Is this a good plan?

[LisaMarie]

Hi all,

I have tentatively decided on being a real estate VA. It makes better sense to use my background in the medical field (6 years as a self-employed medical transcriptionist), but the real estate industry appeals to me on many levels.

I must admit, however, when I surf real estate VA sites it is a little intimidating (and very impressive!) Many of you have a lot of real estate experience and offer some services that I wouldn't know how to provide.

My question is this: Would taking the NAR Real Estate Assistant course and a webographer course be enough to prepare me to offer quality services to realtors and give me a good foundation in the industry?

I greatly appreciate any guidance you can give this newbie!

Lisa

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Lisa,

What do you want to do as a REVA? Do you want to do everything such as transaction coordination as well as the regular 'stuff'...create virtual tours, work in Point 2, blogging for the agents? I work for agents but I don't do transaction coordination. This work is not for me but the more general work means that this can be applicable not only to agents but to others in varying industries. I also think the more general work is in greater demand as opposed to transaction coordination.

To answer your question, these courses are certainly good ones but it is personal preference as well. Much of what you learn as a REVA can be learned on the job. I've worked in Top Producer and taken their online courses but not every agent works in TP. In fact I don't have one agent client who works in TP right now.

There's always the argument here whether certifications are needed for VA work. Both sides have strong debates. Most feel that the certifications are not needed but others feel that it does offer good clout when marketing oneself. I feel experience is the key more so then certifications but again it is a personal preference and they are expensive courses as well.

I always say that you can work for agents and brokers doing 'general' but related real estate work without having to go through the time and expense of taking courses. I learned TP that way and Point 2 that way as well.

I don't think I have given you a concrete answer. My only thought is that you need to know first what it is you want to do in real estate and then decide from there whether a course will actually help you acheive that. You may not need this coursework and OJT may be the best trainer.

Jan

[LisaMarie]

Hi Jan,

Thank you for the thoughtful response. I want to do what is most in demand by realtors, which sounds like the general stuff, and what offers the most variety to me since I have been doing mainly one task for 6 years and find I need to multitask to be happy.

My thoughts on training are I am new to the real estate industry, and I don't really know the "lingo" or the tools of the trade. I'm a big believer in mastering my craft, and I would want to learn the basics before asking people to pay me for my time. I think certifications are great, but I guess I am looking for the training to mainly build my skills and confidence in what would be a new field for me.

Is there one course that stands out above the rest as far as offering the nuts and bolts of running a real estate VA business?

Thank you!
Lisa

[MegBarberVA]

Hi Lisa,

Though trainings and certifications are not required or necessary to be run a VA business, they can be helpful. But I do agree with Jan, that experience is the greatest teacher. Much of the various programs and software for real estate, I have learned on my own by just using them. That being said, I have also been involved with the real estate industry for over 10 years now (4+ years as a REVA).

Some of the most in demand services I am finding are also general admin, listing coordination/marketing & lead management. Agents still need more general administrative stuff, and lead management is done for many other types of businesses too. Listing coordination/listing marketing on the other hand is pretty real estate specific, so it is helpful to know some of the marketing tasks that go with it, appropriate websites to put listings, etc.

(As an aside, I was offering transaction coordination as well, but I am going to be taking that off my list of services as I've had nothing coming in from that in a long time. Possibly because of the state of the economy... there just aren't that many transactions going on anymore. Lots of listings, but not many sales.)

Here's my take on things like the REPA and webographers courses. I think for those that are REALLY new to real estate, and I mean barely know a thing about real estate, the REPA course gives you a good overview and training on the legalities and some of the processes of being a real estate assistant. So if you are really new to real estate, and your budget allows, then I say go for it. Again, not absolutely required, but the knowledge does help if you really yearning for the education.

So like Jan said, try sticking to some of the more general admin things that agents need so you can get your start with them. As you go along, you will probably get exposed to many new programs that you can just delve in and learn. One of my regular sayings to my agents if they asked me of something I didn't know, "I am not quite familiar with xyz program, but I will definitely find out." Then I would find a demo or training, or ask my REVA colleagues.

Also, be on the lookout from various vendors that offer free demos and trainings on their products/software. Take advantage of those!

Other things you can do is try and subcontract for other REVAs and take on some of their client tasks. It may give you an opportunity to get a glimpse of what exactly is involved and certain websites and programs. Perhaps barter a free service or two the them in exchange for some training time on certain programs you are interested in.

Hope that helps!

[McCaul Assistance]

Hi Lisa,

Reva Roundtable (Kim Hughes & Kathy Goldman) is a great place to start. They offer affordable webinars which have been very helpful to me.
Another thing to do is network with realtors. I searched out a realtor and she was willing to sit with me and give me an overview of what she does as an agent and what is usually required of assistants. Since they are slighly slower now than usual, some may take the time to help. And you may get a referral out of it!

I do have a real estate license and worked for a realtor a few years ago briefly so I do have the basics. I'm currently doing my research and am learning a lot! Plus, there is a lot of support here from other REVA's.

Good luck to you with your business!

Jan and Megan...great advice!! Thank you as always!

[LisaMarie]

Wow! I cannot thank you all enough for taking the time to give me such thorough and helpful information! I have belonged to numerous non-VA professional forums over the years, and this is by far the friendliest, warmest group I've ever encountered!

My plan of action will be to simultaneously work on my business plan while completing the NAR and webographer courses. I feel I need that foundation to build my confidence since I'm new to the industry. I will also work on a business name, license, business cards and start planning my website. I am SO excited!

Hubby and I were talking at dinner that perhaps marketing my business as a general VA business (as opposed to a name geared toward real estate, etc) with a specialty in real estate would be wise so I'm not putting all of my eggs in one basket, so to speak. I understand the benefits of having a niche, but does it limit you in your marketing outside of that niche industry?

Thank you so much!
Lisa

[LisaMarie]

I went ahead and asked my question about how to market/name my business in the Branding Forum. Thank you again for all of your help on my initial question. It really gave me a lot of direction, and I am now actively working on selecting a name.

Thanks!
Lisa

[Balancing Act]

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I'm not sure if it's where I live, and where my agents are located, but the main service I provide to my 3 RE clients right now is Transaction Coordination. That's the main thing they hired me to do, and we're doing a lot of it.
Lisa, if you ever decided that this is a service that you'd like to offer, let me know and I'll help you as much as I can.

Good luck to you!

[LisaMarie]

Hi there,

That is a really generous offer...thanks! I had read here and other forums that Transaction Coordination service demand was down, so that is good to hear! Can you provide that service entirely online, or do you need to be close to your agents for document delivery, etc? I live in a very small town with very few realtors nearby. Do you have a background in real estate or did you take some training to provide the service?

Thanks so much,
Lisa