Admin

Electronic Signing

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Andrew Realty Serfvices

Electronic Signing for Real Estate TransactionsTechnology continues to change the way real estate transactions are done. A few years ago I started using electronic signature software for my clients. This has greatly simplified signing documents for both local clients and people from out of state. Scanners have made it easier to read real estate contracts are they are sent around for signature. However there are still agents who don’t use a scanner so even a one page change document can be difficult to read once it’s been faxed 2 or 3 times in order to get all of the parties’ signatures. I want to make sure that my clients can read (and understand) these very important and legally binding documents!

Electronic signing is easy and can be done on any computer or smartphone. The document remains clear and easy to read. As an extra bonus – this also saves paper. We used to need 4 copies of each Purchase and Sale Agreement (which run anywhere from 7 – 20 pages each). With electronic signatures, everyone receives an electronic version so no trees are cut down :)

I’ve had clients sign and accept offers on their properties while in Europe, on family vacations and even on the T commuting home from work!

Jon Eliason
EXIT Realty Advantage Pagosa, Pagosa Springs, Colorado - Pagosa Springs, CO

Deb ~ Our office has recently started using CTMe-contracts, allowing us the option to enable e-signatures. Once the Client signs and sends, any entity that has been designated in the contract will get an email alerting them to the update. I Love it!

Feb 04, 2012 01:53 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I had a buyer offer that went a week from offer to signature because the absentee seller apparently could not figure out the electronic signature process. Of course that was the exception to most of my experiences.

Feb 04, 2012 01:54 AM
Jill McTague
RE/MAX Andrew Realty Serfvices - Medford, MA
DebOnTheWeb & Associates - Medford, MA Real Estate

I'm glad your experience is as good as mine Jon!

Gary - how frustrating!  Even when I'm meet my clients in person, I still have them sign the listing paperwork electronically just to make sure they don't have any questions on the signing process.  This ensures that it goes smoothly when we get an offer.

Feb 04, 2012 02:36 AM
Leslie G. Rojohn
MoonDancer Realty - Sylva, NC
GRI, ABR ~ MoonDancer Realty

Don't claim to understand electronic sigs, but if people haven't even figured out or have the equipment to do scans (and many, many of our clients can't) how can the electronic sig be useful to them?

Feb 04, 2012 03:38 AM
Jill McTague
RE/MAX Andrew Realty Serfvices - Medford, MA
DebOnTheWeb & Associates - Medford, MA Real Estate

Thanks for your comment Leslie.  One of the reasons why I really like electronic signing is that people don't have to have any special equipment or do anything complicated.  They receive the document through their email.  They open the email and click to sign.  That's all there is to it.  I use DocuSign so as soon as my client signs, the system immediately forwards the signed document to me and anyone else I've specified.  The few clients I've had who were nervous about using it have raved about how simple it was once they tried it (including an 80 year old seller).

Feb 04, 2012 07:06 AM
Michael Mahoney
Real Broker, LLC - Boston, MA
Boston Realtor

Deb Agliano electronic signing certainly has changed the way we do business.

Feb 06, 2015 06:05 AM