[Question] Interested in becoming a r/e virtual assistant

[clduta24]

I was wondering what requirements or experience is needed in order to become a real estate assistant? And do you need any licensing or have taken any courses?

Thanks,
Corina

[leedrozak]

There is a great post here that lists per state criteria. I am sure there are many threads as well and many experienced real estate VA's who can give you more advice.

Good Luck

[Balancing Act]

Lee,

I highly suggest that before becoming a REVA you completely know the full process of a real estate transaction. I've been in the real estate industry for 5 years now, and I'm still learning new things every day.

I chose this niche because my husband is the broker of a mortgage/real estate company, and I've been his partner since the beginning. There is a lot to know, and every agent that I've ever worked with has assumed that I am just as knowledgeable as they are about the process.

In the back of my mind, I'm always reminding myself that if I don't know what I'm doing, and I mess up somehow, this person can lose the home of their dreams, and my agent may lose the deal.

If you're just starting out in this area of the industry, take some classes or work underneath another REVA in order to gain some experience first. It will most definitely pay off later, and you'll feel much more confident when you land your first client.

Hope I helped!

April Sullivan
Balancing Act Business Solutions

[MegBarberVA]

April has it right. While trainings, licenses and certifications aren't required, in order to be a good REVA it is very helpful to have general knowledge of the process of a real estate transaction from start to finish.

It is especially helpful to know the listing process and listing marketing practices because that seems to be the most popular service that is demanded from my business lately.

Poll other REVAs and look at their sites and take inventory of what services they provide. See if any of those tasks fit into your current skillset. And if there are things you do not know or are not comfortable with, look into some training and certification programs to help you along.

The NAR REPA training one is a good one to start with if you are pretty new to real estate. And the Real Estate Webographer is good to help you brush up on the various online technologies necessary for the real estate business.

And don't forget that starting a VA business is not a "get rich quick scheme" or an easy fly by night thing to make some extra money on the side. Becoming a VA means you are most likely becoming a real small business owner. It takes some work and dedication, but there are many resources and support out there to help you along.

Good luck!

[clduta24]

Thanks guys,

I think I'm going to take the REPA course. How do you guys suggest I find a REVA that I can work with?

Thanks again for your help and time!!

Corina

[Your Virtual Wizard]

I do general VA work for real estate agents and brokers so that is a good place to start if you want to work within the field but not so deeply entrenched in real estate transactions. You can work with real estate programs and listings but not to the degree of doing transaction coordination, which alot of agents and brokers I've worked with don't like to give up doing entirely.

Jan

[jemsva]

Thank you for sharing this great information. My experience has been in the financial and health care fields, but I'm sure that I have some transferable skills that apply. Reading your postings has opened up a new possibility to service clients.

[GuardianVA2009]

I really want to get into becoming a REVA but I do want to get some additional training does anyone know where I can start that is affordable!!

[Simply2Assist]

Tyeshia,

Additional Training that is affordable to me is definitely this forum. However the best way to become a REVA is to research your local real estate market along with the different real estate programs out there. For instance Top Producer, Point 2Agent, Postlet, Etc. and also decide what services you do and do not want to offer. So when you meet with a potential client you be to the point and tell them what u can do for them. When being stern with realtors they will take your services much more seriously.

Roth

[theinvisibleassistant]

Tyeshia,

I would recommend doing a "internship" say you helped a agent in their office for 10 hours a week for a month. The experience you would gain would be invaluable. Right now is a bad time for them to spend time with you one on one, due to the busy time of year, but that really is the quickest way to learn. There are programs you can go through, but I knwo for myself I prefer to learn- hands on.

Melissa