How To Build A Real Estate App Like Realtor.com?

Real estate has embraced digital innovation like never before, with mobile apps becoming the go-to solution for people searching for their next home or investment property. Among these, Realtor.com has emerged as one of the most trusted platforms, offering a user-friendly interface, detailed property insights, and seamless search features.

For businesses and startups looking to tap into the booming real estate app development tech space, building an app like Realtor.com presents a golden opportunity. But it’s not just about listing properties, it’s about creating a platform that builds trust, delivers accurate data, and enhances the property search experience.

In this blog, we’ll explore what it takes to develop a real estate app similar to Realtor.com. From the essential features and tech stack to development steps, monetization strategies, and real estate app development cost breakdowns, this guide will help you shape your realtor.com like real estate app vision into a scalable digital product.

What is the Realtor.com App?

Realtor.com is a popular real estate mobile app and website that helps users find homes, apartments, and commercial properties for sale or rent across the United States. Backed by the National Association of Realtors, the app connects buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals through a trusted digital platform.

The Realtor.com app offers up-to-date property listings sourced from MLS (Multiple Listing Services), making it one of the most accurate and reliable real estate apps like zillow or trulia. With features like advanced search filters, virtual tours, map-based listings, mortgage calculators, and direct contact with agents, the app simplifies the entire property-hunting process.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or just browsing the market, Realtor.com like apps delivers a user-friendly experience that helps you make informed decisions quickly and conveniently, all from your smartphone.

Business Model of Realtor.com-like Apps

Apps like Realtor.com operate on a multi-sided platform business model, connecting buyers, sellers, agents, and advertisers in one ecosystem. Their goal is to facilitate property transactions while generating revenue through multiple monetization streams. Here’s how it works:

1. Freemium Access

Most features of real estate apps like buyers sellers and renters are free to use. Users can:

• Browse listings

• Set up saved searches and alerts

• Use calculators and explore neighborhoods

2. Lead Generation for Agents & Brokers

Real estate agents and brokers can:

• List properties

• Pay to receive leads

• Get promoted in specific geographic areas
   

3. Featured Listings & Ads

Sellers or agents can pay to:

• Feature their listings at the top of search results

• Advertise open houses or price reductions
   

4. Third-party Advertising

The app displays ads from:

• Mortgage lenders

• Insurance companies

• Moving services or home improvement brands
   

5. Premium Subscription Services

Some platforms offer premium plans for:

• Agents (with advanced tools, CRM access, analytics)

• Users (early access to listings, ad-free experience)
   

6. Affiliate Partnerships

The app may partner with mortgage providers, legal services, or home inspectors. When users take action through these partners, the app earns a commission or referral fee.

Why Invest in Realtor.com Like App Development?

The real estate industry is evolving rapidly, and digital platforms are becoming the new standard for how people buy, sell, and rent properties. Investing in a real estate app like Realtor.com isn't just a tech trend, it's a smart business move with long-term potential. Here's why:

1. Massive Market Demand

More people now search for homes or property online for buying and renting. With mobile usage dominating daily habits, users expect property listings, virtual tours, and agent contact to be just a few taps away. A feature-rich app helps meet that demand while capturing a growing user base.

2. High Revenue Potential

Real estate apps like property finder bayut open up multiple income streams from agent lead generation and premium listings to third-party ads and affiliate partnerships. The more value your platform offers, the more you can monetize through both users and industry professionals.

3. Low Competition with Local Focus

While global players like Realtor.com dominate the U.S. market, many regions still lack dedicated, user-friendly real estate apps. Building a niche or region-specific app allows you to serve an untapped market with tailored solutions.

4. Enhanced Customer Experience

An app offers more than just convenience, it builds trust and loyalty. Features like real-time notifications, personalized recommendations, and integrated chat or call support make property searching smoother and faster for users.

5. Scalability and Brand Visibility

Starting with a real estate app gives you a solid digital foundation to expand into other real estate services like mortgage comparison, home valuation, or property management tools. This builds a recognizable, scalable brand in the proptech space.

6. Data-Driven Decision Making

With user behavior analytics, you can track popular listings, user preferences, location trends, and more. These insights help refine your app and offer better services over time giving you a strong competitive edge.

Must Have Features of the Real Estate App Like Realtor.com
 

1. Property Listings

• Updated in real-time from MLS databases

• High-resolution photos, videos, and 3D virtual tours

• Key details: price, size, amenities, year built, etc.

• School district and neighborhood info
   

2. Advanced Search Filters

• Filter by location, price range, number of bedrooms/bathrooms

• Sort by newest, lowest price, open house, etc.

• Draw-on-map search for custom area targeting

• Save search preferences
   

3. Interactive Map View

• Heatmaps for pricing trends or school ratings

• Toggle to see nearby amenities like shops, schools, and public transport

• Filter listings directly on the map
   

4. User Account and Favorites

• Create an account to save favorite listings

• Track recently viewed properties

• Share listings with family or agents
   

5. Real-Time Alerts and Notifications

• Get alerts for new listings matching saved searches

• Price drops and open house notifications

• Status updates on saved homes
   

6. Mortgage and Affordability Tools

• Mortgage calculator with interest, taxes, and insurance breakdown

• Monthly payment estimates

• Loan pre-qualification options
   

7. Agent and Seller Contact Options

• In-app messaging or direct call/email to agents

• Request more info or schedule a tour

• Agent directory with reviews and ratings
   

8. Market and Neighborhood Insights

• Local market trends and historical data

• Crime rates, commute times, and lifestyle scores

• Nearby school ratings and walkability
   

9. Rental Listings

• Search for apartments and houses for rent

• Lease terms, pet policies, amenities, and contact details
   

10. User-Friendly Interface

• Smooth navigation, clean layout, fast loading

• Multilingual support in some regions

• Dark mode and accessibility options

Steps to Build an App Like Realtor.com

Building a real estate app like Realtor.com involves more than just listing properties. It requires strategic planning, intuitive design, robust tech, and ongoing user engagement. Here’s a step-by-step guide to developing a real estate app like realtor.com.

1. Define Your App's Purpose and Target Audience

Start by clearly outlining:
 

• What problem your app will solve

• Who your primary users are (buyers, renters, agents, investors)

• Your unique value proposition (local listings, agent tools, investment insights, etc.)

2. Conduct Market Research and Competitive Analysis

Study top real estate apps like Realtor.com, Zillow, and Redfin to:
 

• Identify industry trends

• Discover feature gaps you can fill

• Understand monetization models and UX best practices
  
   

3. Choose Your Feature Set (MVP vs. Full App)

Build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) with essential features:
 

• Property search & filters

• Listings with media

• User registration & saved searches

• Map integration
  
   

4. Design Intuitive UI/UX

User experience is everything in real estate apps. Focus on:
 

• Clean, clutter-free layout

• Simple navigation

• Quick load times

• Mobile-first design
  
   

5. Choose the Right Tech Stack

Your real estate app development stack depends on your target platforms and scalability needs:
 

• Frontend: React Native / Flutter (for iOS & Android)

• Backend: Node.js / Django / Laravel

• Database: PostgreSQL / MongoDB

• Cloud: AWS / Google Cloud

• APIs: Google Maps, MLS integration, chat APIs
  
   

6. Start the Development Process

Break the project into phases:
 

• Backend setup & database schema

• Frontend UI integration

• Feature implementation

• Third-party service integration (e.g., maps, analytics, payments)

7. Test the App Thoroughly

Ensure your app is bug-free and user-ready:
 

• Functional testing (search, filters, forms)

• UI/UX testing (navigation, responsiveness)

• Load testing (handle large property databases)

• Cross-device compatibility
  
   

8. Launch and Market the App

Publish your app on Android & iOS stores. Use:
 

• ASO (App Store Optimization)

• Paid ads (Google, Facebook)

• Real estate influencer partnerships

• Press releases and blog outreach

9. Maintain, Improve & Scale

Post-launch is just the beginning:
 

• Monitor performance and crash reports

• Gather user feedback for updates

• Add new features (e.g., AI suggestions, chatbot)

• Plan for scalability as your user base grows

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like Realtor.com?

The cost of developing a real estate app like Realtor.com can vary widely depending on the app's complexity, feature set, platform, and team location. Here's a breakdown to help you estimate your budget:

Why Choose IMG Global Infotech for Realtor.com-like App Development?

Choosing IMG Global Infotech for your Realtor.com-like real estate app development means partnering with a team that understands both technology and the property market. We offer end-to-end development services, from UI/UX design to deployment using the latest tech stacks like Flutter, Node.js, and AWS. Our real estate app development solutions are feature-rich, scalable, and budget-friendly, making them ideal for startups and growing businesses. With a strong track record, timely delivery, and post-launch support, we ensure your app stands out in a competitive market.

Conclusion

Building a real estate app like Realtor.com is a strategic move in today’s digital-first property market. With the right features, user-focused design, and a reliable development partner, you can create a platform that delivers real value to buyers, sellers, and agents alike. Whether you're starting with a basic MVP or aiming for a feature-rich solution, success lies in understanding user needs and leveraging technology wisely. Partnering with experienced real estate app development company like IMG Global Infotech can help turn your vision into a high-performing, scalable reality, on time and within budget.