Aptly

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Scroll through a list of curated apartments that fit!

Aptly: Apartment Hunting Meets Matchmaking

Aptly is a web app that simplifies apartment hunting by combining modern matchmaking algorithms with real-time rental data. Inspired by dating apps, Aptly helps users find apartments tailored to their preferences, making the search process efficient and intuitive.

Inspiration

The idea for Aptly came from Hitarth’s personal need to find an apartment. The concept of using matchmaking algorithms—commonly seen in dating apps—to match users with apartments felt like a natural fit. The goal was to create a tool that could help anyone find their ideal apartment in any zip code across the country.

What It Does

Aptly is a simple yet effective demo of a rudimentary matching algorithm. Users input:

A zip code
Their top three preferences (e.g., price range, amenities, proximity to public transport)

The app then generates a short list of apartments using real-time rental APIs. Users can like or dislike listings, which further refines the recommendations down to the top two or three apartments.

Key features include:

Real-time rental data fetched via APIs
Accurate images sourced from Google Street View API
A work-in-progress feature to view listings directly on maps

How We Built It

Aptly uses a modern tech stack:

Frontend: Next.js with Tailwind CSS and React for clean, responsive design
Backend: Python Flask API tied into MongoDB for caching and storing responses
APIs:
- Gemini API for property data
- Google Cloud Street View API for real-time images
- RentCast API for accurate rental information

Challenges We Faced

Designing and implementing an effective matching algorithm
Learning how to cache API responses efficiently in MongoDB
Building a clean and minimal UI while balancing functionality

Accomplishments We're Proud Of

We’re proud of how close we got to delivering an MVP that aligns with our original vision. The app successfully integrates real rental data with a functional recommendation system, providing users with a streamlined apartment hunting experience.

What We Learned

Each team member gained valuable insights:

Hitarth: Learned about databases and caching API responses into MongoDB.
Darrell: Explored clean UI design principles and built aesthetic interfaces.
Syrus: Delved deep into matchmaking algorithms and their implementation.

What's Next for Aptly

The roadmap includes exciting features and expansions:

Support for house listings (date your future house!)
Chat functionality for direct communication with property managers or real estate agents
Enhanced verticals like commercial properties or vacation rentals

Aptly has the potential to grow into a comprehensive platform that revolutionizes how people search for homes.