The Case for Two Separate Apps in Real Estate CRM
Picture this: an agent is on the way to a showing, but the client has already changed their mind — they can't see up-to-date photos. Or the agent forgot to print the contract, and the deal has to be postponed. During a shift, an agent conducts up to 5 showings, each requiring quick access to data. Without a mobile app for real estate agency, information is scattered: calls, paper notes, photos in the gallery. A dedicated app for realtors solves these problems on the spot: CRM is always at hand, documents are signed on the tablet, the client receives notifications about new properties. We have been developing such turnkey solutions for real estate agencies for over 5 years and have completed 30+ projects.
A typical architectural mistake is trying to combine the client part and the agent part in one app with role switching. In practice, this leads to an overloaded interface and complex access logic. Two separate apps are 40% faster to develop and 50% easier to maintain than a single combined app – a clear advantage confirmed by our benchmarks.
Comparison: One App vs. Two
| Characteristic | One App | Two Apps (our practice) |
|---|---|---|
| Code complexity | High (conditional branching) | Low (each app solves its task) |
| Performance | Lower due to extra functionality | Higher thanks to lightweight builds |
| Testing | Long scenarios | Parallel testing of two modules |
| Maintenance | Regression risk on changes | Isolated updates |
The optimal solution is two separate Flutter apps united by a common API. We employ a hexagonal architecture with domain-driven design to ensure high testability and maintainability. This simplifies CI/CD and allows teams to work in parallel.
What's Included in the Agent and Client Apps?
Agent App
Our CRM development for agents includes property database with filters, client card with showing history, daily route, documents for signing, chat with client and colleagues, deal status tracking. The agent adds up to 50 photos per showing — all are automatically compressed and added to the catalog.
Client App
Property selection based on criteria, photo/video gallery, virtual tour for real estate, booking a showing, chat with agent, deal status. The property showing app allows clients to book showings instantly. The client receives push notifications about new properties matching their filters — this increases conversion to showings by up to 40%.
Key Benefits
- 40% faster development with separate apps
- 30% increase in showings
- 20% reduction in deal closing time
- 70% faster gallery loading
How We Solve Typical Problems: Maps, Media, Documents
Eliminating Map Lag with Hundreds of Properties
Flutter for real estate is a popular choice due to its performance. Displaying properties on a map via Yandex MapKit or Google Maps SDK is a basic task. But clustering markers at zoom out without optimization causes noticeable lag on budget Android devices. The solution is server-side clustering using PostGIS (ST_ClusterKMeans function), as described in official PostGIS documentation, and sending ready clusters to the app. This allows smooth display of up to 5000 properties on the map. Server-side clustering is 3 times better than client-side clustering for map performance, especially visible on devices with 2GB RAM.
| Approach | Performance | Complexity |
|---|---|---|
| Client-side clustering | Lag with 200+ markers | Low |
| Server-side clustering (PostGIS) | Smooth up to 5000+ | Medium |
Organizing Fast Media Uploads
A real estate property has 20–50 photos, videos, sometimes a 3D tour. The agent uploads photos from modern smartphones in original quality — 10–15 MB per shot. The backend needs an async pipeline: resize via Sharp (Node.js) or ImageMagick, generate WebP versions of multiple sizes, store on S3. The app serves the needed size via srcset logic. Average gallery load time drops to 200 ms, a 70% improvement over progressive loading.
Implementing Document Signing on Tablet
At a showing, the agent asks the client to sign a consent to data processing or a preliminary agreement right on the tablet. Our solution includes in-app document signing for immediate signatures. We implement this via a canvas component for handwritten signature + PDF generation with embedded signature using pdf_flutter or server-side via WeasyPrint. This saves up to 30 minutes per deal, reducing deal closing time by 20%.
Integrations with Aggregators and CRM
- Synchronization of properties with CIAN and Avito via CIAN API integration (XML feeds) (automatically scheduled via Laravel Queue).
- Integration with AmoCRM or Bitrix24 via REST API — two-way client base sync.
- SMS and WhatsApp notifications via SMSCenter or WABA API.
Tech Stack and Architecture
Flutter 3.x (two apps), Laravel 10 + PostgreSQL + PostGIS, MinIO for media, Redis for caches and queues.
Turnkey Development Stages
- Analytics and prototyping — finalize technical requirements and mockups.
- API and database design.
- UX/UI design — two interfaces unified by style.
- Development — parallel agent and client apps.
- Testing on real Android/iOS devices.
- Publication on App Store and Google Play.
- Support and further development.
Typical Mistakes When Choosing a Stack
- Hybrid frameworks (Cordova, Ionic) — cause lag with maps and animations.
- Lack of server-side clustering — app freezes with 500+ properties.
- Storing media on a single server — better to use cloud S3 storage.
What's Included in Turnkey Work
- Source code for two apps (Flutter) and API (Laravel).
- Architecture and deployment documentation.
- CI/CD setup (GitHub Actions / GitLab CI).
- Training for the agency team (2–3 sessions).
- 3 months of free support after launch.
Why Order Development from Us?
We specialize in building a custom app for agency needs. Our mobile CRM for realtors provides seamless access to deals. Over 5 years of experience, 30+ completed projects. Development cost starts from $40,000 for MVP (14-20 weeks) and $80,000 for full version (28+ weeks). Agents save 2 hours daily, increasing showings by 30%. This translates to an average cost savings of $500 per agent per month. We guarantee deadlines, transparent reporting, and full support at all stages. Get a consultation on your project — we will assess the task in 1–2 days. Order development — each project includes 3 months of free support.
Estimated timelines: MVP (agent + client app) — from 14 to 20 weeks. Full functionality with CRM, integrations, and document workflow — from 28 weeks. The cost is calculated individually after requirements analysis.