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Trying to go Green is easier said than done, there are many obstacles!

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 01238708

Trying to go Green is easier said than done there are many obstacles we need to overcome!

I have been noticing a lot of businesses, from The Telephone Company to Real Estate Offices trying to achieve a noble goal of going green, in other words going paperless. Well it is easier said than done. I have not participated in previous Active Rain Challenges about this subject. So now I am making an attempt. The DocuSign Challenge is not easy! It is a work in progress with numerous obstacles that are blocking the Noble Goal!

Endre Barath, Short Sale realtor in Los Angeles

There are many challenges for a Realtor trying to accomplish this objective:

 

1.       There are still buyers & sellers who are not internet savvy.

 

2.        There are still buyers and sellers who do not have internet and want to fax every document.

 

3.       There are still Brokerages who require a File that has to be printed in order for you to get the commission check.

Hence against these major obstacles how can one go paperless?  In my observation we need to focus on the buyers and sellers who are open to a Paperless Transaction and accomplish the majority of the transaction via the internet. Once the entire transaction is done we only need to print one File Out for the Broker!

What equipment do we need? Well most of us have a computer or a laptop, so this is not a capital investment. The only missing ingredient might be a Scanner. Once you have that you are on your way. In my case I need to make this investment.  Then the second investment is to have good backup systems on the computer as well as we need to have a remote “cloud” back up station. The good news is, there are some good free and also some low expense “cloud” back up programs out there. Finally you have to become creative and it can be done.

Going Paperless as a Realtor, Endre Barath

Well I just have to share with you:  I have been paperless all week. Being on vacation with my laptop conducting business without a printer and a fax machine, I had to get creative. I asked my seller to please go to the Escrow Officer and leave the paperwork with her. She in turn scanned and emailed all the documents and disclosures to me.

Now I just have to remain creative and consistent with the noble goal of being a Paperless Realtor. Like I said, easier said than done!

green realtor in Los Angeles

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, Brentwood, Bel Air, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at310.486.1002or email me at homes@endrebarath.comor visit one of my websites athttp://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations.

 

David Grbich
Realty One Group - www.FindCARealEstate.com - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Orange County Real Estate - 949-500-0484

It is easier said than done - given a choice paperless is the way to go. Here in CA every short sale offer I make requires wet signatures . . . there goes paperless. Regards Dave

Sep 28, 2012 04:29 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Endre, I worked at going paperless last year and to some degree I have reduced printed copies.  We can use "DotLoop" through our MLS to eSign everything, however, it does have a few glitches and many short sale lenders require "wet signatures".  I spoke with a lender yesterday who said they're probably printing off more hard copies this year than last.  I for one will always want a hard copy of a contract and associated documents...I think the best I can hope for is to eliminate as much as possible.

Sep 28, 2012 06:08 AM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

Endre, the obstacles you mention do indeed make going paperless not quite feasible. I remember a couple of years ago doing a land transaction via FedEx because:

  1. The seller did not have a computer. (!!!)
  2. We haven't had a fax machine for yeeeeeears.
  3. It was a quick and easy deal and time was of the essence, so FedEx overnight it was. We listed, sold and closed this property in less than 2 weeks! :)
We also are "forced" into doing wet signatures by entities that require them, like banks when it comes to REOs and sometimes even short sales.

Leilani

Sep 28, 2012 05:40 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good morning Endre and a big congrats on the golden star! 

The more you are paperless the more you will love it and wonder why we ever worked any other way.  I'm not 100% and probably never will be but I'm giving it my best shot, saving money, time and trees.

Have a grand weekend my friend.

 

 

Sep 28, 2012 10:30 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Inna, you are so right most lenders do not want to be involved with anything but real "wet" signatures since they got burned with the "robo signing"....

Will you are lucky to have more space now I had to get a storage box and do my annual homage to the storage 7 then to the Shredding Place:)

David, yes all Short Sales are with Lenders hence the "Wet" signatures!

Nick absolutely just do as much as feasible until the world catches up:) reminds me of when I bought my HD TV there were only 8 channels that were HD capable:)

Sep 29, 2012 10:03 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Endre-With that comment about your first HD tv you are obviously an early adopter. The wet signature thing is really irritating but I do see the lender's point of view.

Sep 29, 2012 02:07 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Andre going paperless can be a challenge for the very reasons you outlined.   I hope you had fun on your vacation, that's what a vacation is for :)

Sep 29, 2012 02:39 PM
Jennifer Chiongbian
Specializing in all types of Manhattan apts & townhouses - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Broker - NYC

Congratulations on the feature!  It is so true though....not everyone is tech savvy and not everyone will be able to make this jump.

 

We close via attorneys here and a digital signature for all those documents are closing won't be aceeptable to these dinosaurs.

Sep 30, 2012 04:28 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Endre, Every little thing we can do to help the planet is a good thing. I've been paperless in my business since January 2010. My clients get a CD shortly after closing with pdf files of the transaction.  There are times I must print and have clients sign because many lenders still do not accept electronic signatures.  Even those documents ultimately get scanned and the originals shredded.  Congrats on the Featured Post!

Sep 30, 2012 04:41 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Wayne, I agree with you about the Lenders, they got burned the last time now they are cautious.

Jennifer F. vacation was great:)

Jennifer  C. yes not everyone is progressive, usually attorneys are progressive with Electronic Signatures!

Kathleen good for you about being so advanced in the "going Green objective"

Sep 30, 2012 04:51 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Endre - going paperless is a real challenge ..... especially when the rest of the real estate world is not up to speed ..... unless you have high speed even having an internet connection and internet savvy is not enough for the large files such as an offer.

Sep 30, 2012 05:14 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Kathy yes you need to have a large email as well, I have 2000MB for my email and it is always half full!

Sep 30, 2012 05:18 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living
Endre, regarding #2 there are still some people who need to have things mailed to them. Those are the most difficult ones to work with especially in a fast moving market. Good luck on going paperless and congrats on the feature!
Sep 30, 2012 08:18 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Silvia, I also love the buyers who think  mailing will not delay the process:) as the postal service is slowly becoming obsolete and sellers accept offers in the first two or three days....

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

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Apr 12, 2013 04:24 PM
#58
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Endre-I say this from last year and just learned today our Broker is getting us on DotLoop at the end of Nov 2013. I use Docusign extensively now, so I do not expect this to be a traumatic change.

Oct 03, 2013 02:50 AM