How to Build a Real Estate App Like Zillow: Features, Cost & Strategy

Do you want to try a real estate site like Zillow? If so, then here in this guide, we have thoroughly researched the features of Zillow alternatives.

Searching for a property can be quite a hassle with traditional methods. Paying a high commission to the real estate agent and arranging a property visit can be troublesome. People are looking for a convenient and modern way to buy, sell, and rent properties. Housing apps like Zillow are making it easier to create property listings and search for properties. These real estate apps come with interactive maps, real-time insights, and virtual tours for a memorable user experience. AI apps can collect and analyze vast data to provide personalized suggestions to users. These apps are an all-time companion to maximize a property’s potential and get higher returns. The global real estate market will reach an annual growth rate of 2.69% till 2029.

Building a Zillow clone app can help you expand the reach to real estate enthusiasts. An app development company creates a customizable housing app to make big profits. Let’s find out about the Benefits of Real Estate Apps like Zillow and the steps to develop these apps. Learn about the key features and cost of building these apps. 

What Makes Real Estate Apps like Zillow Successful?  

Housing Apps like Zillow are one of the most popular real estate platforms. Zillow is not just a marketplace, but it is a virtual social network whose audience comprises everyone involved in the real estate market. Real Estate Apps like Zillow follow this working model:   

Get Your Online Real Estate Marketplace Like Trulia

1. It puts your property on the market.
2. With these housing apps, one can find the house of interest on the map and study whether it is the building, location, number of rooms, Cost, rental rate, and other essential details.
3. Real Estate Apps allow users to rent a house in the desired area or conversely, act as a tenant. 
4. With a Rental App like Zillow, you can learn all about home loans and can use online calculations in order to determine the cost of the mortgage, refinance, amortization, etc.  
5. When choosing Housing Apps like Zillow, you can select the real estate professional you need. Either it is an agent, home inspectors, builders, and so on. You need to choose real estate if you are a specialist in asking questions and promoting your services.
6. You can use the Zillow advertising platform if you are a broker agent, lender, etc.

Real Estate Apps like Zillow-More than the Advertising Platform

Since its conception, the Housing Apps like Zillow have been purely a media business. It means that the Zillow app concentrates only on providing a platform for agents and providers to advertise their services. You should also avoid getting involved in any in-house related transactions. Not anymore, as Rental Apps like Zillow have also got into the rent and even house-buying business. 

The primary revenue streams of the Zillow app are:

1. Rentals
2. Primer Agent.
3. Mortgages.
4. Zillow offers lots more.

What are the Benefits of Real Estate Apps like Zillow?

The top story of Real Estate Apps like Zillow mainly works with consumers, groups, sellers, buyers, and agents. So, let's talk about how each of these groups benefits from Zillow real estate websites. Have a look!

Sellers

Let's start with the sellers, and here are some benefits that you can obtain. 

Loyal Target Audience: Being a seller, you get an excellent opportunity to study your clients and give them personalized offers.

Customer Search

You, as a seller, get a fantastic opportunity to study your client and then make personalized offers for them.

Easy Research process

You no longer need to puzzle over finding buyers as Real Estate Apps like Zillow solve your problem very quickly.

Effective Advertising

As you already know that Real Estate Apps like Zillow are, among other things, a convenient advertising platform. Also, a seller is allowed to promote their property.

Better Targeting

The best feature of rental apps is that one can adjust the targeting system. Thus, you can choose the right person at the right time and provide them with an offer that they won't be able to refuse.

Convenient Seller and Buyer Interaction

All credit goes to rental apps like Zillow, as both the buyer and seller can easily find all the essential information they need. Also, they can get expert help regarding any issue or can go to the right agency.

What To Do if Buyers Get the Best Real Estate Apps Like Zillow?

Convenient Search Systems

Zillow was one of the first resources that opened the listing to everyone. So, before its existence, such information was privileged. Thus, both realtors and agencies knew everything that they wanted to buy or sell real estate.

Geological Capabilities

The best use of geolocation data allows potential buyers to find the best real estate options based on their specific case.

Ease of Use

You can use the site along with the best features whenever you want it.

Reliability

The system of reviews and ratings that users give to the agents and sellers of real estate will help you rent or buy housing from reliable people.

Efficient Seller-Buyer Interaction

We described this advantage earlier, and the buyers would find it relevant.

Discover The Benefits Focused on Real Estate Agents

Simplifies Work

Top real estate websites provide access to listings of objects and serve as a connection point between all the parties involved.

Improves Targeting

You need to remember that you need to be very careful when targeting customers. The real estate agents will also appreciate the possibility of accurately targeting potential customers.

Advanced Analytics

The user behavior analytics tools help agents work more efficiently and draw the correct conclusions.

Marketing Tools

Effectively help in promoting your services. Rental Apps like Zillow are an excellent tool that agents use to maximize the effectiveness of their work. 

So, there are two more benefits of Rental Apps like Zillow that are useful to all users.

1. Rental Apps like Zillow seek to involve experts in the transaction process if the buyer and seller don't mind. Hence, the site does not exclude any of the parties.
2. A real estate site should protect its users from fraud. So, it would help if you were very careful, and the verified sellers should be allowed to put objects on the market.

Key Steps in the Real Estate Website Development Process 

Now, let's talk about the essential thing of how to get your online real estate marketplace like Trulia and Zillow, and what you should consider first. Here we would like to share some of the few steps to achieve the desired results and join the ranks of market leaders. You need to pay the closest attention to every single stage to build rental apps like Zillow. Take a look at these steps:

Step 1: Market Research 

The primary step for developing a real estate software is doing market research. And this should begin with a study of the target audience. You need to understand the user's problems and do your best to solve them.

• In the case of Rental Apps like Zillow for real estate, one should consider the following needs of your future users.
• Usually, buyers want to find a property that meets their requirements and is in the correct location.
• You need to see the location of the house on the map.
• See the location of the house.
• Examine information on the object.
• Make a virtual 3D tour of the property.
• Compare prices.

The Seller Wants To:

• Evaluate the real estate object either for sale or lease.
• Finding out real estate market trends.
• Advertising the object.
• Calculating all taxes

Besides, The Agents Want:

• To get a chance to advertise real estate.
• Seek clients and offer them expert assistance.
• Make use of advanced analytical and marketing tools.

Once you have analyzed the target audience, you need to study the market requirements and learn the achievements of your competitors. And then, ideally, create a high-level product.

Step 2: Adding Features & Creating App Design

This stage involves selecting the basic and advanced features to incorporate into the app. The real estate app can have search and filter, property listing, virtual tour, and notifications options. The list of features helps to improve the app's performance and engage the users. The next step is creating the interface design of the app for easier and hassle-free navigation by the users.

Step 3: Tech Stack for Development

You can choose from a wide range of technologies to ensure a functional and high-performing app. Basic technologies include Java, Kotlin, and Swift. AI and Augmented Reality are used for creating a next-gen app. The selection of tech stack plays an important role in improving the user experience.

Step 4: Testing of the App

The app development experts test the functionality, performance, and security of the app. The agile methodologies help in making small and gradual improvements throughout the phases of app development. The user feedback is collected to understand the areas for improvement. The developers fix the issues and make improvements in the Zillow clone app before launch.

Step 5: Launch and Marketing of App

This stage involves launching the app across iOS and Android platforms. The app is made available to download on the app stores for global users. The app is promoted through social media campaigns and partnerships with brands. It helps in improving the brand awareness among the users.

Step 6: After-Launch Support

The app development team provides round-the-clock support after launch. They resolve the concerns and make updates to the app. New features are added to the app as per changing user requirements. This ensures a better experience for the buyers and sellers using the app. 

Business Model: How Does the Zillow Clone App Make Money? 

Your goal should be to recoup the costs of real estate websites and all development expenses when tasks are completed. In this way, you will receive a source of constant profit. Thus, you need to think carefully about your business model. It would be logical to figure out which model of project monetization the company uses. The premier services only focus on real estate agents. It is a paid service that brings the most significant revenue stream to the company. A Zillow clone app provides a broader audience reach and excellent visibility. Thus, as a result, the agent is more likely to receive a total sale of commission. 

Selling Promotions to Real Estate Management Companies

Housing Apps like Zillow make money by providing property management with promotion platforms to advertise their listings. The platform called Zillow rental Network includes various benefits that provide benefits to the users.

Sale of Advertising Mortgage Lenders and Other Companies

Housing Apps like Zillow sell advertising space to mortgage and other companies. Zillow sells advertising space to mortgage lenders and some other businesses that enhance customer engagement. These businesses include interior designers, home organizations, retailers, and general contractors. Rental Apps like Zillow are based on Cost per click and cost per thousand impressions.   

Geolocation

Rental Apps like Zillow contain the best features, and you can find out the price of real estate on the street you are walking on.

Things That Geolocation Gives to Real Estate Listings and Are:

1. Either buying or renting a real estate property in a specific location.
2. Finding out the price of real estate in the area of your interest.
3. Getting the directions to a specified price.
4. Finding more customers by using Geolocation.
5. Searching for free agents to view real estate in your location.
6. Obtaining information on the area and checking the locality is crime-free.

Also, we have defined only the parts of the geolocation ideas for real estate web development. There are various opportunities where you can use such features.

Commercial Real-Estate Website Design

The commercial design aims to sell your services effectively, and it doesn't matter what you like and what seems attractive to you. Your resources must be in the top real estate website design examples.

Real-Estate Website Developers Search

It is the final stage of the preparation process and requires high-skilled professionals. Experts who can create a website will surely meet all your requirements, both functional and visual. Thus, you need to pay close attention to the real estate website and design companies that employ diverse specialists like web and mobile programmers, Q/A specialists, and so on. You also need to make sure that you have the appropriate experience. Remember that it is only about creating the best real estate website design, but more importantly, you need to learn about developing a practical, scalable resource. Rental Apps like Zillow play a more significant role than it seems. So, it would help if you considered the possibility of the future expansion of site functionality.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Commercial Real Estate App like Zillow?

It is crucial to understand the costs before developing a commercial real estate app like Zillow. The app development team has the skills and expertise to create a profitable app. But you might want to break the bank to create an app like Zillow. Let’s find out the factors that affect the development costs:

App Features

The features of a real estate app can affect the costs. Advanced features, like interactive maps and virtual property tours, can increase the costs. But you can also choose to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with essential features. This basic version of the app has features like search and filter, and a property listing feature. This helps in a faster app launch and reduces the development costs.

Estimated Cost Based on App Features

• Basic Features:$10,000- $15,000
• Moderately Complex Features: $15,000 -$20,000
• Advanced Features: $20,000- $25,000

The App’s Interface Design

The user interface of the app helps in simpler navigation for users. Creating a simpler UI/UX design requires less time and costs. But creating a customizable interface requires higher costs.

Estimated Cost Based on App Design

• Basic Design: $10,000- $20,000
• Customizable UI/UX design: $20,000- $25,000

Choice of Technologies

An app like Zillow requires the use of innovative technologies for development. Programming languages and frameworks are required for creating an app at a low cost. You need to spend more to integrate Augmented Reality and AI in Real Estate Apps. Artificial Intelligence and Augmented or Virtual Reality.

Estimated Cost Based on Technologies

• Basic Technologies like Java and Kotlin: $10,000- $20,000
• Advanced Technologies like AI and AR/VR: $20,000- $25,000

Type of Platform

You might want to launch your app on a single or multiple platforms. The cost can depend on the type of platform that you choose to reach out to the users. Your real estate app should be pocket-friendly and should function well across all platforms.

Estimated Cost Based on Type of Platform

• iOS or Android: $10,000- $20,000
• Both iOS and Android Platforms: $20,000 - $25,000

Keep in mind all these aspects to save on the costs and build a successful zillow clone app. Careful planning will help you reduce spending and get higher returns on your investment.

Partner with Suffescom to Develop Real Estate Apps Like Zillow 

In Housing Apps like Zillow, the users can start searching as soon as the app gets launched. Thus, the principle of real estate gets displayed on the map along with the price. As we can see, real estate demands only clear goals, good planning, and a well-thought-branding strategy so that you run through a preparation stage. Even though this stage might take some time and real estate is a promising niche, all development hassles will pay off if you think everything in advance and turn into a reliable real estate app development company. Hopefully, it would help if you were impressed now as the above-defined list of Rental Apps like Zillow makes you think it is good to invest in Zillow apps. Also, the project took time to achieve great results, and it would be exciting and helpful to know the details of such incredible information. So, if you have decided to launch your real estate startups or are looking to make an app for your clients, you can contact Suffescom Solutions the top mobile app development company in California. Our professional team will be glad to help you and help in building your ideas.

FAQs: 

1. How to Start a Business like Zillow?

You should be clear about the features that you want in a commercial real estate app like Zillow. Partner with a reliable app development company that offers customizable real estate app solutions that suit your budget.

2. How Much Does it Cost to Build an App like Zillow?

The cost to build a Zillow clone app depends on the complexity of features, user interface, and type of platform.

3. How Do Real Estate Apps like Bayut Make Money?

You can develop a real estate app like Bayut to make money through in-app purchases, advertisements, and sponsored listings.

4. What are the Benefits of an MVP for a Commercial Real Estate App like Zillow?

Creating a Minimum Viable Product for a commercial real estate app like Zillow can be a good idea. This involves incorporating essential features in the app, which lowers the development costs. It also helps in faster market entry and easier upgrading of the app features. 

• Make An App Like Zillow