Here at Habitat Apartments, we’ve watched the shift in Boulder area apartment hunting swing from newspapers to Internet pages, and now to mobile platforms. All three are still a viable way to find a home, but mobile is making strides to become the leader in rental shopping.
The shift isn’t all that surprising. Mobile devices now account for 51 percent of our daily media consumption. Web-based companies have taken notice and are migrating their businesses onto mobile in the form of easy-to-use, one-stop-shop themed apps. The apps are even using geo-location to automatically find nearby apartments.
We think you’ll find the apartment rental app craze as innovative as we do, so we’ve put together a list of the three best mobile apps for Boulder apartment renters.
Craigslist
We can’t discount the leader in apartment listings over the past decade. Although Craigslist doesn’t sponsor its own app, there are plenty of options available for apartment renters who wish to browse ads on the go.
CSmart works because it’s simple. The mobile app is as barebones as its desktop counterpart, which makes navigation straightforward. You all know the drill. Set the app to your city, and then hop onto the apartment listings page.
We need to mention that Craigslist has been consistently losing ground to competitors. It doesn’t mean the app is bad, just that others are looking to disrupt the market. The Internet’s classified page has taken some heat for failing to monitor scam postings on its housing boards. It’s important to meet potential landlords in person in order to avoid any such malicious attempts.
The true advantage of Craigslist is its ability to turn up rental home listings that are not found elsewhere. For as many scams on Craigslist, there are just as many hidden gems.
Trulia Rentals
Trulia Rentals is a simple app with a simple premise: it aims to quickly connect renters and landlords.
Rental home search results can be filtered based on all of the normal criteria: size, price, number of bedrooms, number of baths, pet friendliness, etc. After you’ve found an apartment you like, you have the opportunity to complete a “rental resume” right there on the spot.
The rental resume is like any other rental application. It includes information about pets, move-in dates, and more. Landlords can easily see which tenants are interested and make a connection.
The ease with which potential renters are able to research landlords, and vice versa, is what sets Trulia Rentals apart.
Apartments.com
Apartments.com stands out because of the company’s dedication to serving its clients. Their current app is built from the ground up using app store reviews and other customer recommendations. The result is an app focused on high quality pictures, real time rent ranges, and apartment complex amenities.
The app is also useful for its ability to filter by commute. Users can set their mode of transportation, route, desired travel time, and even rush hour vs. limited traffic. It’s a unique way to filter apartments that’s both innovative and truly beneficial to renters.
If you’re in the market for an apartment in Boulder, we encourage you to check out these apps. They’re perfect for on-the-go browsing and can be great for spontaneous shopping. If you’re walking through a nice neighborhood and see an apartment you like, hop on Craigslist, Trulia Rentals, or Apartments.com, and get the details you need.
Anyone looking for more information on the Boulder apartment rentals can give us a call at (303) 530-2212 or get in touch with us through our website. We’re experts on apartment rentals in Boulder, and would love to answer any questions you may have.