Development of Android Based Property Searching App

Client Brief

Client approached SynapseIndia with a requirement of developing a standard property searching Android application enabling the users to search, bookmark and save the details of the searched properties.

Our Endeavor

View Property Details:

The app should allow users to view property details either based on his/her current location or by the given search criteria the app already possess.

List View Feature:

The application should enable users to view properties on map and in "list view" manner. The application also needed to have the facility to save the searched properties on the server, both individually and in groups.

Saving & Suggesting Feature:

"Add to favorite", "email the property to friend" and "send request to attend the event" are few of the functionalities that were required in the Android app, so that users can save property details searched by them as well as suggest them to their friend & family.

We have implemented them all along with a lot of other attributes.

Options Available for Searching Properties:

To help the users to narrow down their searches we have implemented quite a few search criteria including "property type", "price" ,"beds", "bathrooms", "size in feet", "geographic location ,country", "state", "city" etc. Further to this, we have also added some additional search items like "loan status" and "collateral type" helping the users to track & trace the financial concerns attached to the property. To achieve these features we have used different applicable search screens to be used along with each of these criteria.

Mapping Features:

To harness the most robust search & mapping capabilities we have included some exceptional abilities like "Area Highlighter", "Nearby Homes for Sale widget" and "Street View integration". Along with "list view" feature, to make the application more worthy and informative, we have enabled the end users to view short details of a particular property that they would search. The property details pop-up on the map by tapping on it. Users can click on the pop-up to view the full details of the property including its images in the attached photo gallery.

Connecting & Sharing:

For making it more workable, we have implemented such functionalities so that the users can add that property to their favorite list so that they can save the details of the searched properties and refer them in future whenever needed. Recommending that property to their friends is also an option we have implemented and for that, we have added emailing functionality along with abilities to connect through their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Exceptional Features:

Among some interesting features, this Android application also allows users to send a request to attend a bid against any property. Upcoming auction event can be viewed in calendar section where the auction events are shown in list view manner. Users can view properties on the map as well as in lists. Users can also view the path to that property from his current location on the map. User is provided with "My Location" button to view the properties pertaining to the current location at any point of in the application. "My Stuff" section saves the search results and users can view them after logging in into the app even at a later time.

Voice Tagging Feature:

One more interesting feature that we have suggested and successfully implemented is the voice tag. "Voice Tag" option allows users to search a property by calling out the name of a locality, city, state or province. When users will call out a name, the app will automatically offer few related searchable options. App users can even create and save private notes using voice tag option and send them to family, friends, and agents. They can even filter the displayed properties based on the pre-defined categories.