sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (New Print Driver With Upgraded Features) - 07/16/08 12:50 AM
Alert, alert, this is definitely worth your attention!  Be on the lookout for our new and improved print driver.  If you have used our existing print driver in the past, you will be excited with the features this upgraded version has to offer.  If you haven't seen or used our print driver in the past, you will be blown away.  What will the new print driver have to offer?  Here are some of the improved features:
You will be able to name your document easily in the first window at the top of the window. You will now be able to … (7 comments)

sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Creating your email signature) - 05/27/08 06:11 AM
No, you didn't read this wrong, it is possible to create a signature line for yourself in SureClose.  You just have to be clever about it.  First, are you using the Corporate Message feature?  If you aren't, check out this Helpful Hint post.  If you are a site admin, you can create a new Corporate Message through your Admin tab.  If you aren't a site admin, you should be able to have your admin do this for you. 
By using the merge fields for your name, your company, your phone number, and anything else you want to include in your signature from your … (5 comments)

sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Pre-written Email Messages) - 05/14/08 03:20 AM
Have you taken advantage of the pre-written email function in SureClose.  This can save you considerable time and can help you to avoid any misspelled words in your emails as you send them out. 
Normally your email wizard is blank and you have to type both a subject line and a message manually.  If you pre-populate your system with pre-written messages, you can them chose one of those messages from the Pre-Written Message drop down window. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By choosing a pre-written message from the list, … (2 comments)

sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Making the most of contact entries) - 05/01/08 09:35 AM
On the summary page of SureClose, your contact entry can look like this:
 
 
 
 
 
OR it can look like this:
With just a few extra key strokes, you can make a world of difference in your continued efficiency throughout the transaction.  Look closely at the differences:

 
Adding notes will help you to remember key items every time you contact your client and adding the name before their phone number will take all the guess work out of your phone calls.
Adding websites to contacts when appropriate is beneficially, too.  The website will appear as a live link.  So, if you add the website for any vendor … (1 comments)

sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Sending the Terms Page as a PDF Attachment) - 04/22/08 01:23 AM
Last week during a demo of SureClose I had someone ask me, "Do you really think the terms page is that important?".  I answered with an emphatic YES.  How many times have you closed a transaction only to find out after the fact that an obscure cleaning invoice was overlooked or the amount of the termite repairs was collected incorrectly?  Even worse, your commission was miscalculated and you have no proof that your demand was submitted on time and correctly.  The terms page is you big chance to communicate with everyone for all fees and terms that should be included in … (4 comments)

sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Spellcheck) - 04/16/08 09:58 AM
This is not a mistake, it is possible to spell check in SureClose.  I know this has been a source of frustration for many users, but thanks to the ever-brilliant Brian Gomez, there is a solution!  Check out www.iespell.com - This is a free of charge spell check program that can be used in web based applications.
What I really like about it is that you can set it to recognize words that you use so that you don't have to waste time clicking ignore for words that other spell check programs don't recognize like: SureClose, efax or online.
As a manager, it is … (5 comments)

sureclose: Back in the Saddle... - 04/14/08 07:23 AM
Well, here I am and I am thrilled to be here.  I haven't written in a while because I have been in transition but I know it was worth the wait.  Talk about major changes...I am now officially based in Houston, TX and I am now officially a member of PropertyInfo Corp.  I am honored to be surrounded by such amazing professionals.  For those of you that know me, you know that I have been processing transactions on the SureClose transaction management platform for years, so this move makes total sense.  I know first hand how this platform can be a … (18 comments)

sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Pop-Up Blocker) - 02/07/08 01:22 PM
When using SureClose as your online transaction management system, this is probably one of the first things you need to know.  In order to log in to SureClose and work within the program, you must dis-engage your pop up blocker or allow pop ups on this site. 
Why?  Many valuable functions within SureClose operate as pop ups.  The wizards for tasks, documents and email all operate as pop ups.  This is good because it allows you to continue navigating in the system to gather any information you may need to complete or modify the item in the wizard.  If you are working … (0 comments)

sureclose: Exciting News for Arizona REALTORS and the Future of Transaction Management - 01/13/08 02:57 AM
On January 9th, Stewart Title announced its partnership with the Arizona Association of Realtors.  This is a link to the official press release. 
It is exciting to see this movement after so many years of struggle in the transaction management forefront.  All transaction management platforms have struggled with failed adoption for a number of reasons.  The biggest reason has been lack of training and support.  With this great association teaming up as a partnership with Stewart Transaction Solutions and SureClose, I think they will see great success.  I think they have discovered the key to success by joining forces.
SureClose is an … (10 comments)

sureclose: Take a Look at SureClose Personal Edition - This is worth your time - 01/12/08 12:38 PM
I must admit, I have been a bit skeptical about SureClose Personal Edition.  I have always said that simplicity is not the key to adoption when it comes to transaction management programs.  SureClose is complex but it is also the most inclusive and thorough program that I found that will allow an agent to truly conduct "paperless" business.  This past week, one of our Realtor clients let me know that he had decided to purchase SureClose Personal Edition to handle the front end of his pipeline until he got the client into contract and could hand the transaction over to our … (12 comments)

sureclose: True Pioneers are Alive and Well in Texas - 01/07/08 02:53 PM
Last week, while visiting family in Texas for the holidays, I had the honor and privilege to meet with some extraordinary people.  I was able to make a small side trip down to Houston to meet with the fine folks at Stewart Title and SureClose.  I spend most of my days trying to convince professionals in the real estate industry of the benefits of technology.  How refreshing it was to talk with people that really understand what the potential of technology like SureClose really is!
The realm of online transaction management is still in its beginning stages.  So many companies have tried … (3 comments)

sureclose: Cooperation can Make all the Difference - 12/26/07 11:45 PM
So often I get this question from REALTORS:  "What if I'm using an online system but my client or the agent on the other side isn't?"  Well, there are always ways to work around others to keep your business on track, but more interestingly, I would like to share with you this possibility:  "What if I'm using an online system and my client and the agent on the other side are too?"
We recently completed a transaction with Nick Raynor of Asante Real Estate Group in which this was the case and I am happy to say it was one of the smoothest … (6 comments)

sureclose: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (use a generic file for your multiple passwords) - 12/12/07 02:37 PM
Since our company works with so many different real estate agents and offices, you can imagine the number of logins and passwords we have to use on a daily basis.  We wanted a secure place that all team members could easily find websites, logins, and passwords quickly.  So, we created a generic file on SureClose and entered each piece of information in the status section of that file. 
You can sort this list by "Notes" which will put your entries in alphabetical order.  That way, you can easily group the information per agent if you have several agents in your office.
This … (0 comments)

sureclose: Helpful SureClose Hint for Today (Posting Public Disclosures) - 11/05/07 06:01 AM
SureClose has made a recent modification to their software that only allows public access to Active Listings.  The public disclosures section used to show listing that were both active and pending status.  Now, only listings that are indicated as Active on the Summary page will pop up under the public search.
We have always changed the status on our listing files to pending as soon as we receive a ratified contract.  This has caused some problems for us, though.  Buyer agents are not able to then download the disclosures from the agent's site.  Now, logic says the agents have a login and … (2 comments)

sureclose: Realt-eTransAct October Newsletter - 10/15/07 06:40 AM


… (0 comments)

sureclose: Helpful SureClose Hint for Today (You can now file emails directly to the status page) - 10/11/07 04:53 PM
If you are currently using SureClose, you may have noticed this new feature with the latest system upgrade.  You can now file emails directly to the status page.  How does this come in handy?  The agents that we work with typically use their own email (Outlook, Top Producer, etc.)  They very rarely use their SureClose email inbox.  So, when they have correspondence with a client, cooperating agent, or anyone else involved in their transaction they copy our team on the email.  They know that we will attach the email to the status page for them.  We used to do this by … (5 comments)

sureclose: Can Your Paper File Do This? - 08/08/07 04:51 PM
Ever have someone (agent, client, escrow, lender) tell you, "I never got that" or "I didn't see that"?  Sure, you can ask everybody to sign every page for proof down the road, but signatures can be forged and called into question.  I want to share a little secret with you.  On the "backside" of our transactions, we are tracking every single document. 
Take a look at this:
This is only a fraction of the tracking that the online transaction management system we use gives us to show all parties viewing disclosures and reports.  This is available to the Agent to watch any … (6 comments)

sureclose: Breakthrough the Limits of Communication - 07/26/07 04:57 PM
Have you ever been in an appointment and found your mind wandering with worry of how many people are trying to reach you and how long it is going to take you to answer all of their voicemails?  I have found over time that the more accessible you can be, the better you will ultimately manage your time.  I know this may sound contradictory, but hang with me.
How many ways can you client reach you? - and I don't mean multiple phone numbers.  Here is how I communicate with my clients:
Phone - I have an office line.  I let people know … (7 comments)

sureclose: Houston, We Have A Problem!!! - 07/23/07 03:52 PM
I write about online transaction management all the time.  It is what I do.  It is what I know.  For the past few years, it has become a huge part of what I am.  Most of the time, when I write about online transaction management, I fear that most agents are just reading blah, blah, blah with their eyes glazed over.  I fear this is the way most agents feel about transaction management in general.  So, I challenge you to read this and respond!
I have spent many years investigating online transaction management platforms.  My platform of choice is SureClose, but all platforms are … (9 comments)

sureclose: We've Come A Long Way, Baby! - 07/23/07 09:15 AM
Today, I am sitting on my living room couch enjoying pure chaos around me.  My 13 year old niece is visiting from Texas and watching her with my kids is pure joy.  What, time with the family??  But IT IS A WORK DAY!!
 
Ah, this takes me back to the days where I was completely overwhelmed managing 200+ transactions a year, dragging paper files back and forth from the office to home because there just weren't enough hours in the work day.  I spent my "home" time cooped up in my office yelling down stairs for every one to "keep it down".  Why … (12 comments)