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Remember business before the cloud? I love the cloud...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Complete Realty, LLC

Technology, the more I invest, the more money I save..., the more informed my clients are and...the list goes on...  I love the cloud! 

 Remember when:

We would take contracts to the homes and expect the seller or purchaser to sign "on the dotted line" right then. 

            Schedule an appointment to meet with the client to get a doc signed...

            Spend gas money going to from client to client at all hours for docs....

            Miss dinner, the game or just relaxing....

            Purchase paper weekly...

            Purchase ink monthly...

            Wonder where we are going to put the next file cabinet...

            Fax the signed offer to the buyer or seller then to the other agent

            Wait for the fax to come in...

            Pay for faxing in and out...

            The MLS didn't start a transaction for us and auto fill our docs...

 Thanks to the cloud, life is in order.

            When I am called for a listing, the appointment is set to "view' the home. While in the home, I won't give a price.  I want them to come to the office to see what I see on the system.  I have 3 screens on my desk they see what I see and set the price, we are not all squinting at a net book, tablet or lap top (been there done that).  It's funny, now that the sellers come in the office, it's amazing how many phone calls we make and how much more information we Google...  We educate together.

             If the client is rushed, I send them the package through www.Docusign.com.

 Documents arrive to the client by email so the client can read and understand the docs.  Do they have to print the docs?  Well of course not... after the reading the information they simply click to sign.  Most signings are done between 11 pm and 2 am.

 A purchase agreement is similar.  We always go to the office.  Again, questions are answered, phone calls are made and everyone is comfortable.

 Now the nicest part is during the transaction when addendums are needed or other docs, e-signing makes life easier for all involved and less stressful.

 The signing can be done from a cell phone too.  Once the doc is e-signed, the docs are auto mailed to everyone involved in the transaction.  Life is so simple.

 The transaction management system (tms) keeps all the docs and files in order.  Clients access the docs and like to log in to "see" what you see.  The tms allows me to keep track of everything in the transaction.  Signs are ordered up, title work ordered and so much more. 

            I was sitting in a restaurant when a lender called.  They needed a doc.  From my Droid, I pulled up the tm then the doc and faxed (or email) from the tms system.  They faxed in the reversion later and it auto filled in the tms.  Appointments are set and reminders auto send to all involved.  LOVE IT!

 My bank auto fills my quick book.  I just have to tweak now and then.

 Mozypro insures the data on my system is back up and I can access the files from anywhere in the world.

 Skype is just fun...

             www.docusign.com $254.00 per year

            www.transactiondesk.com $18.00 per quarter

            www.mozypro.com $25.00 per year

            www.qbo.intuit.com $29.00 per month

            www.activerain.com free

            www.facebook.com free

            www.localism.com free

            www.realcomp.com $42.00 per month

            www.point2agent.com free

            www.skype.com free

                        and so much more...   

 Now I have to find other write offs for my accountant.  Business went up and expenses went down....ugh...     

Comments (8)

Debbie Atwood
Century 21 Real Estate Center Everett, WA - Everett, WA
Real Estate Broker

It's amazing isn't it?  I haven't used ALL of the items you have listed but I have used some of them.

Sep 23, 2010 03:32 PM
Mark Hall
Realty One Group Cascadia - Vancouver, WA
Homes for Sale Vancouver Washington

Remember when everything needed to be signed in INK? The world sure has changed.

Sep 23, 2010 03:36 PM
Angie Ridley
Complete Realty, LLC - Flint, MI
Broker, ABR, CRS, PMN, WCR, At Home With Diversity

I couldn't operate with out these tools now.  Remember when you just knew that the fax signature was real, hahaha.... 

Sep 23, 2010 03:40 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Angie - Excellent information on the list of websites and technolgy for real estate.

Sep 23, 2010 05:02 PM
Maureen Fukumoto
Help-U-Sell Realty Pro - Mililani, HI
Maureen

I haven't used all the tools on your list but I think I'll try them out.  I do remember driving around with big MLS books and doing contracts with carbon paper between the copies. 

Sep 23, 2010 05:08 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Angie,
I have used almost all of them, thanks for sharing the list and gave us your thoughts, take care and hope to keep looking more information like this , I use a lot Google and Android :)

Sep 23, 2010 06:09 PM
Andrzej Niemyjski
Realty One Group - Sun City West, AZ

Great list.  I have been using docusing from the beginning and love it.  I remember getting calls from other side brokers saying this is not legal signature and then I had to prove to them that it was.  Times have changed.

Sep 24, 2010 08:46 PM
Grace Culver
Michigan Homes Network - home advertising and search - Ferndale, MI
Advertising

Technology has definitely made things easier.  I love the fact that I can pay all my bills at once with just a simple click. No envelopes or stamps needed (priceless)

Oct 14, 2010 03:11 PM