When I first started, I had no idea how to organize. I came up with something similar to this, but I never thought to also scan the incoming shipping info.
I do print out all correspondence (emails, letters, faxes, etc) that pertain to each signing, and I print out my Outlook appointment into which I type details about the signing. I even print out MapQuest directions and mileage and keep those in the borrower's folder. This is particularly useful when you run personal errands between the signing and the return home (can you tell I was audited in the past? It was my former business, but the IRS denied my mileage deductions because I did not account separately for personal vs business miles). Notary beware!
I do not keep my files alphabetically. My file folder tabs contain the borrower's # and my invoice #. I file them in numerical order (oldest to newest) and in separate drawers (paid vs unpaid). If I had only seen this site/topic when I first started I could have saved myself a whole lot of reinventing the wheel.
Oh, one other thing that I put on my file folders - I have a template that contains all the pertenent info about the signing that I print onto 1/2 sheet stickers and affix to the front of each folder. That way, I can see at a glance the transaction info without having to look thru the entire folder for the Escrow # or the T/C's FedEx account # or stuff like that. |
