ZipForm goes online

ZipForm, the contract software all Texas REALTORS® receive as a member benefit, now offers a new option. ZipFormOnline gives users the ability to access, print,
and e-mail forms from any computer with an Internet
connection.

ZipFormOnline stores transactions at a secure hosting facility, so if you fill out a form at your office and later want to access it at home–or even at a client’s home–you can. Forms you fill out online can be copied to your computer, and you can work with them offline with ZipFormDesktop. Or you can start offline and upload contracts to the Internet to access later with ZipFormOnline.

For brokers who want to install ZipForm on the firm’s network, ZipFormOnline includes an advanced administrative interface that enables you to manage all your users from any Internet connection. And the Internet-based application eliminates many of the problems often encountered when installing software across a network.

Although ZipFormOnline can successfully be used
with a dialup connection, ZipForm recommends that only people with high-speed Internet connections like cable modems and DSL use the application.

Setting up your account

To access ZipFormOnline for the first time, pull up the TexasRealtors.com Web site and go to Legal Tools > Forms > ZipForm. Click the link that says Go to ZipFormOnline. (Your TREC number and TexasRealtors.com password are required.)

You will see a list of optional forms libraries to add to your account. Texas Association of REALTORS® forms and Texas Real Estate Commission forms are automatically added to all accounts. After selecting any additional libraries, click Create your ZipFormOnline account.

Enter the requested user information, then click Next.

You will see a screen that displays the forms libraries to be added to your account and a license agreement. Read the license agreement and click I agree.

Read your order summary. There should be no charge for ZipFormOnline service or for TAR, TREC, or other local-Texas-association forms. Click Place Order.

Review your order summary, then click Login. Select Access ZipFormOnline.

You must now install the form viewer. Instructions are listed on-screen. (Note: You will need to install the form viewer once on any machine you use to access ZipFormOnline. You can copy the form viewer to a CD to install it on machines that use a slower dialup connection.)

Using ZipFormOnline

Pull up the TexasRealtors.com Web site and go to Legal Tools > Forms > ZipForm. Click the link that says Go to ZipFormOnline.

Click the Access ZipFormOnline link at the bottom of
the page.

You are now connected to ZipFormOnline. To start a new transaction, click Create.

Enter a name for the transaction, select the transaction and property type, and click Create.

A new window opens on your desktop with the contract-management interface, and a Form Manager pop-up box appears. Click the pull-down menu to select a forms library, then click the forms you want to use for the transaction. Click OK. You are now ready to fill out the form.

Additional information about the program can be found by clicking Help at the top of the ZipFormOnline interface or by visiting the Support section of ZipForm.com.

Photo © Digital Vision.

Buyers & sellers, visit www.texasrealestate.com.
REALTORS®, visit www.texasrealtors.com.