today’s needs, yet you remain competitive in light of innovation and the market’s evolution.

Impact of Zillow Beyond Convenience Over People

Zillow is not just an app, it is a transformative platform that has changed the nature of real estate entirely. Its impact on the industry is proof that by developing such a real estate application involving innovative features and user-centered designs, you can simplify consumers’ navigation through sometimes treacherous waters that people often find themselves dealing with in the real estate market. To understand its broader effects within the industry to build a real estate app like this, let’s have these points broken down as follows: 

1. Greater Transparency in Property Price Setting:

Transparency has reduced guesswork among buyers as they have a better understanding of whether the home is priced reasonably or not before making an offer. Sellers also benefit from the Zestimate as it enables them to price their properties competitively and attract potential buyers.

2. Convenience and Accessibility:

The Zillow app for Android enables the user to view properties 24/7. They can browse homes at any time from anywhere without having to schedule appointments with agents. The search filter of the app allows buyers to gain access to homes that fit a particular list of criteria speedily, saving time and frustration in home searching.

3. Digitization of the Real Estate Transaction Process:

Zillow has made the home buying process better because it has added some of the tools that are necessary for computing the monthly payments as well as the amount of house one can afford through its mortgage calculators. It also offers home value estimators and historical pricing data. 

4. Market Insights and Accessibility of Data:

Property histories, that include past sales, tax assessments, and renovations, give an understanding of a property’s real value over time through Zillow. Moreover, its price trends enable a user to understand whether a house is fairly priced or not in terms of market fluctuations, hence giving an all-round view of the real estate world.

5. Easier Communication Between Home Buyers and Agents:

The application bridges this gap between old real estate activities and modern needs to keep interacting with agents when buying or renting. The communication options given by Zillow further increase the user’s experience: with the facility of favorite saved properties that they can communicate with their agents.

6. Option of Pre-Qualification and Financing:

The application carries plenty of links to various lenders as well as a good number of financing options, enabling buyers to carry out research in terms of numerous types of loans in question, interest rates available as well as the kinds of terms available on a mortgage on-site.

Tip: To build a real estate app that incorporates these powerful features and enhances user engagement like that in Zillow, partnering with a professional Mobile App Development Company in Singapore could be a strategic move.

Business Model Followed By Zillow

Zillow has utilized various revenue streams, and all of them contribute to the growth and dominance of the real estate company. Understanding the business model of Zillow can help you when you are opting to build a real estate app. Here are some of the key insights into the business model followed by Zillow: 

➡️ Advertising Revenue:

Revenues for Zillow mainly stem from advertising on the platform provided by mortgage lenders, real estate agents, and other home services. The latter pay to have their listing appear at the top in search results thereby maximally increasing visibility and leads.

➡️ Lead Generation:

This brand also generates revenue from its lead generation program since it connects buyers with real estate agents. For example, whenever the user shows interest in a property, the app shows them to a suitable agent. Agents pay Zillow for every lead they get from such a program. 

➡️ Zillow Offers (iBuying):

This iBuying program led by Zillow allows a business firm to buy the home directly from the owner, then correct it when necessary, and finally sell it off. The transactions allow Zillow to charge a fee for services rendered, including repairs and sales commissions. 

➡️ Subscription Services:

Subscriptions may also be made through Zillow’s Premier Agent program which further arms the real estate agents with additional tools for managing customers and listing promotions. The subscription fee generates an ongoing stream of revenue.

➡️ Premier Agent Program:

The Premier Agent program forms a critical part of the revenue model on Zillow. This allows real estate agents to pay for leads that are exclusive within certain zip codes. The program offers agents a suite of tools and services built to increase their presence and, therefore, performance on the site.

Salient Features Adhering to the Zillow’s Success

Zillow has always been known to derive success from its highly rich features which are user-centric. To build a real estate app, like Zillow, below are the essential characteristics you need to have to increase user interaction with the application.

➡️ Essential Features

• Property Listings: The database should consist of real-time, search-listed property listings that include high-quality images along with detailed descriptions, giving the right price information. 
• Additional Search Filters: Filters added in searching by location, price range, property type, and square footage will make searching easier for users to look for their desired property. 
• Mortgage Calculators: Mortgage Calculators: Adding mortgage calculators allows you to compute the monthly that you would have to pay in return. This can be done with consideration of different interest rates, loan sums, and terms. 
• User Profiles: Users can be allowed to create personal accounts where they will be able to save favorite listings, receive property alerts, and track their search history. 
• Push Notifications: Push notifications will allow users to receive real-time updates of new listings that best match their preferences, hence using the application. This helps users stay engaged and informed.

➡️ Advanced Features (Optional) 

• AI Property Estimator: Adding an AI property estimator that is equivalent to Zillow’s very famous Zestimate, the user could expect to get an approximate value of the property from current market data.
• Virtual Tours: It is in the form of 360-degree virtual tours or video walkthroughs to help the viewer view properties from anywhere else, thus saving time in getting a proper idea about the property layout.
• Live Chat/Agent Communication: Live chat will provide communication among buyers, sellers, and real estate agents. This interaction is sure to establish trust and provide answers quickly.
• Augmented Reality (AR): With the help of AR integration, users can see how a house would look with a particular furniture and layout arrangement. This feature will make the decision-making process more effortless for remote buyers.
• Rating and Reviews: Review and rating options for properties and agents improve transparency and trust from users. Positive feedback from others may make the prospective buyer more confident with his choices.

Comprehensive Process Guide to Build a Real Estate Guide Like Zillow

Every successful project is a result of each of the numerous development stages. Here are the developmental steps to build a real estate app:

1. Selection of the Right Methodology for Development (Agile vs. Waterfall):

It is a big decision to choose between Agile and Waterfall. Agile suits real estate apps the best because it allows for iterative development, constant updates, and rapid adaptation to market feedback. Waterfall is linear and thus less flexible but can still be used for projects that have fixed requirements.

2. Adhering to Corrective MVP Approach:

Start with an MVP that covers only the core features that are to be needed in the application. This would enable launching faster and getting real-world usability. By focusing on must-haves, you would be collecting user feedback, validating your ideas, and making the app better and stronger.

3. Collaborative Approach towards Teams & Professionals:

Application development is a collaboration of developers with designers, product managers, UX/UI specialists, and often with in-house or freelance legal consultants. The collaboration environment ensures every element as well as the functionality of the app serves its purpose while meeting all the requirements of the industry.

4. Testing & Quality Assurance:

Once the app is designed, there will be thorough testing to make sure that all the features work properly without bugs and performance issues. QA testing includes responsive testing and compatibility with different devices with varied performance. It also encompasses security testing for safety and privacy. 

5. Launch & Marketing:

Now the app is ready to be launched. Launching on those popular app stores, such as Google Play and Apple App Store, is part of the process. Before launching an app, there must be a marketing campaign building up anticipation and bringing early users in. The strategies involved can include social media promotion, influencer partnerships, and more. 

6. Maintenance & Upgrades:

Lastly, regular updates are a must to abide by user feedback as new functionalities are added, and assurance is guaranteed that the app will be safe and secure. This will continue to work if one takes the latest trends and applies them to the app updates based on new trends and technologies that come into the real estate market.

Also Read – How to Pitch an App Idea

How much will it cost to develop a real estate app?

➡️ Estimates of Cost to Develop a Real Estate App Like Zillow

Building a real estate app like Zillow requires a huge estimate of money, and that mainly depends on the features, the complexity of development, and the location where the development is done. Below are more detailed breakdowns:

1. Basic App: 

• Cost – $25,000 – $60,000
• This includes a property search, basic filters, listing details, and a simple user interface.

2. Middle-level Application:

• Cost – $60,000-$120,000
• The third-party API integration, the user profile feature, and push notifications are also added advanced features in that category.

3. Premium Application:

• Cost – $120,000- $200,000+
• All the basic and advanced features such as AI-based property estimators, virtual tours, AR, etc.

➡️ Cost Breakdown of a Real Estate App Development 

Knowing the exact cost breakdown for every detail of the development process for an app like Zillow is a great thing. Here is an overview, broken down with estimated costs, for each critical aspect of the project considering to build a real estate app below:

1. UI/UX Designing:

• Cost : $10,000-$20,000
• Design Complexity: The cost of a UI/UX design will be driven by the complexity of an application, here, the number of screens required, and the custom requirements of the user flow consistently. 
• Multi-platform design: You will design both iOS and Android. In this, you must take into account the size of the screens and also OS guidelines, which again increases the cost and also consumes a lot of time.
• Prototyping & User Testing: Prototyping & User Testing: You’ll know how the users would react to the application once you’ve done proper prototyping with thorough user testing. 

2. Front-end and back-end development: 

• Cost : $25,000-$125,000
• Front-end development: This is the part of an application that actually sees the front end of a user. The use of frameworks such as cross-platform or native developments, e.g. Swift in iOS and Kotlin in Android.
• Backend Development: This will focus on data storage, user authentication, property listings, and other services such as payments or messaging. Good backend development will help with the management of big datasets, security, and scalability. 
• Third-Party Integrations: If you are integrating third-party APIs, say MLS listing integrations, payment gateways, or cloud storage, the prices add up.

3. Testing and Quality Assurance:

• Cost: $5,000 to 10,000
• Testing Functionality:  This application works as intended there is no fault with this feature, which consists of searching properties, filtering them, and registering new users.
• Usability Testing: A check of how easy or intuitive the app is to users, with identification of all possible UX/UI issues to be corrected before the product hits the market.
• Load Testing: All such applications that have the potential for hitting millions of users like the Zillow real estate app require load testing to ascertain if it indeed can support a large number of users at a given time.

4. Launch and Deployment:

• Cost: $2,000 – $12,000
• App Store/Google Play Submission: It comes with a charge for listing on the iOS and Android apps. For the App Store by Apple, it is an annual fee of $99/yr; Google Play would only need a one-time registration fee of $25. 
• Server Configuration: Configurations of the servers hosting the cloud are the main setup requirements of the application deployment. It involves configurations of servers to store data properly, with the proper scalability and security of the server.
• Beta Testing and Soft Launch: A beta testing phase will be performed to identify any functionality or performance glitches before the launch. It thus helps in performing a soft launch to get the beta tests while ensuring the app is ready to be released.

5. Maintenance: 

• Cost: $5,000 to $20,000 per year
• Bug fixes and updates: The real estate application after its deployment into the market has several updates that should be implemented during a smooth running time. 
• Add New Features: These could be things like voice search, AR tours of the property, or AI/ML-based property recommendation, so this will improve the value and user satisfaction of the app, but an added cost in maintenance over time.
• Hosting and Server Costs: With users constantly coming to your app, you will be required to increase server and cloud hosting needs. Annual costs for maintaining this infrastructure will rise.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Real Estate App Development

Many factors may greatly influence the development cost of a real estate app, and knowing those factors can be very useful in making a better estimation of your budget. Some major elements affecting the overall build cost of a real estate app are:

• Platform: The platform on which you will develop your application influences the overall cost. There is an additional price for targeting both environments of iOS and Android.
• Application Complexity: Complexity is indeed a major determinant of the overall cost of a project while app development is concerned. Simpler apps like property listings, search filters, and a basic integration of a map are less expensive. 
• Location of Development Team: The location where the development team is going to sit greatly influences how much the app will actually cost because the labor prices differ region by region. Developers that reside in costlier places.
• Design (UI/UX): The design phase for a real estate app can contribute greatly to the overall development cost. If you choose a simple template-based design, it is going to be on the cheaper side. 
• Features and Integrations: The amount and the type of features integrated into your real estate app development services would go a long way to influence the cost of developing it. 
• Maintenance and Upgrades: One of the recurring costs has to be planned after launching the application. Bug fixes, improvement in the app’s performance, and OS compatibility have to be followed.

Revenue Generation Strategies For Real Estate App Development to Thrive

To build a real estate app that offers a great user experience does not meet the sustainability test if the sources of revenue are not sustainable. Here presented multiple revenue-generating strategies that benefit not only consumers but also real estate professionals given below: 

• Services for Agents: Firms in real estate also have the chance to buy different types of ads: cost-per-lead, cost-per-click, and cost-per-lease, among others, which are aired across Zillow’s broad network.
• Advertising Revenue Model: Zillow generates revenue by selling advertising space to third-party business entities like lenders and mortgage professionals on a cost-per-lead basis. 
• Mortgage Service Subscription Model: The service providers of mortgages can provide the users with quotes customized and the lead management tool with their subscription plans. 
• Subscription Plans for Real Estate Professionals: The Zillow Premier Agent plan provides more effective branding, increased listing visibility, and a CRM for agents. 
• Zillow Mortgage Marketplace: Lenders can use the massive user base for marketing their mortgage services on Zillow, getting leads generated through Zillow’s mortgage calculators.

5 Best Tips for Appropriate Budgeting 

It is important to build a real estate app to have proper development planning strategically, ensuring financial efficiency and sustainability in the long run. Here are some tips on effective budget management:

1. Feature Prioritization:

Begin by determining the core features you will need in your app to make it functional and deliver a good user experience and build these first. Moreover, to Pitch an App Idea you can add some more advanced features later in subsequent updates once your app starts gaining users.

2. Scalable Solution:

Consider scalability to ensure that your app can scale up to larger sizes without raising prices concerning human or monetary resources. While choosing the technologies and designing your app, make sure scalability is always at the forefront of consideration. 

3. Maintenance Plan:

Developing an app doesn’t end with its delivery. There should be a budget for maintaining it periodically in terms of updates, bug fixes, server costs, and security enhancements. With maintenance, the app will continue running, remaining competitive, and free of bugs.

4. Extensive Market Research:

Understand the needs of the market and carry out your research, studying the demographics and psychology of your target market and identifying the leading players as well as their strategies to reach your potential users. 

5. Marketing and User Acquisition Costs:

After the development of the app, marketing and user acquisition would be needed to promote the real estate app. You can consider paid advertisements, social media campaigns, partnerships with influencers, and marketing channels. 

How to Choose the Best Technology Stack For Real Estate Application?

Proper selection of technology stack for building an application focused on real estate will offer scalability and performance, and in turn, be the ultimate user experience. Some of the technologies you can use to  build a real estate app that delivers high performance are:

➡️ Frontend Technologies

• React Native: Best suited for cross-platform Mobile App Development Company in Dubai. It will help you code once and then run the applications on iOS and Android operating systems. This reduces both development time and costs.
• Swift: Preferred language for programming apps in iOS. Performance is exceptional, easy maintenance, and seamless integration of services provided by Apple Ecosystem.
• Kotlin: This is the modern, preferred choice for Android development. It has concise and readable code, fewer errors, and is completely compatible with Java, so it makes it perfect for building effective, feature-rich Android applications.

➡️ Backend Technologies

• Node.js: Node.js is very popular in the backend world. It is a JavaScript runtime environment on the server side that allows the development of fast and scalable applications. 
• Ruby on Rails: Ruby on Rails is a powerful framework that is simple and fast. It is used for rapid development and is very effective in handling complex databases and backend functionality in real estate apps. 
• Django: It has been extremely popular for really good security features like guarding against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and even cross-site request forgery.

➡️ Database

• MongoDB: For those real estate applications that would like to be flexible in storing data and dealing with lots of data, such as listings, photos, and profiles, MongoDB can be considered because it is capable of providing the necessary scalability and speed for dealing with unstructured data.
• MySQL: If you need relational data with complex queries, like user interaction or transaction history and sales of properties, then MySQL would be a reliable, well-supported choice. 
• PostgreSQL: PostgreSQL has support for complex queries, JSON data types, and geographic data types. That makes it a very good option to manage real estate data with geospatial features.

➡️ Cloud Infrastructure

• AWS: One of the leading cloud platforms is Amazon Web Services. Among many, it provides extensive sets of tools for computing, storage, and also analyzing data.
• Google Cloud: One of the most powerful infrastructures along with machine learning capabilities, it provides reliable, scalable cloud services that can be helpful for data processing, image storage, and more.
• Microsoft Azure: Azure delivers an offer hybrid cloud solution that will allow the organization to have a balance between on-premise and environment which is good for storing sensitive information.

Future Industry Trends in the Real Estate 

Technology will continue to change the real estate industry, and there will be various significant trends that will shape the property buying, selling, and management aspects of the industry. Some of the future trends associated with the real estate industry are given below: 

1. AI and Machine Learning:

AI and machine learning are becoming major tools to enhance estimations regarding house valuations, providing more accurate pricing models based on market trends and historical data. 

2. Virtual and Augmented Reality:

Virtual and Augmented Reality is changing home staging. Virtual tours showcase the interior of a particular house virtually, for instance, a person is viewing those houses in an immersive fashion, 360° but not physically.

3. Blockchain:

Blockchain-based technology is slowly creeping into the real estate industry. It’s most prominently being integrated into property dealings and smart contracts. 

4. Big Data and Predictive Analytics:

Big data and predictive analytics enable a real estate firm to analyze big data for instance, trends in a market, economic indexes, and user behavior to predict potential swings in any market.

5. Sustainability and Green Buildings:

There would be growing demands for environment-friendly home designs and the practice of green buildings on account of greater environmental concerns.

6. Smart house:

The smart house is a trend in real estate, which is based on the IoT. By IoT, you can remotely control all that ranges from lights, temperature, and security systems to home appliances, etc.

Why opt for a Real Estate App Development Company?

An association with a specialized App Development Company in Florida like GMTA Software within the same industry, therefore, brings a specialist’s deep understanding to your real estate app, as such companies have build a real estate app for homebuyers, agents, and real property investors. Their experience will ensure your app meets the market standard and holds all the important features required by the target audience. Whether it is the advanced searching facility for properties, value of properties, or providing customized features, a specialized development team ensures that the app remains relevant and user-centric. With a keen understanding of the Real estate mobile app development market, they can help create a platform for users’ needs and allow you to stand out amidst the competition.

In addition to industry knowledge, a Real Estate App Development Company also brings in technical expertise wherein the state-of-the-art technologies of AI, AR, and VR can be applied to create a seamless and innovative experience for the users. Such companies deal with scalable, secure, and future-proof apps capable of evolving as per the changing demands of the market. Along with that, they may assist you in tailoring the app according to your business needs – be it unique tools or simple search functionalities. They also support and update your application long after the launch, continuing to make it stay ahead in the race. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be well said, to build a real estate app that competes with Zillow is a challenge in itself as it requires a lot of planning and design and a great amount of effort put into its development. When designing an app for real estate agents, homebuyers, or property managers, it is very important to understand the main features, real estate application development costs, and real estate app development trends so you can stand tall in a competitive market.

Choose the Best Real Estate App Development Guide and add the latest technology to it, so a mobile app can meet user expectations and bring growth. Contact an app development company today to turn your idea into a reality if you are ready to take your concept.

Also, check out our Real Estate App Development Company and discover how we can help you build your dream application when targeting local houses for sale or venturing into the international realm!

FAQs

1. Can my app be designed to be used by buyers and agents?

Yes, you may design an app for a buyer and an agent wherein the feature includes property searching and lead management.

2. Do I have to patent my real estate app idea?

If you have some novel features or technology in your app, you may look forward to Patent an App Idea, as it may help protect the intellectual property that you intend to commercialize.

3. Do I Need to Build a Website Along With My Real Estate App?

It definitely would be great to add a website for real estate agents or home buyers’ website. That would expand visibility, enhance SEO, and enable users to browse the listings on mobile and from a desktop device. So, ensure that the website is responsive and synchronized with the mobile app’s data.

4. What are must-have features for an application like this?

Some would have included property listings, advanced filter searches, mortgage calculators, and users’ profiles.

5. How can my real estate application stand out?

Provide all features no one else does, such as AI property estimation, virtual tours within the application, and direct messaging between the buyer and the agent within the application.