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Digital vs. Paper contracts. What's your preference?

By
Real Estate Agent with Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger 177506

When I started in real estate December 2008 digital contracts and signature were just coming out and very few agents used them. I was a member of the Las Vegas board of realtors and they were using Docusign which came in handy while working with out of state clients.

I always preferred paper contracts, however this year I am trying to make the switch to digital and doing contracts right on the iPad with signatures and all.

Here a short list why I am trying to make the switch:

1) No more mysterious handwriting, everything is clear since it is typed cutting down on confusion.

2) Within minuets of writing an offer the listing agent can have it in their inbox, saving time and paper.

3) My clients have a copy the minuet all signatures are done in their inbox for their records.

The problem comes up when one agent does not want to learn or work with digital. In my experience I would say about 30% of agents I work with still prefer to fax or e-fax.

What is your preference? and where do you think the trend is going?

Posted by

Content By: Stefan Winter

Stefan Winter runs a real estate team in Las Vegas called Winter Group at Keller Williams Realty.

 

Stefan and his business partner Blanca Barajas also own a successful marketing consulting firm, as well as a real estate Podcast & course called Keys To Real Estate Leads. Stefan now spends his time expanding his real estate brand to other cities including Chicago, Columbus, Dayton and in 2016 Dusseldorf, Germany. 

 

The Keys to Real Estate Leads Podcast (coming Oct. 5th, 2015) will focus on interviewing top agents and real estate professionals on branding, marketing, and becoming mega agents in any market. Keys to Real Estate Leads also offers a course that teaches agents how to dominate and stand out from the crowed in the noisy online world as well as helping agent NOT BUY LEADS! 

 

The course covers everything from building a professional website, building landing pages, and generating tons of leads from Facebook, Google and other online sources. If you want to succeed, it is a great investment that teaches you how to do every part of online lead generation and does not just keep selling you products.

 

Michael Fagan
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors - Doylestown, PA

digital is so much easier and organized when dealing with many home buyers or sellers with all the paper work that goes along with reale state. digital also saves some trees.  i prefer digital signatures over email.

Feb 22, 2014 11:09 AM
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

The organization is nice benefit, also really helps with the legal requirement of keeping a copy of all contracts. Thanks for the comment Michael.

Feb 22, 2014 09:48 PM
Jaclyn Erwin
Jackson Erwin Realty, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
ABR,SFR, REALTOR®/BROKER, Charlotte NC.

Oh my goodness, digital is so much better! I practically live out my vehicle and I am never in my office for a long period of time. With digital signatures now accepted across the major lending platforms, I rely on it almost solely. It is easy to access documents, have them signed and delivered using this method. It saves me so much time. Last week I was working out in the gym and needed a client to sign some documents. I grabbed my tablet out my purse and in minutes had the contract over to her to review and sign. I think she signed it in less than 3 minutes of receiving it. Perfect! And it saved me time, my client time, all those involved waiting on the signed document, and of course, the environment! 

Feb 23, 2014 12:04 AM
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

I prefer digital, however I do like to keep a paper file to flip through from time to time. I simply use digital, as long as every party agreed to it, and then print out a copy for my file. 

Feb 23, 2014 01:55 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Stefan, I love DocuSign, since then my life has become so much easier, I have had clients from all over the world and they bought and sold properties so much easier than before, Endre

Feb 23, 2014 07:59 AM
Bahman Davani, CM at Texas Five Star Realty, Plano, TX (214) 457-7055
Texas Five Star Realty, Plano Texas - Frisco, TX
Homes for Sale in Plano, Frisco, Prosper, Allen TX

I am all for digital, they are much cleaner, readable and can send via emails or put them somewher (dropbox, Google docs, etc.) to be accessed by others, and can be save in flash drove, CDs, Hard drives, etc.

Feb 26, 2014 06:50 AM