How electronic signatures are changing the game for real estate agents

In the fast-paced world of real estate, happy clients are key to closing the deal. And the best way to keep clients happy? Get things done efficiently, and fast. That’s why it’s no surprise eSignature solutions are taking center stage in real estate.

eSignatures are revolutionizing the way agents handle sale and purchase agreements. And with eSignature solutions for real estate transactions more streamlined than ever before, they offer a solution to the cumbersome, paper-heavy tasks that have traditionally dominated the real estate industry.

The world has changed, and the real estate industry needs to keep up

The global pandemic put into perspective how contact-free electronic documentation is no longer just a nice-to-have to an absolute must-have for the real estate customer journey. In 2022, a whopping 99% of US homebuyers aged 24 to 57 surfed the internet to find their next home‌. This shift emphasizes the necessity for electronic signature real estate contracts to meet the evolving needs of clients.

As the digital landscape becomes standard, with most homebuyers relying on online resources, adopting eSignatures is essential—not just a trend. Utilizing tools that offer speed and convenience while maintaining a strong professional appearance can make all the difference in securing a client's dream property and establishing a reputation as a responsive and client-oriented agency. Embracing this digital shift is more than just keeping pace with technology—it’s about transforming the client experience.

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How are real estate agents using eSignatures?

You spend your days coordinating life-changing moments. Finding the perfect property for a client, securing that dream home, or ensuring a smooth sale—these are the victories that drive you as a realtor.

But between those moments lies a mountain of paperwork: mortgage agreements, rental contracts, and countless other documents requiring signatures from multiple parties. Printing physical documents, which renters, buyers, or sellers need to come into your office to sign can be tedious if the client involved is moving to a new area.

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“Can’t I just use a PDF?”

You may think that standard PDFs will do the trick instead of physical paperwork—but PDFs aren’t always mobile-friendly or easy to edit. Plus, they don’t provide any validation that helps you authenticate the signer’s identity to use in an audit trail, should you need to.

That’s where eSignatures shine: They turn the tedious task of document signing into a walk in the park. eSignature solutions like Dropbox Sign allow you to send documents for signatures digitally—anytime, anywhere, and from any device. There’s no need to be physically present to get that last signature, and in fact they accelerate the signing process.

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Say hello to faster transactions…

Faster transactions mean happier clients and less stress for you. Clients can sign on the go, and agents can ditch the paperwork and focus on building relationships and making a lasting impact.

In fact, RAAMP, a platform which streamlines commercial property management, saw a marked increase in the speed of its lease signing process after adopting Dropbox Sign. For starters, they abstracted leases 60% faster and helped customers save $40,000 on average. This not only expedited their workflow but also enhanced the overall service provided to their clients, illustrating the convenience of eSignature for real estate transactions.

“The last time our client tried to gather signatures, they only got about half of them. And this time, with Dropbox Sign, we got well over 75% of the signatures back.”

Landrum Randolph, President of RAAMP

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…and more transparency!

Integrating eSignature capabilities through APIs, like the Dropbox Sign API, represents a powerful way for real estate professionals to seamlessly embed signing functionalities into their existing platforms. This integration is distinct from using a standard web application and allows for a more customized and integrated user experience.

RESAAS, a global network for real estate professionals, integrated Dropbox Sign API to add transparency and efficiency to its referral process. In no time at all, this API integration enabled agents to finalize agreements swiftly and securely, regardless of geographical boundaries.

By using an API, RESAAS not only replaced a manual process with a web app but also achieved deeper integration of eSignatures into their existing workflow.

Before integrating eSignatures, RAAMP's clients experienced delays in gathering necessary signatures, affecting the speed and efficiency of their operations. Using the Dropbox Sign API, over 80% of referral documents on the RESAAS platform are already completed and signed.

By reducing the time spent on manual paperwork, agents can focus more on what truly matters—building relationships, understanding client needs, and staying ahead in the competitive real estate market.

Here's the revised section with a clearer emphasis on the API integration as a distinct method for incorporating eSignatures into customer workflows:

What are the benefits of using eSignatures in real estate?

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Digital signatures have emerged as a pivotal technology in this field, offering a myriad of benefits that cater to the fast-paced, efficiency-driven nature of the real estate industry. So, how exactly are eSignatures revolutionizing real estate operations?

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1. Speed and efficiency

When you’re trying to land a deal, the speed at which you can access and handle the information you need can be crucial. The whole manual process of physical documentation is very labor-intensive—and can be very expensive, too.

Instead of relying on the postal service or arranging an appointment for someone to visit your office, you can send electronic documents via a link or email requesting an electronic signature—which only takes a few seconds and clicks to complete. eSignatures create a smoother workflow by enabling electronic document management, reducing paperwork headaches, and freeing you to focus on core business activities and building client relationships.

Exporo, a leading German real estate investment platform, is a great example of how eSignatures can transform a business. Traditionally, the company faced challenges with slow and costly paperwork processes, especially for bulk mailing and onboarding new hires. The company transformed its mass mailing and HR processes by adopting eSignatures, reducing response times by over 50% and improving completion rates significantly. This efficiency not only speeds up transactions but also contributes to faster revenue generation and increased annual recurring revenue (ARR). The end result? The perfect showcase for the profound impact of eSignatures on business operations.

Ultimately, electronic forms and signatures offer a much more streamlined process. Plus, eSignatures can help you increase document completion rates and times and simply get real estate deals done faster.

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2. Better customer experience

Your clients no longer need to pause their lives to sign documents. This seamless experience can turn a potentially stressful situation into a walk in the park, ensuring they stick with you for their real estate needs.

By reducing the time spent on the manual paperwork process, you can spend more time nurturing your relationships with your clients. This can minimize the friction in what can sometimes be a very stressful experience for buyers and renters. In the end, that can only help ensure your clients don’t get fed up and take their business elsewhere.

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3. Improved accuracy

Human error is unfortunately common with manual processes—and with clients who aren’t familiar with real estate jargon or processes, the chances of mistakes being made on documentation are sometimes pretty high.

Like many industries dealing with contracts and matters of legality, mistakes in real estate documentation can be costly. But with eSignature tools, you can ensure that forms are filled in correctly, preventing contracts from being invalid due to errors or omissions.

eSignatures mitigate this risk by making sure documents are filled out correctly and completely, reducing the chances of contractual disputes or invalid agreements. This level of accuracy is vital in maintaining the integrity and legality of real estate transactions.

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4. Stronger security

On-premises storage faces multiple risks, including fires, theft, and flooding, which can disrupt business operations.

Digitizing documents enhances security in ways paper cannot. Digital files are backed up on servers, and eSignatures minimize fraud by preventing signature replication from one document to another. eSignature software helps maintain legal compliance with evolving data privacy and protection laws. Furthermore, eSignatures simplify creating an audit trail, ensuring documents are verifiable and legally binding if questioned.

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How to choose the right eSignature tool for your real estate business

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With so many eSignature tools available, choosing the best electronic signature for real estate businesses can feel overwhelming. But what key factors should you consider to ensure you choose the right solution for your business?

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1. Ease of use

Look for an eSignature tool that's intuitive and user-friendly for both you and your clients. Signing documents electronically should be a breeze, not a technical hurdle.

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2. Integration with existing platforms

Does the eSignature tool integrate seamlessly with your existing CRM, document management system, or other real estate tools you use? Streamlined integration saves you time and avoids the hassle of jumping between multiple platforms.

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3. Compatibility

Ensure the eSignature tool is compatible with the devices your clients typically use, whether desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. Widespread compatibility ensures your clients can sign documents conveniently, on the go.

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4. Robust support

Choose a provider with reliable customer support that can answer your questions and address any technical issues promptly. Opt for a solution that offers multiple support channels, such as phone, email, and live chat.

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5. Scalability

Consider your future needs. As your business grows, will the eSignature tool be able to scale with you? Look for a solution that can accommodate an increasing number of users and documents.

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Quick, secure, and legally binding eSignatures are the future of the real estate industry

Ease of use, integrations, compatibility, support, and scalability—these are the five key features to consider when choosing an eSignature tool. The question is: Which platform should realtors choose?

The Dropbox Sign platform, including its versatile API, stands as the ideal choice for real estate agents seeking to merge speed, reliability, and legal compliance into their document management processes.

Whether integrating eSignatures directly into existing workflows through the Dropbox Sign API or using the straightforward web interface of Dropbox Sign, realtors have flexible options to enhance their operational efficiency.
This compatibility with a broad range of real estate platforms ensures that both developers and non-technical users can easily adopt and benefit from the features of Dropbox Sign, tailored to their specific business needs.

Get ready, real estate agents: It’s time to simplify document signing, improve client experience, and empower business growth with Dropbox Sign.