***This article was originally written in 2022, but has been updated for 2025 to reflect new solution providers***
What Is a Real Estate API?
A real estate API (application programming interface) is a software tool that connects websites and apps to powerful property data sources. It allows real estate professionals, investors, marketers, and consumers to instantly access listings, valuations, neighborhood details, climate risk, and more.
Real estate APIs bridge the gap between the front end of a website or app and the back-end data system using formats like XML or JSON. They deliver property and market information directly to users, powering searches, analytics, and decision-making.
Summary: Real estate APIs deliver instant access to property data, helping businesses and consumers make informed decisions quickly.
How Do Real Estate APIs Work?
- Connection: APIs link a user-facing interface (like a property search page) to a database or data provider.
- Formats: Most use JSON or XML to transmit data.
- Access Models: Some are free, but most operate on subscription, flat-fee, or usage-based pricing.
- Advanced Tools: Many integrate AI or machine learning to extract trends, patterns, and forecasts from raw data.
Why Use Real Estate APIs?
Access to Comprehensive Data
Real-time listings, property values, and neighborhood statistics to guide business and investment decisions.
Personalized Customer Experience
Deliver interactive maps, custom property reports, and tailored recommendations to your clients.
Market Insights
AI and machine learning turn raw data into trend analysis and predictive insights.
Time and Cost Efficiencies
Automated updates and analytics save resources while boosting SEO and website engagement.
Improved Branding and Listings
Print-ready, accurate property reports enhance professionalism and brand credibility.
Competitive Edge
Customize your offerings to target niche markets and specialized customer needs.
Summary: Real estate data solutions give businesses fast, accurate, and customizable property data, helping them serve clients better and stay ahead of the competition.
Best Real Estate APIs in 2025
1. ATTOM
Overview: ATTOM is a leading source of U.S. commercial and residential real estate data with over 158 million property records.
Key Features:
- 70 billion rows of data, 9,000 attributes per property
- REST architecture, JSON and XML formats
- Data from assessor offices, MLS, brokers, and third-party providers
- Property data: ownership, valuations, mortgage details, AVMs, sales history
- Area data: neighborhoods, schools, crime, climate risks, POIs
- Enterprise Data Management Program (EDMP) for data validation and standardization
Summary: ATTOM consolidates nationwide property data into one platform with unmatched depth and data quality.
2. Zillow
Overview: A household name in real estate with APIs covering over 100 million U.S. homes.
Key Features:
- REST architecture
- MLS listings, home values, rental prices, mortgage rates
- Zestimate valuations, comps, historical data
- Neighborhood data: demographics, income, education, crime
- Mortgage tools and calculators
3. Homesage.ai
Overview: AI-driven APIs for lenders, realtors, developers, and contractors.
Key Features:
- REST architecture, JSON format
- Deal Value, Flip ROI, Investment Potential, Price Flexibility Score
- Renovation cost estimates and property condition scoring
- Short- and long-term rental ROI analysis
4. Realtors Property Resource (RPR)
Overview: Exclusive to National Association of Realtors members, covering 160+ million properties.
Key Features:
- RPC architecture, XML and SOAP formats
- Deeds, mortgages, valuations, tax assessments
- School boundaries, flood maps, demographic data
- Market trends and local comparison tools
5. Google Maps
Overview: Essential geospatial API for mapping and location intelligence.
Key Features:
- REST architecture, JSON, XML, KML formats
- Geocoding, directions, and custom map layers
- Street View, satellite imagery, POIs
- Business listings with reviews and ratings
6. SchoolDigger
Overview: K-12 school data for over 120,000 U.S. public and private schools.
Key Features:
- JSON format
- Ratings, demographics, test scores
- District boundaries and contact info
7. ClimateCheck
Overview: Climate risk assessments for property buyers, owners, and investors.
Key Features:
- REST architecture, JSON and XML formats
- Risk data for flood, wildfire, drought, and temperature changes
- Property-level and portfolio risk reports with projections to 2050
8. AirDNA
Overview: Short-term rental analytics for Airbnb and Vrbo markets.
Key Features:
- REST architecture
- Pricing, occupancy, and revenue forecasts
- Historical and projected market performance data
- Dynamic pricing recommendations
9. RentCast
Overview: Rental property data covering 140,000+ properties.
Key Features:
- REST architecture
- Valuation estimates for rent and home value
- Active listing data and historical rent trends
- Market averages by zip code
10. Datafiniti
Overview: Real estate data enrichment for residential and commercial properties.
Key Features:
- REST architecture
- 72 million property records
- Property, listing, and owner contact details
- Bulk data download and search portal
How to Choose the Best Real Estate API
When evaluating APIs, consider:
- Data scope – Coverage and depth of datasets
- Accuracy and freshness – How often data is updated
- Ease of integration – Formats and documentation
- Cost – Subscription or usage-based pricing
- Use case fit – The specific needs of your audience and business model
Summary: The best real estate API for your business depends on your target market, budget, and the type of insights you want to deliver.
Top Real Estate APIs to Watch in 2025
The PropTech landscape is evolving rapidly, with new and established APIs competing to provide more powerful, user-friendly, and specialized solutions. The ten listed here represent some of the most reliable and innovative options available today.
