FAQ's

Scotia software
Development Limited

How do I install the software?
Can I install the software on my network?
Can I install the software on multiple computers?
Can I try before I buy?
How do I start a Real Estate Closing?
Where and how do I enter the Realtor fees?
How do I customize my disbursements that I use for my office?
How do I delete an adjustment?
How do I enter property tax?
How do I create a template?
Where can I save my Home Closing Deals?
When I click print or print preview, the program hangs or seemingly takes forever to respond.  What should I try to fix the problem?
The software is looking for interim billing information, but I don't have any.  Can I just enter an outstanding amount, with no interim bill?
Can I set a default amount for the “Deed Transfer Tax”?
Can I add several copies of an adjustment?
Can I change the wording of an adjustment?
For fuel types, such as propane or furnace oil, am I required to enter the number of litres/gallons and the price per, or can I just enter a total value for a full tank?  
Is the software easy to learn?
Is there somewhere where I can post a question to be answered?
Why are there exclamation marks on the Transaction Tab?
What happens when the closing date changes?
Starting a Home Transaction
Making adjustments to the Purchase
Creating a Template
Arranging the output
Demonstration of the math calculations changing when the closing date changes
How to enter a deposit received on a taxable invoice
Entering Fuel Type Adjustments
Changing the Adjustment Descriptions
Demonstration of updated Math Calculations when closing date changes.
Entering a Complete Home Closing
Furnace Oil Adjustment Entry
Mortgage Payout-Per Diem
Legal Fees
Property Tax Bill Portion
Property Tax Bill Portion Notes
Disbursements
Scotia Closing Software
Custom Programming
Scotia Closing Software - For a limited time only, we are offering the software for $299 per year complete with free updates and technical support. 

Scotia Closing Software FAQ

How do I install Scotia Closing Software?

  • Click on this link  Scotia Closing Software
  • Fill out the form and click "continue to download page.
  • The install page has a "Install" button which you will need to
    click
  • If your system has not previously installed the Microsoft .NET
    framework, you will need to accept the license agreement for
    that software, and hit Next to proceed through the installation. 
    This part of the install may take approx. 15 minutes on many
    systems.
  • You will see another "install" button, which you will click, and
    within a minute the program will automatically launch.

There may be small variations in this procedure for different systems, but
the installation is very straight forward.

This installation method sets the program up in your Start menu. 
When you launch the program in the future, you will click on the icon
in your "Start" "All Programs" list

Can I install the software on my network?

The program can be installed onto a networked computer, and save it's data
to a location on a network file server, if the network is configured to allow to
you to do so.

Printing to a network printer - Basically, our software prints to the Windows
Printer Driver.  If you already have a network, that driver should already
be configured to print it's output over the network.

Network file sharing - If your computer already has a network drive to which
it can save files, then you can use that network drive with our program in
the same manner that you would with any other Windows program.

Can I install the software on multiple computers?

The software can generally be installed on multiple computers for evaluation
purposes during the trial period.  To use on multiple computers after the trial
period has expired, you will need to purchase a license agreement which
covers the number of computers.

Can I try before I buy?

Yes absolutely, we'll set you up with the software on trial. 
Click this link  Download Software Fill out the
form and continue to download page.  When you completed downloading  just contact
our sales team  at (902)270-3334 for an activation code.

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How Do I?

How do I start a Real Estate Closing ?

  • Open the software
    • Click Start
    • Click Programs (or all programs depending on your version of Windows)
    • Click Scotia Software Development
    • Click Scotia Software Development Real Estate Closing Software
    • Click on "Continue"
  • Click File at the top left of the page
  • Click New Full (this makes a new deal)
  • You are now ready to begin filling in the information, Purchaser name, Vendor
    name, etc..

Where and how do I enter the Realtor fees?

You will notice there are two entries for Realtor Fees...

Realtor fees (entered from invoice)

Realtor commission (as percentage of purchase price)

To start, delete the one that you won't be using.  This should be quick and easy are
they are generally the top 2 entries in the vendor less tab.

How do I customize my disbursements that I use for
my office?

The first thing to do is to make a list of what you want to change, things to add,
things to delete, prices to set, prices to change, descriptions to modify, etc...

You should ideally have this all at hand before setting out to modify the file. 
The settings
are in a notepad file in an obscure location on your computer. 

To modify the file.

  1. Click "Tools Options, or the shortcut F12"
  2. Pick the tab named "adjustment types"
  3. click on a link for the type of disbursements you wish to set, for
    example "Purchaser Taxable Disbursements"
  4. Notepad will launch with the file intact.  On line 1 you will see the
    first disburment's description.  On line 2 you will see a $, and possibly a
    set price for the particular disbursement.  If the price is always fixed, it
    should be keyed in here.  If the price varies, just leave a dollar sign only,
    and the user gets prompted for the value when needed.
  5. IMPORTANT!  you will need to keep the file's format intact, as per the
    following rules
    1. Odd lines are to be descriptions (Line 1, Line 3, Line 5 etc..)
    2. Even lines are to be either $ alone, or $ followed by a price,
      such as $74.50
    3. There are to be an even number of lines in the file, with the
      last line of the file matching the criteria for even lines
      ($ or $74.50 etc..)
  6. Click "File" "Exit" and answer YES to save the file

Repeat the process for any other disbursement types you need to modify. 
Call support if you need assistance.

How do I delete an adjustment?

On the first tab, you will see a button that looks like the button in Figure A below... 
Click the button and select remove this item (see figure B) or simply click on the X
in the top right hand corer of the adjustment.


Figure A


Figure B

How do I enter property tax?

The first thing you should do for property taxes...

The software doesn’t know if your tax adjustment will need to be a PLUS or a LESS,
so both adjustment types are in the software.

If the tax account is in arrears...
   you will be using the LESS adjustment, so the first thing you should do is delete
the "Property Taxes PLUS adjustment".

If the tax account is prepaid...
   you will be using the PLUS adjustment, so the first thing you should do is delete
the "Property Taxes LESS adjustment".

This will avoid the frustration of you entering the adjustment into the "wrong side
of the ledger" so to speak.

How do I create a template? * for advanced users only*

Steps to creating a template...

  1. We want to start with a fresh slate, so close all work in progress, and answer
    Yes when it asks you to save your work.
  2. Click File... New Full.  This creates a new transaction with every adjustment
    type added.
  3. In the transaction tab, place a check mark in "Purchaser is represented
    by our firm" and "Vendor is represented by our firm.”  This is to allow
    access to the Vendor and Purchaser Tabs and Disbursement options
  4. Click on the "Real Estate Transaction" pull down menu at the top
    centre of the main window.
  5. Click on Purchaser Taxable Disbursements, a pop up window
    will show Taxable Disbursements, along with all non taxable disbursements. 
    Now this is a matter of user preference, but select all disbursements
    (taxable and non taxable) that you would like to be inserted into the template
    (inserted into each new transaction automatically).  Some may wish to
    select all of the disbursements that are frequently used, some may wish
    to select no disbursements, and to pick from the checklist for each and
    every transaction.
  6. Do the same for vendor disbursements (taxable and non taxable)
  7. For each main TAB except the transaction tab (Adjustments,
    Purchaser, Vendor), perform steps 8 - 11 for each item in
    each sub tab (PLUS, LESS, Disbursement Taxable, Disbursement
    Non Taxable, and notes....
  8. For each item, make sure you are happy with the Description,
    change it if you would like to reword it.  Double click on the
    description to change it.
  9. For each item, make sure you are happy with the entry tip above
    each main value box (For example, the entry tip for furnace oil
    says "Enter Oil Value Here", you may wish to change it.  Double
    click on the description to change it)
  10. For each item, click on the \\// option box.  Check your print
    settings (for Print Math Details, Print Tax Details, and Itemize Tax). 
    My recommendation here is to never check both "Print Tax Details"
    and "Itemize Tax", because there is no need of printing all of that
    detail.  And to pick between the two, I usually prefer "Itemize Tax",
    which shows the tax amount separately.
  11. For each item, in the tax tab, select your default tax options.  If it is
    generally an item you would want to add tax to, make sure the
    Add Tax checkbox is checked...
  12. For your Adjustment PLUS Property tax, and Adjustment LESS Property
    Tax, you may want to set your Dates on the Part Bill Tab to the first and
    last days of the current tax period.  This is a matter of user preference,
    but would likely make your future work easier for you.
  13. For each the three notes sections (Adjustment notes, Vendor Notes,
    and Purchaser Notes) make sure you are satisfied with the wording
    of all notes, and add any notes / reminders which you wish to make
    default in all future transactions.
  14. Make sure everything is the way you would like it, and click "File",
    "Create Template", and name the template something like "My Default
    Template", or something that suits what your needs.  If performing the optional
    example in step 15, you will want to add " with rental" to the template name. 
    This way you will end up with 2 templates, one for rental units, and one
    for non rental units.
  15. (OPTIONAL) - You can now make other variations of the template
    now.  For instance you can...
    1.  go to the Adjustments Less Tab and delete "Rent collected",
      and "Rental Damage Deposit"
    2. Click "File" "Create Template" again, this time adding "non rental"
      to the template name
  16. After saving the template, close the transaction (no need to save really,
    we only started this transaction as a tool for creating the template,
    it's not a real transaction)

Clicking on "Create Template" was like clicking save, except the settings on the
transaction tab were not saved.  Everything else was saved into the template.

Now for every new transaction, click File, New from template and select the template
and the starting state of the transaction has all of the customization which you included.

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Where can I find ... ?

Where can I save my Home Closing Deals?

Default save location for saved transactions is...

My Documents\legal\Realestate\Closings    File extension is .htx for home transactions

Templates are in...

My Documents\legal\Realestate\Closing Templates    File extension is .htt for home
transaction template

These are the defaults, but documents can be saved elsewhere.  It is recommended
however to use the default location unless you have a reason to do otherwise.  You
should make sure that your back up plan includes this location.  It is likely that your
entire My Documents area is backed up, and that is a good thing if it includes sub
directories.

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How Can I ?

When I click print or print preview, the program hangs
or seemingly takes forever to respond.  What should
I try to fix the problem?

This only seems to be an issue with this particular printer.  Regardless of your
printer type, be sure to download the latest version of your driver from the
manufacturer's website.

The software is looking for interim billing information,
but I don't have any.  Can I just enter an outstanding
amount, with no interim bill?

The software will allow you a work around, but be sure the amount you over-ride with i
s accurate.

Step 1.  Change the adjustment type to "simple adjustment".  In fact it will let you
change from any adjustment type to any adjustment type.  The figure below shows you
how to change adjustment types.

Step 2 manually enter the desired adjustment amount.

Step 3 Make sure math printing options are turned off, this will avoid the printing
of unwanted math details that were assigned to the adjustment previously

Can I change the wording of an adjustment?

Yes.  The easiest way to do this is to double click on the wording and you will
be prompted for new wording.

Can I set a default amount for the “Deed Transfer Tax”?

Yes - There is an option in the Tools, Options or (F12) under localization where you
can enter your default deed transfer tax percentage.

*Just a quick note on entering a default percentage amount for the Deed Transfer Tax 

If you enter a default percentage here, please make sure that if you are not entering a
sale from another territory with different tax rates, if so you must remember that
to adjust the percentage to the percentage for that territory

Can I add several copies of an adjustment?

Yes.  When you add the second adjustment it will notify you that there is already an
adjustment of that type, but it is just a notification
.

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What if ... ?

For fuel types, such as propane or furnace oil, am I required
to enter the number of litres/gallons and the price per, or
can I just enter a total value for a full tank?  

You can just enter the value for a full tank.  You should uncheck the "Print Math" option
to avoid litres or gallons being specified on your printed reports.  The figure below should
help you to find the print math details check mark..

If, however, you wish to have the program calculate the value of the fuel, enter the
number of units, price per unit, and click "accept calculation". Shown below

Once you accept the calculation a confirmation box appears click ok and now
that amount will be added to the Fuel Oil adjustment main tab
 
As shown Below.  You will also be able to see that your taxes have also been automatically calculated
for you as well.
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Miscellaneous Questions ?

What happens when the closing date changes?

You pick a new calendar date, and software automatically regenerates per Diem
and Tax Bill Portions and all the math within the program also calculates and updates
for you as well. 

Why are there exclamation marks on the Transaction Tab?

The most important fields to complete are marked with red exclamation marks (!)
Information which is not yet known can be marked with an asterisk * to signify
that more information is needed.

Is there somewhere where I can post a question to be answered?

Yes.  Everyone is welcome to create a free forum account in our Scotia Software support
forum.  Creating an account lets you post questions, comments, and suggestion, and to
vote in user polls as well.  Click the join link in the top right of this screen, or
follow this link... Scotia Software Message Boards

Is the software easy to learn?

Yes, we taught our 11 year old son how to use it.  The only hard part for him was
understanding how the different types of adjustments related to a home closing
(the things that paralegals already know).  The software was simple for him.  We
also include free support if you need it.

Step 1
Installation
Step 2
Setting your personal user settings - F12
Step 3
Watch the free video tutorials.  http://scotiasoftware.net/Tutorials/training-videos.html
If you have high speed internet at home, and PC speakers, watch them at home where
you are free of distractions.  The videos clearly explain how to customize the software
with your templates, and show some interesting ideas on ways to customize your templates.
Step 4
Open the software and start a Real Estate Closing.  If you have any difficulty please
Contact us at (902) 270-3334

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