Streamlining the New York City Apartment Hunt

Designed a native app prototype to streamline the apartment hunt process, especially between roommates. Successful task completion (83%) projects decrease in time for submitting complete applications (x%).

Role

Product Designer

Type

Capstone
10 weeks (2024)

Deliverables

Mood board
Wireframes
UX copy
Design system
Marketing site

Tags

UX/UI

UX Research

Brand design

Prototype

Wireframe

Design system

User Testing

unique interfaces

4.2 min

saved communicating

50%

decrease in tasks

Challenge

Finding a NYC apartment is a full-time job.

NYC apartment hunting requires an abundance of time and energy, especially as vacancy rates continue to plummet (1.4% in 2024).

My research found that renters face challenges managing and organizing the various tasks of apartment hunting amidst high-pressure environments, especially between roommates.

Solution

Raven is a mobile app that streamlines the “hunt,” making it the exciting adventure it should be.

Contacting/scheduling a viewing with agent

Contact agents and schedule viewings directly.

A key insight in research revealed that renters have a hard time keeping track of agents, listings, and viewings between platforms and email.

Be the first to apply with documents ready to go.

Knowing what necessary documents were needed was a major pain point for first-time renters. An interactive checklist helps renters be prepared ahead of time.

Adding a file to the checklist.

Taking notes during a viewing.

Share and save notes during apartment viewings.

Upload photos and notes of the listing while viewing them in-person. Save time and increase listing viewings by only having one roommate tour.

Comment on and rate listings between roommates.

Ditch the messy group chats and email chains. Easily rate cost, amenities, and location for every listing.

Ranking a listing.

Learnings

Some key takeaways from the process

1

Dissect the problem first

The value of iterative research and user testing was prominent in my design process. The best solutions came when I stepped back from my own renter struggles.

1

Dissect the problem first

The value of iterative research and user testing was prominent in my design process. The best solutions came when I stepped back from my own renter struggles.

1

Dissect the problem first

The value of iterative research and user testing was prominent in my design process. The best solutions came when I stepped back from my own renter struggles.

2

Refine task flow early

An expansive problem space inspires ambitious solutions. Refining the task flow earlier would've defined a more relastic scope.

2

Refine task flow early

An expansive problem space inspires ambitious solutions. Refining the task flow earlier would've defined a more relastic scope.

2

Refine task flow early

An expansive problem space inspires ambitious solutions. Refining the task flow earlier would've defined a more relastic scope.

3

Test frequently

As a novice Figma user, I never felt "ready" to test. Embracing testing as part of the process eventually made finalizing the design possible.

3

Test frequently

As a novice Figma user, I never felt "ready" to test. Embracing testing as part of the process eventually made finalizing the design possible.

3

Test frequently

As a novice Figma user, I never felt "ready" to test. Embracing testing as part of the process eventually made finalizing the design possible.

4

Consolidate UI

Making a unique product does not imply reinventing the wheel. Making a concise design system early on would've simplified the iterative process.

4

Consolidate UI

Making a unique product does not imply reinventing the wheel. Making a concise design system early on would've simplified the iterative process.

4

Consolidate UI

Making a unique product does not imply reinventing the wheel. Making a concise design system early on would've simplified the iterative process.

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Hypothesis

At first, I believed that renters in NYC were struggling to secure apartments due to the complicated documentation process.

So, I established five key goals to guide my research:

1

Understand renters’ process

in apartment hunting in NYC

1

Understand renters’ process

in apartment hunting in NYC

1

Understand renters’ process

in apartment hunting in NYC

2

Identify major pain points

in searching for an apartment

2

Identify major pain points

in searching for an apartment

2

Identify major pain points

in searching for an apartment

3

Explore the role and function

of apartment-hunting apps.

3

Explore the role and function

of apartment-hunting apps.

3

Explore the role and function

of apartment-hunting apps.

4

Find opportunities to help renters

better manage the process.

4

Find opportunities to help renters

better manage the process.

4

Find opportunities to help renters

better manage the process.

5

Assess the impact of market speed

and unit availability on renters’ experience

5

Assess the impact of market speed

and unit availability on renters’ experience

5

Assess the impact of market speed

and unit availability on renters’ experience

Research & Analysis

However, interviews revealed difficulties coordinating with realtors, scheduling viewings, and managing roommates.

The fragmented nature of these tasks often leads to delays, missed opportunities, and added stress.

Additional key insights found in primary research:

1

Preparing and Managing Materials

Renters struggle with document organization, which delays applications.

1

Preparing and Managing Materials

Renters struggle with document organization, which delays applications.

1

Preparing and Managing Materials

Renters struggle with document organization, which delays applications.

2

Financial Strain and Upfront Costs

Application fees and deposit requirements add stress.

2

Financial Strain and Upfront Costs

Application fees and deposit requirements add stress.

2

Financial Strain and Upfront Costs

Application fees and deposit requirements add stress.

3

Market Speed and Urgency

The fast-moving market pressures renters to make rushed decisions.

3

Market Speed and Urgency

The fast-moving market pressures renters to make rushed decisions.

3

Market Speed and Urgency

The fast-moving market pressures renters to make rushed decisions.

4

Reliability of Resources

Information from listings and agents is often incomplete or misleading.

4

Reliability of Resources

Information from listings and agents is often incomplete or misleading.

4

Reliability of Resources

Information from listings and agents is often incomplete or misleading.

5

Bang for Buck

Renters weigh location, space, and price in an ever-changing market.

5

Bang for Buck

Renters weigh location, space, and price in an ever-changing market.

5

Bang for Buck

Renters weigh location, space, and price in an ever-changing market.

Framing the Problem

How might we ease the process of managing the various tasks of apartment hunting to reduce stress and save time for NYC renters?

Are there existing solutions?

Of all NYC real estate platforms…
Most allow users to save and share listings.
Some offer note-taking features, but very few centralize the application process.
Only Trulia has a unique feature for tracking a user’s listing activity.

Who is experiencing this problem?

Alex Martinez, a very organized NYU graduate and first-time renter who needs to secure an apartment with his roommates before starting his full time job soon.

What does the task flow look like?

Originally, the task flow covered every step, from onboarding in the app to getting an application approved on the platform.

After multiple rounds of designing, testing, and iterating, I found that thoroughly narrowing the scope would make the overall user experience clear and concise.

The final task flow for the MVP covers browsing/saving listings, requesting a tour/contacting agent, taking notes during the tour, and sharing info with roommates. Users can request the application through the app.