How AI Is Changing Home Hunting: Five Smart Property Search Apps

How AI Is Changing Home Hunting: Five Smart Property Search Apps

Artificial intelligence is already changing how people work, shop, and communicate. Now, it is beginning to reshape the way buyers and renters search for their next home. What was once a process of scanning newspapers and estate agent windows has moved online, and the next step is smarter, AI-driven property discovery.

Traditional property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla still dominate the market. However, many buyers feel these platforms rely too heavily on rigid filters like price, number of bedrooms, and postcode. In response, a new generation of AI-powered property search apps has emerged, promising more flexible, personalised, and lifestyle-focused searches. Below are five AI-powered property apps that could help you find your next home.

Why AI Is Changing Property Searches

Most traditional property websites rely on fixed categories. Buyers select a location, budget, and property type, then scroll through long lists of listings that may not truly match what they want. Important factors such as commute quality, nearby schools, local atmosphere, or even how a property feels are often missed.

AI-powered apps aim to solve this problem. By using large language models, image recognition, geo-technology, and voice search, these platforms try to understand what buyers really want. Instead of forcing users into narrow search boxes, AI allows more natural and detailed searches.

This shift is especially appealing to first-time buyers, busy professionals, and people relocating to new areas who may not yet understand local neighbourhoods.

Jitty Uses AI to Understand How You Want to Live

Jitty is one of the most advanced AI-powered property search apps currently available. It is backed by Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI-focused venture capital fund, and uses large language model technology to deliver more detailed and flexible search results.

Instead of ticking boxes, users can describe exactly what they are looking for. Buyers can specify how far they want to live from a train station, preferred schools, green spaces, or the type and style of home they want. These lifestyle-based preferences are often difficult to capture using traditional portals.

Jitty’s AI then scans property listings across the internet. It reads floor plans, analyses photos, and understands property descriptions to match listings with the user’s requirements. Results are presented with direct links to estate agency websites, allowing buyers to contact agents easily.

The app also allows users to save favourite properties and share them with friends or family. In addition, Jitty offers an option to check whether a buyer could qualify for a mortgage in principle through broker L&C Mortgages, helping users understand affordability early in the process.

The Property DriveBuy Finds Homes Based on Location Feel

The Property DriveBuy app focuses on a very human way of finding a home. Many people discover areas they like by simply walking or driving through a neighbourhood. This app is designed for exactly that experience.

Using geo-technology, The Property DriveBuy app allows users to see which properties are for sale nearby. Instead of searching by postcode, users can search within a set distance from their current location or along a walking or driving route.

The app pulls listings from estate agents operating in the area and updates automatically when new homes come onto the market. Users can save their searches and receive updates without needing to repeatedly check listings.

At present, The Property DriveBuy app only operates in London and the Home Counties. However, there are plans to expand nationwide, which could make it especially useful for buyers exploring new areas without detailed local knowledge.

Mappa Uses an AI Assistant to Map Your Ideal Home

Mappa takes a conversational approach to property searching. Currently being tested in London and surrounding areas, the app uses an AI assistant called Hunter to guide users through the search process.

Users tell Hunter what they want in plain language. This includes the type of property, preferred location, size, and commuting distance from work. Instead of delivering a list, the AI generates a map showing properties that meet the criteria.

Mappa goes a step further by ranking homes based on lifestyle factors. These include proximity to good schools, shops, restaurants, and other amenities. This visual and data-driven approach helps users understand not just the home itself, but also the neighbourhood around it.

By combining mapping technology with AI-driven analysis, Mappa aims to help buyers make more informed decisions about where they want to live, not just what they want to buy.

MyPorta Brings Voice Search to Property Hunting

MyPorta is an upcoming AI-powered property platform expected to launch in early 2026. It has been created by Mal McCallion, a former sales director at Zoopla, bringing experience from one of the largest property portals.

The platform will allow buyers and renters to use AI and voice search to find properties that match their preferences. Users will be able to search using natural language rather than fixed filters.

Search criteria can include property features, commuting distance, broadband speeds, and other lifestyle considerations. This makes the platform particularly relevant for remote workers who depend on fast internet connectivity.

MyPorta will also include an AI chatbot that users can ask about pricing, features, and availability. The chatbot will also allow users to book property viewings directly through the app, reducing the need for multiple phone calls or emails.

HomeHapp AI Targets Prime London Buyers

HomeHapp AI is designed for buyers looking for properties in prime London locations. The app supports multiple languages, making it useful for international buyers and investors.

Users can enter very specific requirements, such as preferred neighbourhoods, budget ranges, and property types. The AI then creates a shortlist of suitable properties sourced from estate agency listings.

By focusing on premium areas and detailed search inputs, HomeHapp AI aims to save time for buyers who already know what they want but need help filtering high-end listings efficiently.

The app’s multilingual support also reflects the international nature of London’s property market, where overseas buyers often face additional challenges when searching remotely.

How These AI Apps Compare to Traditional Portals

Despite the innovation behind these new apps, traditional property portals still dominate the market. Rightmove, in particular, controls the largest share of listings, which means buyers often need to use it regardless of other tools.

Traditional platforms are also adapting. Both Rightmove and Zoopla have introduced new AI-based features in recent months. These include more advanced keyword searches and tools that allow buyers to visualise how a property would look with their own furniture.

However, the newer AI-powered apps offer something different. They focus on smarter filters, lifestyle-based searches, and discovery methods that go beyond price and bedrooms. Instead of showing everything, they aim to show what truly fits the buyer.

Expert View on AI Property Search Apps

Property experts believe these new platforms have real potential when used correctly. Paula Higgins, chief executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, has described these apps as more buyer-led.

She explained that AI-powered platforms offer smarter filters, lifestyle-focused searches, and new ways to discover homes and neighbourhoods that might not stand out on traditional portals. According to Higgins, this can help buyers better understand local markets and uncover opportunities they might otherwise miss.

However, she also cautioned that buyers should not rely solely on apps or portals when searching for a home.

Why Estate Agents Still Matter

Even with AI tools, estate agents continue to control access to most properties. Many of the best homes are offered to trusted and ready buyers before they appear online.

Building relationships with local agents remains crucial, especially in competitive markets. Buyers who register early, clearly explain their plans, and demonstrate that they are ready to move often gain access to better opportunities.

Flexibility with viewing times and realistic expectations can also make a significant difference. AI apps can support the search, but human relationships still play a major role in securing a home.

Using AI Apps as Part of a Wider Strategy

The smartest approach is to combine AI-powered apps with traditional methods. AI tools can help buyers narrow down areas, understand neighbourhoods, and discover properties that match lifestyle needs.

At the same time, traditional portals provide access to the widest range of listings, while estate agents offer early access and local insight.

By using all available tools together, buyers can improve their chances of finding the right home in a crowded and competitive market.

The Future of AI in Property Searching

AI-powered property search apps are still in their early stages. Coverage is limited in some areas, and listing volumes are smaller compared to established portals.

However, as AI technology improves and adoption grows, these platforms are likely to become more influential. Better data analysis, voice interaction, and personalised recommendations could make property searching faster and less stressful.

In the coming years, AI may not replace traditional portals or estate agents, but it will almost certainly become an essential part of the home-buying journey.

AI-powered property search apps are changing how people look for homes by focusing on lifestyle, location feel, and personal preferences rather than rigid filters. Apps like Jitty, The Property DriveBuy, Mappa, MyPorta, and HomeHapp AI show how technology can make property searches more intuitive and efficient.

While traditional portals still dominate and estate agents remain vital, these new tools offer valuable support. Used wisely, AI-powered apps could help buyers discover homes and neighbourhoods they might otherwise overlook.

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