Just the FAQ’s: Electronic Signature for Real Estate

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With the REALTORS® Conference & EXPO 2009 just around the corner, November 13th – 16th, we wanted to share some commonly asked questions about electronic signature.

1. What does DocuSign Electronic Signature do?

DocuSign enables you to electronically send, sign, and manage your real estate and broker forms with confidence. You can use your current form creation process with DocuSign’s ability to mark up the document with yellow stick-e-tabs so you’ll never miss another signature or initial again.

DocuSign also notifies your clients that they have documents to sign and will walk them through the process of adopting an electronic signature and signing the document. You can also set up DocuSign to copy the other agent in the transaction so that once your clients have all signed, the process moves forward automatically! You’ll also receive a notification when your signers have all signed.

Using DocuSign’s electronic signature process with your real estate forms makes it easy and convenient for both you and your customers, giving you the competitive advantage buyers are talking about.

Find out how-to integrate DocuSign with your current forms creation software.

2. How does the e-signature get into the DocuSign system?

First, the sender creates an envelope and uploads the documents for signature. The sender addresses the envelope with the signer’s name and email address.

Then DocuSign sends the signer an email notifying them they have documents to be signed.

The signer clicks on the secure link, authenticates himself or herself into the system and goes through a process to adopt an electronic signature unique to the signer.

3. Won’t using electronic signature hurt my ability to develop relationships with my clients?

We understand that as real estate professionals, relationships and relationship building are important to your bottom line.

For example, if you and your client are in the offer process, you may also end up counter-offering as well. What if your client doesn’t have time to meet you every time new documents need to be signed? What if they’re out of town on business?

With DocuSign, the signing process can happen remotely if that’s what the client needs. DocuSign also offers in-person signing capabilities that enable you to leverage the power of electronic signature, document management and provide the in-person interaction as well.

4. Do I need any special equipment?

No – you can access DocuSign’s electronic signature services anywhere you have internet access, email and a web browser. This means you can access the DocuSign system from your home, office, or local coffee shop with wifi.

You can DocuSign from your desktop PC, Mac, Windows laptop, tablet – whatever computer you currently have, as long as you can get email, internet and browse the web!

This fall, DocuSign also launched ‘Designed for Mobile’ signing support for Apple iPhone and BlackBerry devices to make it faster and easier for customers to complete transactions while on the go.

5. Can I get more information about the legality of electronic signatures?
Absolutely – take a look at the legal section of the DocuSign blog, where Ken Moyle, DocuSign’s Chief Legal Officer and the Public Policy Chair of ESRA, shares his thoughts and writings about electronic signatures, electronic signature acceptance, authentication and evidentiary considerations.