"Dubai is a city of the future, a city that embraces innovation and technology to create an environment of excellence and leadership."
Dubai's expansive real estate market has been ever-growing. Today,
it accommodates the evolving needs of the urban Emirati population, the expats
who drive the city's ambitions, and a growing number of high-net-worth
individuals seeking investment opportunities.
The iconic skyline is a testimony to the rapid development, strategic vision, and cutting-edge marvels of architecture. The transformation of once a desert land into a bustling urban center with architectural marvels like Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and others is phenomenal.
What explains the meteoric rise of Dubai's real estate?
With the launch of freehold property laws in 2002, non-UAE nationals were allowed to purchase properties, eventually spurring an influx of expats and international investors and gradually making Dubai the global real estate hub.
The real estate market in the United Arab Emirates is anticipated to reach a staggering value of US$0.68tn by 2024.
Dubai is an attractive investment destination in the MENA region due to its stable economy and transformation into a technological leader. This has brought in a steady stream of global investors, institutions, and businesses and a growing workforce from all corners of the world, making it a sought-after metropolis to live and work.
Real estate mobile apps in Dubai- capitalizing on the evolving market
The city's technological advancements have heavily influenced the real estate sector of Dubai in recent years, which drives innovation and efficiency. Mobile applications, particularly, are being used indispensably by real estate agents, sellers, and buyers. Generally, real estate applications come with the following features, as put down by our mobile app development team at Proquantic:
- Fetching real-time market data
- Providing virtual tours
- Showing comprehensive property listings
- Enabling instant messaging
- Carrying out secured transactions
and many more that will allow the users to make swift and informed decisions by making the property buy and sell processes more streamlined.
Dubai
is a city known for its dynamically paced mobile application development
market. These real estate apps ensure seamlessness and ceaseless accessibility and
provide real estate companies with a competitive edge.
Why does your real estate business need a mobile app in Dubai?
The real estate sector in Dubai is rapidly evolving. The smart clientele of the city's real estate market is tech-savvy, and mobile applications provide a streamlined platform for them to access comprehensive data about a property and even execute transactions within a unified hub. However, the capabilities of a real estate app traverse far beyond the general functionalities mentioned, as given below:
Competitive advantage
A dedicated real estate mobile application helps a business to gain a competitive edge. An app positively reflects the brand's commitment to providing customer satisfaction, keeping their unique information needs in mind.
Building a strong and significant reputation is crucial for any real estate business, especially operating in the crowded market of Dubai, where it's challenging to create a buzz in the competitive chaos. Having a real estate mobile application built with tailored specifications and a bouquet of cutting-edge features and functions will make the users engage with it and the business seamlessly.
Expanding the audience base
A dedicated mobile app makes it easy for the real estate business to connect to the target audience and expand the audience base. Once the app is launched in the application stores of leading operating systems, a company makes its brand digital and allows users to access it from anywhere and at any time.
Mobile applications obliterate geographical limitations, and hence, a vast demographic of users can reach the brand, increasing the latter's awareness and amplifying the generation of more sales opportunities.
Increased user-engagement
Real estate mobile apps foster better user engagement and retention. How? Mobile applications are like concise and comprehensive forms of websites, but unlike them, navigating through the application is more accessible. Once the application is installed, accessing the required information is just a few clicks away.
Customers
can easily click and browse through listed homes and can even narrow down the
options with relevant filters. House hunting has become a convenient and
seamless process carried out in the comfort of the home with mobile apps.
Impactful marketing
A real estate application consists of push notification features embedded within it. The business can use this feature to promote and propagate news about discounts, offers, promos, new property listings, etc.
When they receive these notifications, users can open the promoted content directly with just one tap. This is a cost-effective way of marketing new properties,
schemes, and even offers and also a creative way of grabbing the attention of
target audiences.
Amplified audience perception
As a business, from your real estate application, you will be getting valuable and relevant insights on the customer and user base – like, for example:
- The amount of time spent on your app
- Behavior patterns
- Purchase history
- Scrolling patterns
- Clicked contents
These are shared data acquired only after the user's consent, and they help the business extract specific demographics of the user base, such as preference, age, opinions, and feedback. Applications with features that allow users to share their views, suggestions, and even requests can help the company provide more customer-oriented services.
Real estate businesses can garner valuable insights and knowledge and refine their strategies and app features more precisely for a better customer impact.
Increased efficiency
Real estate mobile apps act as the bridge between sellers and buyers by establishing a seamless line of communication between them. With the optimal utilization of these apps, both parties can connect effortlessly, leading to seamless correspondence and a more targeted and efficient experience.
Mobile applications provide real estate agents with a quick view of property listings, which is crucially helpful before they develop their sales pitch and execute it efficiently.
Unparalleled user experience
A flawless and smooth user experience is required to impact the real estate business's success exponentially. A website only sometimes delivers a similar experience to a natively adjusted application on handheld devices.
When a real estate mobile application is designed elegantly, intuitively, and simply, users will be able to find their property without hindrance, allowing the business to deliver unparalleled user experience.
Accurate customer targeting
Mobile applications reach specific clients. As applications give a proper view of user behavior and preferences, businesses can align their content with the right messaging to better connect with users. With the 'handful' of data, businesses can implement new-age technologies like AI and ML to gather and process insights, which stem the creation of proactive marketing strategies with personalized communication.
Commission earning
A real estate mobile application is an incredible revenue generator. It bolsters direct sales and can foster the same through affiliate links displayed within the application.
As a business, of course, you can decide to keep it clean, that is, not broadcast any advertising, but otherwise, your company will stand a chance to earn a sure-shot percentage of the sales made from those links.
What are the must-have features of a real estate application?
A real estate mobile app embodies a robust suite of features that cater to the diverse needs of the targeted audiences by ensuring an efficient and seamless property search experience. The features are included to heighten user engagement, provide valuable insights into the business, and streamline data accessibility – indispensable in today's era. Have a look at the must-have features:
Data-driven insights and market analysis
Mobile apps must be integrated with data analytics so that they fetch data on market trends, accurate predictive analytics, and pricing insights, that too in real time. This integration empowers both investors and buyers to make informed decisions based on current and forecasted market conditions.
Virtual property tours and augmented reality
The app's incorporation of AR and VR features makes it eligible to give virtual property tours to its users, and this feature spells convenience. The detailed and immersive view transcends the impact of videos and photographs, thus saving time and fast-tracking the decision-making process for the users.
User onboarding (signup/login)
A simplified onboarding process with swift login and signup options ensures quick and hassle-free access to the app's interface. Integrating the apps with social media also paves the way for simple usability with little need for manual data feeding.
User profiles (user, sellers & agents)
Distinct profiles of sellers, buyers, and agents help personalize the app experience with relevant fields, data, features, and content tailored to each user's specific needs.
Listings and database
A database of property listings and their unique details must be updated regularly. It is crucial to include property descriptions with high-quality images, videos, or virtual tours.
Filters and categories
The applications must have filtering options and categories that empower users to narrow down their search results with specified parameters, such as amenities, price, location, etc. This ensures a more targeted and efficient search process.
Property profiles
The property profiles feature must include extensive information about legal documentation, neighborhood details, floor plans, and various graphical points of view so that users can easily understand the projects.
Favorites (shortlisting)
Users must be allowed to shortlist their preferred property(ies). This feature allows them to easily keep track of the options, carry out a comparative analysis, and conveniently decide on their final choice.
Maps
Maps are to be integrated with the implementation of geolocation functionality so that the users can seamlessly track the accurate location of the property and its surroundings. Maps also enable them to assess the proximity of essential services and amenities.
Property cost calculators
In-built property cost calculators will immediately help the users with a ballpark estimation of the chosen properties with cost parameters like insurance, tax mortgage payments, etc. so that they can optimally allocate and plan their budget.
Calendar
An in-built calendar will facilitate scheduling and managing property tours, calls with agents, and other relevant and crucial appointments.
Call or direct messaging
Integrating
the app with direct call or messaging tools will empower users to instantly
connect with agents or sellers, thus fostering efficient and quick interactions.
The tech wave making real estate mobile apps in Dubai a marketing powerhouse
In Dubai's dynamic real estate landscape, mobile applications are transforming how properties are bought and sold. The apps have become potent marketing tools for businesses that leverage the power of cutting-edge technologies.
The applications come with unparalleled
efficiency and seamless functionality, fostering rich user engagement and
positioning them at the forefront of real estate digital evolution. Let’s have
a look at the techs empowering the real estate mobile applications:
Blockchain
Blockchain technology ensures tamper-proof, transparent, and secured transactions. By leveraging this tech, real estate businesses facilitate seamless property dealings with reduced risk of fraudulent activities, thereby instilling trust and confidence among users. Smart contracts, powered by Blockchain, help streamline the process further and make property transactions more efficient.
Deloitte, in a recent study, reflected that implementing Blockchain technology can reduce costs significantly by up to 30%.
Big Data
Big Data analytics give detailed insights into market trends, valuations, and customer preferences. Real estate applications can provide accurate forecasts and personalized recommendations, predict market movements, optimize pricing structures, and more by processing vast data.
A McKinsey report pointed out that companies that use Big Data can significantly boost market productivity by 15% to 20%, thus impacting strategic decision-making.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) enhances the functionality of real estate applications through features like predictive analytics, virtual assistants, and chatbots. AI-powered algorithms suggest accurate properties based on automated customer service interactions, user behavior, and in-detail marketing analysis, improving the customer service experience.
According to a report by PwC, artificial intelligence may contribute $15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030, and the real estate sector will be its key beneficiary.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things integrates smart home devices with real estate applications, allowing users to control and monitor properties remotely. With an IoT technology-empowered application, users can control lighting, climate, and surveillance. The integration can offer buyers a glimpse of smart living in their chosen properties by making them more attractive.
AR/VR
AR/VR offers immersive experiences like virtual property tours to users from anywhere in the world. These virtual tours give users a realistic idea of the space and its structural layouts, thus helping them make informed decisions without needing physical visits.
Goldman Sachs reports that AR/VR implemented in real estate will reach $2.6 billion by 2025.
Machine Learning
Machine learning algorithms analyze user preferences and behavior and deliver personalized and unique recommendations to enhance search functionalities in the future. With time, the algorithms improve their accuracy and further offer precise suggestions that are abreast with the desires and needs of users.
What is the cost of building a real estate app in Dubai?
The price of building a real estate mobile application in Dubai is based on the following parameters:
Hourly rate of the development company
In Dubai, mobile application development firms charge around $50 to $150 per hour.
Technology and device OS
Building native applications for iOS is more than that of Android. So, creating a cross-platform application is ideal in this situation as it saves around 30% to 40% of the cost compared to native app development.
Design
Dubai offers user-friendly and high-quality app concepts, with budgets ranging from $5000 to $20,000, depending on the level of complexity. Adding high-end visuals and intricate animations can add $10,000 to $50,000 to the budget.
Feature set
Basic features of a real estate application include maps, filters, listings, and profiles, which together can cost from $10,000 to $30,000.
The cost of implementing features powered by technologies like AR/VR, ML, IoT, and AI ranges between $15,000 and $50,000.
Backend infrastructure
Based on the need for backend infrastructure for efficient data management, the cost can range between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on the scalability and complexity of the application.
Updates and maintenance
Ongoing updates and maintenance charges cost up to 15% - 20% of the initial development cost.
Quality assurance
Manual and automated testing as a comprehensive combo cost between $10,000 and $30,000.
Security measures
Implementing top-notch security protocols to protect user data and transactions can range between $5,000 to $15,000.
Third-party integrations
Integrating third-party features like CRM, payment gateways, and databases can cost between $5,000 and $20,000.
Considering the factors mentioned above, the total cost of building a real estate mobile application in Dubai's new-age technology-empowered market can range between $80,000 and $300,000. However, the figures mentioned above are roughly estimated, and the actual cost can vary for the final product.
In case you are wondering about the cost, then let us tell you the top 4 reasons why you should choose Dubai’s app development firms:
- Dubai's mobile app development market is competitive and offers the best price with lower development costs compared to the app development rates of Australia, the UK, the USA, etc.
- Dubai, the innovation hub of the world, leverages cutting-edge technologies like IoT, AI, ML, and AR/VR so that your app is ready for the future under the best competitive pricing structure.
- Experience seamless communication with efficient and on-time delivery with a reliable app development company in Dubai.
Dubai harbors one of the largest tech-savvy populations, belonging to nearly every ethnicity in the world. Having your app built in this thriving mobile
application development market will allow your company to target
investors and buyers from around the world.
Why should you partner with a professional app development company in Dubai?
Let's say you have a real estate business in Dubai and want to build an app. How do you ensure your app stands out and increases your revenue? You can either assemble an in-house team or hire a freelancer. Research suggests getting your business app built through a professional mobile app development company in Dubai for quality delivery is always prudent. Here are the reasons:
Access to expertise and the right technology
With rapid development in the tech space and the need to integrate the latest features, which demand a high level of expertise, a professional app development company with a ready talent pool of experienced developers, designers, and project managers comes across as a good fit. You just do not need any application; it should stand out and bring real value to your business. These skilled developers are well-versed in current trends and technologies, such as AI, machine learning, and IoT, and most times, app development agencies offer a flexible hiring model.
Cost-effectiveness
Building an in-house development team can be costly and time-consuming. By partnering with a professional app development company, business owners can save on long-term costs and overheads associated with hiring, training, and maintaining a full-time team. Also, consider the ongoing support. In the case of small businesses, it's essential to manage costs while rooting for high-quality apps.
Accelerated time to market
Professional app development companies in Dubai, with well-defined processes from ideation to completion and working in a competitive ecosystem, are reputed for quick delivery. Outsourcing app development is a good choice, especially if deadlines must be met. This is crucial in industries like the real estate business, where being first to market can provide a competitive edge.
Customization and scalability
Consider the stiff competition in Dubai. It favors businesses with a growth mindset that has a pulse on the tech-savvy generation. As your business grows, the market demand for better, newer services surge, and so should your app. App development companies in Dubai are well aware of your future needs and design apps with scalability in mind to secure your app's evolution path.
A wealth of market insights
A professional app development partner in Dubai employs market researchers and data analysts who leverage the company's experience with diverse clients and trending market insights, helping you understand your target audience better. The more closely you can map user needs and preferences, the better the user engagement and sales.
Final thoughts
Dubai's international real estate market has been experiencing an unstoppable infrastructural revolution that has garnered the attention of many foreign investors. It's safe to conclude that it has matured and moved beyond the boom and bust cycle. Real estate companies must choose an experienced mobile app development company in Dubai to harness this market's full potential.
We
at Proquantic have consistently delivered on our promise of performant apps
across industries. Our apps meet high-quality standards and are primed to
perform in a dynamic market, catering to a global audience.
