Best Real Estate Apps
Real estate apps have been kicking around for more than a decade, and honestly, it feels like there’s a new one popping up every time a house hits the market. The options keep expanding too—it’s not just about buying, selling, or renting anymore.
Now you’ve got apps for snagging a mortgage, diving into real estate investing, or even sketching out your dream home design. With so many choices out there, we’ve rounded up nine of the top real estate apps you should check out today.
What are Real Estate Apps?
Real estate apps are like the ultimate toolbox for anyone dealing with property—whether you’re hunting for a place to rent, buying or selling a home, or just casually scrolling for fun. They’re packed with massive databases, sometimes listing millions of properties, kind of like a digital version of those old-school MLS systems but way more convenient.
These apps usually make their cash by charging fees for listings, selling ads to realtors or contractors, or taking a slice of the sale or rent. Some big names like Zillow and Redfin are backed by real estate companies, while others are just doing their own thing independently.
When it comes to types, most real estate apps are all about helping people find homes to buy or rent. They’re a go-to spot for buyers to scroll through listings and for sellers or landlords to scope out the market and post their own properties.
But it doesn’t stop there—some apps zero in on commercial properties, while others help you find agents or connect with lenders. Lately, apps focused on real estate investing and home design have been getting a lot of love too.
Best Real Estate Apps
Zillow
Zillow’s app is a big name in the real estate game, and for good reason—it’s free, easy to use, and lets you search through tons of properties with some pretty handy filters. You can even team up with a roommate or partner to share your favorite listings, which makes the whole house-hunting thing a little less stressful.
That said, it’s not perfect. The “Zestimate” feature, which tries to guess a home’s value, can be way off, especially if the listing’s missing key details. Another headache? Real estate agents can pay to pop up as contacts for properties, even if they’re not the actual listing agent, which can leave buyers scratching their heads.
On the plus side, Zillow’s super popular, lets you search for both homes and rentals, and even shows you the sale price history for entire neighborhoods. But there are downsides too—its price and rental estimates can be hit or miss, your info might get shared with lenders and realtors, and asking a simple question could flood your inbox with emails you didn’t ask for.
Redfin
If you’re deep in the house-hunting game, the Redfin app is worth a look. Since Redfin’s a real estate brokerage, you’re not just browsing—you can actually buy a home through one of their agents and get a chunk of the commission back. Even better, if you sell your place and buy a new one with them, you’ll only pay a 1% listing fee instead of the usual 3%, which can save you a ton of cash.
The app also throws in home value estimates, which tend to be more reliable than Zillow’s Zestimates, though they’re still no replacement for a full appraisal. Users generally love it, and hey, it’s free, so it’s a pretty solid pick for anyone on the hunt.
On the upside, you can save big on commissions, and the home value estimates are pretty spot-on. On the flip side, the neighborhood info isn’t super detailed, and the rental side of things is still pretty new, so don’t expect a ton of listings there.
Apartments.com
If you’re on the hunt for a rental, the Apartments.com app could be your new best friend. It’s super easy to use and lets you search for apartments, condos, houses, or townhomes with filters like wheelchair access, in-unit laundry, pet policies, or even whether the place has a dishwasher.
Browsing is free, but if you want to apply for a place directly through the app, it’ll cost you $29 plus tax. The upside? That fee covers up to 10 applications in 30 days, so you’re not shelling out cash every single time.
The app’s great for seeing a wide variety of rentals in one spot, but it’s not perfect. It’s not as popular outside big cities, so your options might be limited if you’re not in a metro area. Also, don’t expect to find reviews from current or past tenants, which can make it harder to get the full scoop on a place.
Landa
If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into real estate investing without breaking the bank, the Landa app might be your jam. You can start with as little as $5, browsing rentals to invest in and buying shares of properties. The app keeps things simple, letting you track your real estate portfolio in one spot and notifying you when your share of the rental income rolls in.
On the plus side, it’s super easy to find investment properties, and the low entry cost makes it accessible for pretty much anyone. But there are a couple of downsides—the app doesn’t offer much in the way of real estate investment education, and since it’s a newer company, its track record is still a bit thin.
Trulia
Trulia’s part of the Zillow family, so it pulls a lot of its data from there, but it spices things up with some extra features. Think drone footage, local resident quotes, school ratings, and walkability scores—stuff that gives you a better feel for the area. Its home value estimates might also be a step up from Zillow’s since it crunches more data points.
On the plus side, the app’s packed with neighborhood info, the home estimates are pretty solid, and it’s easy to spot and reach out to the actual listing agent. But it’s not the best choice if you’re selling—there’s no agent directory, and the neighborhood price history isn’t as detailed as you might want. Oh, and the app itself can feel a bit clunky to navigate at times.
LoopNet
If you’re diving into the world of commercial real estate, the LoopNet app is a solid choice. It’s way more focused than those residential apps, giving you detailed info on office spaces, retail spots, restaurants, or multifamily properties. You can filter your search by the type of commercial space you need, making it easier to zero in on the right fit.
That said, there’s one annoying hiccup—you can’t save your searches in the app. Every time you open it up, you’ll have to re-enter your filters, which can feel like a hassle if you’re checking back often.
On the bright side, it’s great for finding commercial properties to rent or buy, and the listings are packed with useful details. But don’t expect to find businesses for sale, and tools like rent forecasts or loan calculators are pretty much MIA.
Houzz
If you’re dreaming up your perfect home, the Houzz app is a must-have. It’s packed with tools to help you figure out layouts, pick color schemes, and even shop for furniture and lighting—all of which can be shipped straight to your doorstep. Plus, it hooks you up with local contractors, designers, and builders, so you can get the pros you need without jumping between apps.
One of the coolest features? It lets you see digital mock-ups of how everything will look in your space before you commit. But fair warning, the prices for goods and services can be on the steeper side, and depending on where you live, the list of contractors might feel a bit slim. Still, it’s a killer tool for bringing your home design ideas to life.
Realtor.com
If you’re hunting for a place to buy or rent, the Realtor.com app is a solid pick. It’s free, and thanks to its ties with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it pulls in the most up-to-date listings from multiple listing services. That means you’re seeing fresh options faster than on most other apps.
Landlords, this one’s for you too—Realtor.com is the only app on our list that lets you list rentals and take applications for free. Perfect if you’re looking to rent out a garage apartment, guest house, or second property.
The app also throws in some handy filters, like noise levels and commute times, which can be a game-changer when you’re trying to figure out if a place feels like home. On the plus side, it’s the quickest to update, so you’ll spot new listings or see when something’s sold right away. But it’s not perfect—the filtering options aren’t as detailed as some other apps, and there’s no easy way to check out neighborhood home values.
Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage is a big name in the home loan game, and their app makes the whole mortgage process way easier. You can handle most of it right from your phone—get pre-approved, upload docs for underwriting, and even e-sign your paperwork, all in one secure spot.
The app’s got some nice perks too, like letting you submit mortgage payments and offering calculators to figure out what you can afford and what your payments might look like. But if you’re looking for tips or advice on managing your finances, the app doesn’t have much to offer in that department. Still, it’s a solid tool for simplifying the mortgage hustle.
