HP today announced the winners of the second annual HP Real Estate Top Technology Producers contest, which recognizes real estate professionals who use technology to better serve their customers.
Winners of the contest used HP technology to be more efficient, improve client service, enhance marketing tactics, generate more listings and improve overall sales revenue.
The company announced the winners of the awards at the 2005 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, where it also announced three new relationships with multiple listing service partners.
A panel of four industry and technology experts judged nearly 600 entries before selecting the eight winners of the HP Top Technology Producers contest. This year's grand prize winner, Bev Sousa of Coldwell Banker Property Showcase in Deltona, Fla., will receive an HP Compaq Tablet PC.
With HP technology, Sousa reports she is more productive and capable of developing impressive professional marketing materials while on the go. In her contest entry, Sousa related that the portable office she created using HP products helped her become the No. 1 producer in her office and the No. 2 producer in her company last year.
Sousa uses an HP iPAQ Pocket PC with mapping software to find listings, an HP notebook to show clients instant presentations and virtual tours, and an HP mobile printer to print new listings for clients on location. Sousa also uses the HP Real Estate Marketing Assistant software to create and send marketing materials to prospective clients.
"HP technology has given me a competitive edge and that has fueled my success," said Sousa. "Home buyers are savvier now and have already seen houses on the Internet. With HP, I can provide additional value to potential clients and stay ahead of the competition with on-the-go access to my information, professional materials that can be updated instantly and the ability to customize my services to serve each client's needs."
Technology is essential to the operations and success of many small businesses, according to a small business survey commissioned by HP and conducted by Harris Interactive®.(1) In fact, 81 percent of survey respondents plan to increase technology spending in a variety of ways (for example, technology overall, company websites, online services and weblogs) over the next two to three years. In addition, the small businesses surveyed that plan to increase overall technology spending anticipate doing so by 20 percent on average.
Through its Smart Office initiative, HP is addressing this trend by providing smart advice, technology and services to simplify business IT, so customers can spend less time worrying about technology and more time focused on their core business.
"This year's unprecedented number of entries to the contest - more than triple the amount of last year - echoed the impact technology can have on a real estate professional's business," said Lisa Hopkins, vertical marketing manager - Americas, HP. "HP is committed to helping small businesses gain a competitive edge with proven, reliable, high-quality products and solutions; local and specialized expertise; and a simplified experience with technology."
HP recognizes Top Technology Producers
Second prize winner Becky Robertson of Prudential Georgia Realty in Woodstock, Ga., will receive her choice of an HP iPAQ Pocket PC or an HP Officejet multifunction printer. Third prize winner William Johnson of RE/MAX Associates in San Diego will receive his choice of an HP Deskjet mobile printer or an HP Photosmart digital camera.
Additionally, five runner-ups will receive HP Real Estate Marketing Assistant software along with professional HP brochure paper. They are:
Brad Allen, John W. Hansen & Assoc., Ogden, Utah
Sally Young, Rural Alaska Real Estate, Tok, Ark.
Kelly Kilpatrick, Gold Coast Realty, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
Diane Sachs, RE/MAX Realty 100, Wauwatosa, Wis.
Jerry Houghton, Greenridge Realty Inc., Kentwood, Mich.
HP expands network of real estate solution providers
HP also expanded its alliance of real estate solution providers to include three new multiple listing services (MLSs) - First Multiple Listing Service, Inc., Honolulu Board of REALTORS and North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc. - offering subscribers a seamless platform to electronically import the latest MLS property information into personalized, professional-looking marketing materials using HP Real Estate Marketing Assistant software.
As a result, real estate professionals can access the MLS wirelessly(2) and use HP's software to print professional-quality listing brochures, flyers and other marketing materials on the spot and in a matter of seconds.
HP Real Estate Marketing Assistant software is designed specifically for real estate professionals who want to create distinctive, professional-looking printed materials - including comparative market analysis reports, postcards, business cards and letterhead - so that they are better able to market their businesses and properties. The software also makes it easy and inexpensive to publish custom marketing materials and offers an intuitive interface.
Additionally, existing HP MLS provider Rapattoni Corporation is now a distributor for HP Real Estate Marketing Assistant software, allowing smaller MLS organizations to access the software without the initial required minimum bulk purchase.
New HP iPAQ Pocket PC keeps real estate professionals mobile and productive
During the National Association of Realtors Conference and Expo, HP is featuring the sleek new HP iPAQ hw6500 series Mobile Messenger - a global handheld communications device that offers superb connectivity, productivity and mobility.
The HP iPAQ hw6500 series features an integrated global positioning satellite receiver, giving real estate professionals access to driving directions at their fingertips.(3) The HP iPAQ hw6515 Mobile Messenger also offers a 1.3-megapixel camera and boasts a unique combination of digital wireless voice and data capabilities, including support for EDGE and GSM/GPRS networks,(4,5,6) built-in keyboard, Bluetooth' wireless technology and GPS receiver.
More information about HP's real estate solutions is available at
http://www.hp.com/go/realestate .
About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2005, HP revenue totaled $85.2 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at
http://www.hp.com .
(1) Survey methodology: Harris Interactive conducted the HP Small Business Survey between March 3-15, 2005, by telephone in the United States among 399 small business owners or senior-level employees age 25-64 at companies with 1-99 employees. Data are unweighted and therefore only representative of the sample interviewed. In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that the results for the overall sample have a sampling error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. Sampling error for those planning to invest in technology over the next two to three years (242) is plus or minus 6 percentage points.
(2) A standard WLAN infrastructure, other Bluetooth-enabled devices, separately purchased equipment and a service contract with a wireless airtime provider may be required for applicable wireless communication. Wireless Internet use requires separately purchased service contract. Check with service provider for availability and coverage in your area. Not all web content available.
(3) In order to perform GPS navigation, a software application and maps must be purchased separately at
http://www.hp.com/go/gpsnavigation.
(4) A standard GSM/GPRS/EDGE infrastructure, other Bluetooth-enabled devices, separately purchased equipment, and a service contract with a wireless airtime provider may be required for applicable wireless communication. GSM/GPRS/EDGE Wireless Internet access requires separately purchased Internet service contract. Check with service provider for availability and coverage in your area. Not all web content available. GPRS/EDGE may not be available in all networks. GPRS/EDGE data transmission speeds may vary based upon network capabilities and other conditions. Establishment and continuation of a GPRS/EDGE connection depends on network availability, provider support and signal strength
(5) Telephone service requires separately purchased contract with a telephone service provider with coverage in customer's service area. Additional fees may apply for some features, check with service provider.
(6) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) is a global standard for wireless wide-area data communication being rapidly deployed by GSM carriers worldwide. Actual download speeds depend on coverage, network availability, traffic, device, applications, tasks, file size and other factors. Coverage is subject to transmission limitations and terrain, system, capacity and other limitations. Not all features and service options are available in all areas. EDGE capabilities available when EDGE networks are deployed. When an EDGE network is not available, it defaults to GPRS.
Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used by Hewlett-Packard Company under license.
HP Awards Real Estate Professionals Who Use Technology to Improve Client Service
Linear Mode
