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Created November 12, 2024 19:45
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brokerage Backup?

Brokerage Backup is an open-source document management system designed specifically for real estate brokerages. It allows agencies to securely store, organize, and share transaction documents using their preferred cloud provider, giving brokerages complete control over their data while maintaining compliance and security.

Is this a document hosting service?

No. We don't host your documents - your chosen cloud provider (AWS, Digital Ocean etc.) does. We provide a secure, user-friendly interface that helps brokerages manage transaction files, agent documents, and client information across cloud platforms while maintaining compliance with real estate regulations.

How does it work?

Your brokerage provides credentials for your preferred cloud provider(s). We then create a secure connection to access and manage your documents through our interface. Everything happens client-side (in your browser) - no sensitive documents pass through our servers. We use AES-256 encryption to protect your cloud credentials in our database.

Who is this for?

Brokerage Backup is designed specifically for real estate brokerages and agencies who:

  • Need a secure, compliant solution for storing transaction documents
  • Want complete control over their document storage and security
  • Are looking to streamline document sharing between agents and staff
  • Need to maintain organized records for audit purposes
  • Want to move away from paper files or basic cloud storage
  • Require flexible storage solutions that can scale with their business

Why do my brokerage need this?

Cloud providers like Firebase and AWS offer flexible pay-as-you-go pricing that can be more cost-effective than traditional document storage solutions. More importantly, these providers offer enhanced security features and compliance capabilities essential for real estate transactions.

Using Firebase or S3 gives you more privacy than consumer cloud storage - providers don't analyze your content for data aggregation. You also gain flexibility with document backups, custom workflows, and the ability to easily move between storage providers if needed.

TLDR: You get flexible pricing, stronger privacy controls, and advanced features specifically beneficial for real estate document management.

Where are the documents stored? Do you have access to our files?

Your documents are stored with your chosen cloud provider (Firebase, AWS, Digital Ocean etc.) We never store or access your files - they remain exclusively under your brokerage's control.

What about pricing? Who pays for storage?

Your brokerage is billed directly by your chosen cloud provider for storage and bandwidth usage. This gives you complete transparency and control over costs.

What makes this different from standard cloud storage solutions?

Unlike general-purpose solutions like Dropbox or Google Drive, Brokerage Backup is specifically designed for real estate document management. While we don't provide the storage itself, we offer:

  • Industry-specific organization for transaction documents
  • Built-in compliance features for real estate regulations
  • Flexible cloud provider options with pay-as-you-go pricing
  • Seamless document sharing between agents and staff
  • Simple interface designed for real estate workflows
  • Complete control over your data and storage choices

Do you have plans for a Desktop / Mobile app?

Yes! We understand that agents and brokers need access to documents on the go. While we can't provide an exact timeline, mobile and desktop apps are in development.

I want to use a specific cloud provider but don't see it listed.

Create an issue at https://github.com/faisalsayed10/firefiles/issues and we'll add your requested provider. We're always looking to expand our compatibility to meet brokerage needs!

How does document tagging and filtering work?

Our tagging system helps organize transaction documents, agent files, and client information. Tagging is currently supported in Firebase (using custom metadata) and AWS S3 (using object tagging, limited to 10 tags per document). Each tag has a key and value, with unique keys per file. This allows brokerages to create custom organizational systems that match their workflow.

For example, you can tag files by:

  • Transaction status
  • Property address
  • Agent name
  • Document type (contracts, disclosures, etc.)
  • Client name
  • Transaction date
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