Location, bathroom count, noisy neighbors – the things one has to take into consideration when shopping for their new home is endless. And before you sign on the dotted line, whether for a lease on an apartment or for a mortgage on a house, you are going to want to do your research.
The following list of iPhone apps will not only help you locate properties of interest in the neighborhood of your dreams, it will also help you to establish your bearings in your new surroundings. So stop wasting time driving around looking for “For Sale” signs, it is time to get efficient!
If you are visiting an area you consider a contender, pop open the free Realtor.com Real Estate Search app. It will provide you with dozens of available homes, condos and apartments in the vicinity. You can view them on a map, or as a list. The best feature in this app is a filter that allows you to indicate the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and sales price that you are looking for.
Trulia Real Estate Search is another great, free option for real estate hunters. Its slick design makes it easier to navigate, and it includes some excellent features including a tab for homes with recently reduced prices. After all, who isn’t looking for a deal amid the real estate bust? I also like the open house feature.
Similarly, Zillow (free) uses GPS software to connect you with homes available for sale and rent. And, its search results can configured by date of listing, price and square footage.
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As its name implies, the free Apartments.com app is strictly for those looking to rent an apartment. A single search – which is done by zip code – produces tons of options. Frankly, it is a little overwhelming, but the handy favorites feature allows you to create a list of digs that you would actually like to visit.
Having trouble keeping on top of all your different options? The Home Tracker app for $3.99 helps you to stay organized by grouping places into a tour and allowing you to jot down notes on each. So it you really hated the 1950s tile in the pink bathroom at the second house you visited, you can record that before your memory gives out on you.
When it comes to real estate, location is everything. You are going to want to get to know the neighborhood a bit before you make a commitment. The free AroundMe app is a comprehensive list of banks, bars, coffee shops and gas stations in your immediate neighborhood. So if you can’t live without a Ralph’s grocery store, or your daily Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, you might want to consult with this app before you sign anything.
As you walk through the rooms of your potential new home, you are going to start mentally imagining how your furniture might fit in various spaces. You might knock yourself for not bringing along a tape measure to take down dimensions. But then you will recall the $3.99 RulerPhone app tucked away on your iPhone. The app allows you to take photos of a space, and then measures them for you. So if finding a bedroom that can fit your king-sized sleigh bed is non-negotiable, this is the go-to app for you.
Download the free Appolicious iPhone app
