Texas Home Loan Blog: When technology gets in the way.....

TX Mortgage Texas Home Loan Information Texas Cash Out Texas Refinance Free Credit Consultation Texas Mortgage Banker FHA Mortgage Streamline FHA Refinance Dallas Home Loan Dallas Mortgage

When technology gets in the way.....

This is a rant.... mostly.

I cannot tell you how may times I have received a contract that was not legible. Some of these are so bad, I could post an example and NOT have to edit out any personal information because you couldn't read it. These things look as though they have been faxed 25 times. What is going on? Where do we get these fax machines?

If you fax your contracts for signature, the fax machine shouldn't be that $69.99 Office Depot Special. There is better equipment out there.... please equip yourselves.

And please don't ask a hundred questions of your lender about why the document isn't good enough. It is a legal/binding document. Maybe a drive across town is in order?!?!?! I nearly got into an arguement with a realtor over why I couldn't use the document they delivered. <== I am a professional too, and when I say it isn't legible the correct answer is: "Oh, so sorry, I will correct that".

Don't get me started on the penmanship issues when stuff is stricken out and had written into the contract. If your penmanship is bad, get someone else to write it.

There is no room for shortcuts when the buyer/seller has this much money on the line.

Tom Burris
DallasLoanGuy.com

Texas Home Loans

 

 

 

 

11 comments • Tom Burris | Texas Mortgage Dallas Mortgage FHA • June 10 2007 12:33PM

Comments

I completely agree with you on this one Tom. I have seen some horrific contracts in my day and it seems Realtors in my area don't know what a scanner or courier is. In the big picture it just slows things down unnecessarily. This might be a rant, but you are absolutely right. Thanks for the good post Tom. 
Posted by Jacob Morales - Arizona Mortgage Planner (US Bank) over 3 years ago
I agree too. That is why I scan & email the contract as much as possible. Keeps it nice and neat!
Posted by Debi Braulik (Federal Way to Tacoma, WA) (Keller Williams Realty Federal Way) over 3 years ago
Technology is great. But it can be so cumbersome and frustrating. I have, for example, had whole power point presentations crash, losing everything prior to the previous backup. And backups are a pain too, as they take some time if the presentation is big.
Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) over 3 years ago

Jacob, couriers cost money and so does gas. But when the contract gets a few faxes old, it is time to do the extra work and get it to the lender the old fashioned way.

Debi, I love it when my realtors do that. They are a million times better. Yu just have to hope that the other agent is doing as well.

Steven, backup early and backup often!!!!

 

Posted by Tom Burris | Texas Mortgage Dallas Mortgage FHA (DallasLoanGuy.com) over 3 years ago
Rants are good Tom!  I certainly agree, spend a little more for the quality product especially when it comes to your work - the real estate industry.  It does a huge difference when it all comes together.  Great post!
Posted by Equity Loans | HomePath Mortgage Lender |FHA | Fannie Mae | Freddie Mac Programs (Equity Loans LLC) over 3 years ago
Of course it can be different from state to state, but with the technology we have today, it amazes me we have problems like this. We have a tool in California to fill out all contracts on the computer then print them out or save as PDF files. We can even get them digitally signed so that we can then email them to the other party.
Posted by Robert Whitelaw, Broker, CEO, Realtor®, ePro (Whitelaw & Sons Real Estate Services) over 3 years ago

Erik, EXACTLY!!!

Robert, the problem seems to be when agent 1 faxes to agent 2 who faxes to seller, who faxes back to agent 2 who faxes to agent 1 who faxes to me.

not to mention the 'corrections'

converting to pdf and email should be required course in real estate 101.

LOL

 

Posted by Tom Burris | Texas Mortgage Dallas Mortgage FHA (DallasLoanGuy.com) over 3 years ago

Tom....  I haven't had too many problems with this, but I will agree that this shouldn't be an issue. Not with the technology that we have today. should this be a problem. And I have seen a few in the past that I could not read at all.  Overall.... with computers and as you mentioned PDF files, you think this would be a non issue.

                                                                                                          jeff belonger

Posted by Jeff Belonger- The FHA Expert FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans ( - FHA Home Loans - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc) over 3 years ago

Tom,

I hate that..I just had to piece together what I call a palm contract..it is my new meaning of a contract faxed multiple times and now is as small as the palm of my hand.

Posted by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (Keller Williams Properties) over 3 years ago

Neal, LOL, i have seen those too.....

 

Posted by Tom Burris | Texas Mortgage Dallas Mortgage FHA (DallasLoanGuy.com) over 3 years ago
It is so much better when there's a .pdf document that's e-mailed around. It doesn't lose resolution and clarity with each transmission. It's not that expensive to get a good scanner, and it should be "required" equipment for a professional. My favorite is Fujitsu's ScanSnap  which takes up such little space on your desk, but does a fast job of both single and double sided documents.
Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) over 3 years ago

Participate

(optional)
What does the graphic say?