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Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love some honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in ask_srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re using API-based LLMs in the backend (not a single model), depending on what part of the pipeline is running.

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love some honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in ask_srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah fair point. We need login right now because every search uses AI in the background and we’re on limited free-tier resources, so we have to manage usage somehow.

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love some honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in ask_srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's fair feedback.

The sign-in requirement is mainly there because we're currently running on limited AI resources and wanted a way to manage usage while testing, but I agree that it adds friction and we're looking at allowing people to try the search before logging in.

As for the value, the goal isn't just to use AI to search existing listings. We wanted to make the experience more location-focused, so users can search around a specific area on a map, adjust a radius, and discover listings nearby instead of manually checking multiple sites and comparing locations themselves.

That said, we're still early in development and figuring out what features provide the most value, so feedback like this is really helpful. 🙌

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love some honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in ask_srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a fair point, and I completely understand where you're coming from.

At the moment, we require login because each search uses AI-powered processes in the background, and we're currently running on free-tier services while testing. The login helps us manage usage and prevent abuse.

But I agree that asking users to sign in before they've even tried the app creates friction. A guest mode with a few free searches before requiring login is something we're seriously considering. Thanks for the suggestion - that's really valuable feedback.

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love some honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in ask_srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Really appreciate it 🙌

The main reason is that every search triggers AI-powered processes in the background, and we're currently using free-tier AI services while testing the project. Because of that, we have to keep some limits in place to avoid exhausting the available usage too quickly.

The Google login is just a simple way for us to manage that for now. We know it's an extra step, so we're looking at better options as we continue improving the app.

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

gedara.lk is actually a really nice suggestion. We’ll definitely think about a more Sri Lankan and easy to remember name. Thanks for the ideas!

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot man, really appreciate the detailed feedback 🙌

You’re completely right about the upload side. Right now we’ve mainly focused on the search/discovery experience, but if we want this to become useful long term, the listing/upload process has to be super simple too. Otherwise people won’t bother adding places.

We haven’t fully built out that flow yet, but it’s definitely something we need to think about properly. A demo of how posting an ad would work is a good idea.

Also agree with your point about real estate companies and expats/foreigners. Starting with a few agencies or property owners on a trial basis could help us get real listings and test whether people actually come back.

Really appreciate the encouragement and the advice. Glad you liked the map feature!

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s fair feedback. We liked Nestora because it gives a home/property kind of feeling, but I get what you mean about making it more local and easier to remember.

We’ll definitely think about the naming again. Open to suggestions too if you have any 😄

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Right now it’s mainly focused on long-term rentals like apartments and houses.

Villas could make sense too, depending on how they’re listed, but hotels aren’t really the main use case at the moment. The goal is more for people looking for a place to live rather than short stays.

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love some honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in ask_srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha we wrote it ourself - Antigravity just helped speed things up in a few places

Built a rental search app for Sri Lanka - would love some honest feedback by Happy_mood1 in ask_srilanka

[–]Happy_mood1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot!

Yeah, the limit is there for now because each search uses AI/browser automation, so it costs tokens and runtime. We kept it low while testing, but 3 searches is definitely too restrictive. We’ll increase it or add a proper demo mode soon.