Signing Electronically

1. What you agree to

When you continue to a document Ivy Realty Group sent you, you agree to receive it, review it and sign it electronically, and to receive the notices and the signed copy that go with it electronically, by email or in your Ivy client portal. Your electronic signature on the document has the same effect as signing it by hand.

This consent covers the document you are about to sign and the messages about it. Your agent may ask you to sign other documents electronically later; each time, you can choose again.

2. Signing on paper instead

You don’t have to sign electronically. If you would rather sign on paper, don’t continue: tell your agent, and they will arrange a paper copy for you to sign.

3. Changing your mind

You can withdraw this consent at any time before you finish signing by closing the document and telling your agent. Withdrawing doesn’t undo a document you already signed. After that, your agent will work with you on paper.

4. What you need

A current web browser on a computer, tablet or phone, a connection to the internet, and access to the email address (or mobile number) your agent has for you, where Ivy sends your one-time code and the signed copy. You also need a way to view and keep PDF files, which current browsers and phones include. If your email address or number changes, tell your agent so the notices reach you.

5. Your copy

Once everyone has signed, Ivy emails you that the document is complete. Clients find the signed copy in their Ivy client portal; others get a download link that works for 30 days. Save a copy for your records. If you need another copy later, including a paper copy, ask your agent.

6. How the signing is recorded

You sign on Ivy’s website. Before the document opens, Ivy confirms it’s you: by your sign-in to your Ivy client portal, or by a one-time code sent to your email or phone. The signing itself is handled by Zoho Sign, an electronic signature service, which adds a completion certificate to the signed document showing who signed and when.

Ivy also keeps its own record of when the document was sent, opened and signed, the internet address and browser it was opened and signed from, and a fingerprint (a SHA-256 hash) of the documents sent and of the signed copy, so it can show later that the copy wasn’t changed.

7. The law behind it

Electronic signatures and records are valid under the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN, 15 U.S.C. 7001 and following) and the Massachusetts Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Massachusetts General Laws chapter 110G). Some documents can’t be signed electronically or must be recorded on paper (a deed recorded at the registry of deeds, for example); your agent or attorney will tell you when that applies.

8. Questions

Ask your agent, or contact Ivy Realty Group, phone 617-234-1732.