A real estate agent is your trusted guide to the industry. Regardless, 44% of homebuyers looked for properties online before speaking to a realtor, and that number continues to grow. With many apps now featuring Google Maps, you can see the exact geographic location of all listings via satellite or street view.
With new technology emerging daily, it’s hard to decide which apps to trust. These apps make navigating New York real estate less frustrating and more efficient.
StreetEasy
StreetEasy is perfect for apartment-hunting on the go. You can search for sales and rentals in whatever neighborhood you choose. You can find the perfect apartment in your price range by filtering the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, specific amenities, size, brokers fees and other options. In addition to NYC, the app can also search New Jersey and the Hamptons.
If you find an apartment you like, you can save it, contact the agent directly or share it via text, email or Twitter.
New York Times Real Estate App
The NY Times recently stopped charging brokerages to publish listings and partnered with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). The New York Times Real Estate app is easy to navigate and offers all the filters of other apps, plus you can set more specific criteria, like apartment type, building amenities, nearby transit and lifestyle (proximity to beaches, bike paths, etc.). Some listings have videos and floor plans available, as well, and you can track price changes over time.
Realtor.com App
Like the New York Times, the Realtor.com app receives their listings from REBNY. Similar to other apps mentioned, you can filter your searches by price, size and property type. You can also specify the number of days listed, open houses, square footage and property age. Realtor.com claims to update their listings every 15 minutes. Users can receive alerts through the app about new listings, price reductions and open houses. Realtor.com’s app features “Sign Snap and Street Peek,” where you can take a photo of a For Sale sign and get property details.
It’s fun to look at beautiful properties in the best neighborhoods, but what can you actually afford? For apartment hunters who are serious about financing their purchase, Zillow Mortgages, the free mortgage app from Zillow, is a must. You can calculate exactly how much you’ll pay each month over the life of a loan by typing your income, purchase price and down payment. With more lenders available on Zillow Mortgages than any similar app, it’s your best option.
No one site will have all rental and sale options listed, so you should explore on a variety of platforms to ensure you’ve seen all your options. Apartment hunting should be fun, not stressful. You just need the right tools.