Hawaii Company Develops High-Tech Realtor Referral System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 1, 2010 -- LIHUE, KAUAI – A new high-tech service is taking the guesswork out of buying and selling property in paradise, thanks to an idea from an unexpected source. Taking after a concept made popular by online dating sites, The Portal Tree has developed a way to use computer software to match potential home buyers and sellers with their ideal real estate agent.

The concept has been headed by Debbie Ridenour, co-founder and CEO of The Portal Tree and longtime Hawaii resident. "Our software, called RE-Direct©, is in use on all islands for referrals and the feedback I'm getting from users is that they’re loving it,” said Ridenour. “They see it as dependable, incredibly convenient and are loving the fact that it doesn’t cost anything extra.”

For the consumer, RE-Direct© alleviates the frustration of finding the right Realtor. Using the “one-stop-shopping” convenience as a model, the software looks at their detailed needs and connects them with the professional most suited for the job. An agent’s record of success, location and education are a few of the attributes taken into consideration. The software works so quickly that the selected Realtor often contacts the customer within minutes of the search.

For the Realtor, RE-Direct© uses the idea of the referral, commonplace in the industry, and makes it as productive as possible. By associating the exact needs of the customer with the talents of a specific agent, the software increases the chances of a deal reaching escrow. Agents can log in from any web enabled device and manage their referrals from the point of first contact to closure.

"It's a win-win for everybody," she said. "We have taken advantage of the naturally competitive nature of the business to ensure the highest quality service for consumers at no additional cost to either side.”

RE-vision Real Estate Corp. has been one of the first brokerages licensing the software in Hawaii. Clients have been successfully entering the system from a number of websites, filling out a simple form and instantaneously matching themselves with a Realtor. The client immediately receives the contact information of their paired Realtor while an e-mail and text message with the client’s information is simultaneously sent to the agent. The Realtor pays the industry’s standard referral fee only when the transaction closes.

“Buying or selling real estate is one of the largest financial transactions most people will make in their lifetime,” said Ridenour. “It is important to have the most qualified expert to help you through the process.”

The Portal Tree is planning to go national with their most updated software release in April. Ridenour said as the company expands, it will continue to license to its existing brokerage base and will also be offering private relabeling of its RE-Direct© software for use within individual brokerages and franchises.

Ridenour has more than 20 years experience managing large scale data and real estate projects.

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