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Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Thanks for all the feedback team! My broker, James Brockway, and I have friendly arguments about going completely paperless. Believe it or not, although I am a "little bit" younger I am the one who prefers to continue using paper. Or at least have the ability to if needed. 

Feb 18, 2015 01:51 AM
Rainmaker
168,004
Dave Werth
WERTH REALTY - Fargo, ND
FULL TIME REALTOR

A what???  How many agents still use a bagphone in there car???  Technology has changed so much and is great but scary at the same time.  A great speaker once said, "theres more technology that came in overnight than you can try to learn in one day, EVERYDAY!

MONGOFAX is one I have used which is basically scanning and emailing to a phone number.  To the tech less savy people, its the same as sending a text message with a picture to a phone number.  Same thing as faxing but without that crazy noise, in my opinion should be a great ringtone for an agent in an office full of dinosaurs  :-) 

I have seen some great agents retire because of there inability to adapt to technology.  I suggest everyone take a technology edu class of some sort each year to keep up with yesterday  :-) 

Great post Hank! 

 

Feb 18, 2015 01:13 AM
Rainer
26,352
John Helmick
John Helmick Success & Ohio Property Inspection Services - Dayton, OH
Realtor Personal Growth/Success Coach

Haha! GREAT question!  I had a Realtor just the other day want to fax me something and I told her to email it...silence on the other end..."you don't have a fax machine?"  My Answer:  Uh - no we havent had one for about 5 years now!  The old one we use as a boat anchor!

Feb 18, 2015 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

I use Ringcentral online fax. That way I don't have to print out anything.

Feb 18, 2015 04:02 AM
Rainer
19,838
Cindy Dudley
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX

Not currently, but it could be saving me some gas money and time.  I have a client 45 miles or so away who can't scan or docusign...So I am off to Galveston Island yet again on another beautiful day in south-east Texas to get an amendment signed...The drive is great though and I love my client, so I don't mind.

Feb 18, 2015 03:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Not really except for once a year. I have to tell a great story where I gave my one office fax machine (10+ yrs) to my Dad who really uses it for the phone. He just thought it was great & it's the one that uses thermal paper too BTW. So, about a month ago I actually did have to fax something so I used the poor thing & all these balls of fuzz & dust came flying out of the thing with my paperwork. I guess I'll call that a cleaning! I shoulda' charged.

Feb 18, 2015 02:02 AM
Rainer
65,357
Chrystal Safari Roy
Real Estate Realty LLC - Charlotte, NC - Charlotte, NC
Luxury Property Specialist

http://smartfax.com/

Feb 18, 2015 01:58 AM
Rainmaker
273,740
Barbara Le Pine
ADVANTAGE REAL ESTATE, serving Lincoln County - Newport, OR
Your agent for the Central Oregon Coast!

Fax is a handy alternative in rural areas where weather can affect internet connection, phone still works when internet down. My fax machine helped close a deal on such a stormy day! Also, some of my elderly clients have requested it, quick and easy way for them to sign and send. A good number of contractor invoices are still faxed.

Feb 18, 2015 01:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,026,994
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

What's a fax machine . . .KIDDING. No I do not use a fax machine, I have a scanner at my office and at home that can scan multiple pages. And I can email the documents.

Feb 18, 2015 01:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

No Hank Dugie although I keep it around because as a collectible it may be worth something someday!

Feb 18, 2015 12:13 AM
Rainmaker
531,677
Marie Story
Coldwell Banker - Pinecrest (Miami) - Pinecrest, FL
Broker Associate, Pinecrest (Miami) Specialist

Scan and email.  My office nor I, own a fax machine anymore.

Feb 17, 2015 11:46 PM
Rainer
91,682
Odaly Victorio
Team Victorious at Keller Williams Realty - Jupiter, FL
Marketing Expert

I have an eFax.  Some of my clients can't get documents to me any other way.  However, I never fax anything with it.

Feb 17, 2015 11:42 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Yes I still use a fax machine .

Feb 17, 2015 09:55 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

No I left it in the far distant past.

Oct 26, 2019 10:09 PM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

No.

Jun 26, 2018 10:34 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

What is that?

Feb 12, 2018 09:49 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

onlinefaxes.com

Jun 19, 2017 05:10 AM
Rainer
148,989
James Brockway
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX

I don't use a fax machine but I have emergency access to one through our IT director.  Faxes are received into an email site.

Feb 23, 2015 11:32 PM
Rainer
148,989
James Brockway
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX

As Hank mentioned, I'm a big advocate of going paperless, but we still have to be prepared to do things the old-fashioned way.  We also have to balance "paperless" with not being impersonal, but of all technology that I feel every agent should be using is DocuSign or the digital signing capability that comes with zipForms or whatever contract forms product your MLS provides.  Having to drive across time to get your client to sign an amendment can be a drain on theirs and your time.

Feb 23, 2015 11:30 PM
Rainer
11,835
Susan Alvine
Nest Seekers International - East Hampton, NY

Like Holly Weatherwax, I also have an All in one printer. The fax was very handy the other day, for some reason I could not scan and had to fax documents for a closing. Hang on to those fax machines! 

Feb 23, 2015 10:02 PM
Rainmaker
823,731
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

I have an on line fax #- People will still ask to fax to me, or want me to fax to them.  It's only $10.00 a month, so I keep it.

Feb 19, 2015 05:56 AM
Rainer
121,632
Cathy Starkweather
La Rosa Realty, LLC. - Celebration, FL

I don't send faxes, but if someone can't scan/email, I have an eFax account. The fax comes to me in PDF form directly to my email inbox, saving the paper. :)

Feb 19, 2015 04:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,751,129
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Hank, all of our printers have one attached, but we don't have a stand alone fax. I do occasionally fax for the sake of speed. Otherwise, I use MyFax online. 

Feb 19, 2015 03:06 AM
Rainmaker
651,378
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

I have an All--in-One printer/fax/scanner but primarily use it for the scanner. I prefer to receive my faxs to my efax number so that I have them as PDFs. I haven't run into a client in 10 years or so who doesn't use email, but that is the area that I live and work in.

I still keep a paper folder on each transaction, though, so I am not totally paperless--it just contains less paper than it once would have.

Feb 19, 2015 01:53 AM
Rainmaker
125,098
Harley Wilcox
West Group Real Estate - Victor, ID
Harley Wilcox

We are currently researching VOIP, but still have the fax machine for our technology challenged clients.  We would love some feedback on preferred VOIP companies...

Feb 19, 2015 12:44 AM
Rainer
26,692
Lisa Wozniakowski
RedKey Realty Leaders - Crown Point, IN

I have an e-fax number that I pay for monthly.  I love it!  I just upload a doc and fax it to wherever.  Plus, its a way to receive offers from other agents that still use their faxes.  Its only $9/month but well worth it to me.  I can pull up a fax any time in pdf form...very convienent.

Feb 18, 2015 11:40 PM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I have not used a fax machine, to send or receive in about 3 years now. My business is almost completely paperless. 

Feb 18, 2015 10:43 PM
Rainer
25,344
Mari Armstrong
ArmsLink Realty - Murrells Inlet, SC
Offering You Honesty, Sincerity and Integrity

I use the app SCANBOT on  my Note 4 and use Ring Central E-fax (toll free number) on my desktop. Love both but I see where faxing is going to be a thing of the past before much longer.

Feb 18, 2015 10:06 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't have a fax machine. I have an e-fax number and everything goes through my email and on-line.

Feb 18, 2015 08:51 PM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

Rarely... it's part of the printer though. An all-in-one.

Feb 18, 2015 08:28 PM
Ambassador
2,436,360
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

No.  I have a fax-in-the-cloud fax number and just send/receive things via my various devices.

Feb 18, 2015 07:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Did you say ''fax machine"?

I don't even remember when the last time I had to fax something. We still have a fax machine in the office, but it is mostly collects dust.

Feb 18, 2015 05:14 PM
Rainer
105,987
Chris Mamone
Keller Mortgage - Tacoma, WA
Senior Loan Officer

Only if I absolutely have to. Truthfully scaning and emailing have become predominant because of reliability. I continue to have faxes not come through regularly so I'll either fedex the documents or scan and email.

Feb 18, 2015 02:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I sure do Hank. I have EFax and if I fax a doc to myself I end up with a really nice PDF as an attachment that I can pass on to who ever I want.

Feb 18, 2015 01:38 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Hank Dugie I'd say, very rarely! Sometimes you MUST fax only.

Feb 18, 2015 01:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

What's a FAX Machine?   Didn't that go by the way of the rotary phone and the bag car phone?  Eveything now is email!

Feb 18, 2015 11:29 AM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

efax and an ancient fax at home connected to a land line that has no ringer or phone jack. I don't use fax much, but if a client wants two paper cups and a string I will do whatever method they like

Feb 18, 2015 05:47 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yes...twice today.  For me it is much faster and when it is only a couple of pages it works just fine.

Feb 18, 2015 05:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

No more fax machine.  But, I do have an efax service for the times I need it.

Feb 18, 2015 04:42 AM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

I use an efax system, and many of my clients prefer to fax documents from work, I guess it's easier for some than trying to figure out how the scan feature works on various machines.

Feb 18, 2015 03:39 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,364
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Doug -- there is still one in our office(I think) -- not sure the last time I used it.   

Feb 18, 2015 03:39 AM
Rainer
91,682
Odaly Victorio
Team Victorious at Keller Williams Realty - Jupiter, FL
Marketing Expert

To answer your questions.  I use the fax service available through Keller William's eEdge, Backagent System.  The charge comes in as 'Concord Fax'.  I'm not sure my rate is the going rate since it integrates with KW's system.  However, I have a number clients can send the faxes through to.  I receive it as a pdf either by going to the system or it also attaches to my notification email.  If I ever NEED to fax something, I scan it and email it using the system to the fax number provided by the client/partner/colleague.    I hope this makes sense.

Feb 18, 2015 02:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

It's rare we use the fax machine.  I can't even recall the last time we did.

Feb 18, 2015 02:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Hank Dugie Sure. Efax provides you a phone number, it can be local or it can be toll free, which is a little more expensive. The sender faxes as they always do to "your" fax number and the fax comes to you via email as a pdf. So it allows you to be paperless if you wish, although you can certainly print it out, too, or forward to someone else by email. For folks who do not have a way to scan and email you something, it is great. I believe you can also efax out, as well, but to be honest, I just do not need to do that so I do not remember off the top of my head how it works (but it is simple). You create a document online and efax it directly.

Feb 18, 2015 02:23 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

I use smartfax occasionally...but these days most everyone has a scanner, or I use docusign.

Feb 18, 2015 02:10 AM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Ralph Gorgoglione Susan Haughton Angelica Barbosa Chrystal Safari Roy Odaly Victorio can you explain more about efax? I know I could just google it... but since you're already engaged in the post.. I enjoy hearing from actual people when I get the chance.

Feb 18, 2015 01:55 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

No, especially since there is an online service for faxes.  A

Feb 18, 2015 01:53 AM
Rainer
62,704
Hank Dugie
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX
Mr. League City

Annette Lawrence well, do YOU still have a land line? I don't and have never had one in my adult life. Scott Godzyk Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) Julia van Mook Debbie Reynolds 

Feb 18, 2015 01:52 AM
Rainer
368,326
Raoul Loustaunau
EXP REALTY - Phoenix, AZ
urhomefinder.com myvaluetoday.com

Hello hank very seldom but i still do , mostly 99 percent of the times i can scan and email everything , thanks have a great day

Feb 18, 2015 01:38 AM
Rainer
65,357
Chrystal Safari Roy
Real Estate Realty LLC - Charlotte, NC - Charlotte, NC
Luxury Property Specialist

eFax

Feb 18, 2015 01:13 AM
Rainmaker
474,492
Bill Dandridge
MKB, Realtors - Roanoke, VA
GREEN, ABR, GRI, EcoBroker

Only if the person I am sending the document to specifically requests it. Otherwise, it is scan and email.

Feb 18, 2015 01:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,241,560
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

You continue to use what those you work with do. Whatever best to send the information ... carrier pigeon to video, fax to email scan. Feed your streams with the devices the other end uses. If a fax machine was all the buyer had and was not online to tap into a video on demand tour, fax him the spec sheet, get him to a library or someone connected with the thin air or copper wire or glass tube fiber.

Feb 18, 2015 12:58 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Sometimes it's easier to fax multiple pages than scan one at a time if one is limited to a single page scan.

BTW, how many sales with buyers or sellers who are not comfortable with high tech is the broker willing to sacrifice. 

The U.S.mail still works.

I had a relocating buyer from WVA to whom I loaned a fax machine.  That worked. 

Feb 18, 2015 12:44 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Unfortunately, yes.  We have a bunch of places there are not very tech savvy where we need to fax docs.  I don't think I've ever used a fax w/ any of my customers, though.

Feb 17, 2015 11:54 PM
Rainer
112,947
Vera Gonzalez
RE/MAX Suburban, Inc. - Sterling Heights, MI
Gonzo For Real Estate

Yes I can still fax. . Very rarely but I keep all the tools neccesary. What if the internet went down? I have a client who would rather have everything faxed and that works for me . Whatever it take to get the job done. 

Feb 17, 2015 11:51 PM
Ambassador
3,516,025
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

For many of the banks and loan servicers that I have to interact with for short sales, fax is the primary communicating tool, so Yes I do still use a fax machine as it is part of the printer I have

Feb 17, 2015 11:49 PM
Rainer
7,511
Angelica Barbosa
Dalton Wade, Inc - Tarpon Springs, FL
Committed to Excellence and Integrity

I use the best online fax ever! 

Feb 17, 2015 11:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I have eFax for incoming faxes and a scanner for 99.9% of everything else, but my printer is an all-in-one (although I don't use the scanner feature, don't think it is as good a quality as a stand alone scanner), so if I need to fax out, I can, but it is becoming pretty rare.

Feb 17, 2015 11:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,368,455
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

No, I e-fax everything.  It provides a better papertrail.

Feb 17, 2015 11:33 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Yes I do send docs through fax at work though not nearly as often as even a year ago. Relocation companies still like fax, go figure. We have contractors that would rather use a fax machine to send in their estimates and bills. But I can see it is going away fast.

Feb 17, 2015 11:20 PM
Rainer
31,266
Julia van Mook
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services - Pittsburgh, PA

Yes, there are still some people who prefer it over email.  But, I am always surprised when a client/contractor/etc says they don't use email

Feb 17, 2015 10:57 PM
Rainmaker
4,334,219
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Yes, even many Realtors don't scan yet...

Feb 17, 2015 10:57 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

YES, many consumers still have them and use them instea dof scan and email. My fax stand alone machine is in the scrap heap and i use the HP all in one. 

Feb 17, 2015 10:17 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Yes,

Sometimes all other options simply are not working and can not be facilitated on the other side. Yes there are still people out there who say they don't have an email address. When that occurs you can see me asking, "Now how does this thing work?" Those All-in-One machines do come in handy.

You should ask a follow up question..."do you still have a land line?"

Feb 17, 2015 10:13 PM