| November 2009 - The New zipForm® 6 is Almost Here! Volume 9, Issue 11 The New zipForm® 6 is Almost Here! Get ready to enjoy the new features and functionality of the new zipForm® 6. zipForm® 6 will make filling out contracts easier than ever. It works and acts much like the old WINForms® that you are used to, so it is easy to learn. On November 16th will be your first opportunity to have a free optional upgrade to zipForm® 6, as part of your WINForms® member benefit. Should you upgrade? Let’s find out. You use an Apple® computer, Windows Vista®, or Windows® 7 Yes, upgrade to zipForm® 6. The new zipForm® 6 will load on any computer, Macintosh or PC, and works smoothly with most current browser. You can even use a Windows computer in the office, and an Apple computer at home. Members with Apple computers, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 should be first in line! You spend a lot of time running around from place to place, and need to access files from multiple computers. Yes, upgrade to zipForm® 6. Sign in from your home computer, client’s house, or a public computer without downloading a thing. zipForm® 6 Professional works online by using JAVA, a program that, like Adobe Reader, is standard on almost every computer. There is no need to install or load a separate forms viewer. You want to work online and you want to save time. Yes, upgrade to zipForm® 6. The first time you sign in to prepare your forms, zipForm® 6 will only take a few seconds to load. After that, each form loads instantly. You can add many forms to a transaction at once from your library, and they’ll appear in the blink of an eye. The new zipForm® 6 Professional also allows online users to start filling out contracts immediately. Click the FORMS button after signing in without having to name a transaction. You take your laptop everywhere, but sometimes there isn’t an internet connection. Yes, upgrade to zipForm® 6. zipForm® 6 has two versions, just like WINForms®. You can work and store your files online, so that you can work from any computer. And your files are protected just in case your computer crashes. This is called the Professional version (formerly WINForms Online®). You also have the freedom to work on your home or work computer, and storing your files there. This is called the Standard version (formerly WINForms® Desktop). As a C.A.R. member, you can use both versions for free, and the new File Manager lets you “Sync” all of your files between your computer and online storage instantly. Thus ensuring you always have your most recent contracts. You don’t have a computer yet? You just bought your first fax machine. zipForm® 6 does not require much, but it does require a computer. As with any program, the newer your computer, the faster zipForm® 6 will run for you. If your computer is more than seven years old, it may be a good idea to install additional memory (RAM) before upgrading to zipForm® 6. You will need at least 1GB of RAM on your computer to run the forms smoothly. zipForm® 6 runs best on screens that are at least 1024 x 768 pixels. This makes it easier for you to read and fill out your forms. You can check on or change your screen resolution in your computer’s Display Settings. On Windows computers, this is located in the Start menu under the Control Panel. On Apple computers, it is in System Preferences, under Displays. There are hundreds of other exciting improvements, big and small, that we know you will love about the new zipForm® 6. We’ll be covering many of these features in upcoming newsletters, and at our online webinars.
Now that you are ready to upgrade, what do you need to know to use zipForm® 6?
1. zipForm® 6 is a FREE voluntary upgrade from WINForms Online® and WINForms® Desktop for all current members of the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) 2. There are two versions of zipForm® 6, and both are included as your member benefit:
a. zipForm® 6 Professional, which works and stores transactions online
b. zipForm® 6 Standard, which stores transactions on your computer desktop or laptop. 3. When you upgrade, your transaction files are transferred automatically if you are an online user. If you use WINForms® Desktop, you will be asked if you would like to import your old Desktop transaction files. 4. You need your C.A.R. username and password. Sign in to use zipForm® 6 at www.car.org starting November 16th. 5. See what zipForm® 6 can do for you by attending a free webinar training. Visit www.car.org/winforms/zipform6 to sign up for our next webinar demonstration! zipForm 6 System Requirements: WINDOWS PC: - Microsoft Windows (2000, XP, Vista, or 7)
- Java version 6 update 11 or higher
- 1 Ghz CPU or higher
- 1 Gig of RAM or higher
- 1024 x 768 screen resolution or higher
- Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox 3
- High Speed Internet connection
MACINTOSH: - Mac OS X (10.5 Leopard or higher)
- Java 1.5
- 1 Ghz CPU or higher
- 1 Gig of RAM or higher
- 1024 x 768 screen resolution or higher
- Safari or Mozilla Firefox 3
- High Speed Internet connection zipForm® 6 Standard and zipForm® 6 Professional Comparison Which version is right for you? zipForm® 6 Standard (Desktop version) only works on your desktop, not available from any other computer. Use this version if you do not have regular access to an internet connection or you do not want your transaction files backed up online. Use zipForm® 6 Professional (Online version), from any computer with an internet connection. Access your transaction from your home computer and in the office. Benefits that are available on both versions include: - E-Mail transactions and forms
- Print forms, or save them as a PDF
- Create and use templates for your transactions
- Transaction information flows from form to form
- Lookup Lists to reuse information typed in other transactions
- Streamline transactions with Clauses, Templates, and Fast Fill (formerly Dialog View)
- Spell-check one form or the entire transaction file
- Built-in Mortgage Calculator
- Virtual Sticky Notes for reminders
- TopProducer®, relay®, DocuSign®, & MLS integration
- Automatically updates forms and templates with new releases
- Works on XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OSX
- Fill out forms without creating a transaction
- Apply templates to a transaction file at any time
- Undo/Redo an action in a form
- Change the capitalization of a form field
- Easily edit Lookup Lists and Clauses
- Easy-to-use tabbed menus
- Quickly open, close, or create new transactions
- Scroll through pages of forms
- Automatically save your files
- Continue working if the internet connection is interrupted
- Separately manage templates and transaction files
- Store transaction files on your computer
URGENT! CEASE USING C.A.R. DRE FORMS DUE TO NEW STATUTORY LAW The following forms are no longer legally valid and should not be used: - Advanced Fee Agreement for Loan Modification Services (DRE-AFL)
- Advance Fee Agreement Instructions (DRE-AFI)
- Verified Accounting for Advanced Fees (DRE-AFVA)
On October 11, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 94 (Calderon), and the legislation took effect immediately upon his signature. As a result, California law now prohibits any person, including real estate licensees and attorneys, from demanding or collecting an advance fee from a consumer for loan modification or mortgage loan forbearance services affecting 1-4 unit residential dwellings. There are substantial administrative and criminal penalties for violations. IF YOU ARE A REAL ESTATE BROKER, OR THE DESIGNATED OFFICER OF A LICENSED CORPORATION, WHO HAS BEEN ISSUED A ‘NO OBJECTION’ LETTER BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE FOR LOAN MODIFICATION OR OTHER MORTGAGE LOAN FOREBEARANCE SERVICES, YOU CAN NO LONGER ENTER INTO THESE AGREEMENTS EFFECTIVE AS OF OCTOBER 11, 2009, NOR CAN YOU COLLECT ANY ADVANCE FEES FOR SUCH SERVICES. Agreements entered into and advance fees collected prior to October 11, 2009 are not affected. Advance fees inadvertently collected after October 11, 2009 must be fully refunded. NOVEMBER 2009 FORMS RELEASE It’s that time of year again, time for the Fall Standard Forms release. The forms release is a result of input from members, membership committee evaluations and statutory changes. The following forms will be revised and available via WINForms® and zipForm® 6, your local Associations and online at www.store.car.org the week of November 16th: - Disclosure Regarding Agency Relationships (AD)
- Buyer’s Intent to Exchange Supplement (BES)
- Application to Rent/Screening Fee (LRA)
- Seller’s Intent to Exchange Supplement (SES)
- Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ)
- Supplemental Statutory and Contractual Disclosures (SSD)
- Water Heater and Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance (WHSD)
Please click here for details http://www.car.org/legal/standard-forms/nov-2009-form-releases/. If you have any further questions, contact Joy Alafia at joya@car.org.
Forms Advisor™ and C.A.R. Forms Tutor® - Which Form to Use and How to Use It
You’re in the middle of a complicated transaction that’s uncharted territory for both you and the agent on the other side of the deal. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a little expert guidance to help take the guesswork out of which standard forms you need to use? Forms Advisor™ is a free C.A.R. Member Benefit which guides users to the proper standard form(s) needed for a specific real estate transaction. Based on user input, Forms Advisor™ directs users to relevant forms for a specific transaction. Questions about the transaction are organized in four categories where an agent will be asked to provide information about themselves, their client, the property, and the transaction-and it’s easy to respond. Choosing answers from drop-down menu or selecting a Yes/No option makes the process fast and simple to use. Once you allow Forms Advisor™ to advise you on which forms you’ll need for your transaction, you might also want a little help on how to fill out those forms. This is where the companion product C.A.R. Forms Tutor®, can help. Forms Tutor® is an educational online service that explains how to fill out the standard forms via field-by-field audio and text instructions. You can take advantage of these two free C.A.R. member benefits from www.car.org or directly from your WINForms Online® account. If you’re curious about how Forms Advisor™ or C.A.R. Forms Tutor® can help you, sign up for a free webinar here: http://www.car.org/winforms/FormsAdvisor/. For a PDF version of the November 2009, WINForms® Today, click: http://www.car.org/3550/pdf/WF_Today_November_2009_v2.pdf | 
No comments:
Post a Comment