The fact that the homebuying process is becoming increasingly “paperless” and “digital” does not mean there are fewer documents or fewer pieces of information to manage. Instead, where there were once reams of paperwork and binders of forms, real estate agents must now manage multitudes of digital files, which are no less challenging to organize and maintain.
Thankfully, there is an abundance of software designed to help ease the transition from paperwork to e-forms. Here are some of the best real estate transaction-management programs out there.
dotloop
Designed to facilitate collaboration in real estate transactions, dotloop was acquired by Zillow in 2005. With a self-described “holistic approach,” dotloop offers an “end-to-end” paperless solution for real estate transactions, complete with document creation, sharing, e-signing, compliance, and storage.
Dotloop highlights include:
• unlimited number of custom workflows with review checklists
• SMS texting communications and alerts
• mobile app
• e-Signatures
• custom branding for business accounts (not available for individual agents)
• free limited monthly service for individual agents with up to 10 transactions
• advanced plan for real estate teams with full visibility into all transactions
SkySlope
Created by a real estate agent, SkySlope offers customizable checklists with compliance checks, e-signature forms, and provides metrics so brokers can evaluate their business. SkySlope links to and is compatible with other common applications.
SkySlope highlights include:
• customizable checklists
• email and text message tracking
• zipForms Plus solution
• e-Signatures
• mobile app
• unlimited storage
• customized branding available on select packages
Ressio
While many transaction-management solutions have various levels of service at different price points, Ressio keeps it simple with a $25 per-month, per-user fee. For brokerages with more than four users, Ressio offers discounts. Ressio offers task management, compliance management, and e-Signatures. It also offers some extra services such as CRM integration and property websites.
Ressio’s highlights include:
• customizable checklists
• e-Signatures
• unlimited storage
• zipForms Plus
• CRM integration
• single property page websites
• MLS integration
Evernote
While Evernote was not built exclusively for real estate agents, the note-taking app can function as a real estate transaction manager and fulfill many organizational needs for real estate agents. A desktop-only version is available for free, and users can pay for additional functions, including a mobile version. One drawback for Evernote users is there are upload limits for each service level.
Evernote highlights include:
• customizable checklists
• document storage
• collaborative document storage allowing you to share everything from pre-approval letters to marketing materials with anyone you want
Designed to facilitate collaboration in real estate transactions, dotloop was acquired by Zillow in 2005. With a self-described “holistic approach,” dotloop offers an “end-to-end” paperless solution for real estate transactions, complete with document creation, sharing, e-signing, compliance, and storage.