Mobile Agent Tip: Sync Microsoft Outlook Calendar with Google Calendar

By Reggie · March 7, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

Many real estate agents love the simplicity of Microsoft Outlook. Yet real estate is very much an active, fast moving business. It’s likely that when you need your calendar most is when you are in the field. Does this sound familiar? If so you’re in luck, introducing Google’s new Calendar Sync Tool. Now sync your primary calendar’s events between Microsoft Outlook’s Calendar and Google’s Calendar. Then use your Blackberry, iPhone, Treo to access.

Download the Google Calendar Sync

1. Click the download link above and then click “Save File.”
2. Click “OK”.
3. Read through the Google Calendar Sync Terms of Service, and click “I Agree.”
4. Continue to follow through the Installation Options and click “Install” to finish. 

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Is eSignature Technology Right for Your Real Estate Business?

By Reggie · February 17, 2008 · 8 Comments 

As a real estate agent you probably have some basic understanding of how digital signature technology can help your real estate business. Maybe you could reduce the risk involved in holding and storing documents, gain time efficiencies by signing documents on the spot or even overcome geographical restrictions. Yet from my experiences many agents are sitting on the sidelines, not ready to jump in. Maybe it’s the result of not understanding how accessible the technology has become. Or is it the issue of legality?

First let’s address the legality of an eSignature. In 2000, the U.S. Congress passed a federal law titled Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) to “facilitate the use of electronic records and signatures in interstate and foreign commerce by ensuring the validity and legal effect of contracts entered into electronically”.

With the ESIGN Act stating clearly that “a transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because an electronic signature or electronic record was used in its formation.” It paved the way for companies to start creating today’s eSignature platforms. Today in real estate eSignatures can be accomplished with various technologies, such as VREO Real Estate Dashboard or DocuSign. However they both deal with the digital signature in different ways and both have distinct advantages.

VREO real estate dashboard is a software application installed to a tablet PC. VREO dashboard allows agents to sign contracts and documents with a stylus pen on the screen—without ever printing a piece of paper. Once you’ve collected the required signatures, simply send to the other party using your dashboards integrated email or fax options. This technology proves to be very convenient for the mobile real estate agent who wants to conduct business anywhere, anytime! Note: An Internet connection is not required to collect signatures.

• Free trial of VREO Real Estate Dashboard here
• Watch “The New Way”—A motivation mobile agent story

DocuSign on the other hand is an online solution enabling real estate agents to capture digital signatures via the web. As a result geographical distance between you and the recipient(s) is not an issue. In 2004, DocuSign integrated with Zipforms (Winforms) to provide online signature processing. As a result of the integration, real estate agents can print contracts into a “digital envelope” and then place “Stick-eTabs” wherever a recipient’s signature or initial is needed. This digital envelope is then encrypted and saved to a secure location. Your recipients will receive their invitation by email, and they will need to authenticate and sign the contracts. In the authentication phase the recipient must provide basic identification and pick a signature. Then it’s time for the recipient to review and sign. When complete, each of the parties is notified of the updated contracts.

• Watch the DocuSign Demo
• View DocuSign’s Special Brief on the Legality of Electronic Signatures
• Zipform eSign Details & Zipform/Docusign FAQ’s

Where are you with eSignatures in real estate business?

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Calling All Mobile Agents: Synchronize Your Google Calendar With Your Blackberry

By NikNik · December 13, 2007 · 6 Comments 

• Share your calendar with teammates and assistants.
• Import activities from Outlook.
• Receive email or mobile text-message reminders for events on your calendar.
• Create a special marketing calendar for each listing, and share it with the homeowner using the “send to a friend” feature.
• Use the invite feature to email special invites for a preview of newly listed homes (Google Calendar keeps track of RSVPs).
• Schedule your “blog posting plan” to keep content ideas flowing and prepared for upcoming posts.

To become even more organized and rid yourself of tardy excuses, simply visit http://m.google.com/sync in your mobile browser to download and install the Google Sync for mobile application. Once installation is complete, click on the Google sync icon and sign in to your Google Account. Now that’s efficient!

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Becoming a Mobile Agent

By Reggie · August 13, 2006 · Leave a Comment 

If you are trying to become effective with your mobile technology, it’s important to understand where you will get the best results. In my opinion, you should be looking into the following categories:

• Handheld / Mobile Phone Combination: According to the CAR 2005 Member Use of Technology survey 31% of members surveyed said that a Blackberry or Treo was their MOST important technology upgrade in 2005. In my opinion, that’s because with a combination device agents can not only get right back to phone call, but send and receive emails and view appointments as well. With the 3rd Generation network speeds, MLS data is better than ever. You can use an application like Pocket MLS to easily access property listings via the internet to view key information such as Listing Agent, Showing Options, Photos and more. To view popular handhelds click on one of the following links: Blackberry, Treo 700P (Palm), Treo 700W (Windows), Cingular 8125
• Laptop or Tablet PC: This technology is vital for a technology savvy Real Estate agent. With mobile computing you will have access to your data wherever you are! Need to fill out a contract with your client, no problem with Winforms. With a Tablet PC you can take it even a step further and sign your contracts, take handwritten notes, and draw as needed in a presentation situation. For Laptops I recommend Dell and for the Tablet PC I recommend HP.
• Wireless PC Card (Aircard): I recently purchased a wireless PC card and was not to impressed with the speed, yet this tool sure comes in handy when you need access to the Internet outside of your office. Setup was very simple and now I can access the Internet virtually anywhere. I simply insert the PC Card into the PCMCIA slot on my HP Tablet. From the Cingular software, I click connect and away I go! An agent could access MLS, email, online disclosures and more. Click here to visit Cingular and learn about 3G and their BroadbandConnect next generation network.
• Mobile Printer: If you start really using the technology above you will ask yourself “What good will the Tablet and Wireless Card do if I can’t print out the documents I create?” That’s where mobile printing comes in. Two popular models are the HP Deskjet 460 and the Canon PIXMA iP90

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