Is a paperless society less responsible?

Our office is completely paperless.  Everything is digital and on a shared cloud.  Most of the time our buyers are only putting pen to paper at the actual closing.  "Sign" of the times.  Pun intended.  

Richard, in my opinion it is way too easy to scan a document on a screen without really even catching the highlights. You make a valid point.

Richard,

While I do agree with you in many aspects, I'm thrilled with the ability to e-mail and get document signed quickly.

Rich

Richard,

While I do agree with you in many aspects, I'm thrilled with the ability to e-mail and get document signed quickly.

Rich

I agree, i see a similar thing happen with people taking it for granted. no matter with paper or without paper, keep records.

Yes, something to think about

\Paper functions well but is not efficient for numerous reasons. Its days are numbered

There is a huge difference between sitting with a buyer and reviewing every paragraph of a contract and having a buyer check a box to affirm that they read and understood it.

I personally believe that the electronic transmission system has gone too far. 

If a consumer gets to court in a dispute, the judge isn't going to want to know if they signed the document.  The judge is going to want to know that they understood the document.

Richard, I feel there are some business that have benefited from going paperless.  And some that shouldn't - real estate and mortgage.

In these two business, when they go paperless, I feel too much falls between the cracks.

Paperless methods are only efficient when they are still backed up by the personal explanation that accompanies paper signatures.  

Richard - I have never had a client change their mind due to an e-signature. A contract is a contract and e-sigs are as valid here in AZ as penned sigs.

I think the practice of being paperless is fine if it's coupled with the same interaction people had when using paper.  There's not much difference reviewing a contract if it's on a tablet or hard copy.  It's in how the agent engages the client that matters.

Richard, I like the idea of paperless, but I prefer wet signatures because I'm there when my clients are signing. I can explain things and answer questions. The concept of esignatures is a little mind-boggling at first to grasp for those who didn't grow up with computers. I tend to agree with you there is something about signing electronically that seems less permanent, or perhaps easier to get out of. Not sure which, but I have had a client back out after he signed electronically. If he had signed with a pen, would that have made a difference? I'll never know...

Electronic signatures are the present and the future. They make sense in so many ways that just like other technological breatkthroughs people will become accustomed to them with time and expect them.

Interesting perspective. I use e-signatures for just about everything. However, I haven't run across a client who has tried to get out of their obligation because it was an e-signature versus an actual signature.

Very interesting points, thanks for sharing.

Have a Big day,

Randy

I still like to kill a few trees for the record.

Electronic can be so volatile in today's world.  If that computer crashes or a virus enters...good luck.  Same goes for a storage unit for E-Files

Richard, you make some good points here.  I still do pen and paper but I also highly utilize technology in my every day activities.  Sometimes the old-fashion way is less of  headache. However, as I have said in the past, technology is always evolving and we must evolve with it.

Richard, I read your post earlier and I posted. I just now saw this and thought of you; you must see this video on this blog pos:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/4296450/the-ipad-a-funny-video