These days, it seems like you can accomplish almost anything via your smartphone. Whether you want to make dinner reservations, shop online, get directions, or connect with friends and family, there are apps for virtually anything you need to get done while on the go. And real estate transactions are no exception.
If you're thinking about buying a home, there are apps available to streamline the process with a flick of the fingertip.
Your Home Search
When you're ready to hit the pavement and begin looking at properties that interest you, apps like Zillow can pinpoint homes for sale and provide you with details about them so that you can decide if any are of interest. If you find a house that is worth a visit, both apps include a GPS function that can help navigate you to its doorstep. Trulia also offers a mobile app loaded with content from their websites. Redfin also offers information on homes for sale, including photos and details. Many of these apps allow you to create custom searches for properties that match all of your criteria, from square footage to location.
The Home Tracker app allows you to keep track of the properties that you've already visited. Having all of this information is one place can jog your memory about the properties that you've already viewed – it's especially handy if you are conducting a large home search and scheduling multiple showings in a neighborhood or town. PictNote is an app that allows you to combine photos and notes so that you can visually spark your memory about homes you've already seen.
Interested in learning about a neighborhood? Try apps like Wikihood or Suburb Scout to find out more about an area where you might consider buying a home. If you're concerned about safety, Safe Neighborhood and Crime Stats can provide you with statistics about neighborhood crime rates.
There are far too many mortgage calculation apps available to be able to list them all. But if you shop around, you'll find several variations, from apps that estimate the loan you will qualify for to monthly mortgage payment calculators. Some apps can even calculate your home price per square foot and amortization schedule. Home Buying Power is an app that allows you to plug in your financial information and find out what you can actually afford to pay monthly.
Some lenders are beginning to create apps that are designed to let you get an idea of what type of loan you might qualify for with them. This is helpful for getting specific information about what interest rates are available with your chosen lender.
The Paper Chase
Apps are also available to assist you in scanning documents and having them handy wherever you are. DocuSign is a great app that allows you and your real estate agent to electronically sign and collect contracts and keep a current copy of a contract handy at all times.
Everything Else
There are other apps available to help you with everything from tracking open houses to defining real estate terminology to planning your move to creating a home inspection checklist. If you can think of a task you'd like to streamline with your smartphone, there's probably already an app available for it.
Many of these real estate apps are free or cost just a few dollars. Some have both free versions and "pro" versions with expanded functionality that you must pay for. There's no denying that the convenience of a mobile resource can do wonders to assist you in the sometimes daunting task of finding just the right home. With a little research, you're sure to find a combination of apps that will allow you to have everything you need on hand when you begin your search. Ask your real estate agent for suggestions – he or she has the expertise to point you in the direction of the right apps to get you into your new home.
