We live in an amazing time. The internet is possibly the most brilliant tool for communication and education ever created and, while the beta is hardly impressive, we in fact live in a world that includes hoverboards. I’m not holding out for a flying car any time soon, but since I first began as a realtor, it’s safe to say a lot has changed. The internet has been an incredible resource for spreading information like home listings. People on the other side of the ocean can view homes listed in Calgary! Like I said, it’s pretty amazing. Another useful technology in the real estate world has taken some time catching on, but it’s still worth discussing: electronic signatures.
Electronic signatures were first made legal in the U.S. in 2000; they have been used by realtors in America since 2004. Canada, however, has been slow to follow. In fact, a lot of Canadian’s don’t even realize that in most provinces, Alberta included, electronic signatures are as legal and binding as the traditional pen to paper variety. One of the biggest reasons for the confusion and the uncertainty surrounding electronic signatures is that each province has handled it differently. Manitoba for example has continued to drag its heels for years and still hasn’t made electronic signatures an option in real estate agreements. Ontario was also quite slow, but has legalized the electronic signature on most documents at this point. In BC and Alberta, the electronic signature is fully legal for all contracts including real estate.
Alberta, in fact, stayed pretty much right behind the U.S. with their legalization of the electronic signature in 2001. If you’re interested in reading the legal documents, you can find them here, but if the idea of wading through legal jargin is less than ideal to you, than I hope you can take my word for it.
Our world and its technologies are pretty crazy especially when compared to even the recent past. I understand that there is no point in ignoring these technologies — especially when they can help consumers and realtors connect and do business easier.