Special offer

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Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Patience is good... I have never come across this issue. I did once have a computer-free elderly couple whose home I was selling, but they were local and only a quick 15 minute ride from my office. And I had their son's email so I could use that to get some things done. Afterall, we worked for years without computers and cell phones and still sold a ton of real estate in the "good old days." And in my case, in NYC, I also did it without any MLS system, to boot.

Apr 13, 2017 04:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,457,365
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Telephone, Fax or ask them to go to the library and/or get a computer, or refer them to a local agent...Endre

Apr 12, 2017 11:24 PM
Ambassador
1,026,993
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

It's been at least 15 years since I encountered something like that. At the time I bought an inexpensive fax machine and had it delivered to them and we stayed on top of things. That was pre-electronic signing, etc.

Now I'd probably get familiar with FedEx and providing envelopes and lots of little 'Sign Here' tabs. Especially if they're older. Great question.

Apr 13, 2017 03:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Telephone, courier, postal mail, fax, smartphone, landline and more.

Apr 13, 2017 12:19 AM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

Many options here to help them and it happens, not often fortunately.  

  1. FedEX or any overnight service and often it's best to include a pre-paid return envelope. 
  2. Have them provide permission for working with them and a trusted representative who has an email and can help them electronically sign. 
  3. I would not rely on a FAX machine as it's asking for trouble with illegible documents that seem to always happen when FAX is used.

Most of us in the business for a while have had this happen and were in the business before we had all this great technology...It's a work around and not the end of the world. 

Apr 13, 2017 07:53 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,433
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

PATIENCE is key. Worked with a seller with no computer access and no knowledge of what to do. Sent FedEx to various camping grounds. They were on the adventure of a lifetime. Luckily it worked out. Never want to do it again! They did not have a cell phone!

Apr 13, 2017 06:40 AM
Ambassador
2,178,703
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Having a local contact person to provide the service they need. When I traveled while working I always had a showing agent back me up.  I could do most everything by the computer but mot everything. 

Apr 13, 2017 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,711,988
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

I had one very recently, she was an elder lady, phone and mail. She called me to list her home after it expired three times. She got my name from a postcard I mailed to her.

Apr 13, 2017 06:13 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,623
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No secrets. Do what is needed.

Apr 13, 2017 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

It's going back to the 90's if you can remember that. Mail the listings, etc. to them. Jeesh, a lot of work & think of the trees slain for the purpose.

Apr 13, 2017 05:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thankfully, I haven't encountered this lately.  I'm guessing lots of phone calls.

Apr 13, 2017 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Buy them a computer! 

Apr 13, 2017 04:59 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I have not had this issue. All of my clients have email, smart phones, tablets, laptops, desktop, etc...

Apr 13, 2017 04:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,645
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It depends on the individual client.   

Apr 13, 2017 02:30 AM
Rainmaker
758,185
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

For me, that works with sellers better than buyers looking out-of-area. I meet them once at their house to set everything up. I have a fax they can borrow if they want it, but they just mail or drive me the documents. Some fax from Staples. Some have a friend who can help them with sending back documents. It can always be figured out.

Apr 14, 2017 04:24 AM
Rainmaker
151,633
Julie Larson Realtor® Sarasota FL 941-284-9826
White Sands Realty Group FL | 941-284-9826 | Serving Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte Counties - Sarasota, FL
When you're thinking of moving...ThinkSuncoast.com

I think I'd find out if they had a 12 year old grandchild near by that could help them set up an email account!

Apr 13, 2017 08:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It is a seller, the phone and few visits with printouts( two copies) will do the job. But with sellers it is going to be more time consuming unless they know exactly what and where they want to buy. 

Apr 13, 2017 05:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,321
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Priority/Express Mail. Click N Ship.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Apr 13, 2017 05:06 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I get quite a few of those actually - mostly retirees who go to the library use their 'puters

 

Patience helps for sure

Apr 13, 2017 12:59 PM
Ambassador
3,345,257
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Patience.  Perhaps coordinating with someone local to facilitate the process. I have not had this happen however.  

Apr 13, 2017 08:04 AM
Ambassador
2,161,148
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

It's not the easiest thing to do in our computer-driven world but it can be done. Best case scenario is when buyer is actually in town for showings and to sign the initial offer paperwork. With sellers, it's not quite as difficult, but you have to ask selling agents to allow for extra time to get paperwork back. Sellers may have to overnight documents to speed things up. 

Apr 13, 2017 06:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

As Nina Hollander wrote. Hopefully, the client can go to an internet cafe to receive emails with property listings. Or to a connected friend? That's tough anyway you go!

Apr 13, 2017 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

I would set up phone appointments, FedEx, etc.  Patience, of course!

Apr 13, 2017 05:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

I don't have a secret for that... its called a phone if they lack that I probably haven't met them ;-)

Mar 25, 2018 05:36 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,727
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Patience is important, I do have 2 fax machines and have given them for clients to use.

Apr 16, 2017 07:12 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,699
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Have had clients in-town but never long distance.  Maybe enlist assistance from family members with computer knowledge?  Definitely patience.

Apr 15, 2017 04:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,940
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Haven't had that issue.

Apr 15, 2017 06:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,503,048
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Patience, highlighting and stickers saying sign here and overnight w/FedEx.

Apr 14, 2017 02:08 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, - computer free client - I prefer to free that client (from me!)

Apr 13, 2017 11:10 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Not fun at all!

Apr 13, 2017 09:22 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Phone and mail...Fax has been good also

Apr 13, 2017 08:17 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have had a couple of clients with no technology. One didn't even have a phone and had to call me a couple of times a week when they went to town. We did everything through the mail and faxing to the library.

Apr 13, 2017 06:21 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Old school, printing listing sheets and having them do a lot of driving to check and narrow down listings

Apr 13, 2017 05:38 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist
  • Land lines and Snail mail
Apr 13, 2017 05:15 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Make a time they will call you Monday Wednesday and Fridays and keep the appointments. Find out where a nearby PIP, mail room, full service Kinko's or scan printer place is and give them a ten dollar gift card to the place. find out if there is a courier service where they live, UPS or Fedex pick up truck and have UPS or Fed EX drop some empty overnight folders to use. Find lender and title company affiliate in town where they live

Apr 13, 2017 03:45 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Refer them to somone else.

Apr 13, 2017 02:39 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Same thing you did when there was no MLS, no cell phone, no fax or no reception.

Eve

Apr 13, 2017 10:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

fax machine

Apr 13, 2017 09:15 AM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Paul I have one of those and he does things by phone and a fax at his bank.  He's just old school and doesn't care to learn.

Apr 13, 2017 08:13 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

we have had a few sellers who did nothing but email on the computer.... but we're listing agents and that's all we needed....

Apr 13, 2017 08:05 AM
Ambassador
5,049,488
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Patience, for sure, and making sure you allow for generous time frames to get things done. FedEx!!

Apr 13, 2017 07:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,544,068
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Phone and FedEx

Apr 13, 2017 07:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

My options would be faxing, the phone or using snail mail.

Apr 13, 2017 07:19 AM
Ambassador
2,684,209
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    Can they at least Text message and use Email?

    Fax.  If they don't have a fax machine, then find a UPS Store or Office Depot in their town that offers Fax service.  

   Priority Mail and FedEx

  Failing that, pay a title company (in the town where the client is) to assist you.

 

Apr 13, 2017 06:54 AM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I guess the old fashioned way. I think Nina described it best. But, there are still a few places with fax machines, that could be an alternative...

Apr 13, 2017 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,313
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Here is a chance to not only give all you got but to test what you got too

Apr 13, 2017 06:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, My secret would be to refer it to a local agent.

Apr 13, 2017 06:14 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

First, realize it is equally distressing for them.

Second, there are, at your fingertips, no less the five FREE video chat services that will add the personal touch for that once a week confidence builder.

Keeping it real keeps them on your team.

Regarding a "Computer Free' client. They need to get real. Do the have a cell phone? You are good to go.

Apr 13, 2017 05:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

It's rare but there are still a few paper holdouts and yes, patience.

Apr 13, 2017 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Hmm, I can't recall the time I've ever had that issue  Hopefully I never will

Apr 13, 2017 04:52 AM