HP Names Winners of Real Estate Technology Contest, Launches Marketing Makeover Challenge for REALTORS

SAN DIEGO, HP today kicked off several initiatives for real estate professionals at the 2009 National Association of REALTORS® Conference and Expo.

At the HP-sponsored Young Professionals Network event tonight, the company will showcase the winners of its fifth HP Real Estate Technology contest, which recognizes real estate professionals who have gained a competitive advantage by using technology both in and out of the office.

In addition, HP and REALTOR® Magazine have opened the search for five association members to participate in their first-ever national marketing challenge, “The Marketing Makeover: Stage Your Business for Success.” The REALTOR who wins will receive a prize package worth $4,000 and be featured in the magazine.

HP Real Estate Technology contest winners

The grand prize winner of this year’s HP Real Estate Technology contest is Erin Attardi, owner of Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, Calif. An aggressive Internet strategy, including multiple websites and a blog, differentiates Attardi’s business from others in the region. In 2008, 53 percent of closed transactions were a direct result of Attardi’s Internet strategy.

Attardi won an HP Mobile Office with an estimated value of $3,840.(1) The package includes an HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook PC, HP Mini 5101, HP Officejet H470wbt Mobile Printer, HP External USB CD/DVD R/RW Drive and HP 90W Smart AC/Auto/Air Combo Adapter.

First place winner Brett Keppler, broker/owner of TREO, REALTORS, in West Chester, Ohio, won an HP Mini 5101. At the hub of Keppler’s business is an online portal system that allows agents to manage transactions from any location at any time. TREO, REALTORS, conducts many transactions electronically, saving time and increasing efficiency.

Additional winners of an HP Mini 5101 include Steve Fiorella, REALTOR, RE/MAX Results of Apple Valley, Minn.; Lindsay Dofelmier, owner, Urban Agent Team LLC, Garden City, Idaho; and Jonathan Kauffman, broker/owner, Nest Realty, Charlottesville, N.C.

“The innovative real estate professionals who won HP’s contest are leading the charge by clearly illustrating to their peers the relevance and value of using the right technology,” said Lisa Hopkins, manager, vertical marketing – Americas, HP. “Real estate professionals require reliable, efficient and productivity-enhancing technology that moves seamlessly from office to road, and HP’s solutions – on display at the HP booth – are designed specifically to meet these needs.”

HP and REALTOR Magazine’s Marketing Makeover Challenge

This competition will test the skills of five REALTORS, who will use HP products and services to develop new marketing materials for their businesses, such as logos, business cards, flyers and leave-behind materials.

“In today’s market, professional-looking marketing materials can mean the difference between a listing and a sale,” said Stacey Moncrieff, editor-in-chief, REALTOR Magazine. “HP’s lineup of products and support tools provides real estate professionals with ways to create an impressive, yet cost-effective, brand image.”

To enter the challenge, REALTORS must submit a 200-word essay explaining why they would like a new business image. Finalists will be selected in January and have six weeks to develop new marketing collateral using products and support services provided by HP. During this time, they will blog about their experiences, sharing information about how the technology works and what customers are saying about their new marketing materials.

The grand prize winner will be determined in March by public votes and judges’ review of a special contest blog, where visitors can see the new brand image for each REALTOR. The winner will receive a year’s supply of HP inkjet cartridges and paper, a $1,000 credit with MarketSplash by HP, an HP ProBook 4310s Notebook PC, HP w1858 18.5-inch Diagonal HD Ready Widescreen LCD Monitor, HP USB 2.0 Docking Station, HP Officejet Care Pack and complimentary access to the National Association of REALTORS e-PRO® Certification Course.

The “Marketing Makeover” challenge is accepting entries through Dec. 30 and is open to all active members of the National Association of REALTORS.

Submit an entry or learn more about the terms and conditions of the challenge at www.realtor.org/realtormag/MarketingMakeover, or stop by HP booth 1735 at the 2009 REALTORS Conference.

Best-selling mobile and broker office solutions

During the conference, HP is exhibiting technology that addresses the specific needs of real estate professionals. These include a mobile real estate professional bundle(2) and a virtual broker’s office bundle,(3) as well as the new HP ProBook 5310m Notebook PC, the world’s thinnest full-function notebook.(4)

These products are supported by the HP Total Care portfolio, which encompasses the services, tools and options for every stage of a computer’s life – from purchase to recycling.

Also featured at HP booth 1735 will be presentations by industry experts Dave Beson and John Mayfield. Representatives from Microsoft will be onsite at the booth, demonstrating the newly released Windows® 7 operating system.(5)

More information about HP’s real estate solutions and offers available exclusively for association members is available at www.hp.com/go/realestate.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

(1) Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary.

(2) Mobile Real Estate Professional Bundle: HP Mini 5101, HP iPAQ 910c Business Messenger, HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook PC, HP Officejet H470 Mobile Printer, HP 90W Smart AC/Auto/Air Combo Adapter, and HP 12C Financial Calculator.

(3) Virtual Broker’s Office Bundle: HP Color LaserJet Printer CP3520, HP Scanjet N7710 Scanner, HP Color LaserJet CM2320 or CM3530, HP Officejet H470 Mobile Printer, HP Mini 5101, HP ProLiant Solutions for Server, HP iPAQ 910c Business Messenger, HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook PC and HP dx9000 TouchSmart desktop PC.

(4) Thinnest standard voltage notebook when measured at its thickest point.

(5) Systems may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware and/or a DVD drive to install the Windows 7 software and take full advantage of Windows 7 functionality. See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ for details.