Paperless Real Estate

I attended a Seminar yesterday in Orillia that covered lots of topics related to real estate, but one stood out for me....paperless office. Right now the files for each real estate transaction are staggering. Can anyone say "killing trees"? Most of the paperwork isn't even seen by the buyer or seller. The invention of the ipad and tablets have launched real estate into a whole new world now. Touchscreens allow clients to sign documents online - no printing, just sign and return. Now we can't do this yet on an Agreement of Purchase and Sale (legislation is coming) but we can with listing agreements and other documents, as long as both sides have the technology.
One of the best things about this is the flexibility for both sides. Many times I hear "my printer is out of ink" or "I'll have to run to a Staples store and have them fax it back to you". Now the buyer or seller can sit in their livingroom, ipad in hand, and sign on the screen ... done!
For the realtor it means we don't physically have to be in the office to use the scanner or the fax (less and less). Documents can be filled out, forwarded, corrected....all on the fly.
We have come a long way from the days of arguing about whether a faxed document was legal! One of the topics yesterday was even called "Laptops? How Vintage!!".
The question now is, what realtors will be able to keep up with the constant change in technology, regulations, and access to information...only time will tell!

Green Living in Haliburton Highlands

One of the best things about my job are the people that I get to meet. People who appreciate The Highlands for it's natural beauty, it's trails, and it's eco-friendly nature. Last week I had the honour of meeting a couple with great plans for the future with an eco-friendly lifestyle and future business.
Meeting them reminded me of some of the great resources to assist people in a healthy, green lifestyle in our area.
www.abbeygardens.ca - check this one out! This beautiful eco-friendly building was built to offer space for people to sell their wares, where courses are offered in gardening and farming, and people can share resources and homegrown goods.
www.harvesthaliburton.com - another great one!
www.greenlivingtour.blogspot.ca - this tour was held in July, but it is still worth checkout the site. It shows some of Haliburton County's great buildings and resources.
www.haliburtonfresh.com - want to purchase locally grown meats and veggies? Here is a list of all the farms, locations to buy exactly what you are looking for!
I am sure there are many more sites and the list becomes endless when you start to include healthy lifestyle activities such as cycling, outdoor adventures, The Hike Haliburton Festival (an absolute must to participate in each Fall!), and so on....
The Highlands is full of amazing people who have taken the challenge to not only live eco-friendly lifestyles, but to teach and share with others. We have people who head up community gardens, grow organic produce, put on workshops - even our local College offers a course in straw bale construction.
Do I sound proud of the community I live in? Well, if it is not coming across as such, then let me say it out loud - I AM PROUD! Proud of the community, proud of the people who live and work here, and proud of the wonderful people I get to meet, day after day!