Online property search via mobile surges

With the penetration of smartphones increasing rapidly, online property search through mobiles has grown nearly three times faster than through desktop, a recent survey said.

According to a survey by property site Indiaproperty.com, user-friendly apps and responsive website designs has resulted in property search through mobile growing three times faster than desktop.

"Over the years home search has evolved from traditionally being broker or word-of-mouth driven to online property search. Today mobile solutions are taking a revolutionary leap in helping buyers get home," company's Chief Operating Officer Muralikrishnan B said.

Property search via mobile devices has witnessed a significant uplift in the last six quarters both in terms of traffic and leads, he said.

In January last year, mobile search for homes constituted only 10 per cent of the property seekers, which in May 2015 stood at 40 per cent, the report said.

The survey found that property search in Tier II cities, which has also witnessed a significant penetration of smartphones over the last few years, has grown 1.3 times compared to the national average.

It pointed out that nearly 69 per cent of property seekers using mobile phones for home hunting are in the age group of 18-34 years, while 13 per cent between 35-44 years, 7 per cent each in age group of 45-54 and 55-64 while only 4 per cent are those above 65 years.

The number of home hunters through desktop between the age group of 18-34 is only 61 per cent. However, home seekers in the age group of 35-44 and 45-54 are more at 12 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. Nearly 5 per cent of the home seekers through desktop are above the age of 65 years.

The survey also found out that nearly 54 per cent of property seekers are women. "There is a higher engagement by female buyers on mobiles. More women are searching for property on mobile and spending longer time on their phone in the process," Muralikrishnan added.