Handy real estate apps in Australia

If you’re looking for a home to buy or rent

Domain

Availability and rating: iOS (4.7) and Android (4.5)

You can use the app to search for homes to buy or rent by location, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, number of parking spaces, land size and more. An interesting feature is that you can see which school catchment zones a property falls in. You can also add upcoming inspections to your phone’s calendar or to the app’s inspection planner tool.

Flatmate Finders

Availability and rating: iOS (4.8) and Android (4.4)

Looking for a flatmate? You may want to check out this app. If you are looking for a home the service is free for two months, but if you are offering a place to stay you will have to pay. The price starts at $22.99 for 14 days. You can create a personalised profile describing yourself, what you’re looking for and your budget. It also offers in-app calls which it says ensures that you find the perfect home or flatmate quickly, easily and safely.

Homely

Availability and rating: iOS (4.7) and Android (4.6)

This is another app that you can use to search for properties for sale and rent across Australia. It lets you customise your search by price, bedrooms, bathrooms and a range of other property features. You can also use it to add inspection and auction reminders to your personal calendar. It also features a “sold hub” which shows the most recent properties that have been sold via auction or private sales. Plus, you can check out suburb reviews written by locals.

Realestate.com.au

Availability and rating: iOS (4.8) and Android (4.6)

The Realeastate.com.au app allows you to search for all types of property across Australia. You can search for property to buy, to rent or ones that have sold. It also allows you to find an agent. The available search filters include location, number of bedrooms, bathrooms or car spaces, land size and price range. Other features include the ability to save properties into a collection and receive updates about the status of your saved properties.

Rent.com.au

Availability and rating: iOS (4.9) and Android (4.8)

This app is primarily aimed at matching renters looking for a place to live with landlords who have available homes to let. You can search for places to rent based on factors such as NBN access and Walk Score data (can you ditch the car and walk everywhere?). It also lets you create a shortlist of properties that appeal to you and you can create a renter resumé to include when you’re applying for a rental through the app.

TenantApp

Availability and rating: iOS (4.6) and Android (3.2)

Looking for a place to rent? TenantApp allows you to search for what’s on the rental market across Australia. You can filter your search based on price range, type of property and location; as well as check the progress of any applications from within the app. The app also allows you to create a shortlist, inquire about a listing or book an inspection.

If you want to work out how much you need to buy a property

Mortgage Home Loan Calculator

Availability and rating: iOS (4.7)

This app has a number of handy calculators that can help you with your home-buying journey. It lets you crunch the numbers on stamp duty, helps you work out how much deposit you’d need and estimate the time it will take to save a deposit. You can also use it to work out what impact interest rate movements might have on your home loan repayments and calculate how much you may be able to save by making extra home loan repayments.

Property Calculator Australia

Availability and rating: iOS (3.2) and Android (4.4)

This app is designed to help you work out how much a home will cost you. It will display the stamp duty, loan balance, deposit required and loan repayments based on the property’s purchase price and other details. It will also take into account lenders mortgage insurance if the deposit is less than 20% of the home value.

If you want to estimate how much owning an investment property will cost you

BMT PropCalc

Availability and rating: iOS (4.4) and Android (Not rated)

This app can help you estimate the costs associated with owning a property and what it may mean for your cash flow. According to the app description it “accounts for a range of expenses such as interest, stamp duty, deposit amount, insurance, council and property management rates, body corporate fees, repairs and maintenance costs”. It also factors in potential rental income, number of weeks rented, annual income and any depreciation claims available from income-producing properties.

If you’re renovating or decorating

Homestyler

Availability and rating: iOS (4.3) and Android (3.7)

The app lets you create your own do-it-yourself (DIY) design projects. You can remodel your room by taking a photo and using the furniture featured in the app to make your ideal room. You can also use the app for inspiration by checking out the latest interior design trends or looking at designs in the community section.

Houzz

Availability and rating: iOS (4.8) and Android (4.6)

Interested in home design and decoration? The Houzz app offers renovation and design ideas, letting you browse millions of home décor photos sorted by style, location or room. You can also find architects, interior decorators and other tradespeople.

Room Planner

Availability and rating: iOS (4.6) and Android (4.0)

You might have a vision for a room that you want to decorate. This app lets you get a better idea of what it could look like before you spend a cent. You can even measure rooms in your house using the camera so you can see if the layout and furniture you have in mind will fit.

If you want to estimate depreciation on your investment property

BMT Tax Calc

Availability and rating: iOS (3.0) and Android (4.0)

Claiming depreciation can be one of the perks of owning an investment property. This app offered by tax depreciation experts BMT provides an estimate of the potential property depreciation deductions available to investors. You simply need to enter some details about the property.

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