RealTown's RealTalk

Carbon paper?

I use PDFs and a photo copier. When we meet at the office I give my client a photo copy of all documents. When I write an offer, I efax or scan and email it to the listing agent and prefer to receive offers that way. When we have an accepted offer I email a copy to my client's loan officer. When I go on a listing appointment I fill out the forms with type writer on PDFs and print two copies. When I return to the office, I scan all the executed documents, save them as a PDF in my folder for that listing and email copies to my client. I don't make hard copies until I turn in the closing.

I keep a folder for each sale and listing. The listing folder includes all photos, flyers, CMAs, listing docs and sale docs. The sale folder includes, a record of properties shown, contracts, property disclosures, inspection reports, VA/FHA Amendatory Clause copies and HUD statements.

I backup my c drive to an external hard drive and to Carbonite.com.

If photo copies and PDF's are not legal in your state work on your legislature or real estate commission to make them legal. They make life and long distance transactions less expensive and easier.

Then there is always a tablet PC and wireless card.

Judy

Judy Davis, Realtor®

ABR, ASP, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, WCR

Creative Real Estate Counseling

IRONGATE inc. REALTORS

122 North Main Street Centerville Ohio 45459

Direct: 937-436-0967

Office: 937-433-3300 x 1230

Fax: 614-340-7245

www.JudyDavisHomes.com judy@JudyDavisRealtor.com

Carolyne asks:

How do your forms work when you are out on the road?

We always bought triplicate snap-sets carbonless pull-apart paper forms from our various board offices. Now everything is on line... print out every piece of paper that you use for any and all tasks.

So you are going on a listing or to meet with a buyer... all the agency forms you have printed out, dozens of them, each in three separate sets. Now you have to fill in all the information three times, or go back to carrying carbon paper. More nuisance than imaginable. What do you do? Just my thoughts.

…what do you do? Any bright ideas? am I missing something? totally possible - lol.

Mark Jay responds:

Yes, you ARE missing something… the technology to do the job…. Laptops are cheap. As little as $350. Here's an example… http://www.laptopcloseout.com/usa/store.html?target=../../

Portable printers are also inexpensive…. How about $140 Here's an example…. http://www.ecomelectronics.com/prodinfo.phtml?id=3898&ref=pricegrabber .

You can plug your stuff into any electrical outlet but what if there's no power at the property you're showing or you're in your car? You'll need a power inverter for your vehicle. You'll need a device that you can plug into your vehicle's cigarette lighter that will convert your vehicle's 12 volt power to 110 so you can plug in… Here's an example… http://www.theinverterstore.com/?gclid=COXEqsWvh5sCFQa-sgodZ2DnoA The cost should be around $150.

The power inverter is the "trickiest" part of the solution because you need one powerful enough to drive your devices but not so powerful… and expensive… as to blow a car fuse. Find a local store… like Best Buy… that has a collection of inverters to choose from and then buy one, try it out and if it doesn't work then exchange it for another that is more powerful.

Lastly, you'll need an "air card" a device… really a cell phone in the form factor of a PCIMCA card or USB device… that will wirelessly connect you to the internet so you can access your forms, MLS and your data base online. Here's the Verizon offering… http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneOverviewByDevice&deviceType=BroadbandAccess%20Devices The hardware will cost as little as $30 and the monthly charge will be about $60 if you have a Verizon cell phone already and a little more if you don't. As an aside… the Verizon wireless 3G network is so strong and fast that I only accesses the internet with a wireless card. I got rid of my cable connection YEARS ago.

So there you have it… "What you're missing". You'll spend about $500 or so and then around $60 per month or so and you'll be completely wireless and portable. It's the only way to go!