First Real Estate Apps for iPhone Start to Leak Out
Over the last few months we’ve seen some small splashes in mobile real estate search (see Trulia Launches iPhone Version or Terabitz Creates MLS iPhone Site).
I think the rock is going to drop very soon.
We’re only 4 days from the (much anticipated) launch of the new iPhone – but more importantly of the iPhone Apps storefront.
What does that mean for real estate?
When Apple first announced it was opening up the iPhone platform to native applications, I speculated we’d start to see new software that would run on the mobile platform (see Apple Releases SDK Kit for iPhone) and now we’re starting to see the first few trickle out. Over the coming weeks/months I expect this trickle may turn into a flood.
Here’s an app by CodeMorphic. It’s conceptual (i.e. pulls no real data) but the demo very slick – a brokerage wanting to make the leap into mobile or local MLS looking to offer new tools to consumers could easily rebrand this software.
Real estate search is inherently a mobile activity and the iPhone (which is more pocket computer than cell phone) coupled with advanced software like CodeMorphic’s AppFindr, is the perfect launching pad to start, conduct, modify a house hunt.
4 more days and we’ll start seeing more of this. Can’t wait.
ivailo | Jun 5, 2008 | Reply
This is a great application. Great use of the iPhone platform.
retrove | Jun 5, 2008 | Reply
Hello Joel,
I agree that by nature the real estate search process is a mobile activity but I'm not sure what the traction is from users. Iphone users are early adopters by nature, so it may happen quicker with this platform. I suspect users would search at home and map but then use mobile search only when they run across a listing that looks interesting to them while they are out in the streets.
I wonder what the big R's success has been with it's mobile search product – http://labs.realtor.com/mobile/mobile.html and when they may convert the existing product to work with the iphone?
Brad Carroll - Dakno Marketing | Jun 5, 2008 | Reply
Very nice app. Having access to the iphone's current location opens up so many doors! I tend to agree with retrove. I think the killer app would be search on a computer and then have a “send to your phone” feature. The phone app would have directions, option to rank homes, document small notes, etc.
Richard | Jun 5, 2008 | Reply
I still say most houses are purchased through the people that drive by and “see the sign”. This application will make it pretty hard to drive while looking for real estate.
iRealtyBlogs | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Although this is not a typical iPhone app, it is an iPhone friendly site. As I am frequently on the road, I need mobile access to all my favorite RE blogs, including FOREM. Check it out here: http://www.irealtyblogs.com/iphone/preview/
When you are on your iPhone, check it out at http://www.irealtyblogs.com. The page will display on any mobile device, but the iPhone is why I made it. It contains all the web's great RE blogs including Inman, Zillow, Trulia, Geek Estate, Mike's Corner, and many more.
RHF International | Apr 20, 2009 | Reply
I like the possibilities and would like to find a developer to help us do something for our South of France Properties.
Does anyone know of a good developer who doesn’t charge the earth who could do some iphone app that interogates our dB?