I will admit to being somewhat of an Apple fanboy. For the past several years I have been using a Macintosh computer both at home and at work, and I did buy the first edition of the iPhone when it came out last year. And I have loved and used that phone vigorously.
With the introduction of the iPhone 3G a couple of weeks ago, Apple has upgraded the firmware on the phone to version 2.0. Version 2.0 allows third party applications (or Apps as they are known in Apple lingo) on the iPhone for the first time. Of course, I upgraded immediately and started downloading apps.
Being somewhat of a techy, I went looking to see what real estate applications there were for the new operating system. The only app showing so far in the iTunes App store is Puluwai (find it here). I downloaded Pulawai today and checked it out. The interface is well designed, and the search is fast.
At the top of the screen, you can allow Pulawai to use the iPhone’s GPS (iPhone 3G) or cell tower triangulation (original iPhone) to determine your current position. You can then search around that position. You can also put in a zip code or other coordinates manually. The price fields operate just like you think they would, allowing you to put in a minimum and maximum search price. Finally, there is a nifty slider for minimum bedrooms.
Here is the rub with Pulawai, though: there is no way to customize how far from your current location to search. When I searched 94611 (Oakland/ Piedmont) today, I got results far into East Oakland. There does not appear to be a way to make any changes to the setup of the search itself.
Once you click the search button, the results are shown in list format. Once you click on one of the listings, you can see the pictures and some basic information about the property.
In addition, you can map the property, save it to a favorites list, or go back to see recent listings you have pulled up.
The interface and speed of the Pulawai app are great, but the customization of the search leaves a lot to be desired.
One other way of searching the MLS is by using Terabitz’s web based search. You can find the Terabitz web based MLS search here. While not truly an app for the new iphone, you can put a link to the web based application on your iPhone home screen. After navigating to the webpage for Terabitz, simple press the “+” button at the bottom of the screen and choose to add the web app to your iPhone home screen.
Once you have clicked through to the web app, you will see the screen above. Unlike Pulawai, Terabitz offers much more customization of the MLS search. You can search by specific zip code, numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms, and minimum and maximum list price. In addition, you can choose the type of listing you are looking for (condo, detached residential, multi-family, etc), and you can even search by a specific MLS number. Also unlike Pulawai, Terabitz will give you results for only the zip code you have entered.
Unfortunately, the interface is a little clunky. When you scroll down to the bottom of the search page to specify how you would like for the listings to be sorted, the page snaps back to the top of the search screen, making it next to impossible to actually get the sort button chosen. Also, god forbid you make a mistake in entering data (i.e. reverse the max and min prices) because getting the web application to reset is a serious pain (and I am not even sure how I got it to happen).
Once you conduct the MLS search, you can choose to see the properties you have found in either a map or list format. The map page is shown below:
Once you click on a listing, you can see the details and pictures of the home. Terabitz offers you a little more information than Pulawai. For example, there are buttons to see the complete MLS listing, to contact the agent, or to get directions to the property (Pulawai offers directions as well).
All in all, there are issues with both of these MLS search applications. Pulawai does not allow enough modification of the search, and the Terabitz interface is clunky. The market is ripe for a good, quality iPhone MLS search application. The answer may be in the upcoming Homefindr application… but it is apparently not ready yet!
