Electronic Signatures Yes Or No
Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland always makes great points in her blog posts! I am a big fan of electronic signatures, but I also want to always make sure my clients know what is going on with each step of the process.
You call this saving time?
Electronic signatures for listing agreements and Sales contracts are fast, save time, keeps an accurate account of the transaction. But is that the way you want to work? And should we be using them all the time?
Most of you are going to say a resounding, yes.
Of course, we need this technology. It is invaluable with out of town clients, or when the clients are traveling separately or speeding up a transaction. It's impossible not to in our electronic world.
But what's missing? What are we giving up?
We have become so busy that we do anything to save time talking and face to face communicating with our clients. Showing our properties and making appointments take too much time. Classes are teaching how to take a new listing in ten minutes.
Electronically we sign documents, set up showing appointments, use smartphones to retrieve the house key. We use feedback forms to find out how an agent/buyer likes the property. We've even set these forms to answer on a numeric basis. Oh boy, we are saving so much "valuable" time. But what are we missing?
We complain that BIG technology companies are interfering and taking our business away. If the clients can get all this efficiency on line, why the heck do they need us?
A two-hour listing appointment, explaining an offer, making my appointments, being at and hearing about the home inspection process, and going over the final closing papers before the actual settlement.
It is not always about saving time. It is about educating the clients, building rapport, and preparing for the "what if's."
It allows bonding and empathy with clients going through the stress of moving. It's selling real estate.
We want, demand, and need fast, efficient electronic delivery in the wee hours of the morning. And we use this technology to save clerical time. I'm all for that.
What frightens me is hearing a client say, "But I Thought."
Would you like to be informed of each step of the process?
Are you thinking of selling your home?
Call Margaret Rome
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
Broker-Owner HomeRome Realty
Author of Real Estate the Rome Way
mrome@HomeRome.com
410.530.2400
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