Ability to open a Buyer File

Yes! We need the ability to create these types of files in Skyslope. This is especially needed now. Is this something that is being worked on?

Can we get an update on the above recommendation?  This is absolutely needed like today!!!!  With all of the changes in our industry and the new requirements from the lawsuit settlement (That all buyers agents need a signed agreement before working with them), this feature is a necessity.  All buyers should have their own file type with their own required checklist (similar to the listing feature). This seems like it would be super simple for Skyslope to create.  If we can't create this feature (required by the lawsuit settlement and by many state regulators), than we have no choice to cancel our Skyslope subscription and moving to a company that allows us an easy solution to abide by the law.  

This is an issue that seems to appear in multiple feature requests over the years and should really be addressed sooner than later. 

All real estate transactions start with a client, either a buyer or a seller. In my opinion all files should be started as a client, either a Seller/Buyer or Landlord/Tenant not as a listing, address or as a transaction. Only after basic client information has been added should a listing or a buyer or a transaction be created. 

The ideal workflow in SkySlope should be: 

1) Enter New Client - at this stage basic client information needs to be entered. This should be the first step for everything. You have it right in the Forms App and this is the way is should be in SkySlope as well:

In DigiSign the New Envelope dropdown should read as follows:

• Choose Client
• Create New Client (linked to appropriate entry form)
• Choose Property
• No Client or Property   

2) Create New Seller or Create New Buyer (also consider adding Landlord/Tenant as options) - at this stage a new listing would be created with a Listing Documentation Checklist (I would rename it Seller Documentation) or a new Buyer would be created with a Buyer Documentation Checklist. Agency agreements are used both with buyers and sellers but the forms used in each case vary so the checklists for Sellers and Buyers should be named similarly. Having a checklist section for Agency Agreements would be fine but it is not as important as allowing agents the ability to add agency agreements and other forms into files before they go under contract.

I believe that the ideal would be to have the following checklist types: Buyer, Seller, and Transaction rather than the only two checklist types currently available that are Listing or Transaction. You might also want to consider adding checklists only to be used for landlords or tenants.

3) Create Transaction - once the Seller (Listing) goes under contract or the Buyer goes under contract then a transaction should be created by converting the Client (Buyer or Seller) with the appropriate Transaction Checklist applied. This is the point where all the necessary transaction items can be added to the files up until closing.

The impact these changes would have on the productivity of the agents and their managing brokers would be substantial. Right now I am struggling to figure out how to be able to timely review buyer side transactions along with all the associated paperwork involved before a buyer goes under contract. It is not unusual for buyers to submit multiple offers on different properties before they go under contract on a home they eventually purchase. If agents don't have a way to store and have their buyer files reviewed by their brokerage before actually going under contract there is a huge gap in the SkySlope system that creates unnecessary liability for Brokers, Agents, Company Owners etc. Most if all states that I know of require brokerages to keep accurate records of all their agents agency agreements, offers made on behalf of buyers, listing agreements, and the like that are created before a binding contract/transaction is created.

I am hopeful that you will be able to improve your systems to better accomodate the needs of your SkySlope clients and the various regulations that we are supposed to abide by.

Many thanks!

Phylis- We start from "create a transaction" not from a listing. You can go simply to a transaction with no listing involved. As long as the buyer agent isn't the same as the selling agent, you can create a transaction with the same address. It just will not allow the same agent to create two transaction files for the same address. We have checklists developed for transactions that reflect dual agency vs. Buyer or Seller only agency.

Mara, how do you have a buyer side transaction with no listing agreements and using the same address? The checklist requires a listing agreement and other seller docs--which the buyer's agent shouldn't have access to. It doesn't work to my knowledge.

Phylis- Our work around to this is having transaction files for in-house deals. Buyer side takes one side. Seller side takes another. that way there is no need for a co-agent situation.

But I still thing buyer files are essential from start-to-finish, to avoid creating a transaction and having to dead deal something every time an offer isn't accepted.

Buyer Agency Agreements are every bit as important as Seller Listing Agreements and we are required to track them from first substantial contact. Moreover, if two agents in the same office are dual agents on the same transaction, the buyer's agent has no way to review documents within the transaction. Adding them as a co-agent on the listing won't work as the buyer's agent should not have access to the Seller's documents. This is a MAJOR problem as my agent can't access documents for his or her closing within Skyslope. Skyslope needs to establish a Manage Buyers section just as it has a Manage Listings section.

I agree! Our state requires a form called "The Consumer Guide to Agency Relationship" that we must get signed upon first substantial contact, and before the contract is written. The agents have complained about not having a place to "dump" these so the office keeps a copy of it on file, per requirements, and aren't happy using the "working docs" section to store them. If they could quickly open a buyer file, and have a check list for those required documents, even if they do not contract, that would be fantastic.

It has also been requested to have the ability to convert that buyer file into a Transaction so that the information converts much like a listing does. Once the transaction is made from the buyer file, the property specific email address can then be created. 

I agree.  The broker should be able to see buyer agreements from the beginning instead of waiting until the transaction is about to close.  Buyer specific files should be enabled just like listings.