14 Tools For Creating Your Own Real Estate iPhone & Android App

With the explosion of smartphones, more and more real estate businesses are moving beyond websites and social media and creating smartphone apps.

But creating a native iPhone or Android app can seem like a complicated task. You will need to find a reputable developer, create a mockup, supplying data and social media links, test the app, get the app approved by Apple, publish, track, and update it. And don’t forget about the cost, a custom smartphone app can costs thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, there are numerous tools available that make creating an app easy and affordable.

Below are 14 tools for creating iPhone and Android apps. Most have a web based interface that makes it easy for both creating and updating your app with new content.

14 Tools For Creating Your Own Real Estate iPhone & Android App

Smarter Agent gives real estate agents their own branded MLS search app. Their mobile real estate application allows consumers to view all MLS listings anytime, anywhere from the convenience of any standard cell phone or smartphone.

Platforms: iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Palm.

Features:

• A mobile phone application, fully branded with your name and logo
• An application downloader to put on your website
• A custom text code to give to your clients to get your application on their phone
• Access to all listings in your MLS(s), not just your own
• Call routing, so all “Calls To See” come directly to you, regardless of who has the listing!

Cost: One year paid in full costs $5393.95 or you can pay monthly for $49.95 with a two month minimum. There is also a Broker price option. The costs depends on the number of agents.

Smarter Agent recently announced that is will build a free branded mobile app for any MLS. The app is branded with the MLS’s name and logo, is free for consumers to download and search all listings, and offers a one-touch call and one-touch email feature to connect the consumer with the listing agent. Real the announcement for more information.

Checkout Smarter Agent for more information.

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IDXBroker creates brandable myAgent IDX iPhone and iPad apps for real estate agents, offices, and teams.

Platforms: iPhone and iPad.

Some of the features include:

• Easy to add MLS Search – Simply add IDX links to your website(s).
• WordPress plugin.
• iPad MLS search App – included with each account. Branded with your information!
• Simplified Map Search – Fast map search pages that aren’t cluttered.
• Powerful lead capture – With dozens of teaser options.

See the full list of features on their website, IDXBrokers.

Cost: One time setup fee of $99. Agents pays a monthly fee of $39.99/ month, office plans start at $78.99/ month, and team plans start at $10 / month. See all of the prices options here.

Checkout IDXBroker for more information.

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AgentnTouch allows you to create a personalized Mobile Real Estate App that runs on your client’s smartphone.

Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry.

Features:

• Map your office location
• Connect to your web site and IDX listings
• Map your listings or open houses
• Include links to neighborhood sites your clients might be interested in
• YouTube video support
• RSS blog feed integration

AgentnTouch provides real estate related content for buyers and sellers. They also provide mortgage rates, calculators, and real estate terms.

Cost: There is a $200 one-time setup fee plus a $99 per year subscription fee.

AgentnTouch does have native iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps and it is tailored to each real estate agent. However, there is not a separate app for each real estate agent. The user downloads the one AgentnTouch app and installs it on their device. When the app is opened for the first time, it asks for the Agent Id and the user inputs the real estate agent’s cell phone.

Check out AgentnTouch for more information.

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AppBreeder is an online App Builder. You can create an app easily without needing to know how to program.  They have several templates available including one tailored to the real estate industry.

Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry.

Features:

• RSS blog feed Integration
• Info page
• Events
• Dictionary
• Contact form
• Users can send photos and comments / questions
• YouTube videos
• MLS import
• Get Open House Notifications
• Get Open House Directions

Cost: $39 / Month and you can publish to the iPhone, Blackberry or Android App Store. You can also add a customized gadget. Prices for gadget start at $199.

Check out AppBreeder for more information.

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MobileAppLoader is an online app builder with templates avaialable for many industries including one for real estate.

Platforms: iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Features:

• RSS blog feed Integration
• Includes two web lines for info or about pages
• Social network integration (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube)
• Custom button function (call, email, text, directions)
• Calculator
• News
• Testimonials

Cost:

There is an Economy, Silver, and Gold packages. There is a charge for each app for the iPhone, iPad, and Android phones or you can buy a bundle package.

Economy package iPhone package is $29.99 setup fee + $4.99 per month or pay $149.99 for 3 years.

An iPhone and Android app costs $239.99 setup fee + $19.99 per month or pay $801.99 for 3 years.

See the MobileAppLoader pricing for more details.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out MobileAppLoader for more information.

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MobileRealtyApps creates branded MLS home search apps for real estate agencies.

Platforms: iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry.

Features For Agents:

• Get leads from interested home buyers when they request a showing or save their favorite homes for later
• Differentiate your agency with a unique app that provides map search, GPS integration, and access to MLS listings
• Integrate with one or more regional MLS services, allowing your agents to show interested home buyers any property through broker reciprocity
• Maintain your agencies’ branding with a matching custom design for your app
• Automatically assign new leads to available agents

Features For Home Buyers:

• Browse properties in the area you are interested in with map search
• Locate properties near your current location with a unique GPS search capability
• View photos of properties
• Save your favorite properties for later
• Request a showing of your favorite properties through one of our partner real estate agencies

Cost: Their fees are not listed on their website. You have to request a quote from the company.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out MobileRealtyApps.com for more information.

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SeattleClouds is an online application that allows anyone to create an iPhone or Android app. They have numerous templates including one for Real Estate. You can even preview your app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Platforms: iPhone & Android.

Features:

• RSS feeds support
• Mobile page support. View any web page (Flickr, YouTube, Facebook, etc) in the app
• InApp Facebook Connect
• InApp SMS
• Advertise with iAds or AdMob
• Feedback form with GPS geolocation
• Interactive Google Maps

Cost:

SeattleClouds has 4 pricing options, Basic – $9.99 / month, Premium – $49.99 / month, Business –  $99.99 / month, and Publisher – $299.99 / month.  There is also a $99.99 Setup fee and you can also submit the app yourself using your Apple Developer Account.  An individual Apple Developer Account costs $99.00 per year.

View all of the pricing details on their website, http://seattleclouds.com/prices.aspx.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out SeattleClouds for more information.

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AppMakr provides a free and easy-to-use platform to make mobile apps for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 7. Anyone can develop an engaging and customizable mobile experience-with no coding required.

Platforms: iPhone, Android, and Windows.

Features:

• RSS & Atom Integration. Includes Twitter, FLickr, YouTube, Posterous, Tumblr, and other social network feed integration.
• Flickr & Picasa support
• Video & Audio Podcasts
• Analytics
• Push notifications
• Geo-Location
• Twitter & Facebook sharing
• In-App Subscriptions
• Monetize with ads or charge for the app
• Customize Your App’s Styling to Match Your Brand

Cost:

AppMakr has a free option if you have an Apple Developer Account. And if you are publishing to the iTunes AppStore, Apple’s Application Uploader requires a MAC computer. An individual Apple Developer Account costs $99.00 per year.

If you don’t have an Apple Developer Account it will cost you $999.00.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out AppMakr for more information.

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BiznessApps is a do-it-yourself iPhone app platform that allows small businesses to easily create, edit, and manage an iPhone app online without any programming knowledge needed.

Platform: iPhone.

Features:

• RSS & Atom Integration
• Photo Gallery
• Facebook
• Flickr
• Twitter
• Directions
• Coupons
• Allow your users to checkin to your business with FourSquare
• In app messaging
• Contact pages

Cost:

The iPhone app costs $39 / month and there is no setup fee.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out BiznessApps for more information.

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Swebapps is a simple, inexpensive way to build, track and update a native mobile application for your business or organization. You can update your content in real time (at any time) via swebapps.com.

Platforms: iPhone & Android.

Features:

• RSS & Atom Integration
• Photo Gallery
• Audio gallery and audio stream
• Calculator
• Contact form
• Custom form with up to 5 questions
• Location and maps
• Display any URL inside and embedded web browser
• Client sign up form

Cost:

$399 One Time fee + $29 / month for hosting. Includes one platform (iOS or Android).

$499 One Time fee + $39 / month for hosting. Includes two platforms (iOS or Android).

$49 / Month for a native Android App and Native iPhone app

There is also a more expensive Pro version. See their pricing for full details.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out Swebapps for more information.

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Shoutem turns your website into a full-featured mobile app in minutes! Add your existing RSS feeds, YouTube videos, podcasts and more to have all your content available in a single app. No knowledge of coding or design required.

Platforms: iPhone &Android.

Features:

• RSS & Atom Integration
• Photos
• Allow users to checkin to your locations with FourSquare
• Events
• Cummunity feature that allows users to register/login, message each other, and search.

Cost:

There are four pricing options, Basic, Advanced, Pro, and Enterprise. The Basic plan is $29.90 per month for 12 month and allows 999 downloads. Each additional download is $0.01 each per month.

See their pricing plans for more details: http://www.shoutem.com/pricing

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out Shoutem for more details.

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iSites is an online platform where you can create and self-manage iPhone, Android & iPad apps from one place. Their app management system allows you to easily build and modify your apps without any coding.

Platforms: iPhone & Android.

Features:

• RSS & Atom Integration. Includes Twitter, FLickr, YouTube, Posterous, Tumblr, and other social network feed integration.
• Flickr & Picasa support
• Video & Audio Podcasts
• Bump N’ Share
• Real-Time Analytics
• Push notifications
• Geo-Location
• Twitter & Facebook sharing
• In-App Subscriptions
• Ad control with AdMob

Cost:

$25 / Month for a native Android app and HTML5 iPhone app

$49 / Month for a native Android App and Native iPhone app

There is also a $99 / Month pro version

See their pricing for full details.

Check out iSites for more information.

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MobileRoadie allows anyone to easily build and manage your own apps for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry.

Platforms: iPhone, Android and BlackBerry

Features:

• YouTube video support or host your own
• Flickr support or host your own
• Fan support. Let your fans upload photos
• Facebook and Twitter support
• RSS feed support
• Push notifications
• Stats

See the full list of features on their website.

Cost: There are 3 pricing levels, Core, Plus, and Pro. The core level has a setup fee of $499 and a $29 monthly fee. 1,000 installs are includes and each additional install costs $0.01 /each / month. See all of the pricing details on their website.

Checkout MobileRoadie for more information.

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Appanda is an easy-to-use technology that will allow you to create an app for smartphones.

Platforms: iPhone & Android

Features:

• YouTube video support or host your own
• Flickr support or host your own
• RSS feed support
• Podcast support
• Contact page

Cost: There is a one-time activation fee of $99 and a $29.99 monthly fee.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Check out Appanda for more information.

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Additional Tools For Creating iPhone apps

There are a few more services to help you build your iPhone app. These look like easy ways build an iPhone app but did not appear to be a solution for anyone needing an iPhone app for their real estate business.

My App Builder costs $29 per month. You submit your content to them and they will bundle it into an app and submit it to the app store.

AppFlight costs $299 to create an app and there is a $10 a month charge after the first year. It is geared towards musicians, bars, and restaurants.

Kanchoo is an easy way to build an iPhone app but is geared more towards people that just to want to turn their blog into an iPhone app.

BuildanApp looked easy to use and has a $149 option that includes their branding. However, there wasn’t much information on their website and it looked like they don’t support RSS feeds, instead, you update your content on their website and it is pushed out to the apps.

SocialLight is a platform for creating local community based iPhone apps. It looks like it would be great for making an app for a city guide, tour guide, or anything for your local community.

Ebook App Maker is a service specifically designed to create iPhone apps from eBooks.

GameSalad is a downloadable tool for creating games without needing to know programming or scripting.

Bottom Line:

All of the services look easy to use. Most charge a monthly fee because they host the online platform where you can update your app with new content.

Picking a service to use comes down to your ambition level, what you are willing to spend, and who your target market is.

At a minimum, your real estate app needs to include:

• A version for both iPhones and Android phones.
• A contact page where users can easily email and/or call you.
• Social media links (Twitter, Linkedin, Facbook, etc)
• In-app video (YouTube) and/or photos (Flickr, Picasa, etc).
• RSS feed integration for your blog
• Office location map / driving directions

Some options that would be nice to have:

• Analytics
• IDX support for real estate agents/brokers
• User check-ins
• Podcast support
• In-App Subscriptions
• Monetize with ads or charge for the app

The least expensive option is AppMakr, it is free to use but you need to have a $99 Apple developer account. Real Estate agents that want a branded app that includes their MLS listings will want to look at Smarter Agent, IDXBroker, AgentnTouch, MobileRealtyApps, or AppBreeder. One of the most expensive is MobileRoadie but they also enable a great deal of customization and have the most social media features.

Tagged as: Android Apps, Iphone Apps, Real Estate Apps