Just because we live on our smartphonesdoesn't mean we have to neglect our real homes. In fact, some of our favoriteapps are designed with homeowners in mind. So, whether you are looking to buy anew property, explore the rental market, or make some home improvements, we’vecompiled a list of apps to make your home life that little bit better.
RealEstate Apps
Finding a new home can be one of the moststressful things you ever do in life. Thankfully, there are a number of realestate apps that can help you take the stress out of finding the perfect place.Whether you are taking your first steps on the property ladder, looking for abigger family home, downsizing after the kids have left home, or on the huntfor a new apartment to rent to suit your current lifestyle, your smartphone isthe first place you should look.
Zillow
The ZillowReal Estate App has everything you need to find a home on the move. Userscan use the app to browse Zillow’s living database of more than 110 million UShomes, including homes for sale, homes for rent and upwards of one million+listings not currently available on multiple listing services (MLS) provided byreal estate brokers. The app enables users to search for properties using anumber of criteria including geographic location and desirable local amenitiessuch as top-rated schools, restaurants, grocery stores, parks, and coffee shops.
The Zillow app also alerts users to newlistings the moment they hit the market and grants free, exclusive access toforeclosure listings in your local area, including pre-foreclosures,foreclosure auctions, and bank-owned properties.
Zillow users can also access mortgagecalculators, real-time mortgage rates and customized loan quotes, as well asconnect with local lenders and real estate experts to help you make the move.
ApartmentList
Not quite ready to buy? The Apartment List app could help youfind your next rental property.
With an active database of more than fourmillion properties ranging from studios to luxury apartments, Apartment Listdelivers personalized matches based on a wide variety of homes, prices, andamenities, as well as other factors such as a manageable commute to and fromwork, or a home that welcomes cats and dogs. The app then enables users toeasily compare favorites, and contact apartment landlords directly.
HomeImprovements
Sometimes your dream home might already bethe place you live. If your home has potential that you want to release toincrease its value or just make it perfect for you to enjoy, your smartphone isthe perfect place to start a new project.
Thumbtack
Thumbtackwas launched in 2008 with the aim of solving the problem: Why is it still so hard to hire a plumber orany other local professional? Fast forward to today and the Thumbtack appconnects millions of users with local professionals across a diverse range ofspecialties.
Whether you are looking for a house cleaner, apainter and decorator, a plumber, a plasterer, or a gardener, Thumbtack willhave a local, qualified contractor ready to take on your project.
But Thumbtack’s service doesn’t end with homeimprovements. If you are looking for a wedding planner, a DJ, a personaltrainer, or pretty much anything else you can think about – there will be alocal professional listed on the app.
Houzz
The Houzz appgoes beyond connecting homeowners with home improvement professionals – byoffering project inspiration in the form of photos, articles, decorating tipsand DIY tutorials. The Houzz app isalso home to a thriving community where users can turn their ideas into realityby seeking expert advice from other homeowners and professionals.
Finally, the app enablesusers to shop for a wide range home and garden products- everything from picture frames to diningtables — which, we believe, makes the Houzz app a one-stop shop for all thingshome design.
Community
Of course, the communityyou live in is just as important as the house in which you reside. Thankfully,there are apps that can bring everyone in the local community together.
NextDoor
NextDoor is a private social network where neighborscan work together to build stronger, safer, happier communities.
It’s like a cross betweenFacebook and Craigslist - but where you actually know everyone and have theopportunity to engage with them in the real world on a daily basis.
So, if you want to borrowa ladder, track down a trustworthy babysitter, or ask for help looking for alost dog, the NextDoor app will find the help you need within your localcommunity.
Retail Therapy
Sometimes, the only thinga house needs to make it a home is a little retail therapy and as we love toshop from our smartphones, you can bet we have our favorite retail apps.
Lowe’s
Home improvement retailerLowe’s have a number of apps available to theircustomers.
As you would expect fromthe second largest hardware chain in the US, Lowe’s primarily offers a retailapp where you can purchase a complete range of products for your home andgarden. Then there is the Iris smart home app which enables users to controltheir home’s security systems, monitor motion detector powered cameras, turnlights on and off, and lock and unlock doors; as well as control their home'sthermostat to keep their home cozy and warm.
Lowe’s is even enteringthe world of media streaming with the Lowe’s TV app available on Apple TV,Amazon Fire TV and Roku.
IKEA
Who doesn’t love IKEA? Becausea trip to everyone’s favorite Scandinavian homeware store is, viewed by manypeople as a great day out, the IKEAapp enables users to plantheir next visit. Not only can users browse Ikea's complete product range andcreate shopping lists, but they can also check local store locations andopening times, and when in-store be guided to items specific locations.
Scannable barcodes and QRcodes located in the store, also deliver detailed product information and addproducts to your list.
In fact, the only thingmissing from the IKEA app is the recipe for their delicious meatballs.
Home Depot
Home Depot offers another app that seeks to improve yourin-app and in-store shopping experience. As well as offering the standard buynow, click and collect, and ship to store options offered by many largeretailers today, the Home Depot app also offers in-store assistance, helpingusers find specific items by GPS.
The app also featuresvoice and image search – incredibly helpful when you have dirty hands or justdon’t know what a specific item is called. Meanwhile, a barcode scanner willdeliver product reviews and help you find similar products.
And for those last minutehouse warming gifts – why not use the app to send an eGift card directly to afriend’s email inbox.
Overstock
Everyone loves a bargain,especially when an expensive house move is on the cards. The Overstock app is the place to go for great deals onhigh-quality furniture and home décor products.
As well as the standardservice you would expect from any large online retailer such as free shipping,online customer support, etc., the Overstock app has some interestingfunctionality. This includes augmented reality (AR) technology to visualize howfurniture looks in your home and taking the risk out of any online purchase.
App users also have thebenefit of app-exclusive coupons and alerts – meaning they never miss abargain.
Is Your Favorite App a Household Name?
Do you have a favoritereal estate or home improvement app? Tell us about it in the comments sectionbelow.
Or to learn more abouthow Digital Turbine can help your app become a household name, contact our appdeliverability experts today.
