Any Real Estate Virtual Assistants?

[lisa007]

Hi Everyone,

I have some questions on working with clients who are realtors. There's a possibility that I might pick up some as clients in my local area. I'm familiar with the RE industry, but have not ever actually worked for a realtor. A lady I know in town is a broker and has a number of people working in her office. I was telling her about my VA work and she said I know there's people in my office who could use a VA. I gave her some of my brochures and she's going to pass them around.

It actually all happened rather quickly and I wasn't really prepared to answer questions, but she started asking me about what I could do for her being that it was virtual. As my mind raced, I said well, I can do flyers, brochures, write letters, and bulk mailings. Anyway, to make this as short as possible, I started thinking if others ask me I need to have some firm answers as to what I can actually do.

So, my question is: what type of "task" can you actually do for them that are virtual besides the ones I've mentioned above? I hate to be tongue-tied when talking to people.

Cheers,

[Tess]

Hi Lisa,
I'm not an RE VA *but* I was interested early on in my practice about what kinds of specialties they offer, as an industry, so I ran a Google search and went through numerous sites to see what each practice offered - maybe doing the same will help you get a better idea of what is expected of a real estate virtual assistant?

And hopefully, someone who does specialize in that area can pitch in here too with a more specific reply

[lisa007]

Thanks Tess, great idea! I will do that search now

[Modern Marketing Support]

Hi Lisa,
I'm not a REVA either but I have heard of the drip campaign. You might also check out this site for real estate VAs http://www.revanetwork.com/

[Kathryn]

I'm not a VA *yet*, but I plan on targeting realtors and lenders, as the majority of my background is real estate lending.

I haven't yet worked out all the details as far as the realtor part, but here's what I've been thinking about:

Calendar management: Realtors spend a good deal of time coordinating with the buyer, seller, escrow agent (or lawyer, depending on the state), and lender to ensure that everything closes on time.

Follow up thank-you's, after the deal has closed

Research: using real property records to obtain property owner's names and addresses, then sending mailings

I have a few more ideas, but I'm at my 9-5 job now, so I can't type too much. I'll pop back in later!

[lisa007]

Thank you Shari I'll check that out.

Kathryn, I'm a 9-5 too, I know what ya mean, but I usually have little to nothing to do here so I read the forums! Thank you for those ideas. I'll keep researching and start putting a list together

Have a great day!

[Kathryn]

You're welcome! Since I'm going to be targeting realtors also, I'm helping myself at the same time!

Another idea: creating & maintaining online listings & virtual tours. Many real estate offices have one person dedicated to this, (my sister-in-law used to do that) but with today’s economy, those positions may have been eliminated.

[Office Goddess]

The Realtor I work for has me make up boiler-plate flier formats for him that all he has to do is insert the pictures and descriptive text. He also sends me mailing lists and I handle his various mailings for him. He either emails me postcard info and I set up the cards, or he emails me letters that he wants printed (at Kinkos), stuffed, and mailed for him off the lists.

Hope that helps!

[lisa007]

Thank you again. Yes, this has been a big help! The boiler-plate idea sounds good. I can suggest that to this lady I know.

[Kathryn]

Hi Lisa,
I'm not a REVA either but I have heard of the drip campaign. You might also check out this site for real estate VAs http://www.revanetwork.com/

Thank you for this link!