Brint Wahlberg, ABR, ePRO, GRI, was among the first REALTORS® in the nation to witness the 2009 unveiling of Realtors Property Resource®’s (RPR®) first-generation of Web-based information services. And he immediately saw how he and his company, Windermere Real Estate, could use RPR’s robust data sets with virtually every client.
RPR technology could zero in on any property, revealing targeted data like tax assessments, public records, default, REO, foreclosure and pre-foreclosure data, MLS/CIE-provided information, zoning, liens, school districts, flood plain maps and demographics.
“There was resistance at first since Montana is a non-disclosure state, which means sales data is not public record,” says Wahlberg, “but my research proved RPR was very secure, so there was no concern about sales data going beyond the REALTORS®’ eyes,” he adds. “We ultimately signed on to the service in the summer of 2010, and once we started presenting it as an option for agents and brokers, it really started catching on.”
Wahlberg loves what RPR can do, and how it has improved and evolved over the years. “I use RPR with every buyer and seller once we get to making an offer. It has great comp analysis and other features, such as market and zip code reports, and I consistently use it two to three times a week.”
Since new features like comp analysis were added, Wahlberg says he has stopped doing CMAs. “Now I’m just using RPR, which allows me to make comp adjustments.
“The reports I generate off this single source make it incomparable,” says Wahlberg. “The Zillows and Trulias don’t have the same utility. I can pull distressed sales, owners of record and more. There’s no other site that can provide that. It’s a very powerful tool.”
Today, in Wahlberg’s office of about 30, half are already using RPR, including his team of three.
“Sellers are usually most impressed by the Seller’s Report,” he says. “I show them dollar per square foot and activity in the neighborhood. And I show them the value of their home and how we get there.
“With buyers, it’s the Property Report that arrives soon after our meeting that generates a positive reaction across the board,” adds Wahlberg. “RPR makes me look like a research expert and our buyers appreciate the detailed information we can provide.”
Given his and Windermere’s track record of success with RPR, Wahlberg’s excited about the next generation upgrades, which will include the RPR Association/MLS Dashboard and the RPR Appraiser Tools.
For more information, visit www.narrpr.com.
