Inman

Down Payment Resource launches public-facing website

Down Payment Resource (DPR) has made its large database of down payment assistance programs available to the public by launching the website DownPaymentResource.com.

A winner of Inman News’ 2011 “Most Innovative New Technology” award, DPR previously only offered its database of more than 1,500 programs administered by more than 1,000 agencies to real estate agents and homebuyers in 14 markets through several multiple listing services.

“As DPR gains a higher profile and traffic grows, buyers everywhere will turn to their real estate agents to learn more,” said Rob Chrane, president of Workforce Resource LLC, which owns Down Payment Resource. “Our goal is to develop new sources of actionable leads for our current MLS customers and their Realtor members, consistent with our commitment to keep Realtors at the center of the transaction.”

When DPR partners with an MLS, the service assigns an icon to listings that may be eligible for down payment assistance. Homebuyers may then click on the icon to complete a survey to find out if they might qualify for the assistance program.

Using DPR, agents may easily share information about relevant assistance programs with their clients and manage leads in a client portal, DPR said in a statement.

With the new website, real estate agents, mortgage lenders and homebuyers in all markets may access information on assistance programs, potentially fostering closer cooperation among different parties, DPR said.

Buyers using the website will learn how to look for DPR on MLSs and real estate websites, and they will be directed to information about working with experts in the homebuying process, according to DPR.