Consumers are more connected than ever before. According to comScore, 63.2M Americans own a smartphone.

The ability to have all of the answers you could ever need in the palm of your hand is nothing less than staggering.

This infographic recently published by Google tells the story.

As you can see, 95{0a8e414e4f0423ce9f97e7209435b0fa449e6cffaf599cce0c556757c159a30c} of smartphone users look up local information, and 1 in 3 smartphone searches are local. Think about what this means for real estate!

Here are more staggering statistics:

• 45{0a8e414e4f0423ce9f97e7209435b0fa449e6cffaf599cce0c556757c159a30c} of users check their mobile devices first thing in the morning (Insight Express)
• 1/3 of all mobile users already actively engage with web content on their mobile phones (comScore)
• 86{0a8e414e4f0423ce9f97e7209435b0fa449e6cffaf599cce0c556757c159a30c} of mobile Internet users are using their device while watching TV

The mobile market in real estate is still in its infancy.

Do a search in iTunes or the Android market for “real estate” and it’s surprisingly still slim pickings.

When I look ahead to the next five years, I see this as an enormous opportunity for brokerages, franchises and ancillary businesses that work with REALTORS® and brokers.

Since I am always on the hunt for a really great real estate app, I am excited about Inman News’ first-ever “Show Me Your App” party at Real Estate Connect SF.

Sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, this party is going to be THE place to check out many up and coming apps in real estate.

Here are five of my favorites not to be missed:

  1.  Happy Inspector

This easy to use app should be a must-have for all home inspectors or property managers. I love the easy to read checklist format and the professionally designed reports.

  2.  IfByPhone

If you have ever just wanted to leave someone a quick voice message or schedule a voice message, this is the app for you! This is a simple app with no bells and whistles but very easy to work with.

  3.  HomeSnap

The technology here is so good, it’s scary! Snap a photo of any home – listed or not to get up-to-date public info on that house. With 99{0a8e414e4f0423ce9f97e7209435b0fa449e6cffaf599cce0c556757c159a30c} accuracy, this app may potentially change the game in the real estate space.

  4.  TownSelect by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

There are two things I love about the app – the neighborhoods feature that provides local data on schools, comparable home prices and more as well as the photo sharing capability. Plus the elegant and simple design makes it fun and easy to use!

  5.  Realtor.com

This is still one of my all-time favorite apps, especially on the iPad. The ability to literally draw a circle around the neighborhoods you want to search is amazing. Easy to use and generally very accurate info.

If you have not yet registered for Real Estate Connect SF, click here to register. The ‘Show Me Your App Party’ is going to be a blast. Amazing people. Amazing apps. See you there!

What is your favorite app? I’d love to hear from you – leave me a comment below!