“Know what you don’t know,” is one of the golden rules of commercial real estate says Syd Machat, a REALTOR® who specializes in rural commercial real estate in Maryland. With more than 40 years in the industry, Syd makes it his business to have all the answers, especially in a challenging marketplace.

The Challenge

Getting the answers his clients need can be a challenge, according to Syd. “In a rural area, it’s really hard to get data in a time where there are fewer sales and values are hard to ascertain,” he said. From a lack of comparable properties, to inaccurate tax information, to old maps, finding the information you need in a small, rural area can be difficult.

The Outcome

Syd became a beta tester for RPR Commercial and was immediately impressed by what he learned about RPR’s aerial maps and the levels at which he could zoom in. “I immediately get a fix on a property and its location by basically adjusting the areas to show just what I want,” said Syd. The ability to add map overlays enables Syd to provide his clients with more data than they’ve ever had before. From property boundaries, to consumer segmentation, to even flood zones, RPR provides Syd a “one-stop-shop snapshot of where the listing is headed.”

“What I have, is an extra tool in my briefcase when I go talk with a Buyer or Seller,” Syd states. Whether presenting clients with a hard copy or a report, or emailing them with a PDF, Syd wants all REALTORS to know that with a little planning, and all the data, RPR helps him ‘know what he doesn’t know’.