This article is for Real Estate Lenders on all plans.
So you've created an account and want to get started. Here's a quick guide to walk you through adding your first smart folder and sharing it with your client.
First up, you need to add a client to Folio.
To do this, you can either approve one of Folio's suggestions or manually add your own.
If Folio found a relevant suggestion, go ahead and confirm it by selecting it and completing the setup steps.
Gmail Sidebar
If you're using the Chrome extension, simply click on the Folio button in your account.
Select one of the found clients (if they're in-contract, they'll sometimes show up as an address instead)
Or click on "Add a Smart Folder" to manually add one (more details in the section below)
Once you select the client, you'll see a prompt like the one below
Simply click the Yes button, and you've added your first smart folder!
You can also click to remove the suggestion
Outlook and Web
If you're not using the Chrome extension, simply visit Folio on the web, and find the suggested client from there.
Click the ADD button for a suggested folder
Click on Add Smart folder to add your own manually
Manually add your own smart folder
If Folio didn't find a good suggestion, don't worry, you can manually add your own folder.
To create a smart folder manually, simply click the "Add a Smart Folder" button
You can find it on the website pretty easily, and if you're using the Chrome extension, it's an option under the Folio button (shown above)
Fill in the relevant loan details
Click on Create Smart Folder
Select a type: Pre-approval or Loan (under contract client)
Add Buyer/Seller email: Required for Pre-approval types, but optional for Loans (if added, the smart folder's name will include the name/email of the client). You can add more than one email address
Under contract: add the property address if one is involved at this stage
Now you've got a smart folder! Step two is to add your contacts.
Pre-approval
If you've added a pre-approval client, you are all set. Folio will start filtering the emails between you and your clients. Skip to the timeline section.
Loans
If your client under contract, Folio will prompt you for some basic information to complete the setup.
First up, you'll be asked to identify your client (if you haven't already).
Add the "Client" role to your buyer/seller
Or manually enter their email address in the empty field
Don’t worry, this will not share anything with any of the contacts!
This is your opportunity to identify and add other relevant players too. Plus, if you add them now, the timeline will be shared with your collaborators when you share the smart folder.
Click on Add Role on the suggested contacts
Scroll down the list to select a relevant role or add a new one
Nothing will be shared with your contacts at this point
Click Continue
Next, you'll be asked to add the key dates.
The Folio key dates are offer accepted and estimated closing.
Click on one of the fields to open the date selector
Click on Continue To Timeline
Adding in key dates help create the skeleton for the timeline
If you have custom templates saved, you can use the template dropdown to select it
Don't worry if you don’t have any dates yet. Click on the option to skip this step on the top-right and add them later
Continuing from there will take you to the timeline website. Click here to move to the next step and learn about the timeline.