I have started real estate as a second job to supplement my income and make more money for my growing expenses. You see, I have two daughters on their way to college and found that I needed a way to earn extra money for their textbooks, tuition, and board. Fortunately, my husband is a real estate broker and I have signed up under his broker’s license to start my business; he offered me a generous split and hired me on the spot!
I have found that a lot of the work that a 21st century real estate agent can be accomplished online. I currently use California Association of Realtor’s Winforms online to write contracts on my computer and even incorporate Docusign; which allows my client’s to digitally sign from their computer. I have been able to email plenty of offers from my clients over to the listing agents in this manner. It also saves me a lot of time while at my full time job. This sort of efficiency has enabled me to juggle both careers.
I am relatively new to real estate but find it amazing that many of the agents never even knew about digital signatures and are surprised to see RPA’s (Residential Purchase Agreements) emailed over to them in .pdf formats along with the supplemental paperwork, such as prequalification letters, account statements, copy of deposit check; which I scan and convert to .pdf format.
I’m not sure if it’s just the area I work in or what, but many of these agents seemed surprised when I email them my client’s offer along with digital signatures. One agent demanded that I get “real” signatures and to fax over the offer (in lieu of email); even though I told him that by Federal law electronic signatures cannot be denied. In fact, according to Federal law, “a document or signature cannot be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.” He wouldn’t have it and I reluctantly complied and “efaxed” him the documents that he requested.
Efax has been another digital godsend. I use it retrieve fax corresponds over to my computer and it automatically converts documents to .pdf format. I also get both a text message and an email letting me know of incoming faxes. These tools have allowed me manage my time to devote a sufficient amount of attention to both careers. I have to give my husband credit for his training and direction. I am grateful that these tools are available in today’s real estate world. How do you make your business run more efficiently through the use of technology?
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