It’s time once again for Arkansas Realtors® to order their 2010 software and paper forms (contracts and supporting documents) before the end of the year.

We’ve gotten a lot of questions about the forms (we always do) and have some answers for the most common ones. So in order to save our members some time and trouble and to cut down on the number of calls we’re receiving around here, we at the Arkansas Realtors® Association have put together a list of those frequently asked questions and the answers to them.

So, without further ado, here is some information we hope will be useful to our members:

* How do I get my new forms? You need to download an order form from the ARA Internet site. Click here for the software order form and here to order paper forms. Once you print out one of those forms, fax it back to the ARA and we’ll take it from there.

* Can I stop by the ARA offices and order my forms there? Certainly. We always like having visitors. Our address is 11224 Executive Center Drive in Little Rock.

* Can I pick up my phone and call in a forms order? No.

* I need to order forms for three offices. Can I do that on one form? No. Each individual office must fill out an order form.

* When will I get my software? If you order on or before Dec. 10, you will receive your order by Jan. 1. If you order after that date, you might have your software by the middle of January. In other words, the early bird gets the worm (or the contracts, actually).

* When I order my software, should I get a CD, too? Only if you want to pay shipping charges and sales tax. When your software is sent to you, you’ll get a link from which you can download your software. That link will install the same program that’s on the CD.

* I’ve got a lot of Realtors® in my office, so shouldn’t I go ahead and get the CD? Not really. You can forward the email with the download link to every Realtor® in your office so that they might install copies of the software on their computers, too.

* Does the software package support Microsoft Windows 7? The jury is still out on that one. We’re waiting to hear back from the programmer. Hopefully, Windows 7 support won’t be a problem. However, bear in mind that you also get access to the Arkansas RealForms site when you order the software, meaning that you can access the software on the Internet from just about any modern computer with an Internet connection. If you’re running Windows 7, Apple Macintosh OS X, or even one of those snazzy Linux machines, you’ll be able to generate and print software.

* RealForms? What? Yes, we’re fans of the RealForms package around here. Why? It allows people to access their contracts from anywhere whey they have an Internet connection and a modern computer. That service comes free when you order the forms software. Furthermore, digital signatures are bundled up with that software so that our members can get clients to sign contracts without having to physically put pen to paper (that’s very convenient if you’ve got a buyer or seller located in another state, huh?) Technology is good, kids.

* I want to change the logo on my contracts. Help! There is a logo change tool built into the software so that our members — and not the ARA — can change up logos as necessary.

* I’ve got an agent leaving my office sometime next year. Do I have to buy software for her, too? Unfortunately, yes. The amount of money you’ll owe the ARA for software is determined by how many Realtors® the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) says are in your office. We check the AREC’s online database to determine how many agents are in each individual offices and charge accordingly. There are no exceptions to this rule.

If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, please get in touch with the ARA at (501)225-2020.