Some things that I am doing to go green!!! 1. Online Real Estate Forms. I send these electronically to my customers/clients, who can then choose which forms they would like to print out, and which ones they will just save on their email or hard drive. I also scan contracts to them for electronic filing, up to them, if they would like to print! (Hopefully on recycled paper!) 2. Electronic Fax Numbers to receive documents. My fax number is 1-866-596-9904. This goes directly to my computer and phone. This reduces the amount of paper used in a normal transaction by half. Most agents rarely need to print out anything faxed to them, unless it needs to be signed and sent back. 3. Web Marketing. Rather than send thousands of postcards and other marketing material to my clients, I am connecting with them on Social Media like Facebook, Twitter, Linked in, etc. (see my website for more media!) 4. Document Storage and Retrieval. We have a sophisticated network that allows the agents, administrators, and broker to review, store, and access all documents required in the brokerage. All of this is accessible online via secured access. 5. Recycling. Our brokerage makes a special point of recycling much of the remaining waste produced in our business. I have a blue box under my desk! We have a system for recycling our paper, cardboard, pop cans, etc. I also recycle our shredded document files after they are held for the standard, seven-year compliance period. Because our business is so technology intensive, I upgrade my computer more often than normal. My computer will either become a hand me down, a donation, or be recycled at the Waste Management Facility.
6. Reduce Energy Usage. Although our brokerage is in work mode from 6 a.m. until midnight, we have many electronic energy saving devices such as programmable thermostats, motion sensors, photocell sensors, etc.
7. Skype Meetings. My clients love Skype! I use this web-based medium for both telephone and video calls to allow my clients to contact me quickly and easily. Rather than travel for hours, and burn 100 gallons of fuel, I choose to Skype-call into meetings whenever possible. 8. The Vehicle I drive. And last but not least... I bought a SMART car the very first year in real estate. Not only does it cost under $14 to fill up, the milage is amazing. It is def a green car!! If you have any other tips for me to go green in my work, I would love to hear them! |