Since the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) first unveiled the REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR) at NAR’s Convention in San Diego this past week, I have been intently following and participating in the online conversation so that I can fully understand the breadth of this behemoth.  My conclusion thus far – - – This WILL change everything!  From how individual REALTORS® in the field do business to how local Association’s and MLS‘s operate to how the consumer perceives us.  Trust me; this is the biggest thing to happen to our industry in last twenty-five years.  Nothing even comes close.  What is amazing to me is that most REALTOR® (my guess is 90%) haven’t even heard of the RPR yet.  Mention the RPR and it’s like watchin’ deer in the headlights.  Most have no clue.

Why is that?  Why the indifference?  My guess is that our industry is so focused on pulling itself out of the economic malaise of the past sixteen months that this game-changer has gone unnoticed.  In addition, even though it has been introduced, you can’t get your hands on it yet.  (NOTE: The official release date of RPR is sometime in April of 2010.)  It’s all talk and talk is cheap.  Most REALTORS’® attitudes mirror a line from one of my favorite movies, Jerry Maguire: ”Show me the money!”  Not literally; but figuratively.  They want NAR to, “Show me the product!”.

In case you don’t want to watch the 90 minute NAR webinar or read the press release or read the hundreds of real estate blogs that are covering this important endeavor, here is a condensed synopsis for you.  I’ve added my own thoughts and musings after each bullet point to give you my take and to make you think.  If you think that I’m too far “out there”, feel free to ignore the commentary sections.  I won’t be offended.  WARNING – even though this is condensed, it’s still a bit lengthy: Read the rest of this entry »