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Technology has made it easier than ever to invest in real estate. Find out more about the top nine real estate investment apps you should explore, learn how an expert can help improve your investment strategy, and get answers to your most popular questions in this real estate investing guide.
There are many different ways to invest in real estate. Whether you're hoping to actively or passively invest, or simply looking for a better mechanism to help find and manage your investments, there's an app for that.
Since your phone is always by your side, finding a reputable, easy-to-use real estate investing app is at the top of the list for many investors. But, you don't have to waste your time researching the ins and outs of each apps — we've already done that work for you.
If you're interested in real estate investing, work with an experienced real estate agent to find and evaluate potential deals. This will help ensure you make the best decisions.
Check out an overview on the nine best real estate investing apps, including how they work and who should use them.
1. DealMachine
One of the biggest challenges real estate investing is finding a good deal. You simply can't make money in real estate if you're overpaying for properties.
The DealMachine app is one tool that can really help you.
DealMachine's real estate software helps investors find and research distressed homes (think: pre-foreclosures, foreclosures, short sales, etc), and reach out to homeowners fast via batch skip tracing and direct mail campaigns.
Its driving for dollars app is fast and easy to use. When you're driving around town and spot a home that could be a great deal, you can send the owner direct mail through the app for huge time savings (no post office visits required).
Download the DealMachine app to find undervalued properties as you drive. DealMachine offers a 7-day free trial and $15 in free credits that can be used towards marketing (like sending out postcards to homeowners).
2. BiggerPockets App
BiggerPockets is one of the most popular investing apps that also has a helpful website platform for users who might prefer a desktop experience. Bigger Pockets has over 1.4 million members and offers a variety of tools for new or professional investors.
BiggerPockets allows users to network with other investors and provides a forum where investors can connect, ask questions, and share advice. They also have a BiggerPockets podcast that can help answer member questions and offer important information on the state of the market. Best of all, BiggerPockets membership includes features like property analysis calculators to help you better determine if a deal is sound.
While base membership is free, the Pro membership with full access to all of the app's tools costs $39 a month and can be downloaded at the Apple Store or on Google Play.
3. Auction.com App
The main draw of auction.com's app is the lower prices investors can expect to spend on properties. Auction.com offers investors a look at bank-owned and foreclosed properties, that they're able to bid on for prices that often start way below the home's actual value.
Auction.com offers users the ability to search and research properties, so that they're confident once they find a property that meets their criteria. From there, investors will place a bid during live or online auctions. If you win the bid and property, Auction.com also offers investing support to help you with next steps. This process can be completed via their website, but is also well-suited for their mobile app.
Auction.com can be downloaded at the Apple Store or on Google Play.
4. Ten-X Commercial App
Ten-X is an app designed to streamline the way commercial properties are purchased, and is responsible for approximately 90% of all online commercial real estate sales. Their digital platform is intuitive and provides the data investors need to determine if a property is the right fit for their investment plans.
Ten-X splits their commercial properties into five categories to help investors better find the right property type: office, multi-family, hotel, retail, and industrial. Investors who aren't tied to a particular type of investment can all search for all available properties. Investors can also enter in a variety of investment criteria that Ten-X will use to help them find the most precise results possible.
Tex-X is available for download on the Apple Store, but is not currently available on Google Play.
5. Property Fixer
If you're interested in flipping properties or looking for a better way to manage fixing homes, Property Fixer might be the best app for you. Once you have a specific property (or properties) in mind, simply enter the data into Property Fixer, and the app will help you calculate your ROI and overall profit from rehabbing and reselling the property.
It's a great app to have on the go, while you're scouting properties or trying to narrow down a list of properties, and don't have time to crunch the numbers yourself. It's also a great way to provide peace of mind if you've already calculated your property analysis, as it can be used to double check your math.
Property Fixer is available for download at the Apple Store and is not currently available on Google Play.
6. 10BII Calc HD Financial Calculator
This financial calculator app is an easy and convenient way to quickly determine a variety of formulas. Investors can figure out their cash flow analysis, calculate loan and mortgage payments, and determine their estimated cost of return on a property.
This app is a great tool for helping investors fully assess a property's value and ROI, particularly over a long period of time. Both new and existing investors can benefit from 10BII Calc.
10BII Calc HD Financial Calculator is available on both the Apple Store and Google Play.
7. Roofstock
For investors looking to purchase single-family properties, Roofstock is an easy to use platform that makes finding and buying properties simple. Roofstock offers a variety of online tools, insights, and proprietary data to help investors make smarter decisions about properties.
Roofstock completes more than $1 billion in single family residential property sales per year and offers incentives to protect investors. They do this by providing a 30 day refund period on all transactions and offering guaranteed rent if a property remains vacant.
8. Zillow
Zillow is a well known app used by many buyers and sellers, but it also offers a plethora of tools for investors, particularly those looking to flip houses. Using Zillow Offers, Zillow makes it simple for homeowners to instantly sell their home, allowing investors access to these properties.
Zillow also provides a significant amount of data on homes, allow investors to make strategic decisions based on local market information. Zillow offers access to home values in specific cities and states, as well as shows projected trends.
Zillow is available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play.
9. Xome
Xome is another app that many investors should be aware of. While investors can use this app to find homes that user place on Xome's market, one of Xome's most unique features is Xome Auctions, where investors can often find great rental properties for low prices.
Xome Auction contains a varied selection of short sale, foreclosed, REO (real estate owned), and even commercial properties available to purchase. Investors can bid on properties that meet their desired criteria and stay up to date on other bidders throughout the process.
Xome is available for download at the Apple Store and Google Play.
10. Fundrise
If you're not ready for active investing, you can still dip your toe into the investing world using a passive investing tool like Fundrise.
Fundrise is an online investing tool that crowdfunds real estate investments. They have low buy-in requirements (starting at just $1,000), making it easy for investors of any level to use this app.
Fundrise allows users to diversify their portfolio by purchasing stock in a variety of real estate projects. Users can choose from recommended investments or use filters to select their own picks.
Fundrise is available for download at the Apple Store. Android users can visit their official website.
Get Help from an Expert
While apps can make real estate investing seem easy and within reach, it's important to fully research each property before making any type of investment decision. The best way to ensure you're as well-prepared as possible is by teaming up with a qualified real estate agent.
At Semya-Moya, we partner you with top-rated full-service local agents for less. If you're interested in investing, this can help you save when buying or selling.
Our Partner Agents from top brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX offer a discounted 1.5% listing commission.
Clever will connect you with top-rated real estate agents with investment experience to help you find the right properties for your investment plan.
Choose the best real estate investing app!
A great app combined with a top agent are a great recipe for investing.
Top FAQs About Real Estate Investing
How do I start investing in real estate?
Before you take any steps in investing in real estate, it's important to determine if you're interested in passive or active real estate investing. Passive investing is similar to buying stocks — you pay to invest in a property along with other investors and receive ROI if the property is successful. Active investing means you'll purchase a property to manage and rent or rehab and flip.
Every investor's story is a little different, but the first step any aspiring agent should take is to team up with a reputable local real estate agent. An experienced agent who knows the local market can offer you key insights into the best neighborhoods to buy within, as well as help you find properties that match your investment goals.
How can I invest in real estate with no money?
One of the best ways to dip your toe in the real estate investment world, particularly if you're short on funds, is by purchasing a duplex as your primary residence and renting out the other half. From there, once you have enough ROI, you can buy another rental property, and continue growing your portfolio.
If you already own your own home, you can also consider taking out a home equity loan or line of credit in order to fund your investment.
Is real estate Investing worth it?
One of the primary reasons people enter into real estate investing is to gain multiple streams of income to help protect their financial futures. While flipping properties can lead to quick profit, owning several single-family, multi-family, or commercial properties where you continue to collect rent can be a great way to earn a steady extra income over time.
What is ROI?
ROI refers to your return on investment or the money you receive back based on the overall profit of the business. It's a little different from profit, since ROI does not take into account any expenses or mortgage payments that you'll need to subtract to measure your business's performance.
What is a good ROI?
In real estate, a good ROI is between 10% and 12%. A simple way to determine this would be to take your overall profit and subtract it from your investment amount. Then, you divide that number by the amount you invested.
For example, if you invested $70,000 into a home and flipped it for $90,000, your formula would be: ($90,000 - $70,000) / $70,000 = 28.57%. That would be considered a good return on investment.
