Mobile apps have been a game-changer for homeowners, with new software products making it easier than ever to get organized, plan renovations, save money, and enjoy a cleaner, greener lifestyle. The mobile software market is flooded with options targeted to homeowners, but these five choices win top marks for their popularity, utility, and potential to help you cut costs, save time, and raise the resale value of your current home. 

Houzz

This free and extremely popular app is fantastic for homeowners looking for design ideas to spruce up their homesteads. It essentially provides a direct, mobile-friendly link to the key features of the Houzz website, including blog posts, photos, and interior design ideas. You’ll also love the 3D “View in My Room” feature, which allows you to transpose images from the Houzz website onto photos of your home that are stored on your phone.

Houzz also supports many other features, including communications connections to local contractors and the ability to save design ideas you like for later reference. It’s available free of charge to iOS and Android users.

Wunderlist

Struggling to stay on top of your to-do list? Fighting to keep your head above water in the face of a growing list of home improvement projects? Wunderlist makes it easy to get organized and stay that way.

With Wunderlist, you can create and update tasks, build checklists, set reminders, and establish due dates and deadlines for important household and home improvement projects. The app also allows you to choose between gathering all your tasks on a single list or creating separate, categorized lists for the various jobs you need to tackle. You can also share lists with your spouse, your home improvement contractor, or your realtor with a few quick taps. Look for Wunderlist on iOS, Android, and Windows.

BrightNest

Developed by Angie’s List, BrightNest collects hundreds of money-saving, lifestyle-improving tips in one easy, convenient place. Categorized into subjects including saving money, cleaning, green living, healthy living, cooking, and more, BrightNest’s suggestions also include simple directions and instructions. You can also use it to find information on common DIY tasks. Available for iOS and Android mobile platforms.

Jiffy

Looking to get a faulty dishwasher repaired? Need a handyman to come by to take care of some quick fixes before you put your home up for sale? Jiffy is here to help. This app, available for iOS and Android users, functions as a directory that links you to qualified, user-reviewed skilled tradespeople and service providers. At present, Jiffy is uniquely available in the Toronto and Ottawa areas.

AroundMe

This free app is perfect for those looking to let their fingers do the walking when it comes to discovering their local neighbourhoods. AroundMe lets homeowners search for nearby businesses and conveniences, including everything from bank machines and coffee shops to restaurants, banks, medical offices, and movie schedules. Save time and discover local conveniences you never knew were there with AroundMe. It’s available for iOS, Android, and Windows mobile platforms.

About Jethro Seymour

Jethro Seymour, one of the Top Davisville Village Real Estate Brokers at Royal LePage RES Ltd., Johnston & Daniel Division.    Jethro Seymour is a midtown Toronto residential specialist with over 20     years of sales experience in real estate, marketing, construction and publishing. He has helped many families find homes in Toronto’s great neighbourhoods,   and has extensive knowledge of local markets, new home construction,     resale home sales, and the condo market. Living in midtown Toronto,     Jethro previews many of the homes that come to market for his clients and inventory knowledge. Jethro specializes in Midtown, Davisville     Village and Leaside neighbourhoods. For more information, call Jethro Seymour, Broker.