Latest Blog How to Build An App Like Zillow In 2024? Step-by-Step Guide

Almost everyone, sooner or later, buys or sells a property. But nowadays, people want smarter ways to find their dream homes instead of just looking at yard signs or newspaper ads.

According to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 75% of homebuyers aged 24 to 42 are using their mobile devices to search for properties. And this demand in the online real estate sector has been seen after the development of the Zillow app in 2004.

As technology progressed, Zillow came onto the scene, making real estate transactions easier. Since then, the demand for apps that facilitate these processes continues to rise. In 2024, the quest to develop an app like Zillow will become a crucial point for many entrepreneurs and developers.

But before you go to learn what it takes to build an app like Zillow, you must overview its details thoroughly. Here we are going to discuss:

• The purpose behind creating a Zillow app
• Importance of apps like Zillow in the modern market
• Step-by-step guide to build an app like Zillow

Let’s begin without a delay!

What is The Zillow App Actually Developed For?

Zillow, a pioneer in its field, has altered the way people buy, sell, or rent properties. It offers a one-stop online platform that provides detailed property listings, neighborhood insights, and interactive tools, making the whole real estate process easier.

The app was created in 2004 with the goal of launching a modern real estate website. And this creative concept quickly gained access and is now the most-visited real estate website in the United States.

Zillow caters to the needs of modern consumers by providing advanced search features. The app includes interactive maps and personalized recommendations, guaranteeing it meets the diverse requirements of today’s buyers and sellers. This all allows users to make informed decisions about their real estate investments.

Why You Need To Create A Real Estate App Like Zillow In The Modern Market

Did you know that Zillow brings in over $1.1 billion in revenue and has nearly 200 million unique users? With a record-breaking 9.63 billion visits to its apps, websites, and services, it’s no wonder to agree that Zillow plays a significant role in the U.S. real estate market.

The impact of this successful app is substantial. For businesses aiming to increase profits, leveraging Zillow could be a smart strategy. It offers advantages like;

●       Meeting Consumer Demand

Today, consumers require convenience for their real estate needs. Businesses can create an app like Zillow and address the user’s demand to search for properties.

●       Branding

Developing your own real estate app establishes your brand identity in the market. Through consistent branding elements like color, logo, and messaging, you can create a strong brand presence that resonates with your target audience.

●       Competitive Advantage

A well-developed and feature-rich real estate app provides you with a competitive edge in the market. You can differentiate yourself in the market and capture a larger market share by offering unique functionalities, an intuitive user interface, and a better user experience.

●       Data Ownership

When you use a third-party app like Zillow, you give up control of your data. This means you’re dependent on the app provider for data security, privacy, and ownership. But if you build your own real estate app, you keep control of your data, ensuring it stays secure and protected.

●       Revenue Generation

Building your own app like Zillow can be a revenue-generating act. You can make money in multiple ways, like offering premium features, advertising opportunities, partnerships, and lead generation services. If you effectively monetize your app, you can generate revenue and increase profitability over time.

Now, as you understand that building an app like Zillow can be a smart move for businesses, it’s time to follow the guide to create an app like Zillow.

The Step-by-Step Guide To Build An App Like Zillow

Creating a real estate app like Zillow demands careful planning and expertise in development. Here are some steps to consider when developing a real estate app:

1.      Market Analysis

As an entrepreneur, the first step is to identify your competition in the market and understand what sets them apart from others.

• Learn from your competitors
• Analyze the market trends involved in this app
• Know the opportunities you can capitalize on

2.      Select Development Model

Your application must have a solid version in the market, which lets you stay ahead of your rivals as a business. There are several mobile app development models that are commonly used in the industry. Here are the top ones:

Native App Development

Builds separate apps for each platform (iOS, Android) using platform-specific languages. It offers the best performance but requires separate development efforts.

Hybrid App Development

Utilizes a single codebase to deploy across multiple platforms (iOS, Android) using web technologies. It offers faster development but may have performance limitations.

Web App Development

Develops a website accessible via web browsers on any device. It offers cross-platform compatibility but may have limitations in accessing device features.

3.      The Tech Stack To Be Used

When creating a successful real estate app like Zillow, selecting the right tech stack is crucial. This decision should be based on factors such as the application’s requirements, the capabilities of the development team, scalability, performance needs, and time-to-market considerations.

Here are some recommended technologies that can serve as a starting point for your real estate app:

Frontend Development

• React Native

It is a popular framework for those who choose to develop an app for both iOS and Android platforms. It allows you to write code once in JavaScript and React while easily developing the cross-platform app.

• Flutter

Alternatively, Flutter is a popular framework for building cross-platform native apps. Developed by Google, it uses a single codebase written in Dart language to create apps that run flawlessly on both iOS and Android devices.

Backend Development

• js

Node.js is a popular backend technology known for its ability to handle large-scale app users at once.  It’s well-suited for managing real-time data and building APIs to communicate between the front end and the database.

• Django

If you want to create a secure and scalable web application, Django is a really powerful Python web framework. It comes with built-in features such as authentication, object-relational mapping (ORM), and an admin panel, making it an ideal choice for backend development in a real estate app.

Hence, there are numerous tech stacks available for app development, such as MongoDB or Firebase, but the ones mentioned serve as preferred starting points. They have proven effectiveness in building successful real estate applications.

4.      The Features You Want To Include

Understanding the features your app or website will offer users is crucial. This step must be completed before you begin the app development process.

Some key features that can be included in an app like Zillow are here:

• Authorization
• Property Listings
• Map Integration
• Property Details
• Saved Searches
• Mortgage Calculators
• Real-Time Notifications
• User Profiles
• Messaging

5.      Development & Design

You can now begin the development process of your app by designing wireframes and mockups. These mockups allow you to visualize how the app will look and function. Once these are approved, move forward with both front-end and back-end development.

While developing an app, you need to especially consider the key aspects like;

• User-friendly interface
• Easy navigation
• Responsive design
• Better integration of features
• Visual appeal

If you carefully work on these aspects, you can certainly develop an app like Zillow that leaves its mark on millions of users.

6.      Testing Of Application

It’s time to test your app thoroughly. This is where you ensure everything is working properly in the app, paying close attention to usability, performance, and security. To achieve this, you have to gather feedback during beta testing and make improvements to the design and functionality based on user insights.

And this process of iteration is ongoing. You have to continuously improve the application based on user feedback, bug reports, and emerging industry trends.

7.      Launch Your Application

You have finally reached halfway to achieving your dream of building a real estate app. As you are all ready to launch your app like Zillow in the market. After the launch, the focus shifts to increasing app downloads and attracting more users.

So, to ensure maximum downloads on the App Store and Google Play, focus on implementing effective app marketing strategies that will drive growth in 2024.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, the real estate app offers a great chance to take advantage of the digital changes in the industry. By knowing the market, creating a strong app with useful features, offering great user experiences, and building strong connections, you can set your app up for success in the real estate industry.