Electronic signatures.  Sometimes called digital signatures but there are differences.  Electronic signatures can make a transaction smooth and EASY to conduct.  No need to run all over town or if you have a client that is from out of town you CAN get a document signed and it is completely legal AND binding.

As the Chairman of my Keller Williams Market Center Technology Committee I try to stay on top of things that make my business and those in my office's a little easier.  After all, we are busy enough, so anything that can cut down on time spent and gain a few minutes is a positive.

I use a program called Docusign.  Docusign is a great program!  Docusign recently allowed me to service both a seller who lived over an hour from me and a buyer who was serving our great country in Guintanimo Bay, Cuba.  Yes, I said CUBA!  She was able to sign the contract and put an offer in on a property which we closed on earlier this month.  This would not have been an easy transaction without Docusign.

Now...I know there are some agents that don't like or just refuse to accept the world that technology is creating.  That's fine...as long as you do not hamper my efforts to get a deal going when I use the technology.  I will take the time to provide you with documentation to put you at ease that my "computer signed" document is indeed legal and binding. 

There is MORE proof that a signer must do what they intend when they sign a document electronically then there is when they do it with a pen.  You see, when I use my "technology toy" it creates a automatic "paper trail" of sorts showing when the client viewed the document, when I viewed the document, what time the client signed the document, the IP address that created the document, the fact that the client viewed the user agreement and accepted it (Making it legal) among many other things.

When someone signs with a trusty ball-point pen....well did they really sign it?  Are we putting ourselves at risk accepting the fact that the other agent is in fact saying that is their clients signature?  Hmmm, never thought of it that way, did you?  I personally think that a document as important as a real estate contract and with the fact that buyers often put up earnest money (that they are risking) should be a notorized document....but then again, I don't push that, I don't have the time for another class...LOL.

Are electronic signatures legal?  YOU BET!  President Bill Clinton signed a bill in 2000 that made them just as legally binding and enforcable as a hand signed document.  He set forth requirements that made them secure.

To read more about the legalities of an electronic signature check out these links:

http://www.docusign.com/resources/whitepapers/WP_Legality_of_E-Signatures.pdf

To learn more about how these work and the steps involved visit Docusign's video page:

http://www.docusign.com/products/product_videos/http://www.docusign.com/products/product_videos/

Want to try it?  Here's a Docusign demo:

http://www.docusign.com/products/signing_demo/

GO ahead and give it a try...FREE 30 day trial:

http://www.docusign.com/products/evaluate/

If you haven't researched electronic signature's I recommend that you take the time to do so, you might find that your business becomes more productive...if you will accept the technology.

Go ahead, give technology a try.  Remember, I use this technology everyday and discover more every chance I get as I believe in giving my clients the highest level of service available.  If you can't keep up with the changing world of real estate...please do not tell me my methods are not legal...until you understand that they are. 

Docusign...what are YOU wainting for?