Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past 5 years, you’re well aware of the exploding world of social media and now mobile device applications or “apps”. I recently downloaded an app (Realtor.ca) that, much like the MLS app, allows me to set and save my home search requirements such as price, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms etc. and search homes for sale anywhere near my current location using the GPS tracking of my phone. It also allows me to find an open house, view photos, find realtors and all within a set vicinity of me and my phone.

There are many other applications that can help you find a home that is right for you as you travel through a desired area. Here are a few helpful apps that I’ve used or have been recommended to me to enable an even more efficient home search.

1. Realtor.ca or the Real Estate MLS app are both great. Both are Canadian specific and provide a wealth of information on nearby homes for sale.
2. Mortgage Calculators – There are so many to choose from. I would suggest finding the calculator app that your Lender has as almost all have created their own version. If your bank doesn’t have a mortgage calculator app then try the AM Canadian Mortgage Advisor. This mortgage calculator provides calculations, debt analyzer and debt management tools designed specifically for Canadian consumers.
3. HomeBudget. Everyone looking at buying a home must first have the deposit. The HomeBudget is a simple budget tracker that will help you build a deposit then manage your monthly costs after you’ve bought your home. In other words, it helps you budget, track and control your monthly expenses.
4. Yelp allows you to know what’s in the neighbourhood you’re looking in. Are you close to grocery, retail and service? Are nearby amenities good? You can even see what your potential neighbours have to say. Yelp gives you a great snapshot of the surrounding amenities that will become a part of your life.
5. Green Map is for the “green” in all of us. Green Map is much like Yelp but with a focus on green options. Unfortunately, this is not yet populating in Canada but is a great tool if you are searching real estate in the US.
6. Home Decorator. As you visit open houses this Home Decorator app will help you envision a room painted in your favourite colour. You can take a photo and change the wall colours immediately to something that suits your taste.
7. Twitter or Facebook when you find a home, realtor or a service you like let everyone know about it. There are many different twitter related apps like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to help you manage your social media so find one that’s right for you and tell the world about the good things you’ve found in life.

Regardless of your specific needs, there are many apps to choose from to help your home search. Talk to friends about their favourites or spend some time using a number of different versions to find the ones that are right for you.

If you’re looking for real estate specifically in the US then try the Zwillow Real Estate App and the Zwillow Mortgage Calculator. I have not used these 2 apps but they have come highly recommended to me.

Happy dream home hunting and don’t forget to call your realtor when you’re really getting serious. They can help you with the finer details of buying a home.

Cameron McNeill