NestAI
Year
2024
Region
USA
Overview
An AI-powered real estate app designed to revolutionize home search in the US. It personalizes property recommendations based on the users preferences, their lifestyle, and market trends, offering a seamless and intelligent home buying experience. (Due to NDA restrictions, details are limited.)
My Role
UX Designer
Conducted user research, created wireframes and prototypes, and oversaw usability testing. Supporting UI designers.
Project Goals
Our project seeks to close gaps in the industry by providing personalized, emotionally engaging experiences using an AI-powered real estate platform focused on single-family homes and integrating easily with different MLS databases.
Business Goals (What problem are we trying to solve?)
Integrating complex government data into a user-friendly interface, ensuring accessibility for diverse users.
Value Proposition (What’s unique about the solution)
Use AI to create a user-friendly, seamless, and engaging platform for buyers, sellers, and agents in order to revolutionize the home-buying process in the real estate sector.
To bring in a different kind of categorization that focuses more on what people feel and see in a house rather than adhering to conventional parameters.
Smart Recommendations: Utilize AI to understand user preferences and suggest properties that match their criteria.
An experience searching for a forever home goes beyond property sorting, bringing in the emotional factor which is absent in most real estate apps in the market.
Research
Mind mapping
Competitive analysis
KELLER WILLIAMS
It is a mobile app designed for real estate agents and their clients which serves as a comprehensive platform for managing all aspects of the real estate transaction process, from lead generation and property listings to marketing, communication, and closing.
Pros
- The app can be explored without registration.
- High-resolution property listings.
- Features for capturing leads, managing contacts, and automating communication workflows, streamlines the lead nurturing process and saves valuable time for agents.
- Although the interactive map function is useful, it should not be prioritized over the listing option in order to avoid confusing new users.
Cons
- Limited color customization even though design is modern.
- Font size appears to be too small.
- Slow loading.
- Steep learning curve requiring more time and effort to become proficient in navigating the app effectively.
- There is too much text in the property description; it could utilize more icons.
ZILLOW
Zillow is an American online real estate marketplace company that provides a platform for searching for homes, renting apartments, getting mortgage pre-approval, and finding real estate professionals.
Pros
- Intuitive search filters.
- Offline functionality to some extent.
- Seamless workflows allowing new users to quickly learn.
- ‘Zestimate’ feature estimate market values for properties.
- Multiple communication channels.
Cons
- Inconsistent search results and sort, occasionally.
- Though basic filters are comprehensive, it limits advanced search options.
RE/MAX
REMAX is a digital property management platform, offering a rich collection of luxurious property. It attracts buyers who are looking for high-end home or apartment.
Key Takeaway:
Buyers of luxury real estate, give top priority to developing a visually appealing, user-centric mobile app with streamlined onboarding, effective search features, and optimized performance.
Pros
- Exploration is encouraged by no registration required.
- Emphasize post-sign-up features to enhance onboarding.
- The search listing is well-categorized.
- While the interactive map feature is helpful, it should come second in relevance to the listing option so as to prevent confusion among new users.
Cons
- The UI lacks the premium sophistication needed for high-end real estate.
- Avoid having an excessive amount of images to avoid overwhelming users and possibly making them miss their favorite shots.
- Filtering options could be simplified, onboarding questions would have helped.
- No easily accessibility for users to facilitate communication with agents.
- Users are unable to compare properties in more detail using the comparable listing feature.
Persona
“A family-friendly environment would be a start to our beautiful life ahead and grow together.”
Bio
John is a dedicated family man living in America with his wife and two teenage daughters who have outgrown their current home, prompting the search for a new house that accommodates their evolving needs. John wants to ensure a smooth transition to a new neighbourhood, prioritizing his family's comfort and well-being in their future home.
John Blyton
Gender
Male
Age
42 years old
Location
New York
Occupation
Business Consultant
Personality
- Family oriented and down-to-earth
- Tech-savvy but prefers simplicity and efficiency
- Patient
Preferences
- Peaceful location, close to amenities
- Spacious house with functional layout & backyard
- User-friendly app with seamless communication
Goals
- Find a spacious family home
- Prioritize good schools & balanced lifestyle
- Reduce commute time
- Safe community
Frustrations
- Overwhelmed by complex choices
- Online information isn't always up to date
- Deceiving property images
- Paperwork is a hassle
“Home isn't just a place; it's the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and connection. Let's find that place where life feels just right.”
Bio
Independent woman who values her personal space and tranquillity. She's organized, detail-oriented, and prefers efficiency in her dealings. She enjoys socializing but also values her downtime, often indulging in hobbies like yoga, reading, or gardening. Sarah is tech-savvy and relies on digital solutions for convenience
Sarah Thompson
Gender
Female
Age
35 years old
Location
Arizona
Occupation
Marketing manager
Personality
- Sociable but also values her personal space
- Tech-savvy but prefers simplicity and efficiency
- Organized and routine lifestyle
Preferences
- Close to her workplace and has good transportation links.
- Accommodates her active lifestyle and allows pets.
- Prefers gym nearby
Goals
- Find a small and comfortable place that offers community and safety.
- Access a user-friendly platform that simplifies the home search process.
- Seeks a balance between quality and affordability in housing options.
Frustrations
- Limited options that cater her needs
- Misleading property information
- Not enough time to invest in house hunting
- Fierce competition and losing the best options as soon as i like it
- Uncertainties because of lack of responsiveness from sellers.
Initial Architecture
Defining the app's architecture was critical for ensuring smooth navigation and intuitive interactions. The framework was created to provide AI-driven property recommendations, personalized search experiences, and seamless connection with MLS databases. By creating out these flows, we guaranteed that customers could easily find houses that fit their lifestyle while also allowing agents to handle listings efficiently.
Wireframes
Before we began UI design, we used wireframing to optimize the app's fundamental interactions. It enabled us to evaluate AI-powered search features, increase accessibility, and offer a more efficient property discovery experience. Internal testing and client input guided iterations, ensuring that both home purchasers and to easily navigate the app.
Design
As the UX Designer, I worked with UI designers and the client to ensure that the visual direction matched user needs and business goals. The design prioritized emotional involvement, emphasizing homes beyond their specifications, incorporating lifestyle-driven categorization, and assuring an intuitive interface. We created a highly practical, AI-powered real estate experience by streamlining key interactions and striking a balance between aesthetics and usefulness.
Outcome
As we continue working on NestAI app, early user testing and client feedback have played an important part in determining its functionality. These insights have assisted us in refine home recommendations, improve collaboration features, and ensure a seamless property exploration experience prior to formal launch.
Takeaway
Impact
User testing showed that AI-powered property suggestions aided in the house search process. The collaboration space proved to be a valuable feature, allowing users to invite companions and discuss properties directly within the app. However, some users required more specific instructions on how to browse and efficiently use this function.
What We Learnt
- The collaboration area improves decision making.
- Keeping interactions within the app improves efficiency and privacy, decreasing the need for external communication tools.
Next Steps
Conduct more usability testing before the App release. Simplify the collaboration space.