Hawaii’s real estate market is booming – with low inventory of available properties and high demand. Additionally, interest rates are still low, leading house hunters to quickly place bids on homes when opportunities arise.
Real estate apps help both buyers and sellers stay on top of the market and get listing information while on the go. Some apps even let you go further in terms of customizing your search and bookmarking listings for later.
One Oahu real estate company, Kahala Associates, recently launched an app for iPhone, iPad and Android. This free app lets you search, bookmark and compare listings, and even connect with real estate agents with just one click. I recently attended the launch party for the Kahala Associates app and was impressed by how easy it is to use. Within seconds, I was able to pull up comprehensive listing information and begin browsing photos and features of properties on the market.
Here are some tips about how to use apps to monitor the real estate market and find a home or price your property to sell:
Instantly see what’s out there
With a real estate app, you no longer have to wait for your real estate agent to notify you or spend hours searching online. Most apps enable you to search by address and narrow down your results using filters by price, geography and features. The Kahala Associates app has two other unique search methods to help you find what you’re looking for:
- The Scope Search feature uses augmented reality to display listing information for properties around you. After opening the app and turning on Scope Search, point your smart phone or tablet’s camera at your surroundings, and the listing information will be overlaid on what you see on the screen.
- The Perimeter Search feature allows you to draw an outline with your finger around an area and view all listings within those boundaries.
Do comparison shopping
Bookmark properties of interest and compare them side-by-side. Some apps, like the Kahala Associates app, include the ability to get turn-by-turn driving directions so that you can turn your virtual search into a house hunt “IRL” (“in real life”).
Connect with professionals
Enlist the help of a real estate agent to represent you in the buying or selling process. The Kahala Associates app includes a roster of the company’s agents with their phone numbers and email addresses. Whether you’re in the market to buy or looking to sell, mobile apps make it easier and more convenient than ever to be in the know. Share your thoughts and tips on searching for homes below.
1 Comment
Christina Laney
Great to see that you like our home searching app! Very easy to use and cool features for sure!