Manage the Transaction

Create checklists in Microsoft Word or use checklists provided by your broker or programs such as RE FormsNet's Winforms and Zipforms to track the various documents in the transaction, to ensure that all are accounted for and complete.

Use electronic forms software such as Winforms and Zipforms to fill in the purchase off er, disclosures, receipt acknowledgment, and other transaction forms. Consider sending blank or draft copies of these forms to your buyer ahead of time, so she can review them before you meet to sign.

Post copies of all documents to a client Web page, so there is a central repository available to you and the client no matter where you happen to be. But also protect your client's privacy (and that of the sellers) by requiring a password to open any sensitive documentssomething you can do in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and Docudesk DeskPDF Professional.

When the transaction is complete, collect all the documents involved and create PDF versions of them. Then create a CD or DVD that contains all these documents so the buyer has a convenient copy. (Note that this disc should not replace the paper copies you give a client.)