Navigating the Rental
Nightmare for Foreigners
in Colombia:

A Case Study  on Enhancing the Virtual Rental Experience and Customizing the Process
UI/UX Design
User research
Product design
Prototyping
User journey
Market research
ROLE:
UX/UI DESIGNER
CONTEXT:
PERSONAL PROJECT
PERIOD:
6 MONTHS
Overview
Overview
Overview
Colombia is becoming more and more popular for foreigners, especially ex-pats and others wanting to move for longer periods. Despite all the great things Colombia has to offer, there is a common pain point that many travel bloggers and YouTubers don’t hesitate to express: their poor experience renting an apartment in Colombia. Ex-pats complain, comparing the process to their home countries. The issues include poor service from current platforms, cultural differences, and inefficiency and speed of the platforms in Colombia.

This problem got me thinking
there are many apps, rental agencies and options in the market for the apartment search in colombia but none of them are frictionless  experience for expats

Improving the rental experience for foreigners in Colombia can have a significant impact on the country's economy. By providing a seamless and efficient rental process, more foreigners will be inclined to visit the country and choose the platform over other available options. This not only encourages economic growth through foreign investment, but it also impacts other industries as well.

Then I wonder...
How can I enhance and personalize the rental property search process for expats, and create a faster, clearer, and more enjoyable experience?

Specifically,in this project I will address the following issues:

1
Difficulty in obtaining the required paperwork for renting an apartment
2
Poor user experience on available sites and platforms, mostly from real estate agencies
3
Outdated photos and information of the properties
4
All platforms being in Spanish

The project will focus on redesigning the user experience and interface of the platforms, with a specific focus on addressing the issues listed above to improve the overall experience for foreigners looking to rent a long-term apartment in Colombia.

project blue print

Project blueprint here

O1
Research
O2
Synthesis
O3
Solving
O4
Design
Description
Final Product
Questions screen
To help users find properties that match their needs and preferences, I have added a quick but comprehensive questionnaire at the beginning of the search process. This questionnaire focuses on lifestyle and neighborhood preferences and helps narrow down the search results to properties that are most suitable for the user.

By taking this approach, I aim to provide a more efficient and personalized search experience for foreigners looking for properties.

Based on the popular search preferences of expats,  the main questions that are most relevant to their needs and preferences are:
Result screen
1
In the result screen The app will display the date on which the property will become available for rent or purchase, allowing users to plan their searches and schedule visits accordingly.

By displaying the availability date will help users save time and effort by avoiding properties that are not yet available or are not available during their desired timeframe. Additionally, property owners will be able to attract more interested and qualified tenants or buyers by providing clear information about the availability of their properties.
2
The app will suggest similar results when a user's search does not match all of the applied filters, allowing them to explore related options and potentially find what they are looking for.

By suggesting similar results when a user's search criteria do not match all of the applied filters, the app can help users find relevant listings that they may have otherwise missed. This can increase user satisfaction and engagement with the platform, as they are more likely to find what they are looking for.
Detail page screen
The detail page will serves as a comprehensive source of information for potential renters of apartments in Colombia. It takes into account both the explicit requirements that users review before renting, as well as the implicit factors that they may be unaware of.

The page includes features designed to give a full perspective of what the property offers, such as:

Additionally, as most customers will likely be unfamiliar with the city and its neighborhoods, the page offers:

Map and neighborhood screens
Summary and confirmation Page
In the summary and confirmation page is The app's most valuable feature wich is the user guidance and orientation, which helps users avoid common mistakes and clarifies the required documentation for renting properties in Colombia. Additionally, the app offers the option to pay for the entire rental period upfront, which is particularly useful for users who may not have all the necessary documentation at the time of booking.
O5
Prototyping
O6
Lessons

Rocket Pizza

ACVI

StartOverviewProcessEND