RealMe Property

Overview

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Project Duration : 1 Month | Tools Used : Figma

RealMe Property is a mobile application designed to educate users on how to save effectively to achieve their dream of purchasing their first home. As the sole product designer, I led the research, testing, and design phases, collaborating closely with our research team, product manager, and tech team to develop a user-friendly application compatible with both Android and iOS platforms.

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Problem Statement

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The real estate market is often perceived as inaccessible for the average individual due to substantial financial barriers. High down payments, stringent mortgage requirements, and ever-increasing property prices have made homeownership a distant dream for many, especially those from low-income backgrounds or students. In Canada, the housing market saw a 20% increase in the last year, worsening the affordability crisis. As a result, many Canadians have simply given up on owning a home.

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Project Goal

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The primary objective of RealMe Property Inc. is to democratize real estate investment by educating users on effective saving strategies. Our aim is to make real estate investment efficient and accessible to everyone, providing the knowledge and tools needed to build a secure financial future.

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My Role

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As the lead product designer, I was responsible for:

• Conducting user research to understand pain points and requirements.
• Creating wireframes and prototypes using Figma.
• Collaborating with developers to ensure seamless integration and functionality.
• Conducting user testing to gather feedback and iterating on designs.
• Designing and executing the complete UI/UX for RealMe Mobile App attracting 45,000+ active users.
• Optimizing UI/UX using user journey maps, personas, feedback, heatmaps, and data, increasing engagement time by 35%.

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Design Thinking Process

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— Empathize

I conducted user interviews and surveys to gain insights into the challenges faced by potential homebuyers. This helped me understand their frustrations with the current real estate market and the financial hurdles they encounter.

— Define 

Based on the research findings, I identified key user needs:

• Accessible financial education.
• Tools to help manage and plan savings.
• Incentives to encourage positive saving habits.

— Ideate 

I brainstormed various features that could address these needs. Some of the key ideas included:

• A trivia feature to educate users on real estate and financial management.
• A budget management tool integrated with users’ bank accounts to track spending and savings.
• A rewards system to motivate users to engage with the app and build better financial habits.

— Prototype 

Using Figma, I created low and medium-fidelity wireframes and interactive high-fidelity prototypes of the app. The design focused on simplicity and usability, ensuring a seamless user experience. Key features included:

• An educational trivia game with points and rewards.
• A budget tracking tool with bank integration through Stripe.
• Easy navigation and intuitive design to keep users engaged.

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— Test and Implement

I conducted usability testing with a group of potential users, gathering feedback on the app’s functionality and design. This phase included the following metrics:

• User Feedback:
  • 90% of testers found the app easy to navigate and educational.
• Engagement Metrics:
  • Test users spent an average of 15 minutes per session, indicating high engagement.

Based on their input, I made necessary adjustments to improve the user experience.

User Testing Metrics

Test Group: A diverse group of potential users, including students and individuals from low-income backgrounds.

Key Metrics:

• Ease of Navigation:
  • 90% of testers found the app easy to navigate.
• Engagement:
  • Test users spent an average of 15 minutes per session.
• Educational Value:
  • 85% of users reported that the trivia feature significantly increased their knowledge of real estate and financial management.
• Budget Management Satisfaction:
  • 80% of users found the budget management tool helpful and intuitive.

By addressing the core needs of our users and continuously iterating based on feedback, the RealMe Property app effectively solves the problem of real estate accessibility. The impactful metrics demonstrate that the design truly engages and empowers users to achieve their financial goals, making homeownership for Canadians achievable.

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Solution

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The RealMe Property app offers the following solutions:

• Educational Trivia:
  • Users gain valuable real estate and financial knowledge through an engaging trivia game. Correct answers earn points that can be redeemed for prizes in our gift store.
• Budget Management:
  • The app’s budget feature, integrated with Stripe, connects to user's bank accounts, categorizing their spending and helping them monitor their finances according to their set budget.
• Incentives and Rewards:
  • The app provides incentives for users to develop positive saving habits, reinforcing the importance of financial planning and saving.

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Impact and Metrics

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By incorporating design thinking and a user-centric approach, RealMe Property Inc. has created an accessible platform for individuals to learn about and navigate the complexities of real estate investment. The app empowers users with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve their dream of homeownership, making the process more attainable and less daunting.

• User Engagement:
  • The optimized UI/UX, based on user journey maps, personas, feedback, heatmaps, and data, increased user engagement time by 35%.
• User Growth:
  • The app successfully attracted over 45,000 active users within the first month of launch.
• User Satisfaction:
  • Positive feedback from users highlighted the app's ease of use, educational value, and the effectiveness of its financial planning tools.

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Conclusion

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Through careful research, thoughtful design, and continuous iteration, I was able to develop an application that not only addresses a significant market need but also aligns with my goal of creating designs that make a difference. RealMe Property Inc. stands as a testament to the power of user-centric design in transforming complex problems into simple, intuitive solutions. The successful metrics emphasize that my designs were truly the solution to the problem, effectively engaging and empowering users through education to achieve their financial goals.

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" Now this is what the prop tech industry needs, extremely refreshing to see such an innovative tool. This is definitely the game changer ”  

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