LethbridgeNewsNow Features JRTB’s Promising Lethbridge-Built Technology
One month after the Charmed Resorts direct booking system was launched, MPP launches another new product - the ground-breaking tool, JRTB (Just Ring the Bell) that makes property viewing more efficient and productive for buyers, sellers and realtors.
This is an excerpt from the news article from LethbridgeNewsNow.
Over a span of three years, local entrepreneurs David Agema and David Schafer worked with two tech companies to bring JRTB to life; but the design was plagued with technical issues. Eyren Uggenti of TecConnect in Lethbridge got involved; he approached Colin Moreland and MPP then became the technical partner for JRTB,
Moreland says though it is a Lethbridge-built solution, it is transferable and the potential is global.
“It’s just a matter of getting a strong foothold here, extending the marketing and partnerships with realtors, real estate agencies and others, which will champion this elsewhere.”
He says if 25-30 local realtors and property developers get on board, expansion to Calgary, Edmonton and other markets will soon follow.
He expounds on the value that JRTB brings to the real estate market.
“In addition to the time and environmental benefit (less driving around to open doors), there is a safety element for real estate agents (given past incidents where agents have been assaulted by alleged home-buyers). There is also the opportunity for those who may not be actively searching for a home to still see inventory, and that creates interest.”
“Fundamentally, this is solving a disconnect between what the buyer expects, in terms of service, and what the industry is currently able to offer. So, by enabling a buyer to take control of that and not wait on the schedule of two third parties to go see a property, it enables them to see a property that much sooner and moves the decision process closer to the desired point of a sale… The technology is not totally eliminating the face-to-face aspect – the negotiation aspect – that still has to be managed by the realtor.”
Moreland outlines the critical element to JRTB compared to a smart lockbox, which much of the industry is using right now.
“There are a couple of things that make this different – we’ve actually worked with regulatory bodies in Alberta and acquired the approval for this system to be utilized for real estate – that’s one major difference. Another is we enforce strict identity verification in the application, which makes sure the user who is requesting the showing, is the one authorized by the realtor.”
To address the security element which is the top concern from the market, Moreland added,
“It isn’t just a password that anyone can use and gain access to – you need the code (to open the lockbox), plus you need to verify your identity at the time of the booking which uses a world-class third-party integration.
If a realtor is showing someone around, they are physically present and taking liability for the behaviour of their guests in a seller’s home. When that safety net is removed, the question becomes how do you stop a problem from happening? So that tight identity verification and the check-and-balance of the realtor actually approving the new client before they’re able to get a code, are critical differences.
If you’re not a qualified and credible buyer, who passes the identity verification step, then the realtor can’t approve you to see the property and your desire to use the system in a non-malfeasant way, simply isn’t there.”
With JRTB simplifying the home selling/buying process and boosted by security features, it’s only a matter of time before the product will be picked up across the province, the country and the globe.
About MPP Software: MPP Software Solutions is a rapidly growing software company based out of Lethbridge, AB, who are focused on delivering innovative software solutions for niche market problems. MPP also provides partnered development services and professional consulting to partner organizations across Canada.