iPhone Does Real Estate

By Rick Broida

Let’s face it: The iPhone deserves the hype. No other cell phone on the planet offers such an elegant interface, functional Web browser, and diverse assortment of third-party applications. Indeed, the iPhone is so much more than just a phone, Apple might want to consider a name change. iPocketWebComputerCommunicator, anyone?  •  Or how about iREALTORS®BestFriend? With an iPhone at your side, you’ve got a tool that’ll make you better organized, more productive, and, believe it or not, smarter than the average REALTOR®. (Note: All third-party apps mentioned below are available in the iTunes software App Store.)

Let’s start with what’s built in. The current-model iPhone (a.k.a. iPhone 3G) includes a 2-megapixel camera, which offers more than enough resolution to snap Web-ready property photos. (Alas, it lacks a flash, so pack a Phlash LED button-light [phonephlash.com] to help with dimly lit areas.) If you’re a Facebook user, you can instantly upload snapshots to your account using the free Facebook app. Or grab ShoZu, which lets you photo-blog to Flickr®, WordPress, Twitter, and other social-networking sites. It’s a free app as well.

The iPhone 3G also features GPS, and while it doesn’t offer turn-by-turn navigation (yet) the way a typical GPS does, it does provide a wealth of cool and useful location-based services. For example, the built-in Google Maps app can zero in on your current location with the tap of a single button. Now, suppose you’re showing a house to a couple who mention their love of movies. Just type “movies” into the Google Maps search field and presto: little pins appear on the map indicating all the nearby theaters. Show your client and say, “Why, look at that, you’ve got five theaters within three miles.”

Various third-party apps take this “what’s in the neighborhood” idea even further. For example, AroundMe taps the GPS to determine your location, then provides a categorical list of nearby businesses and services: banks, coffee shops, hospitals, and so on. WikiMe works similarly, but displays all Wikipedia entries relative to your location. With these apps in your hand, you become an instant expert on any neighborhood, able to mention nearby conveniences and attractions in the same breath.

What about finding actual homes for sale? Free apps like Home Finder, Puluwai Real Estate Search, and Trulia Real Estate Search help you do exactly that, again using your iPhone’s GPS as a basis for searches: They present listings within a designated radius of your location.

Speaking of apps, here’s a list of others you might want to try or buy:

>> Google Earth: Already a desktop staple, the iPhone version of Google Earth puts the same incredible satellite and aerial imagery in the palm of your hand. You can “fly” to any location in the world (including your current location), browse geo-located photos (and Wikipedia articles), and leverage Google Local Search to find nearby businesses and places. Best of all, Google Earth is free.

>> Loan Lite: For a mere 99 cents, this handy app calculates monthly rates for 5-, 10-, 15-, or 30-year home loans. Like any good mortgage calculator, Loan Lite also lets you make adjustments for down payments, insurance, homeowner-association fees, and taxes.

>> Property Evaluator: Designed with real-estate agents and lenders in mind, Property Evaluator provides loan calculations, performance projections, what-if scenarios, amortization tables, and other handy analysis tools. It’s one of the iPhone’s pricier apps at a whopping $9.99.

>> Say Who: As an actual phone, the iPhone falls short in a couple of key areas. One of them is voice dialing, a feature most REALTORS® really need. Fortunately, there are numerous apps that add this capability, and one of the best is freebie Say Who. You do have to tap and hold the screen while speaking, so it’s not a fully hands-free solution, but it’s definitely faster than wading through your contacts or favorites list.

>> Spanish Anywhere: Trying to overcome a language barrier? Spanish Anywhere offers over 1,800 phrases, 10,000 words, 1,000 verb conjugations, and more, all for helping you convert Spanish to English and back again. The phrases are organized by situation (including real estate), and there’s a word-a-day tool to help you expand your vocabulary. Spanish Anywhere costs $9.99.

Of course, iPhones aren’t just for REALTORS®: An increasing number of home buyers will be using their iPhones to find and peruse property listings. Consequently, make sure your Web site, listings, and/or blog is optimized for the iPhone’s browser. This may require a conversation with your IT person or department. Alternately, check out Intersquash.com, a free service that can “iphonize” any site with just a few clicks. And if you’re hooked into REALTOR.com®, you’re all set: The iphone.realtor.com address is already iPhone-optimized.

Rick Broida is a freelance technology writer and a contributor to numerous outlets including Wired Magazine, CNET, Family PC, and Popular Science.