Homesnap Reviews: What Buyers and Agents Need to Know

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  Written by Jessica Johansen

Searching for a home can be a major undertaking. Homesnap aims to make the process easier.

Homesnap is an app available for iOS and Android that you can use to find detailed information about most properties for sale in the United States. Although it’s similar in some ways to other websites such as Zillow or Redfin, it also offers some outstanding features that set it apart. 

If you’re considering using Homesnap as a buyer or as a real estate agent, this guide will explain how it works and provide some Homesnap reviews to help you make a better choice on whether it’s right for you. 

What is Homesnap?

Homesnap for buyers

Homesnap is a mobile-only platform that enables you to find out information about homes for sale. The iOS and Android apps:

• Provide updated information about homes for sale obtained from more than 500 different data sources and 230 Multiple Listing Services (large databases of for-sale properties)
• Allow users to search for properties by school district or by open house date
• Enable users to snap a picture of a home and immediately obtain photos of the property and details including an estimate of its value, its school district, the lot boundary lines, its square footage, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms it has
• Provide users with an in-app messaging service that can be used to share home listings or communicate with realtors
• Allow agents to connect with other agents with a single tap within the app

Homesnap for real estate agents

HomeSnap Pro also allows agents to take control over their Google business profile; generate and manage customer reviews; and post updates of new listings and recent sales. 

However, Homesnap works on mobile devices only, unlike other websites such as Realtor.com, Zillow, and Redfin that allow you to search on the web as well as on your phone or tablet. 

Homesnap pros and cons

There are some significant benefits of using Homesnap’s app, but there are also some downsides to consider as well. Here’s what you need to know based on Homesnap reviews and an analysis of the app. 

Homesnap pros

• Homesnap provides access to information about more properties than many other home-buying websites. Because it obtains information from 500 different data sources as well as local MLS services, it’s database of properties is much more comprehensive than most.
• The app makes it incredibly easy to obtain information about properties you’re interested in as you can just take a photo of any home to get detailed pictures, an estimated fair market value, and much more. Detailed information about boundary lines is also available, which many other listing websites lack. 
• The app’s search functionality makes it easy to find information you’re looking for. You can search for nearby properties, narrow down your search by school district, look for properties with open houses, and of course search by price range. 
• Communication is simple: You can share information about homes you’re interested in with anyone including those who don’t use Homesnap. You can also easily communicate with your buyer’s agent or with a property’s listing agent right from within the app. 
• Professional tools for agents: Realtors can work with Homesnap to optimize their business profiles, solicit reviews from clients, connect with buyers, market their properties, and easily generate pricing estimates. 

While Homesnap also helps realtors market properties they are selling, its features are more limited for individuals looking to sell a house. It won’t connect you with a pre-screened agent, for example, and you can’t list your property directly on the site if you are interested in selling it. 

If you need a realtor to assist you in getting your home on the market, we can match you with a top agent who will sell your home for just 1.5% of list price. And for buyers, we offer home buyer rebates in select areas across the U.S. 

Homesnap cons

• Its school district rating system may not be as accurate as some alternatives. Some past reviewers indicate the data on local districts wasn’t as accurate as it could be. 
• Its agent matching program is imperfect. Realtors complain of being sent leads to buyers who weren’t a good fit. That’s a problem not just for real estate agents who pay for its pro service, but also for would-be homebuyers who may not be able to find the right real estate agent to help them in their home search. 
• There’s no online website. If you don’t have a phone or mobile device, you can’t use the website to find information about properties or view listings you’ve saved. 
• The app occasionally suffers from technical problems. Some users complain of slow loading websites or other glitches. 

Homesnap App reviews

First the good news: Homesnap has received many positive reviews from app users who have found its search features to be comprehensive, its interface to be intuitive, and its data to be comprehensive. 

In fact, this app user has familiarity with many real estate listing services and lists Homesnap as one of the best due to the ease of finding home information, the comprehensiveness of the data, and the ability to connect with agents directly inside the app’s interface. 

Agents also appreciate the breadth of information the app provides and the manner in which it streamlines communication with clients shopping for homes. 

But not every app user is happy. In fact, some have commented that the school district data is imperfect or that the app has technical problems. This agent, for example, believes the school district information isn’t as accurate as it should be. 

This user, on the other hand, was dissatisfied with an app update that left Homesnap loading slowly. 

Unfortunately, this technical problem wasn’t an isolated incident as other users have complained of difficulty accessing the app as well. When you’re using it to save properties and need access to the information, this can be quite frustrating — especially if you need to act quickly to go and see a home in a competitive market. 

Homesnap agent reviews

While Homesnap reviews are generally positive for those using the website to search for properties, the reviews are decidedly more mixed when it comes to matching clients with agents. 

In fact, some reviews suggest Homesnap doesn’t do a very good job screening the agents that advertise on its service. 

Unfortunately, some real estate agents who have used Homesnap to generate business from potential home buyers or sellers have also noted that the app did a poor job of matching them with people who they could effectively assist. This agent, for example, was matched with Spanish-speaking buyers although he did not speak Spanish. 

There are no Homesnap reviews from buyers who have successfully worked with a realtor they were connected to through Homesnap, so it is difficult to determine how the buyer experience is.

The good news is, some satisfied customers have been happy with the professionals that Homesnap connected them with.  In fact, this reviewer was pleased with the help they received throughout their transaction after Homesnap connected them with a professional from Long & Foster. 

What is Homesnap Pro Plus?

Homesnap Pro Plus is a separate service from the Homesnap app that’s targeted towards realtors. The service:

• Connects agents with potential clients (or “leads”) who are using the Homesnap app and who have questions about a listed property
• Assists real estate agents with digital marketing on the most popular online networks
• Helps agents to claim and optimize their Google business profiles
• Provides a Homesnap News feed so agents can stay up to date on the real estate market in general and on properties of interest
• Streamlines the process of scheduling showings by integrating with popular services including ShowingTime and Centralized Showing Service
• Facilitates the timely creation of comparative market analysis reports which help identify home value by reviewing the prices of similar properties
• Enables easy communication with clients using the Homesnap app

Agents who sign up for Homesnap Pro will pay a monthly price of $49.99 per month. Those who sign up for a year of service will pay a discounted rate of $399 during the first year and $599 each subsequent year.

Homesnap vs. Zillow

Both Homesnap and Zillow make it easy to search for properties. However, there are some important differences between them. The table below can help you compare what each site has to offer. 

» MORE: Is Zillow’s Home Value Estimator Accurate?

Related links

If you’re interested in Homesnap reviews because you’re thinking of purchasing or selling a home, this other information may be of interest: 

Redfin vs. Zillow Estimators: Both Redfin and Zillow provide estimates of property values, but there are often differences between the valuations from the two sites. Learn how Zillow’s “Zestimates” and Redfin’s property valuation algorithms compare.

The Most Accurate Home Value Websites: Take a comprehensive look at which home valuation websites are the most accurate. Zillow, Redfin, Remax, Trulia, and Realtor.com are all compared here. 

Buyer’s Agents: What They Are and What They Do for Homebuyers: Buyer’s agents facilitate the process of purchasing a home. They do much more than just show you properties for sale. Learn about all of the services they can provide to you if you’re interested in finding your dream property.