Best Homebuying Apps for 2024

Redfin has all the standard features you should expect in a homebuying app -- great photographs, calculators to estimate your monthly payments and the ability to schedule a tour. 

It also has a unique tool: a comprehensive risk factor report. In collaboration with First Street Foundation, Redfin helps buyers understand flooding potential, air quality in the area, excessive heat and potential threats from wind. As more homeowners weigh weather-related concerns, this can be a helpful gauge of whether your investment will come with high insurance costs and maintenance expenses to protect your property.

There aren’t really any drawbacks to Redfin, although it’s important to note that the app’s “Start an offer” tool doesn’t help you submit an offer instantly. Instead, it will send your note to the Redfin agent listed on the same page.

Zillow’s listings have everything you’ll want to know: how long the home has been on the market, how its estimated value has fluctuated over the past few years, how the area’s schools stack up and how long it’ll take you to get to work each day. The feature we really love here, though, is a quick way to check if you might be eligible for down-payment assistance programs by answering questions about your income, profession, etc. 

One notable drawback is a lack of public tax history. Our review of a number of listings on Zillow had a “tax history is unavailable” disclaimer, while property tax estimates were included on Redfin and a number of other apps on this list.

Home isn’t just where the heart is: It’s also where you sleep. Realtor.com’s noise map feature will help you get a sense of whether your family will need earplugs. It’s a unique tool that sets this apart from most of the other homebuying apps on our list (Homes.com has a “Sound Score” tool but not a map). Realtor.com’s app also includes a flood risk tool similar to part of Redfin’s report, although it’s not as robust. One big selling point of Realtor.com is a combination of three different property value estimates, which provides a holistic look at how different providers view fair market value.

Most homebuying apps include some data on how easy it is to access public transit and how walkable/bikeable a neighborhood is, but Trulia takes that local expertise to a new level. How dog-friendly is the area? Are the streets well-lit? Will you feel safe walking alone after dark? Do people decorate for the holidays? These are just a few of the questions you’ll know based on other Trulia users’ feedback. If part of your home search involves knowing how friendly your neighbors are, this is a good place to start.

Homes.com has a mile-long list of details about the property and its history. Listings include deed history and mortgage history (what a current owner still owes and the rate they’re paying). There’s also a combination of information about schools in the area from Niche and GreatSchools that helps you understand how much teachers earn, where most high school graduates go on to college and more.

One note: If you’re an Android user, you’re likely better off with another option on this list. While we found the iOs experience good (minus the lack of pictures), Android users have shared a lot of complaints about the app.

If you’re looking to find a deal, one of the best places to start is with bank-owned and foreclosure listings. While they won’t all be in rough shape, it’s safe to assume that someone who stopped paying the mortgage also stopped caring for the home the way they should. 

Auction.com’s app is solely geared toward helping you find upcoming auctions so you can add them to your calendar. There’s also a remote bid tool if you create an account (you can start to browse listings without sharing any of your data, which we think is a big perk). If you’re interested in turning the property into a rental for some passive income, the app offers rental estimates, too.

Zenlist doesn’t have the mass brand awareness of Zillow or Redfin, and that’s because it’s not available to everyone. This is an invite-only app, so you’ll need to be working with an agent who uses it first. If you do, though, this is a fantastic tool for someone who is a bit further along in the home search process. Instead of just browsing, you and your agent can trade notes in the app, and you can flag listings you really love. Plus, you’ll be one of the first to know when a new home hits the market, as Zenlist’s systems update every 2 minutes.

The only drawback is that Zenlist is currently limited to just under 20 metro areas. So, if you’re looking outside of those locations, this app probably isn’t your best bet.

If you want to do more than browse for homes on your phone, your best bet is Opendoor. The company is an iBuyer, meaning it buys homes from sellers to resell them for a profit to individuals. If Opendoor has bought the property, you can schedule a self-tour and access the property without the help of an agent. And while most homebuying apps are designed to connect you with an agent, Opendoor’s listings include a “Buy Now” button that allows you to submit an offer straight from your phone.

The biggest drawback for Opendoor is the small selection. The company only operates in select metro areas, though you’ll still be able to view other properties that are listed on the MLS (multiple listing service). You can get preapproved for a mortgage via a program that automatically syncs with the lending company, Lower, but the app is limited if you’re looking to take the DIY route. Another downside: You have to create an account to browse listings, so you’ll need to remember to delete your account if you don’t want your data floating around.

Overall, Opendoor performs considerably worse than other apps, but the self-tour and ability to buy within the app make this uniquely positioned for certain types of buyers.