Real estate transactions happen so differently today than they did a decade ago. Everything is digital. The contract forms are digital and they are signed electronically. Back in the old days, we used to write offers for home buyers on paper forms and fax them to the listing agent.
Sometimes we got to present the offer in person to the sellers. We delivered it directly to the sellers and explained it to them and then go out to our cars and wait while they deliberated.
No, I don’t miss all the paper I used to have to copy, fax, and file. Electronic files are much easier to store and keep track of. I don’t miss driving around to get signatures and initials.
What I miss is sitting down with my clients and going through the contracts line by line and ensuring they understand what they are signing. Sure I still go through the contract but it is much faster and rarely in person. Digital contracts speed everything up.
There are still people who do not use email or cell phones. In order to work with them we have to make the transaction manual. Forms are printed and signed and then scanned and emailed.
Real estate agents should always be equipped to handle a manual type of client including people with low vision or who are blind.
