Real Estate Platform
A modern property search and listing platform connecting buyers, sellers, and agents through immersive property tours, AI-powered recommendations, and streamlined communication tools for seamless real estate transactions.
Project Overview
HomSpace reimagines the real estate search experience by addressing common frustrations in property discovery and evaluation. The platform serves three distinct user types—buyers searching for properties, sellers/landlords listing properties, and real estate agents managing clients and listings—each requiring tailored experiences within a cohesive ecosystem.
Discovery & Problem Definition
Research with 60 participants including home buyers, renters, sellers, and agents revealed significant pain points: difficulty visualizing properties from photos alone, lack of neighborhood context beyond the property itself, overwhelming search results without meaningful filtering, and poor communication tools leading to scheduling frustrations. We conducted competitive analysis of 12 real estate platforms, identifying opportunities for differentiation through better visualization, smarter search, and integrated communication.
User Personas & Journey Mapping
We developed detailed personas for first-time homebuyers, experienced investors, renters, landlords, and real estate agents. Journey maps revealed that buyers typically view 50+ listings online before visiting properties, making the online browsing experience critical. Agents needed tools that reduced administrative work while keeping them central to transactions. These insights informed our design priorities and feature set.
Search & Discovery UX
The search interface uses an intelligent filtering system that goes beyond basic criteria. Users can filter by lifestyle factors like "walkable neighborhood," "good schools," or "quiet street," with AI analyzing property descriptions, reviews, and data to match these qualitative preferences. Map-based search shows properties with key amenities overlaid—schools, transit, shopping, parks—helping users evaluate neighborhoods holistically. We designed a saved search system that sends smart notifications based on urgency and match quality, not bombarding users with every new listing.
Usability Testing & Iteration
Six rounds of testing with 90 participants across all user types refined the interface. We A/B tested search filters, property card layouts, and virtual tour navigation. Key findings led to simplifying the advanced search from 30 to 12 primary filters with optional advanced options, redesigning property cards to emphasize photos over text, and adding quick-action buttons for save, share, and contact on every listing.
Outcomes & Impact
Post-launch metrics showed 60% longer average session duration compared to competitor platforms, indicating higher engagement. The virtual tour feature was used by 78% of serious buyers, and properties with virtual tours received 40% more inquiries. Agent feedback praised the CRM tools, with 85% reporting improved client management efficiency. The platform achieved a 4.5-star rating with users specifically highlighting the neighborhood insights and virtual tours as differentiating features.