Paperless Challenge In Progress

Paperless Challenge In Progress

Back in February 2011 there was an ActiveRain Paperless Challenge.

    

The goal... to create a plan reducing the amount of paper used in real estate.

 Here are a few ways that allow me to use less paper but not quite paper-less.

My listing agreements are on my iPad but I still keep a paper copy.  Many of my clients do NOT use a computer,  email or even faxes and I have to work around this situation.

I still use MBAI forms and no longer keep a stack of out of date listing packets.  I still  print one Exclusive Right to Sell contract which I have signed by the seller, scan the original and keep it in the email folder for that listing. Disclosures are scanned separately so it is easy to print or email just what is needed to write an offer. My Fujitsu Scanner still makes it easy to take that one document and file it electronically.  

My contract offers are still  emailed to the client with highlighting for signatures and initials. I have phone appointment times to review the offer and answer questions. They sign and return by fax or email. The fax goes directly into my email. When complete, I combine with the same cover letter and email to all parties. For clients without technology, I am able to send the offer to a family member, lawyer or other trusted adviser for review.

I no longer print up broshures  for listings or MLS sheets  when showing property. I have each listing in the iPad and can have them in my photo gallery...so much easier than carrying paper copies.  I am always Looking For Ways To Eliminate Inefficiencies.

On listing appointments, anything can be pulled up on the iPad from a marketing piece on a specific property, to a blog about the neighborhood to showing my weekly  print advertising.

I have been able to entertain, 3 kids under the age of 4 at the same time, with a single Cool iPad Tool...no more coloring books and reams of paper for drawings.

The Challenge is to create a plan reducing the amount of paper used in real estate.  Did a Paper Truck Throw Up?    

I may be a bit old fashioned but I still want one original paper copy of the contract. I have not been able to cut that paper umbilical cord.

My goal (when I have time in between listing, selling and settling my properties) is to delve more into some of the things Cheryl is doing.  Realtor Plan to go Paperless starts with Evernote Cartavi & Docusign! 

 Right now I am a Paperless Challenge...in Progress 

There is a Lot of Paperwork When Getting Ready to Sell!

 There is a Lot of Paperwork When Getting Ready to Sell!

                                                               

 Anyone who has bought, sold, or refinanced a house in the past knows that there are stacks of papers that have to be signed before the keys change hands. Most of those papers come from the Realtor®, the title company, and the lender.

When thinking of selling your home, you will need the necessary paperwork. Depending on how long you've been in your home these may not be so easy to find.

Here are some of the items necessary to move forward with listing and selling.

 

1. The  documents when you bought the house - including the contract, the settlement sheet, loan documents, title insurance and location survey.

2. Any documents from a refinance, ground rent or proof of redemption, home equity or second mortgage along with loan numbers and bank pay off information.

3. Receipts and permits for any major improvement or renovation such as adding a bathroom or extending a deck.

4. Warranties for any appliances or home systems that you've repaired or replaced recently. Do you have a roofing certificate?

5. Floor plans or original house plans, a list of what you love about the house along with out of season photos of the spring gardens, swimming pool or snow scenes etc.

6. Homeowner association, condo, or co-op documents, including any proof  showing compliance with the rules for renovations or additions such as decks or color changes.

7. Tax receipts and bills that will show a prospective buyer the gas, electric, water, and tax charges.

8.  Power of Attorney,trustee and/or Death Certificates.

Please have a couple of set of keys available along with the security code and garage door openers.

 

 There is a Lot of Paperwork When Getting Ready to Sell!

Did a Paper Truck Throw Up?

I have been oh, so wonderfully busy this week. Negotiating and ratifying a contract on the Southfield listing. A successful auction at 7001 Park Heights, , two sellers waiting for me to do the listing agreement, then showings on my latest two listings, Terrapin and Oakland. There have been seminars and meetings - CRS and Gee Dunsten last week, a WCR luncheon, a webinar with Frances Flynn Thorsen, a networking evening with Vito Simone at his Canton office, a planning meeting for an art auction in May, lunch with my publisher, and a funeral. Plus, of course, many phone calls, emails, reading, etc. Yep, a typical Type E schedule.

As I was leaving the house this morning for a string of appointments I got a glimpse of my desk – well, actually two desks plus the dining room table separate for doing my income taxes. What did I see? Looks like a paper truck threw up!

Oh…yeah…and my deadline is today for getting the stuff to my accountant.

Now don't think I am not organized. Received a call from a client who had purchased one of my listings back in 2001, and another who bought 14 years ago. Within minutes, had my hands on those folders with all the pertinent information. One of these clients is looking at my new listing and both are thinking of selling their homes.

So it's not a lack of organization that leads to scenes like these. Nope, it's the Type Ein me. All the information is there..I just file by pile. I can find what is needed. It's the task of sorting it into someone else's order that I avoid. And that is why my desks looks like a paper truck threw up!

Are you brave enough to photo your desk before you straighten it up? Come on show us...I dare you.