A faxed offer is not usually private or secure (unless it's an E-Fax)
A faxed offer may be received incompletely
An offer that is faxed does not tell the seller or listing agent much about the agent working with potential buyers
It is more difficult to clarify questions, issues, or concerns in an offer if it is not presented in person
Each sale is a little different from the next. In our area, we have two contracts which are primarily in use: The Peninsula Regional Data Service form (PRDS) and the California Association of Realtors (CAR) form. Once we are through the acceptance of the offer stage, we have other work to do.
Hopefully the disclosures are all completed prior to this time and have been delivered in advance to the buyer. If not, that is the first thing that gets done - along with ordering inspections, getting the preliminary title report and contract to the lender, and making sure the appraisal is scheduled.
To make things easier, at the onset of a sale I do a timelines for each client (and the other party to make sure we're all "on the same page").
Additionally, I offer online transaction management tools so that you will always have access to the
timeline
list of people involved in the transation
disclosures (which I upload onto the site)
purchase agreement (in case you need to reference it when you are not next to your file)
I will also email you regularly (or call, or mail in US post, if you prefer) with information regarding advertising, showings, etc. You will always know what is going on. You have my guarantee!
