Residential Real Estate Agent · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2013 · 803 posts · 689 votes
Not promoting either one just trying to figure out which one is truly better than the other.
My small broker does not supply an online document signing program so I have to pay for one out of pocket. Docusign is $204 annually and Dotloop is $348. I am writing several offers a week and the old print it and sign game is starting to get old with some of my clients (can't blame them). I want what is best for me and easiest for some of my technologically disadvantaged clients to figure out.
Does anyone prefer one over the other?
Any other programs out there that are better than these two?
Have you looked at Dig-i-sign? Also experimented with Hello Sign as well. Adobe is getting into the biz as well. There's literally a ton of new ones out there. BEST LUCK!
If both merge okay with your contract writing platform (we use Zipforms), then I would chose dotloop over docusign. Docusign secures the pdf making it hard to edit afterwards.
Thanks for tips, I researched the adobe esign program. They want $15/ month which is less expensive then both of the other two I mentioned. Any experience with their program? I am a user of PDF (as everyone is) so I figure this may be the best option.
I've used both, Dotloop more extensively than Docusign, and I'm partial to Dotloop as a result. Initially, I wasn't crazy about Dotloop because I had to learn the ins & outs of it but since I've got the hang of it now I like it a lot. However, in my experience the bulk of the brokerages in my area are still using Docusign.
Adobe Acrobat Professional allows for you to create custom stamps. If you import a tiff file with your signature on a transparent background (use photoshop to make this) then you have a stamp for your signature (and you can make one for your initials as well). Acrobat Pro allows you to save the resulting pdf file as a jpg, which can then be "printed" back to a pdf. The whole process takes about 30 seconds on a mac, maybe a little longer with a pc. But the result is a pdf with your signature embedded, but without the notification "this document was signed electronically" which I have found some people to be weary of. I like that I can use an electronic signature that does not appear to be electronic.
Check with your state board. For example, in WI and MN, Dotloop is not recognized as a 'legal' electronic signature for real estate. (Because each state has a contract with other companies). My only problem with Dotloop is that it is difficult to use when you have two people with the same email.
I use dotloop. My old broker used to include it so when I switched I now pay for it myself. Nice app, easy to use once you set up templates and I like the company culture. So easy, I would not go back to the "old way".
I was in your same position several months ago. I used invested in Docusign and didn't look back. It is well worth the $200 investment. The app works great, and you can crank out 100s of offers a day with ease.
Dotloop is very confusing and seems to be the ugly brother of the tried and true Docusign from my experiences.
Update: I signed up for the free 30 day of Adobe (Echosign) and so far it seems to work great. My clients said it is extremely easy and quick. I think I might go this direction.
I believe we could all debate this for days and we will all have different opinions.
Thanks for feedback everyone I really appreciate it.