Mother/Daughter Real Estate Team Lean on RPR to Build Their Business
Mary Ann Baunach has been a REALTOR® for 24 years and has been an RPR user since it was launched. She consistently uses it for “fast, accurate comps.” Elizabeth Cogley, her daughter, has been a REALTOR® since May and is helping her mom close deals as she learns the business. Elizabeth is also furthering her education by taking advantage of RPR webinars and tutorials.
Together, this mother-daughter real estate team represent two distinct types of REALTORS®: a seasoned vet and the new, up and comer. And each one knows how to use RPR to their advantage. This Q&A will show you how you can use RPR to solve real estate problems and better your business, no matter your current experience level.
Hello Mary Ann. How long have you been a REALTOR® and what area do you specialize in?
MA: I’ve been a REALTOR® for 24 years this past July. I work mostly in residential, but I do some commercial deals every now and then.
How did you find out about RPR?
MA: Oh, I’ve been on RPR since the beginning, since Twitter was new! Back then, my local and state association announced that this new tool was now available, a national property database from NAR. I got right into it full time with no brakes.
What are some of your favorite, go-to features in RPR?
MA: First off, I love how I can use it with my MLS data, that integration is perfect. I also really find the five star rating in the RVM to be so helpful. Oh, and the app. It’s a strong app, definitely my favorite real estate app. I use it all the time with clients when we’re out in neighborhoods. I just pull up properties right there on the spot; things like distressed properties or other comps in the area.
Do you use RPR to market yourself?
MA: Absolutely. I use RPR reports and flyers and I send them out to an area after I’ve sold a house. I also walk door to door with flyers from RPR. They look so professional! It really impresses prospective clients.
Any good RPR “Wow” moment stories?
MA: Not one in particular, because it honestly happens all the time! I make a point of sitting down with people and I share with them all this data and these great tools about their property or a property they’re interested in. It’s kind of a “under the hood” moment, where I let them see how much info is available to me through RPR. They’re always very impressed with the data and how easy it is to digest.
If you met a new REALTOR® that didn’t know about RPR, what would you tell them about it?
MA: Well, I’ve trained new agents on RPR for years. And I always encourage them to take the live webinars, the Zoom classes. In fact, my daughter Elizabeth is a new REALTOR® and we’re now working together as a team. One of the first things I told her was “get going in RPR”!
Well, let’s talk to her! Hi Elizabeth, how long have you been an agent?
E: I started in May of 2021, so I’m pretty new. I’ve been helping my mom with her deals while I get used to the business. As a new agent starting out and juggling new mom life and a second part time job, I’ve been learning through assisting my mom with her transactions. I have not yet had clients of my own, but I’m looking forward to learning the ins and outs and being able to utilize RPR to its full potential with my future clients.
She’s been training you on how to use RPR?
E: Oh yeah, with over twenty years of experience in real estate, I fully trust her judgement and recommendations. She uses RPR on a regular basis and raves about how helpful RPR has been in her business.
What’s your take on RPR so far?
E: As a new agent, all the tools offered can be somewhat overwhelming. It's difficult to navigate which are the top tools that should be used/learned off the bat. RPR stands out for me for being one of the more user-friendly resources. Which is really important to me as a new agent trying to find my way. The footprint pop-ups are great if you’re trying to put something together quickly and don’t have the time to sit down and learn all the great features RPR has to offer.
Pro Tip
The “footprint pop-ups” Elizabeth is referring to are RPR “Shortcuts” and they greet you right in the middle of the RPR homepage and take users on guided tours of popular RPR features. Try one out for yourself.
Are you familiar with the RPR Learning Center on our blog?
E: I am! The learning center is great for new agents. I especially like the option to pick your skill level. This option highlights all the features I should know so that I don’t get overwhelmed trying to learn it all at once. There’s always something in RPR you could be learning, the options are endless. And I love that we can reach member support though a 24-hour call center, live chat or email.
As you can see, RPR has something for everyone at every level, such as the RVM® for spot-on home valuations and marketing materials for prospecting. As well as guided “Shortcuts” to help agents learn new skills and a special Learning Center that can be tailored to experience levels.
If you’re new to the business, check out this webinar series created just for you. And if you’re an experienced pro, check out these intermediate/advanced RPR classes to help further your skills and career.
REALTORS® Mary Ann Baunach and Elizabeth Cogley
RE/MAX Central, Allentown, PA
LOVED THE INTERVIEW RPR! MARY ANN AND ELIZABETH, THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING TONS OF INSIGHTFUL INFORMATION FROM A REALTOR’S POINT OF VIEW AS TO HOW TO EFFECTIVELY USE THE RPR RESOURCE.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your comments Vickie!!
Wishing you much success.
I am going to check this out!
Love seeing my good friend & awesome realtor, Mary Ann, being featured. She is awesome in our business and highly respected and knows the worth of such a great “tool” in real estate. I, like her, use RPR all the time…it is my “go to” for marketing a property. Wishing Mary Ann and her daughter continued success.
Thank you so much Barb!! Your a great example of a successful realtor as well. Mary Ann