Halifax has launched a new smartphone app which it claims offers a ’one stop shop’ for UK house hunters.

The iPhone app combines property search facilities, mortgage affordability calculators, local area information and property buyers’ guides.

Users can book viewings, rate properties, add comments and images of the property during viewings and share their thoughts with family and friends via an emailed PDF summary.

Other features include a built-in mortgage and repayment estimator; prospective buyers can work out how much they might be able to borrow and estimate their new monthly mortgage repayments.

The app also offers access to Land Registry data, local area guides and homebuyer guides.

Stephen Noakes, mortgages director at Halifax, said: “We know that today’s house hunters want to be able to carry out their searches on a daily basis and when they are on the move. So the Halifax Home Finder app is perfect – it means that you can search properties, book viewings, rate properties and get an indicative mortgage calculation in one place.

“It’s a fantastic development which gives house hunters all the tools they need using the latest technology available. Using augmented reality means that all a house hunter needs to do is lift their handset to see the properties for sale in the streets around them.

’Our aim is to provide house hunters with information and guidance to help them make sense of the residential property market and make better-informed property decisions. With this new app, our services will be easily and readily accessible whilst on the move.”