Realtor® duo shares benefits of switching to RPR

We all have preconceived notions about how difficult change can be. We’re accustomed to our current providers, and moving on to something new requires a lot of effort.

Yet sometimes those perceptions can keep up from making real progress, especially when it comes to adoption of new business tools.

Realtor® Joshua Woodward felt that way when his mother, a branch manager for McGraw Realtors®, Oklahoma, introduced him to RPR.

“My mother, Holli Woodward, said RPR is a great tool,” said Joshua, who serves as the YPN education chair for the state of Oklahoma. “It looked like it might be the new best thing, but I was hesitant since I had just gotten used to my old app.”

Working through his hesitation, Joshua downloaded the RPR app and within minutes of tinkering with his profile, was up and running.

“It’s leaps and bounds above any other real estate technology I’ve ever used,” he said. “The app saves me an incredible amount of time, money and stress.”

What are Joshua’s favorite RPR features? Here, he takes us on a virtual tour of how RPR comes to his rescue on a daily basis.

Representing the Seller

“Most of the time sellers have looked up their home values on consumer-facing sites before I get there,” said Joshua, who sold three houses this week. “And usually they’re either confused or dissatisfied with their findings.”

It’s then that Joshua relies on RPR’s valuation models to earn the confidence of his clients. “It gives me a real opportunity to shine when I pull up RPR and provide the client with accurate comps, based on current data. It gives them confidence in my abilities.”

“Typically I meet with a client, then go back to the office and run comps. Now while I’m with my clients, at that very moment, I pull up the comps on RPR, show them what we’re working with, and can even email them the RPR Property Report or Seller’s Report. It’s that fluid.”

Representing the Buyer

Being able to keep a buyer’s emotions up is paramount for Joshua. He says that when someone is “ready and willing” to purchase a home that any disruption to the momentum could be detrimental to the process. Yet, with RPR mobile at his side, Joshua is able to help the buyer move seamlessly from concept to the closing table.

“Using RPR on the road with buyers takes away the stress,” he said. “With the app, I’m able to answer any questions my buyer might have while we’re in the car, on the sidewalk, or in the house.”

Most times, Joshua’s buyers are asking for information on schools, neighborhoods, and recent home purchases in the area. “We’ll be driving through a neighborhood that’s not on our list and the buyer will ask what’s available on the street or nearby. All I need to do is pull up RPR and every single house in the area is displayed, whether it’s for sale or not. I’ll then show them what schools are in the area, including ratings and reviews. It’s amazing.”

“And if they’re ready to make an offer, I use my iPad to go to the RPR website, pull up the subject property, click on zipForms and start drawing up forms on the spot.”

Representing In Absentia

Holli Woodward, Joshua’s mother and CRS National Executive Committee Member, says the app has changed the way she does business by giving her greater flexibility to service clients, even when she’s out of town.

“Our business is a well oiled machine that we want to keep continuously running, even if we’re out of town,” said Holli. “For most of our clients, it’s the biggest financial investments of their lives so it’s important that we are always there to help.”

Joshua describes an out of town trip to visit family. A client called to say he had seen a home for sale on a consumer site and wanted his opinion.

“There I was, in my uncle’s game room. In mere minutes I pulled up my RPR app and sent a Property Report to my client in real time even though we were 500 miles apart.”

Holli, a Region 8 CRS National RVP, believes full disclosure is imperative when working with buyers and sellers. “If I’m going to be out of town, I notify my current clients to let them know that I won’t be here to show them properties but that I can still get them everything they need as far as information. I wouldn’t be able to do that without RPR.”