Finding a new home can be exciting and stressful at the same time. The phony listings, endless showings, fees, applications, and contracts - it can be too much to handle. But because of the internet, there is now a revolutionized way to make house-hunting a lot easier. All you need is your smart phone!
Mobile applications -- from social network sites, games, lifestyle, music, and just about anything -- have definitely changed the game for the internet world, and the real estate world is not left behind. When it comes to house-hunting, people can now download different apps and get real-time updates of the most recent and hottest listings in town. All that, right in the palm of their hands.
Here are the top mobile apps to download when finding a home, foxnews.com reveals the list:
Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin
Looks like you wouldn't need the services of a real estate agent any time soon. Now, you can scour local listings yourself. Trulia, Zillow, and Redfin are apps that can help you find a house that meets your preference. Thanks to their handy features that allow you to filter by price, sort by neighborhood, and locate houses matching the amenities you like.
Go for Redfin if you can't pick between the three. "The interface is very intuitive, and they've really spent a lot of time thinking about what people looking for houses actually need," Daniel Terdiman, a senior writer at electronics-review site CNET.com tells realestate.aol.com.
Credit Karma
Before you begin house-hunting, it is important to first check your credit score and see where you stand. That important number will determine what sort of rate you would get or a possibility of a loan. Credit Karma is an app that offers regular updates and tips to improving your credit and also keeps you in the loop should any major change occurs.
Zillow Mortgage
Can you actually afford to buy a house? Zillow Mortgage app is a mortgage calculator that could show what the total monthly cost will be for the home, including interest, property taxes, and other expenses. It could even project how much you need for the monthly payment and help you find a lender for the mortgage if necessary.
CO Everywhere
Aside from the overall condition and feel of the house, the community where it belongs is also an important factor to consider. CO Everywhere will help you learn about the great places to eat, sites to see, and the local events in your possible future neighborhood.
Evernote
Evernote is a digital home filing system useful for house hunting. This system will help keep file of information gathered during the house hunting process and have them ready for use when needed. You can use it to make to-do lists, make a note and attach photos for each home you have visited, and store paperwork like mortgage applications so you don't lose track of everything. The app also allows collaborators so significant persons like your spouse or real estate agent can also see the notes you're taking and everyone stays updated.
Homesnap
By the name of the app, this allows you to simply take a snap of a certain home -- for sale or not -- and find out the asking price as well as other important details. If it's not on the market, the app could show you past sale prices and the current estimated value of the property.