TAMING THE PAPER TIGER

By Barb Corsa

Real Estate Technology with SendOutCards

March 25, 2008 04:10 PM

Ok, I've got a serious problem here and need help from some neatniks or cleanfreaks (you know who you are).

My home office is now overflowing with paper piles - all great info that I print out from places on the internet. I even taught myself web design that way. Now there's an Active Rain pile since there's tons of good info on here.

I have files and folders and some are neatly organized and categorized, but as I'm a visual person, I like to print things out to highlight the most important parts, and am constantly learning new things. I tried bookmarking sites, but that doesn't work for me.

Does anyone have advice to help me? It's getting a bit overwhelming (no bonfire jokes please - my husband already "went there"). I'm operating two businesses out of this one office now.

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Maria Holland

RE/Max Homes & Estates, ABR,GRI, CDPE, SFR - Nashville, TN

Realtor, ABR, GRI, CDPE, SFR

Get a good scanner and scan your files in and then download them to a cd. That way you can eliminate the paper file. Just make sure that it actually downloaded before you torch it. Good luck.

Mar 25, 2008 04:16 PM

Wayne B. Pruner

Oregon First - Tigard, OR

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

A scanner has worked wonders for me. I use Paperport software. I have started throwing out old papers I wondered why I ever kept.

Mar 25, 2008 04:21 PM

Lane Bailey

Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA

Realtor & Car Guy

I will echo the scanner solution. I can organize my machine... but not paper. My wife can organize paper. I stopped dealing with paper contracts by getting a tablet PC. EVERYTHING I can find a way to have on the machine goes on the machine...

Mar 25, 2008 04:27 PM

Todd and Danielle Millar

Glenn Simon Inc. - Edmonton, AB

Nineteen years of excellence!

I third the motion - a scanner will change your life! Make sure you get a fast one or it will take weeks to get all the paper in.

Mar 25, 2008 04:30 PM

Anne Hensel

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL

Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

I will be watching this post - I have the same problem. . . . .

Mar 25, 2008 04:34 PM

Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

I have folders set so I can file attachments for future reference as well as the same type of filing system on my desktop of my computers which I back it all up (you can highlight portions of documents)........I don't print anything anymore (except contracts).

You may want to go to a larger screen on your monitor - that is what works for me - I used to have to print everything and with a larger monitor I could see more of the document.......good luck......

Mar 25, 2008 07:42 PM

Barb Corsa

SendOutCards - Green, OH

Helping you keep in touch

Thursday is hereby declared "Scanner Day"! Ladies & Gentlemen.....start your scanners!

Mar 26, 2008 02:49 AM

TAMING THE PAPER TIGER

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Barb Corsa

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