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Google Maps Street view lets you navigate street level level images of different areas. It is a powerful tool for not only real estate professionals, but anyone buying and selling real estate.

Street View in Google Maps lets you explore places through 360-degree street-level imagery, whether you’re looking at locations in your town or across the globe. With Street View, you can check out a restaurant before going there, find beautiful places around the world to visit on your next vacation, or check out neighborhoods when you’re looking to move. via Google

How To View Google Maps Street View On Your iPhone

Google Maps has a good web app you can access from your smartphone by going to maps.google.com. However, if you want to view Street View on your iPhone, you will have to use the map app that comes pre-installed on you iPhone.

Step 1. Launch Maps, the map app.

Step 2. Type in an address, business name, or landmark.

To view Street View, click the icon button next to the address or business name. Clicking the arrow button will take you to a description about that address.

Clicking the icon will take you directly to the the Street View. You can scroll around 360 degrees to view everything around that area.

You can travel down the street by clicking the white arrow in the road. There is also a compass in the lower right hand corner that shows what direction you are looking.

Don’t know the street address? No problem. You can place a maker anywhere on the map by tapping and holding your finger on the map. A purple “Dropped Pin” will be placed on the map. You can drag the pin anywhere you want and click its icon to view the street view.

How To View Google Maps Street View On an Android Phone.

Ryan Lundquist, a real estate appraiser in California, made a video to show how to view Google’s Street View on an android phone.

You can view Ryan’s real estate appraisal blog HERE and also follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

How can the real estate industry use Street View?

• Home buyers can preview a neighborhood before looking at a house. This is especially useful for buyers that are relocating to a different city.
• Investors can use it to help decide if a property is worth in-depth look.
• Real Estate agent or for-sale-by-owners can embed a street view map on their website or blog to showcase their home’s area.
• Home buyers can use it to see how well a subdivisions is maintained.
• Use street view to see what amenities an area has to offer.

The Bottom Line

While street views are not available for every street and could be several years outdated they are a powerful tool for anyone buying and selling real estate. It is an easy way to to get a feel for an area. I use it all of the time to view neighborhoods before I do a real estate appraisal.

Being able to access street views on your Smartphone makes them even better.

Tablets are becoming popular with real estate agents and appraisers. If you have an iPad 2 but miss having a physical keyboard, this aluminum keyboard buddy case for the iPad 2 might be just what you need.

The iPad slides into the Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case and is held at an angle. The case has an almost full-sized QWERTY keyboard that includes keys to control iPad functions like media playback and brightness. The bluetooth keyboard is styled with Apple’s Chiclet-like keys that run to the edges just like on the 11.6-inch MacBook Air.

Close the case so the iPad and keyboard are face-to-face and magnets put the iPad’s screen to sleep. The case also protects the iPad display.

You and your iPad 2 won’t want to go anywhere without it. It’s perfect companion for your iPad 2. This Aluminium Keyboard Case has a thin, eye-catching design that gives your device durable protection, added functionality and style.

This iPad case holder can easily convert into a laptop style position for a more comfortable typing, as well as for tablet use by folding its new hinge, which then hides the Bluetooth keyboard out of sight. This iPad aluminum case provides 2 viewing angles in both portrait and landscape modes while assuring full protection for the iPad screen. It also allows access to all the controls and ports at all times, meaning you have full functionality whilst your iPad is still inside the case.

Last but not least, it has a 510 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery that will last several weeks of normal use without charging.

via micgadget

The case cost: $49.90 and works with the iPad 2.

The Bottom Line

One thing that has held me back from getting an iPad is the lack of a keyboard. I have an iPhone and don’t know how much I would use an iPad. But with a keyboard like this, I think I might come close to replacing one of my laptops.

There’s no multitouch trackpad which might be a deal killer for some but you can’t beat the price of $50.

Check out micgadget for more information.

[Images Credit: MIC Gadget]

Google Maps on Android phones are far superior to the iPhone app and they just got better. You can now download Google Maps to your Android phone.

Remember the days of driving around with a paper map while trying to find an address? Most , if not all, tech savvy agents and appraisers now use a dedicated GPA device or a smartphone with GPS.

Smartphones work well and there are several good apps including MapQuest that can help you find your way. But what if you are traveling to a rural property and don’t have a cell phone signal?

Google Maps can now be downloaded directly to your Android phone so you can view the map even if you don’t have a cell signal.

How To Download A Map On Your Android Phone

First, you will need to download the latest version of Google Maps. Google Maps 5.7 for Android Link

Then you will need to activate the feature. To access Labs on your phone, press your phone’s menu button once in Google Maps, choose “More” and select Labs. On a tablet, click the menu button in the upper-right corner of Maps.

To download a map, press the “More” button while viewing a map and select the option to locally store a map of the surrounding area.

Google will download a copy of the map tiles within a 10 mile radius. You can view, pan, and zoom in on the map even if you don’t have a data connection.

All your downloaded map areas can be managed in your Google Maps cache settings so you can delete maps you no longer need or if you want to free up storage. After 30 days, all downloaded map areas will be removed from your cache; they can be re-downloaded any time.

The update to Google Maps also includes two other features, a Scale Bar and a Measure tool.

The scale bar shows the current map scale. Sometimes it’s unclear what zoom level you are looking at if you zoom in and out of a map. The scale bar should help you understand what zoom level you are viewing.

The measure tool will calculate the straight line distance between two points on the map. Once you enabled the feature, click the tape measure icon. You’ll be prompted to tap two points on the map and Google Maps will calculate the straight distance between those points (this direct distance is “as the crow flies”).

The Bottom Line

It can be frustrating to try and view a map on your smartphone if you have a poor or no cell signal. Being able to download Google Maps directly to your Android phone is a great way to make sure you always have the map you need.

Download Google Maps for free in the Android Market; Android Market Link

According to Google, by the end of this year over half of all Americans will have a smartphone and over half of all consumers are more likely to buy from stores that have mobile websites.

Does your real estate business have a mobile website? If not, you can easily create one with Google Sites.

Google has launched a new service (well, a new addition to Google Sites) that lets you easily and quickly create a mobile landing page.

The new service has several templates to choose from including ones for restaurants, local businesses, lead generation, eCommerce. There is also one called “Social,” which links to your business Facebook page, Twitter account, and YouTube videos. The service also allows you to get analytics on traffic to your mobile site.

How To Create A Mobile Landing Page For Free With Google

Step 1. Go to sites.google.com/mobilize and choose a template.

For this tutorial we are going to use the “Local Business” template.

Step 2. Pick a color.

Step 3. Click “Try this template”

Step 4. Your mobile website will open and include some sample text. If you think you will be happy with the template and colors click the “Use this template” button.

Step 5. Setup Your Website.

Name your site.

Choose a theme. There are currently 52 themes to pick from.

Type in the verification code and press “Create Site”.

Step 6. Customize your mobile website.

Depending on what template you picked, you can now add your logo, a description, social median links, your contact information, and photos.

You can click on “Edit Page” at the top of your mobile website to open the site editor where you can edit the template information including links and text.

If you are using the local business template, you can upload your company logo by going to More Actions –> Manage Site –> Site Layout –> Change Logo.

You can add a company description and enable Google Analytics by going to More Actions –> Manage Site –> Site Layout –> General.

Press Save and you are done.

It only took a few minutes to create a mobile site for my business. You can view the mobile site here.

The Bottom Line

While the mobile sites are fairly basic and don’t allow for a lot of customization, creating a mobile site for your business couldn’t be easier.

The mobile site could serve as a stand alone site linked to your business listing or as an addition to your blog or full company website.

Does your Real Estate business have a mobile website?

Real estate appraisal software is slowing becoming mobile. a la mode, inc. has an iPhone, iPad, and Android App, PhoenixMobile has an iPhone app, and SFREP is working an their mobile app. But real estate appraisers are tough on their gear, appraising homes in the heat, rain, and snow. You won’t have to worry about damaging your tablet with Panasonics new Toughbook Android Tablet.

Panasonic has announced a Toughbook tablet that will run Android, has GPS, 3G/4G mobile broadband, a daylight viewable 10.1-inch screen, and an active stylus. Other details and specs have not been disclosed yet.

From a functionality standpoint, the Toughbook tablet will avoid the typical glossy screens—found on current tablet offerings—that are all but unreadable in outdoor environments. The Toughbook tablet will include a high brightness, daylight viewable screen so that mobile workers, in markets like field service, home healthcare and public safety, can easily see critical data and operate the device regardless of lighting conditions. The new tablet will also include an active stylus, allowing mobile workers in sales, customer service and mobile point-of-sale environments to capture signatures on the device’s 10.1” XGA multi-touch display.

The Toughbook brand is widely known for its reliability and durability, even in extreme operating environments. The new Toughbook tablet will be no exception, offering durability, and ingress protection consistent with its other fully-rugged devices.

via Panasonic Press Release

Photos Courtesy of Panasonic

The Toughbook should be available in the fourth quarter of 2011. The company has not said what version of Android it will run or any pricing details.

The Bottom Line

Panasonic Toughbooks are designed to handle almost any situation-from business-ruggedcomputers that withstand bangs, bumps and spillage, to fully-rugged and the ultra-mobile-rugged Toughbook U1 that can survive extreme conditions, such as drops up to six feet, rain, oil, pressure, dust and extraordinary swings in temperature.

Their new rugged tablet looks like a great ruggedized device. However, I am going to guess that it might be priced high for many real estate appraisers. A better option might be to buy a LifeProof case to protect your iPhone or iPad.

There are a lot of good tablets to choose from today. Would you buy a ruggedized tablet?

Apple officially unveiled iOS 5 yesterday at its Worldwide Developers Conference. While there are over 200 new features coming to iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch), we are going to highlight the top 6 that are especially useful to the real estate industry.

1. Notifications

iOS 5 includes a new Notification Center that will replace the annoying popups that appear of the screen and then disappear. You will now be able to view all of your notifications from one central location and even view your messages without having to unlock your phone. Tap on any message and it will automatically take you to that application. It not only includes app notification, but mini-widgets that show live information from apps like Weather.

2. iMessage

Sending and receiving text messages can be expensive. Free text messages is one reason why REbliss recommends using Google Voice.

iMessage will not fully replace text messages but does let you to send unlimited text messages, photos, and videos to other iOS 5 devices. Because it works between all iOS 5 devices, you can leave conversations on your iPhone and continue them in your iPad.

Other features include group messaging, an indicator to see if someone is typing to you, delivery and read receipts, and secure encryption. iMessage will work on 3G and Wi-Fi networks.

3. Reminders

The new reminder app will sync between your iOS 5 devices and your Max OS X desktop or notebook. The best feature about the app is that it is location aware. Do you need to make a phone call or send an email as soon as you get into the office? The app can remind you to do something when you arrive or leave a destination allowing you to stay productive while on the go.

4. Wi-Fi sync

If you take a lot photos and videos with your iPhone you probably now how painful it can be to sync your iPhone with iTunes. There a numerous apps available that let you sync your iPhone to your computer over Wi-Fi but now this functionality if built into the operating system.

With iOS 5 you will no longer have to plug into your computer to backup and sync your device. Just plug your device into the power cord within range of your Wi-Fi network and it will backup and sync automatically.

5. Twitter Integration

Still not sure if you should be using Twitter in your real estate business? iOS5 integrates Twitter everywhere, in the camera app, to your contacts, and even the YouTube, Safari, and Maps app will support direct sharing via Twitter.

Will Apple’s Twitter integration finally convince you to sign up or start using Twitter?

6. New Camera App and Photos

The new camera app is a welcome addition to anyone who takes a lot of photos and videos with their iPhone. iOS 5 gives you immediate access to the camera right from the lock screen. This will make it much easier to take photos quickly.

The most exciting feature is that you can now use the volume button to take photos. If you haven’t used an app with the volume button feature to take photos you will be surprised by how much you will like this feature.

Introducing iOS 5

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

The Bottom Line

While many of the new features of iOS 5 are already available on Android, Palm or Windows Phone 7 phones, they will make iOS devices much more productive.

The new notification center is a great way to keep track of all of your messages in one convenient location, iMessage will let your real estate business chat with groups of co-workers, clients, or friends at one time, and the new reminders app will let you stay productive with its location based reminders.

iOS 5 will also include multitasking gestures for the iPad, hourly weather forecasts, Wi-Fi sync with iTunes, a split keyboard for the iPad, a new iPad music app, an iTunes ringtone store, AirPlay mirroring for the iPad 2, a personal dictionary, alternate routes in Maps, Emoji emoticons, and custom vibration patterns.

If you are a developer, you can preview iOS 5 now, everyone else will have to wait until July when it is officially released.

Visit apple.com for more information about iOS 5.

A DSLR camera can be a little overwhelming if you have never used one before. You can change the ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focal length, lighting, and distance. Read the manual as many times as you want but it is hard to imagine what the photograph will look like until you actually try it.

CameraSim is a free SLR camera simulator that lets you experiment with all of those settings and instantly seeing how they affect a photograph.

How to use CameraSim to master your Digital SLR Camera

Go to CameraSim.com to see an example photo and the camera’s default settings.

The example photograph on the website shows a child at a playground holding a pinwheel that is spinning. The pinwheel actual spins so you can change your shutter speed and see what’s necessary to avoid motion blur.

Modify any settings, Lighting, Distance, Focal Length, ISO, Aperature, and Shutter Speed. You can also change the mode to Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, or go fully Manual.

Once you have the settings like you want, press “Snap Photo”.

You will instantly see how your settings affect the photograph.

Do you want the background in focus? Do you want the pinwheel in motion? Play around with the settings until you get the picture you want.

Don’t worry if you don’t know what the settings do. At the bottom of the page there is a list of the settings their description.

Bottom Line

CameraSim gives a realistic view of what it is like to use a DSLR camera right from your browser. Be sure to check it out if you are thinking about getting a DSLR camera and want to learn how to use it.

If you want to learn more about digital cameras, Digital Photography School has an in-depth guide on how to use your Digital Camera.

MagicPlan is an augmented reality app that you can use to create a floor plan with your iPhone 4 or 4th generation iPod touch.

MagicPlan is the only application that MEASURES, DRAWS and PUBLISHES an INTERACTIVE FLOOR PLAN on the web, just by taking pictures with your iPhone 4 or iPod Touch (4th generation). via iTunes

To build a floor plan, stand in the middle of a room and line up the 3-dimensional corner lines with the corner of the room. Then slowly turn around and tell the app where each room corner and door is until you get back to the starting point. The app will automatically create a floor plan of the room.

You can create a floor plan for an entire house by combining all of the floor plans of each room. There is no need to move any furniture and you don’t need a tape measurer!

How To Create A Floor Plan With MagicPlan

Step 1. Watch the tutorials.

Magic Plan has 5 tutorials that show you exactly how to create a floor plan. The second tutorial is an augmented reality video that lets you create a floor plan from a virtual room using your iPhone’s camera.

You’ll be able to use the app after watching one or two tutorials but I recommend watching all five.

Step 2. Create a plan.

Under “My Plan”, press the “+” button to create a new plan.

Step 3. Give your plan a name.

You can enter an address and any notes that you want to remember. You can also add a photo and a Google Map to the floor plan to help you remember where the house is and what the house or room looked like.

Step 4. Add a room to your floor plan.

Press the ‘”+” button to add a floor plan. Then pick what floor and room you will be creating.

Step 5. Create a room plan.

Line up the 3-dimensional corner lines with the corner of the room. You then rotate and tell the app where each room corner and door is until you get back to the starting point. The app will then automatically create a floor plan of the room.

Step 6. Create a floor plan.

You can create a floor plan for an entire house by combining all of the rooms you created.

Step 5. Export or publish your floor plan.

You can save, email, and print your plan.  You can also publish your plan to the web where others can view it. It costs $9.99 to have the file hosted on the web for 6 months.

How can the real estate industry use MagicPlan?

MagicPlan is easy to use and going to be useful for homeowners, homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, and contractors.

• Homeowners selling their house FSBO (for sale by owner) can easily create a floor plan to include in their marketing materials.
• Homebuyers can use the app to create floor plan of homes that are interested in.
• Real estate agents can create a floor plan to include on flyers and MLS listings.
• Homeowners can create a floor plan of their house, then modify it to see how renovations or an addition might look.
• Create a room plan with dimensions before you buy new furniture.
• Contractors can create a floor plan to help estimate building or renovation costs.

There is a free and paid version of the app. The free app contains a watermark or you can pay $4.99 to remove the watermark. iTunes Link

Bottom Line

I watched the tutorials and was able to make a room plan in about a minute. The best part about the app is that you don’t need to use a tape measurer and you don’t have to move any furniture. All you need is your iPhone!

The free app contains all of features of the $4.99 app but does contain a watermark on all plans created. The app is well worth $4.99 if you need to create a lot of floor plans.

According to the website, MagicPlan does work on the iPad 2. As of right now there are not immediate plans to create an Android version due to the lack of Android phones with gyroscopes.

Visit Sensopia for more information or download the app for free and try it yourself, iTunes Link

Have you ever needed to quickly create a website optimized for whatever device you are using? Is so, Zapd is your solution. Zapd lets you instantly make a website optimized for PCs, smartphones, and tablets right from your iPhone, all for free.

Zapd is a super simple and fun app that lets you create high quality, themed websites straight from your iPhone. No design experience or code writing is required. Just select a theme and then add photos, text or links. You’re done. via Zapd

How To Create A Website With Zapd

Step 1. Download Zapd on your iPhone. The app is free.  iTunes Link

Step 2. Select a theme.

Currently there are 20 themes to choose from.

Step 3. Add Content.

You can add photos, text, and links to any websites or social networks.

Step 4. Sign up or sign in to preview and publish your site.

If you don’t like the site your created you can easily change it or select another theme clicking Settings in the edit mode.

Step 5. Publish your site.

When you finish editing and adding content, you can publish your site with one click. Zapd will create a shortened URL that you can share and link to.

Create as many websites as you want. In the main menu area, press the “+” sign to create another website.

I created two websites in just a few minutes. One for my appraisal company in Georgia and another for my iPhone photos. You can view them here, Appraisal Website and iPhoneography Website

How Can Real Estate Professionals use Zapd?

Zapd would be a great way to quickly create a mobile website to show a new listing. Real estate agents could instantly create a mobile website for any home they list for sale. Just take a few photos of the property, add a little information, and publish the site within a few minutes.

Create a mobile website for you business with all of your contact information.

Appraisers and home inspectors could create a mobile website that shows types of properties they have appraised or inspected.

Real estate agents could create a website showcasing some of the properties they have sold.

Create a a mobile website that has links to all of your social networks. You can use it like a landing page similar to About.me or Flavors.me.

Bottom Line

Zapd is a super easy way to create a website quickly. You can easily update it, add content at any time, or delete it when you are done with it. The service does lack the ability to embed videos on websites and you do have to manually update the content, it doesn’t support RSS feeds.  But overall it is easy to use and best of all it’s free. Download it and try it out for yourself, iTunes Link.

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.