I would proof read your posts in the future.

Cool Cat, that was Not cool.

Just a little FYI. You may have to copy and paste the link into a new window in your browser.

You are right, that was not cool. I should have pm'd her.

Working with a NAR Certified Real Estate Assistant.

NAR Certified REPAs are assistants that have earned the NAR designation and are required to abide by the same Code of Ethics.

Now, let's talk real estate assistants. Real estate assistants come with a variety of specialities and experience. You may have a newbie that have the basic skills of an assistant and you may have an assistant that can take you business to Top Producing level.

The experienced NAR Certified REPA often participates in ongoing training. Even though the NAR does not offer ongoing training, most of us have taken the real estate courses to increase their knowledge of real estate laws, participated in ePRO training, taken many vendor training, and also have worked with and still work for most of the top agents in the country.

A real estate assistant that is truly interested in and committed to supporting brokers and agents will learn as much of the industry software program so he or she can intelligently explain it to his or her broker/agent (client). I spend a great deal of my time learning becuase I want to be the best that I can be and while helping my clients (brokers/agents) be the best they can be.

What can your NAR Certified REPA and REVA do for you? Everything except host and open house, show listings, and negotiate contracts. Is it important to have those skills available? Maybe to some. It all depends on your needs. However, when you work with me, an NAR Certifed REPA, you are getting my diverse experience and training. This in turns allow you the opportunity to remain in contact with your clients on a follow-up basis. I will handle your transactions from list-to-close.

Example: When my agents get a listing, all he/she has to do is send me the agreement, disclosure, seller contact information, and images. I handle the rest. All I ask is that the broker/agent contacts the seller at least once a week to find out if they are being taken care of. I handle the MLS, create all marketing materials, schedule showings and collect feedback from those agents that do not respond to the online surveys, and more.

Once we have a contract, yes "WE", it's a team effort. I open escrow, track contingencies, schedule ALL appointments including inspections and repairs, and monitor the loan process. I am the seller's main point of contact. The agent remain in contact at least once a week to follow-up and make sure I am taking care of their real estate needs. More details can be found on the website regarding my process and/or you can request an information sheet.

The buyers and sellers never have to worry about calling long distance. The agents and I use a toll free number and/or a cell phone belonging to the same area code the agent works. Phone calls are promptly returned, emails are promptly answered, and documents are promptly uploaded into the TMS.

As for prices, I don't use a comparison chart because you can't realisticly compare 40 hours a week to 20 hours per month. That is like comparing an apple to an alligator. It doesn't compare.

Compare experience and skills.

I know that the rates are important. Many agent say that cannot afford to pay $20 - $35+/hour. However, if you don't have any listing and your assistant helps you develop plans and process that increases your amount to 5+ and each listing closes within 45 days, isn't it worth it? Added to that, your assistant also manage your leads turning a percentage in the buyers and sellers. Isn't it worth $20 - $35+/hour? You are not paying your unlicensed assistant a commission. That is against the law.

That is why it is very important that you create a job description. You should always know what you need before you shop. Base your research around your needs. Never hire an assistant because you think it is cool or if it increases your bragging rights in the office. Yes, some agent do. Hire an assistant because you want to become a top producing agent and you want to have an assistant that will be your right hand, knows what you need before you ask. Hire an assistant that will notice when your production has decreased and take it upon his/herself to help promote you to new leads and listing by calling expired listings and scheduling appointments for you without your having to ask. Hire an assistant that is constantly looking at your success as being his/her success. Hire an assistant that seeks new avenues, mostly free, to promote you. when you build a strong team, you are building you, branding, and increasing your business.

I have included a lot of helpful tips in my blog. http://www.onlinerepa.com/blogger/. You can also locate a NAR Certified REPA at http://www.REPANetworking.com. On a side note, I also train a lot of real estate assistants (REVAs/onsite assistants) and if you are looking for a trained assistant, visit http://www.REPACoach.com or contact me. I will be more that happy to help you develop a job description based on your needs and recommend assistants. FREE of Charge!!! However, the best method would be to visit http://www.REPANetworking.com, place a Request for Services and receive proposals from the members. The group is new and the list is growing. There is also a forum that brokers and agents can join. As long as your information can be verified or you can email me your contact information.

Hope this helps. Contact me if you have additional questions. I love taking to agents.

I wanted to chime in: As a licensed real estate agent, not a virtual assistant myself, that VA's are great assets to a business.

I have been costing out the difference between paying an onsite assistant $13/hr (plus benefits, workers comp, some paid holidays,) and also factoring in leasing the space for them to work in and the cost of doubling my office equipment, and came to the conclusion that it really is true that a VA at $25-$35 per hour is equal in cost.

*And* my experience with my VA was that she was extremely competent, not the type of person you could find for $8-$10 per hour unless you were very lucky.

Plus you can use your VA when ever you need them and not be forced to pay them 40 hours per week and not be liable for workers comp and unemployment if they get carpal tunnel or get pregnant or quit or get fired.

The other thing about employees is that they have to be trained, they take breaks, they have down time and you pay for all of that.

My 2cents

I pay my independent contractor VA $25 an hour and love it. I don't have to spend my time thinking up work just to keep her busy. If there is nothing to do there is no pay.

I did not have to train her as she already knows how to use most of the software better than me including Paragon4.

I will chime in with Wenda, Cool Cat, and AATB - however, I will also add that many virtual assistants have multiple payment methods such as a monthly retainer, per listing/fixed price, or packages.

You could pay an in-house assistant to:
- sit around when its not busy, (you pay VAs only when they are working)
- take paid vacation, sick, holiday time off
- learn software that VAs are already trained in
- become your competition
- leave as soon as a higher-paying position comes along

But, it is not for everybody... if you are not a top producer OR don't want to be a top producer (by delegating your non-income-generating tasks to a VA) then hire an in-house person!

The key question is: Are you your own assistant?

About a year ago the Realtor Magazine did a special report on virtual assistants. One realtor was able to outsource ( cut cost ) by training a VA in France to do some of her work. The Realtor was able to provide anytime service without the usual employment laws and taxes.

VAs are great when you have a checklist of things to do.

Maybe this should be in another post, but I am curious about becoming a VA....

I have a college education (teacher for 10 years) and am VERY detail oriented/organized. I have a STRONG interest in Real Estate and I know that is the industry I would like to work in in some capacity - but still exploring where my talents, skills and ambitions would fit best.

I was going to go ahead and get my RE license and go from there... until I started reading a lot about VA's here. I have two children (3 and 4 years old) and ideally I would like to have something I can do part time while they are at school or something that is flexible enough that I can still drop them off and pick them up on many days, go to some school functions, and then work some evenings etc.

I am a hard worker and love the creative design and organizational aspect it looks like a VA requires. I've done a little perusing on some of the VA co's sites, but was wondering if anyone had any insight as to where to begin (training, what companies are hiring, etc).

Thanks

I once had a virtual assistant - Karthiga. She was based in Bangalore, India and I would communicate with her via email and telephone. I had a contract with a company that provided outsourced personal/virtual assistants and think I paid around $13/hr. She would do research for me on the internet, create invoices, track appointments, and even login into my email account to write emails for me. Overall it was a very positive experience!

Ive never used one but I love the idea of a VA. I've had several regular assistants before. I've paid from $8 an hour to $15 an hour.

I also had a college intern once which worked out. I just needed basic office stuff done. They got college credit and I got cheap labor

I would agree with the statement that if an agent has a checklist of things to do, they should consider hiring a VA. Or if they do have a task that is necessary and they do not enjoy doing.

For example, I have done Expireds, FSBOs and general Lead Management for agents. They are winners in the long run, because the commissions from the sales far outweigh their investment in my assistant services. And I truly enjoy helping them grow their business! And the agents are able to obtain new leads and nurture the relationship; therefore their business continues to grow.

I posted this blog on another forum earlier. Hope it helps.

How can a Real Estate Assistant/REVA Help with your Leads Management?

Brokers and Agents, hiring a REA/REVA to assist with managing your incoming leads, making preliminary contact with FSBOs and Expired Listings, and assist with current and past clients provide you with the opportunity to cultivate new relationships, manage your activities, increase your number of closings, and help identify you in your area.

Sometimes, the mistake is made to hire an assistant when you have zero clients, no buyers and no sellers, and you are backstroking down the proverbial creek without a paddle. Relationships are not instant, it requires nurturing. Buyers and Sellers want to feel comfortable with the agent representing them during their home buying and selling process.

Don’t think of hiring a REA/REVA in terms of how much it will cost you per hour but realize the benefits you will achieve when leads are converted in to sales. The commission you will make surpasses the hourly rate you will pay to obtain the services of an experienced REA/REVA.

Your REA/REVA can

- Help establish your SOI and COI.
- Help develop your target markets.
- Assist with developing proposals.
- Pull expired listings and schedule listing appointments.
- Make the initial contact by acknowledging receipt of inquiry.
- Obtain answers to general questions such as the buyer’s home buying needs (bedrooms, baths, garage, style, location, etc).
- Obtain home specs from the seller and collect important documents.
- Mail out relocation packets.
- Help you establish a referral database with agents across the U.S.
- Prepare your listing presentation and create CMA.
- Create innovative buyer and seller drip campaign messages.
- Manage your leads drip campaign system to ensure that all mail-outs are distributed and follow-up with those that have unverified receipts.
- Distribute and/or mail-out buyer/seller brochures and reminders.
- Perform periodic follow-ups to the contacts in your database
- Setup free campaign accounts.
- And more!

Your REA/REVA can help convert your cold leads to clients by helping you establish your business in your target area and help build your reputation as the area expert. When you develop a partnership and lasting relationship with an experienced REA/REVA, it becomes a win-win for you, your clients, your sphere, and your assistant.

Carolyn Nelson, Carolyn@OnlineREPA.com |http://www.REVAProfessionals.com| http://www.OnlineREPA.com | Direct: 877-717-4491

read the book "the 4 Hour Work Week" the writer uses a lot of examples about how he uses virtual assistants and outsourcing.

A lot of his ideas you can carry over and use as a real estate agent