Blueprint
Using E-Signatures with Blueprint
Making it easier for our partners and their clients to engage with the transaction process is one of Blueprint’s core goals. For us, a transaction should be understandable, easy to follow, and, above all, easy to navigate. A lot of closing involves reading and signing documents. In order to make that easier, wherever possible, we use e-signatures.
What is an E-signature?
E-signatures are digital signatures created in software programs. In many of these programs, clicking the sign button will affix an image of your signature to a document. In reality, you are signing by clicking the button, and the digital signature itself is the evidence that you clicked the button to sign the document.
In most cases, e-signatures have the same weight and significance as physical (or “wet”) signatures.There are states that do require physical signatures for real estate transactions. In these states, e-signing will not be available for your closing.
That said, this type of signature is slowly becoming more ubiquitous in our society. It‘s likely that you have used a digital signature in at least one transaction prior to reading this article.
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How Does Blueprint Use E-signatures?
Flexibility is the name of the game, especially when our partners may have several transactions in various stages of the process at once.
When documents need to be signed, and e-signatures are available, you will get a notification via email. On your Transactions Page, the document entry will also show a notification that it is ready for signature in the Portal. You can log into the Portal and click the link to e-sign your document.
We work with an e-signature vendor called HelloSign. HelloSign allows us to provide your documents for signature through a secure integration. Your signed documents then get stored in a secure, encrypted database to protect the integrity of your transaction.
A few of the documents you may be asked to e-sign:
Information Sheets: these are documents sent to parties to gather key information that we will use throughout the process. After filling out these documents, you will be asked to attest to their authenticity, as well as to give us additional authorizations as needed.
Settlement Statements: settlement statements are prepared prior to closing and show the financial details of the transaction, including closing costs and payouts.
Disclosures: at closing, in financed transactions, there are certain disclosures required to be delivered to each party. You may be asked to e-sign these disclosures.
Escrow documents if you are a cash buyer.
Depending on the transaction, there may be additional documents to e-sign. In certain situations, you may be asked to e-sign a set of documents, while being required to physically sign others.
Conclusion
E-signature is a useful tool, and really shows its value in modern transactions. Being able to sign on the go gives you the flexibility to engage with your transaction from any location. While not available for every document in every state, we strive to provide the e-signature option as often as possible.
We are continually working to make transactions and closing fit you, rather than forcing you to fit your transaction. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out.
*The information provided in Blueprint Academy does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All content is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide a complete description of the subject matter. Specific processes will vary based on applicable law. The title and closing process will be handled by a third-party attorney to the extent required by law. Product offerings vary by jurisdiction and are not available or solicited in any state where we are not licensed.