In today’s market where over 90% of property searches begin online, building a real estate app like Zillow presents immense opportunities. Whether helping buyers and renters find their next home or connecting real estate agents with new leads, a well-crafted property app can completely transform the real estate journey.
But how exactly do you build an app like Zillow in 2025? And what lessons can you take from Zillow’s success? This full guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Decoding Zillow’s Business Model: How Does Zillow Make Money?
Zillow disrupted the market by going beyond a simple property listing platform. Its revenue comes from multiple streams selling advertising space to real estate agents, offering premium listings, promoting Zillow Premier Agent services, generating mortgage leads, and offering transaction-related services such as closing and escrow.
If you’re planning your own real estate mobile app development or proptech app project, understanding this kind of multi-stream model is critical for long-term success.
Lessons Learned from Zillow’s Business Success
Zillow teaches us that creating value isn’t about listing properties, it’s about providing a digital experience that keeps users engaged.
To do this, Zillow built trust through verified data, added tools like mortgage calculators, and created personalized user experiences. It also focused on seamless cross-device usability. These lessons apply directly to anyone exploring how to build a real estate app today.
Why Your Business Needs a Real Estate App Like Zillow
In 2025, users expect to manage their property journey through their phones from searching listings to scheduling viewings to messaging agents. A strong real estate app enhances engagement, strengthens brand visibility, provides an edge over competitors, and opens new revenue opportunities.
Having a well-planned property app strategy or a broader proptech app development roadmap is now essential for modern real estate businesses.
Essential Features of a Real Estate App Like Zillow
A competitive real estate mobile app should include features such as:
- Advanced property search
- Interactive maps
- High-quality photos and videos
- Virtual tours
- In-app messaging
- Real-time alerts for new listings
Advanced Features to Stay Ahead of the Competition
Leading platforms now go further with features like AI-driven property recommendations, mortgage calculators, AR virtual staging, secure document signing, predictive analytics, and chatbots all of which should be considered in your real estate app development plan.
Choosing the Right Technology Stack
Your app’s performance and scalability depend on choosing the right stack. Top options include React Native or Flutter for mobile apps, Node.js or Django for backend development, PostgreSQL or MongoDB for databases, and services like Google Maps API for mapping.
Whether for real estate apps or proptech platforms, choosing proven technologies ensures smooth scalability.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Real Estate App?
A basic MVP typically takes 4–6 months and costs between $40,000–$70,000. A fully featured real estate app like Zillow can take 8–12 months and range from $80,000–$200,000+, depending on complexity and feature set.
App Complexity and Estimated Costs
Advanced features like AR tours or AI recommendations will increase both cost and time but they also help differentiate your app. Plan for future scalability when budgeting your property app or proptech app project.
Nearshore vs. Offshore Development
Choosing between nearshore and offshore app development comes down to your project needs. Offshore can be more affordable but may lead to communication challenges. Nearshore development offers better collaboration for complex real estate or proptech apps.
What is the Hourly Rate for an Outsourced Team?
Rates vary widely:
- Offshore: $20–$50/hour
- Nearshore: $40–$100/hour
- US/UK-based: $100–$200/hour
Choosing the right team depends on balancing quality, cost, and communication for your project.
Monetization Models: How Will Your App Make Money?
A clear revenue model is key to any real estate app. Options include:
- Selling ad space to property management firms
- Premium services for agents (such as promoted listings or lead generation)
- Partnerships with mortgage lenders and related services
How Hudasoft Helps You Build a Winning Real Estate App
If you’re ready to build a top-tier real estate app like Zillow, Hudasoft can help.
As an experienced real estate app development company with expertise in proptech app development, Hudasoft offers:
- Full-cycle app strategy, design, and development
- Scalable, future-ready technology stacks
- Expertise in real estate UX/UI
- Custom monetization planning
- Proven success launching high-performing apps
Whether you need a focused MVP or a full-featured platform, Hudasoft will help bring your vision to life.
Conclusion
In 2025, creating a successful real estate app means going beyond listings to build a digital platform that connects users, drives revenue, and creates lasting engagement. For brokers, agencies, and entrepreneurs alike, investing in smart real estate app development and modern proptech solutions is key to staying competitive.
Ready to get started? Partner with Hudasoft your trusted real estate app development company and let’s build something exceptional.
FAQS
How to build a real estate app like Zillow?
To build a real estate app like Zillow, you need to define your features, choose the right tech stack, design a user-friendly interface, and partner with an experienced real estate app development company like Hudasoft.
How much does it cost to build a real estate app?
The cost to build a real estate app ranges from $40,000 for a basic MVP to $200,000+ for a full-featured platform like Zillow, depending on features and development scope.
How long does it take to develop a real estate app?
A simple real estate app takes about 4–6 months to develop. A more complex app with advanced features can take 8–12 months or longer.
What features should a real estate app have?
Top features include advanced property search, interactive maps, virtual tours, high-quality media, in-app messaging, mortgage calculators, and AI-driven property recommendations.
How do real estate apps make money?
Real estate apps make money through ad space sales, premium services for agents, featured listings, lead generation fees, and partnerships with mortgage and insurance providers.
What is the best tech stack for real estate app development?
React Native or Flutter for mobile, Node.js or Django for backend, PostgreSQL or MongoDB for databases, and AWS or Google Cloud for hosting are popular choices for real estate and proptech app development.
Should I hire nearshore or offshore developers for a real estate app?
Nearshore developers offer better collaboration and faster turnaround, while offshore teams may offer lower rates but can pose communication challenges especially for complex proptech apps.
What are the benefits of proptech apps?
Proptech apps enhance the property buying, selling, and renting experience. They improve user convenience, streamline transactions, and offer innovative ways for agents, buyers, and sellers to connect.
Can Hudasoft build a real estate app for my business?
Yes, Hudasoft specializes in real estate app development and proptech app development, helping businesses create high-performance, scalable apps tailored to their market needs.
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