Special offer

A Paper-less Challenge - I'm On It!

By
Real Estate Agent with Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA DRE# 01499004

A Paper-less Challenge  - I'm On It!

Though I know a totally Paper-less Challenge is not realistic, I'm on it at least to do my part for cutting back and being as green as possible.  Each of my client files is at least an inch thick by the time the escrow closes and it is time to file it away.  This doesn't even count the paper used in getting the required signatures on each document within that folder.  I have a hard time with the waste being I am such of a recycle fanatic!  I think with technology, we are making great strides in eliminating much of this waste but we have a long way to go. 

Here are 3 things that I have seen available for us as Realtors and plan on implementing in my business as much as possible to help offset my waste:

Winforms - Our California Association of Realtors has our standard real estate forms online for us to auto-populate for each transaction.  From there instead of printing the form and then faxing it to our clients or to other Realtors, we can email it directly to them. This is a great alternative unless our client is sitting right there in front of us of course! Regardless this system is far superior to using the carbon forms of old, especially since if we fax or scan them, other than the top copy the rest are a waste.

Electronic Signatures:  When we create those documents I just mentioned, if the seller will allow, we can have the recipient sign with an electronic signature.  There are still many lenders who would prefer what we call a wet signature where they will have to print our document and actually sign it with a pen. I am sure in time, these electronic signatures will be more accepted and the amount of paper required will cut down tremendously.

zipVault - Another new feature that CAR has for us as members is a storage program that allows us to store other forms, flyers, photos, communication, etc. that are related to the transaction for up to five years.  With this we can scan and upload all of our documents and reports  instead of making copies to keep in a paper file.  Imagine how much paper that saves on things such as CC&R's, inspections, and Preliminary Title reports!  Should our clients need any of the information we have it right at our fingertips!

I may not win a Paper-less Challenge but when it comes to cutting down on paper waste - I'm on it!


"This post is written as a submission to the ActiveRain & Kodak Paper-less Challenge contest.  I have the chance to win the high speed KODAK SCANMATE i1120 Scanner, great for helping real estate professionals reduce their stacks of paper by scanning contracts, photos and business cards in seconds."

 

I am a REALTOR® in El Dorado Hills with Lyon Real Estate.Though living in El Dorado Hills is my passion, I am happy to help you with your real estate needs throughout the Sacramento Valley. For more information on me or our wonderful area visit my website at www.DeeDeeRiley.comor email me at driley@golyon.com.

 

driley_shareonfacebook.pngdriley_Tweet_this.png

 

Keep in touch facebook.png Connect with Me on LinkedIn driley_twitter.png

Please keep in mind -the views expressed herein are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.

By DeeDee Riley 2011 *All Rights Reserved*A Paper-less Challenge - I'm On It!

Comments (12)

Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

You are braver than I. A few years ago, our MLS was struck by lightning and our company server was attacked by a virus (yes, of course, the same day!). Agents who had contracts in process only online were unable to proceed for more than 24 hours while those of us with hard copy backups were able to finish negotiations and move forward. I am still leary of going totally paperless.

Feb 23, 2011 10:48 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Hi Maria, I know what you are saying and it is kind of scarey but anything electronic (email included) will have these time risks. Any waste we can cut down though is so good.   Thanks for your comment!!!

Feb 23, 2011 10:56 AM
Lydia Lucas
Prudential CT Realty - Milford, CT

Good luck with the challenge! I'm gradually going more electronic, also with bills thanks to the help of my son. Hopefully I can go totally paperless eventually.

Feb 23, 2011 11:35 AM
Cathryn Jones
Assistants For Agents, LLC - Houston, TX

I've seen electronic signatures become more widely accepted.  Yahoo!  I'm a big fan of electronic signatures!

Feb 23, 2011 02:58 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Lydia - I've been working on going electronically with my bills too.  My insurance ones were easy as they are the same every month.  Still like my bank statements in paper form as it is easier to reconcile with my Quicken program when I can look at them side by side!  Thanks so much for your comment!

Feb 23, 2011 06:24 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Cathryn- I am too!  Once you get them figured out, they are pretty efficient.  Thanks so much for your comment!

Feb 23, 2011 06:26 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

It seems that I have to catch up on my contests. This one sounds like fun!

Feb 24, 2011 02:18 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

It's not too late William.  You have till tomorrow night by midnight EST.

Feb 24, 2011 03:29 PM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

DeeDee, we are lucky that our state association just began to offer us these benefits this year...I know it will reduce a lot of paper once agents begin to use them regularly! :)

Leilani

Feb 24, 2011 05:08 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

DeeDee, these are GREAT leaps into a paper-less environment, and if we really put our minds to it, we probably can think of many more!   Good job!

Feb 25, 2011 01:36 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

DeeDee, cool!!! I wonder if the price of paper will go up if we all start going electronic...

Feb 25, 2011 09:18 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Leilani- I agree.  I am such a huge recyler so am always in for saving where I can! 

Joan - I'm sure we can too.  I got a few ideas reading others Paper-less blogs!!! 

Michael - Good point and probably!!!! 

Thank all of you for your comments!!!!!!!

Feb 26, 2011 02:35 PM