How to Build Home Rental Search App Like Zumper In 2024

Last updated on October 16th, 2024

Real estate is one of the biggest industries, with a $9.6 trillion investment in 2019, making it one of the most profitable businesses in the world. Real estate firms worldwide do their best to provide a wide range of services to their clients—tenants and landlords—with the help of technology and human resources. With the rise of the rental market for low- and mid-priced housing, the demand for real estate app development has boomed in the last couple of years. The sudden spike in technology adoption is due to the growing number of tech-savvy people.

Top real estate agencies, including Trulia, Realtor.com, Keller Williams, etc., have started offering online services. While real estate and rental search apps like Zillow, Redfin, Apartments.com, etc., are already ruling the sector, Zumper is the latest entry on the bandwagon. Zumper has grown up as one of the best apps to find an apartment for rent in the United States, with around 12 million monthly visits. The rental app has taken many by surprise, while many of its competitors keep digging into the secret of its success. So, if you are looking to build a real estate or home rental app for tenants and landlords, this article will help you understand all the nitty-gritty details of Zumper.

Zumper Rental Application — Taking the Stress Out of Renting

Founded back in 2012 by Anthemos Georgiades, Zumper has rapidly emerged as one of the most successful startups, raising over $143 million in funding. The app empowers tenants to search for their ideal homes in preferred locations effortlessly.

Simultaneously, it offers landlords a robust platform to connect with millions of reliable tenants. Although Zumper may not rival the top real estate applications in terms of revenue, its true value lies in its service to millions of users who effectively meet their rental needs through the app.

While comparing Zumper with Zillow on an independent reviewing site, G2, we found some amazing worth sharing facts;

• Reviewers on this site felt that the Zumper rental application is their preferred option in terms of quality services and ongoing product support.
• They also said that “Zumper meets their needs of businesses better than Zillow.”
• You can check the entire Zillow vs. Zumper comparison at G2.

Also Read: Embark Your Journey to Develop a Rental Apartment Finder app like Zumper

What Makes Zumper the best Rental Search App —Top Features

Zumper is one of the top preferred options in terms of quality service and meeting business needs. But, have you ever wondered what keeps Zumper thriving? Understanding this will reveal the secrets of its success. One of the key factors is its commitment to continuous innovation and user-focused improvements.

Zumper ensures that its platform is always ahead of the curve, providing the latest features and a seamless experience. Additionally, its customer support team is dedicated to addressing any issues promptly, further enhancing user satisfaction. A smartphone user has, on average, 80 applications on their phone, but they actively use only about 40 apps each month. The fact that Zumper remains one of those regularly used apps speaks volumes about its effectiveness and user trust.

The remaining apps may be pre-installed by the smartphone vendor or kept by users for occasional use. As a realtor, earning a spot in those 40 frequently used apps means your app must be engaging enough to capture users’ attention. Zumper has accomplished this brilliantly. Here’s how:

Features Based on Customer’s Pain Points

Zumper has diligently addressed the issues that customers across the United States encounter while using rental search apps. As a result, it boasts a comprehensive suite of features designed to effectively resolve these challenges. Moreover, the app is continually evolving, introducing new functionalities that enhance ease of use. Let’s delve into these features:

Point 1: Easy to find affordable housing for rent

Zumper understands that finding desired and affordable housing is a significant challenge in the real estate market. Tenants seek properties with good infrastructure at reasonable prices. To address this, Zumper offers advanced search and filtering features. This functionality allows users to search for their ideal homes by providing comprehensive details, including location, price, surrounding information, nearby schools, and crime levels. By leveraging these features, tenants can make well-informed decisions, ensuring they find a home that meets all their needs and preferences.

Point 2: Lack of effective communication

One of the significant issues in the real estate sector is the delayed or non-existent responses to messages sent by users to agents. To address this, Zumper has implemented chatbots that respond to the most frequently asked questions from both tenants and landlords promptly. Additionally, Zumper facilitates effective communication by offering real-time chat options, ensuring that tenants, landlords, and agents can maintain seamless and timely interactions.

Point 3: Fail to Stop Rental Fraud

Whether it is Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, or Redfin, they have not been able to completely eliminate rental fraud. According to Apartment List, 5.2 million Americans have fallen victim to rental fraud, and 43.1% of renters in the USA suspect rental listings to be fraudulent. Zumper has taken several initiatives to address this issue effectively. One significant measure is enabling both tenants and landlords to leave reviews for each other, fostering transparency and accountability. Additionally, the Zumper app enforces stringent policies, including background checks, credit reports, and security deposits. Tenants are required to submit these reports before connecting with landlords, ensuring a safer and more reliable rental process..

Zumper Marketplace Business Model

Zumper is on a mission to revolutionize the rental experience by making it seamless and stress-free for everyone involved. By simplifying the process of finding and renting homes or tenants, Zumper has quickly emerged as a highly profitable business compared to its competitors. Let’s explore how Zumper serves its users and generates revenue.

• Freemium Listing Model: Basic property listings are free for landlords, attracting a large volume of listings to the platform. Premium options are available for enhanced visibility and additional features.
• Subscription Fees: Monthly subscription plans are offered to property managers and real estate agents for access to advanced tools, analytics, and marketing features.
• Lead Generation: Zumper charges property owners and managers for each qualified lead or tenant inquiry generated through their platform.
• Advertising Revenue: Income is generated through targeted advertising opportunities offered to third-party companies wanting to reach Zumper’s extensive user base.
• Application Fees: Tenants pay a nominal fee when submitting rental applications, which covers the cost of background checks and credit reports.
• Partnership Programs: Zumper collaborates with moving companies, rental insurance providers, and other service providers, earning referral fees when users opt for these services.
• Zumper Select: A white-glove service for high-end rental properties, where the platform offers personalized support and dedicated account management for an additional fee.

Reasons You Should Develop a Zumper-Like Rental App

Did you know that IT in Real Estate was estimated at US$ 7.7 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach US$ 15.8 Billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 10.7% between 2020 and 2027 globally? Technology is continually evolving, presenting new opportunities every day. The future of the real estate industry heavily relies on technological advancements. Keeping abreast of the latest technology trends in the real estate sector will help you stay informed. Therefore, the foremost reason to develop a real estate app is to gain a competitive edge by overcoming weaknesses and leveraging strengths against your competitors. Moreover, having a real estate app offers the following benefits:

1: Visibility

Images and signs have a profound impact on the human brain. Each time a user unlocks their phone, your real estate app logo and brand name will immediately appear on their screen. This constant presence, in line with the hypodermic needle theory, directly or indirectly enhances your brand visibility, thus boosting brand recognition and recall.

2: Market Opportunity

According to an online report, in the past year (2020), 5.64 million existing homes and 6.8 million new homes were sold in the United States.

3: Create Loyalty

People need a compelling reason to download your app, and providing them with value is paramount. Your rental app must offer something special that is worth exploring and using. By incorporating unique features and exceptional functionalities, your app will not only attract users’ attention but also position itself as the premier solution for renting apartments. Once your app is loaded with these valuable elements, it will help you retain users and foster their loyalty over the long term. This approach ensures that your app remains their go-to choice in the competitive rental market.

4: Efficiency

Real estate apps are instrumental in connecting you with legitimate and reliable leads. When someone downloads your app and dedicates their time and valuable smartphone space, it indicates a strong intent to buy or sell property. With an app, you can effortlessly send personalized offers, promote your services, dispatch push notifications, and gather customer feedback. This seamless interaction not only enhances user engagement but also streamlines communication with potential clients.

Read More: How to Develop a Real Estate Rental Finder App like Zumper?

Things to Consider Before Building a Real Estate App Like Zumper

So, you are determined to build and launch your real estate app? Creating a top-notch rental search app may seem daunting initially, but it becomes quite manageable when you follow the steps outlined below:

1: Market Analysis

Anything launched without proper market analysis is bound to face indecision and inaction. It’s crucial to answer key questions such as: Who is the app intended for? What do they want to experience in the app? What issues are they encountering with other similar apps? How will your app address these problems? Without thoroughly investigating these points, building an engaging app is nearly impossible. The best approach to find solutions for these critical questions is through detailed research.

Investigate the real estate market, study your competitors, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and clearly define your target audience. Look into some of the leading real estate apps like Redfin, Trulia, Apartments.com, Realtor.com, and others. Understand what makes these apps popular and distinguish them from each other. Conduct an in-depth analysis to uncover what these apps fail to offer to tech-savvy users—their pain points.

Next, consider potential solutions, which could range from unique features, improved services, enhanced security, added safety measures, to better usability. Developing a comprehensive list of these solutions will greatly assist in creating a superior rental search app.

2: Brainstorm over App Concept

The success of your app will largely depend on its effectiveness in solving user problems. In the realm of real estate apps, a crucial decision is whether to offer a comprehensive suite of real estate services or to specialize in a particular area, such as rental services. Having a clear real estate business idea will guide the development of your app. However, the key challenge lies in distinguishing your app from the competition. This is precisely where your market research comes into play. Your objective is to address the shortcomings that users experience with existing real estate apps. By ensuring your app effectively resolves these issues, you can create a standout product in the market.

3: Consider Development Approach

Now the next step is to decide what development approach you want to go with. The development approach should be based on your budget and time. Each development approach comes with a unique set of benefits and challenges. For example:

Budget Optimization Approach

• Hire Freelancers: No doubt, hiring freelancers will be a cost-effective solution, but it will face some challenges. This means:
  • If you are tech-savvy
  • Understand the nitty-gritty of real estate app development
  • Efficient to manage a team working remotely with different time zones
  • Ready to delay your project
  • Then freelancers could be the option for you.
  • Go with Clone Solutions: Clone app solutions are the best available option to save money and launch your project faster. Yes, you can get a clone app solution in a week of time, though it comes with some risks. For example, if your clone solution:
  • Fails to impress your target audiences
  • Doesn’t have all the required features
  • Has inferior and buggy UI/UX
  • Clone app solutions come with a limited set of features and predefined UI/UX. With limited flexibility to add custom features, designs, or others, it might create issues in the later stage.

Financially Equipped Approach

• Custom App Development: It’s a bit costly and time-consuming but provides a robust solution that lasts longer and saves money in the long run. All you need to do is find the best real estate app development company and build a robust application.

4: Think about Features You Need Rental Search App

The next most important part is deciding the features of your rental application. Take advantage of your research and analysis to integrate the optimal set of features. However, there are some common features that you might consider including in your app. They are:

How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like Zumper?

Real estate app development costs can vary significantly based on two primary factors: the number of hours required to build the app and the hourly rates charged by developers. Typically, a standard real estate app takes between 600 to 700 hours to develop. At a rate of $50 per hour, the total cost would range from $30,000 to $35,000. However, if the app is more complex and requires additional development time, the price will also increase accordingly.

Another important factor affecting development costs is the region where the development takes place. Partnering with IT firms in the USA, UK, Canada, or other European countries could result in costs ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 for an app similar to Zumper. On the other hand, substantial cost savings can be achieved by outsourcing the project to Asian countries, such as India. By doing so, you can reduce development expenses by 40-70%, while still receiving high-quality work that meets international standards. For instance, partnering with a company like iTechnolabs can offer you cost-effective development services without compromising on quality.

Suggested: How Much Does it Cost to Create An App

How can iTechnolabs help you to build an App Like Zumper?

iTechnolabs a specialized real estate app development company has a team of experienced developers who can help you build an app like Zumper. Our team has the necessary skills and expertise to create a user-friendly, feature-rich, and high-performing app that meets your business requirements.

We offer end-to-end solutions for real estate apps, including concept development, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Our team follows an agile development process to ensure timely delivery of top-quality products.

• Customized Solutions: We provide tailored app development solutions to meet your specific business needs and goals.
• Experienced Team: Our team of dedicated real estate app developers has extensive experience in building real estate apps.
• User-Friendly Design: We focus on creating intuitive and easy-to-navigate interfaces to enhance user experience.
• Feature-Rich Development: We incorporate advanced features such as property listings, search filters, map integration, and user profiles to ensure a comprehensive app.
• Agile Methodology: Utilizing agile development practices for efficient and timely delivery of high-quality apps.
• End-to-End Services: Offering comprehensive services from concept development to deployment and maintenance, ensuring all aspects of the app are covered.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Providing budget-friendly development without compromising on the quality of the final product.
• Continuous Support: Offering ongoing maintenance and support to keep the app updated and running smoothly.
• Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure privacy.
• Integration Capabilities: Ensuring seamless integration with third-party services like payment gateways and social media platforms.

Conclusion

The world’s population is expanding rapidly, with an increase of approximately 83 million people each year. This surge opens up numerous business opportunities across various sectors, including real estate. If you’re considering developing real estate applications or rental search apps, now is an ideal time to bring your vision to life. In fact, 84% of Americans believe that renting a home is more affordable than purchasing one. Why not seize this chance to create a platform that caters to the millions in search of affordable housing? Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or are interested in developing a house rental app.