I am going to get a laptop.  I am wondering if anyone has any input as
to what specifications, programs and equipment I need to get set up

Betty Cutler Favier
bcf@TellurideRealEstateOnline.com

********************************************************

I retired my 5 year old Gateway Solo last fall and bought a Lenovo ThinkPad
X60. It is the only computer I use for my business. But, my business is
different from yours so it might not be great fit for you.

About 2 months ago, I was at the airport waiting to get on a plane to go
teach a few classes in another city. I got a call from a client I had shown
several homes to the day before and she wanted to make an offer on one of
the homes "right now". I pulled out my laptop (VERY small, light weight, 10
hour battery life and an "air card" from Verizon that lets me connect to
broadband from just about anywhere) filled out a purchase offer, signed it
electronically and emailed to my client. She printed it, signed it and faxed
it back to me. I emailed the offer to the listing agent and got on the
plane. When I got to the other city, I checked my email and we had a
counter-offer. Within 15 minutes, we had an accepted counter with signatures
and a copy sent it back to the listing agent. Done deal. Pretty nice way to
be able to do business.

Here is how:

1. I used a laptop that has a lot of horsepower but just about any laptop
these days does. 

2. I used the "air card" which keeps me connected 24-7. The Lenovo X60s
actually has the air card built in. Ask agents in your area if a comparable
service is available and if it really works.

3. I used a full version of Adobe Acrobat that allows me to electronically
sign and distribute any document. The full version is an amazing piece of
software.

4. I used online transaction management software (TransactionDesk by CDM,
Inc.) which has all of the necessary forms built in. It's a lot like Relay
except it's free through my MLS. It also has the built in ability to receive
and send unlimited faxes. This is how I was able to move the documents
around so quickly. It also integrates with the MLS information so that I can
autopopulate a form with just one click of the mouse.

5. The email was all handled via Outlook although any email client would do
nicely. I have become a huge fan of Office 2007 which will be out the end of
this month. The beta has just been wonderful.

I use the printers that are available where ever I go if I can connect to
them. At home I have a B&W laser and an ink jet color printer. Nothing
fancy.

While I do NOT own a fax machine (I don't think I've even touched one in
over a year) I do have a sweet little scanner. It's a Fujitsu ScanSnap.
Small footprint; scans both sides at the rate of about 12 pages per minute;
and converts the scans to .pdf for you.

I get such a kick out of being efficient, compact and portable. Those are
the criteria that are important to me. None of that may be of interest to
you at all. I'm sure you are going to get a lot of good feedback. One great
source of reviews is http://www.cnet.com.

Buddy Snipes
rtmember@trustedagent.net