I have a question for all of you who say you have assistants helping you complete BPO. I just don't quite get how that would work. I have heard some on here say that they have the assistants (Non licensed) handle the data entry part. Wouldn't that be double work? I mean wouldn't you still have to pull the comps and gather the info? And if you didn't, wouldn't; you still have to give them access to the MLS? I can maybe see having your helpers take photos(which still you should do yourself), but how do they do the data entry stuff? Let's face it most of you that have assistants probably give access to those who are not licensed , so they can complete the bpo's and get them done. Like the saying goes "It is what it is"

No assistant for me yet...however, under every MLS that I have belonged to you can have an unlicensed assistant pull MLS info for you *if* you pay the quarterly dues for them. Those fees are less than ours. It goes without saying that an unlicensed assistant cannot do anything that a license is required for (per DRE) but administrative tasks are allowed. I realize that the companies want us to be licensed for their purposes but the actual providing of BPOs is not, as I understand it, a licensed activity per DRE. I could be wrong.

I would think that once someone was trained they could compenently pull comps for you to choose from and I think the assistant could do the crap stuff (for me) like getting parcel size. I could not see them writing the BPO for me though and that's the downfall for me. Well, that and my volume while good doesn't justify an assistant at this time.

The only reason I have an assistant right now is my mom lost her job after 20 years and my dad is on disability and they need her income. She is having a hard time finding a job so I "hired" her to do data entry for me. I find the comps and email them to her, she inputs the info while I am out taking pictures. It has made it a lot easier, we were able to knock out 11 bpo's the other day. It was weirdly non stressful if that is a word. She is only doing this until she finds a job, it is my way of helping my parents out without them feeling like a charity case.

My assistant is licensed and LOVES to just sit in the office and enter BPO's. I still have to do them on the weekend and 1 or 2 a day but her personal best to date is 6 in a regular workday..so it can be done!

She hates Ocwen btw, so I have to do them.

I keep up with it so in my mind, she is send them to the companies that may send me listings. I think my mad, mad plan just might be working.

Don't do it folks...I speak from experience. It will rip you a new one later...TRUST ME ON THIS!!

My mom also sits there between exciting games of solitare and accepts BPO's for me that I might have missed being out in the field. I so far love having her help. I of course do all the valuation and technical stuff. All she does is enter in the comp info off the mls sheets I email to her. I am going to miss her when she gets a job.

Simple for me, first my assistant has read and signed the list of activities allowed to perform as an unlicensed individual in the two states I work in. Secondly we work from a worksheet, I pull comps and assess value and damages, she pulls additional information from MLS such as lot sizes etc. then does the data entry on the website. If an order requires further information she'll work on that or if I need to "troll" for broadcast orders she'll monitor sites. Our MLS allows one access for an unlicensed individual without payment. Additionally I have a photographer who is well trained as far as what pics are required and what he should be aware of and calls me to come out to a property if there are issues. He too has read and signed the same list of activities allowed to be preformed by an unlicensed individual. He carries a stack of my cards and when the neighbor strolls over to ask, "what's this place going for?" or "can I take a look around?" He politely hands them my card and explains he's not a Realtor. They have both signed non-compete clauses and we had our states board attorneys discuss our plan before we launched. Oh and they are covered on my E&O as contract laborers. Now I will say I don't use an assistant for the sales side of my career so I kind of flipped what most Realtors do by hiring on the REO side.

Dang KLM will you come out and set up my office for me?

All kidding aside it sounds like you have it set up to run smooth.

Well go ahead on then with your bad self, KLM! Non-compete agreements...hmmm,I'll have to remember that.

Well guys I didn't do it on my own (:>) I had smarter people than me help me figure it out plus I did it by myself for the first 5 years until it got to a point I just plain needed help. Keep in mind this is pioneering and so you do have to be diligently careful.
Now, got get 'em!

For those of you who have assistants do you pay them by the hour or by the number of BPOs that they enter? I almost think it would be better to pay per BPO. I don’t have an assistant just curious.

KLM, good system going. Try and enforce that non-compete clause though. I have heard they are nearly impossible to enforce.

I pay per order cause that's what Dave Ramsay says (:>) No actually its the dangling carrot. If it's rejected, they correct it. If it's late they're not paid at all. Agent 007, very true...but they don't know that (:>)

I have two trained BPO data entry specialist that I am not utilizing to 100% (currently 25%). They are proficient with IAS, EVAL, SS, GRC, CC, FARV, and a couple others. What they are not proficient in they can learn.

They only charge me $10 per order. I email the comps, values, and basic commentary, they do the rest. Saves me about 30 minutes per order and a ton of monotonous data entry.

SO, anyone need help with their data entry?

I love Dave Ramsey. Smartest person about money on this planet. Back on topic haha, I just brought on a data entry assistant about 2-3 months ago. She gets paid $12 per order. Words cannot express how awesome it has been. No more late nights at the computer trying to finish up bpos. Because of her I make more money, because shes getting alot more done than I could have. Alot of companies wont send more orders unless you get the pending ones done. Her turnaround time is usually within 24 hours. Mine was usually just before the deadline. Shes done more cw orders in the last 3 months, than ive done in over two years. Soon she will be handling all my reimbursements, and will be paid a set amount per reimbursement. I want to make sure she is good with bpos before I pile more work on her.

I've got a great gal also that does the data entry for my orders. I pull the comps, send her the address & let her know what site the order is on. She is great & I get to spend more time in the evenings with my family. We agreed on $12 per hour & it usually takes her under 30 minutes to enter an order so maybe $6 per order worse case, unless it is a PITA site.

She is also looking for more work so if anyone is interested, she comes highly recommended!!

I just hired an assistant and it has been wonderful. I can see my children. I read to them for 30 minutes before bed and I haven't done that in who knows when. It has been a wonderful experience. The assistant even puts information into QuickBooks for me. I add the comments, adjustments, and valuation once their finished. With the companies that have more difficult forms I no longer wrestle with those the assistant takes care of it. I LOVE MY ASSISTANT!

Do you guys who have assistants have them work out of an office or from their home? Do you double check their work before submitted?

I only go in once to upload my own photos & then I ad the comments that only I would know about the market/area, and what I feel the property is worth. When I do that I glance at the work to make sure that there aren't any typos that jump out at me. My assistant is awesome & there aren't any errors ever, but it is my job look over anything that an assistant does and there are some things that she can't do (like determine the value of the subject property), plus my name on the report so I always check things over so I know what is being done.

I probably could email her the photos and have her upload them, but I figure that is my one actual touch of the order at the site & might as well check things then.

My assistant is actually in another state than I am, with what she does & the fact that I supply her with all the info to enter there is no need for her to be local.

KLM you just gave me some good ideas on how I can put my 20 year old unemployed son to work. Thanks for sharing!

G-man: Way to go! My son does my BPO input. It work great for both of us.

G-Man, my 28 year old son does work for me when I need him. He's a great pinch hitter! And cheap labor LOL

I was talking to my gal today & she is looking for more people to do Data Entry for if anyone is intersted. I know a few people from here have been using her & have been VERY happy! PM me if you would like her information!!!

I would be interested in those that say you have helpers doing the data entry part. Could you break it down for me and show me how it could save you time? Let's say you are using the MLS to gather your comps and you are doing an exterior drive by with 3 photo of subject, street scene and address verification. Also 3 sold and 3 listed. How would you gather all this info and send it to your helper? Would this really cut down on your time? I am interested to read your replies.

[quote=hazelangel]The only reason I have an assistant right now is my mom lost her job after 20 years and my dad is on disability and they need her income. She is having a hard time finding a job so I "hired" her to do data entry for me. I find the comps and email them to her, she inputs the info while I am out taking pictures. It has made it a lot easier, we were able to knock out 11 bpo's the other day. It was weirdly non stressful if that is a word. She is only doing this until she finds a job, it is my way of helping my parents out without them feeling like a charity case. [/quote]

C'est la vie. That's a good thing you're doing.


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It saves me a TON of time!!

Here is how I handle things when I get an order:

First key is knowing your area well that way you can pull comps before you go out to the property. If the condition of the property is really bad I then loose some time by having to pull different comps but since I know my area like the back of my hand that doesn't happen often at all. I pull comps and assessors records, print them out in Adobe & email them to my assistant. She has all the information there along with any Assessors office websites if she needs more infomation on the subject property. After I have taken my photos I touch the order once. By this time all my info is already entered into the system & I just enter things that she, as a unlicensed assistant, can't like how I would rate the home, the neighborhood and such. I then enter my values & the photos & it's done. I could save alittle more time by sending her my comp pics & the subject pics but I have to go into the order to check it anyway so why not do those things while I am there?

I follow DeannaW's method as well. It has been a life saver. I don't have to stay up late inputting data. I can spend time pulling more comps for future orders, applying to more companies, reading, and/or sleeping.

I feel more productive. And I don't angonize over difficult online forms any longer. I may , in the future, have my assistant upload photos. My assistant will also take photos. A local assistant is better for subject photos.

"THIS IS A MARKET ANALYSIS, NOT AN APPRAISAL AND WAS PREPARED BY A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER OR ASSOCIATE BROKER, NOT A LICENSED APPRAISER."

This is what I have to put on all BPO orders. What are some thoughts on this? LSI has some orders that says the agent submitting the report has to take the photos.

If my assistant has eyes, he has been a realtor in the past, and I also review the photos before I upload them, I think that would cover any concern.

It's still my behind on the line if something is wrong with the report.

Why wouldn't LSI know they are assigning the order to an licensed broker/realtor and not an appraiser? I will add that I know my area well and just by the street address I know the condition of most properties. Market knowledge must count for something.

The information was prepared by a Licensed Real Estate Broker - ME. My assistant is not pulling comps nor is she taking photos. I take the pictures so I am doing the inspection of the property. On a very rare occasion have I had my DH take a photo for me, but he has been on almost all inspections with me anyway so he knows what I am looking for.

My assistant takes photos if I am swamped. So I am taking the photos. I pull the comps and recheck the data after his input. I have my hands all over the report as well.

I just hired an assistant recently and you would not believe how much easier my life become. It gave me more time to concentrate on selling part of my business, driving with clients and not just sitting in front of the computer most of the time. I can spend more time with my kids and start to sleep like a normal people 7-8 hours instead of 4-6. I like it so much!
My assistant does the exact same thing as DeanaW said. I finish the report, check everything after her and upload pictures. I do take a pictures and inspect the properties myself.

Thanks Deanaw for the referral, having an assistant is great. I have so much more free time I am so happy! She is great with data entry, never had an issue yet. The fee is well worth the sanity you will gain!

You are very welcome!!! I love her too!!!