Poor economy - how has it affected REVA's?

[AmandaB]

One question that my husband has asked is: Why would an Real Estate Agent hire a VA? With housing sales and the rest of the economy going down..... they aren't going to hire anyone... So, please tell me, how has it affected you and your agents? have you seen an uptick in a need since the offices can't hire help or have they cut back the amount of hours they use you? THANKS

[Cathryn Jones]

I don't see that the economy has hurt my business at all. In fact, my business has continued to grow. Marketing REOs (foreclosures) requires a lot of paperwork by an agent. Many of those agents partner with a VA to accomplish administrative tasks.

Lots of houses are still selling and many agents are using assistants to handle the paperwork. It is a great time to be a REVA!

Cathryn Jones

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Early last year, I lost all of my real estate clients. Everyone of them packed up and returned back to traditional jobs. I found another niche and moved on.

However, that is not to say that work is not out there for REVAs as Cathryn mentioned. In fact, those agents/brokers who stayed the course continue to thrive today. People move, people still change jobs, grow their families and so on so there will always be people who need homes. As a result there will always be agents' and brokers' services required.

I would pursue those agents/brokers who are still in business with services that are relevant to the times. There is foreclosure work to do and regular RE tasks which need to be accomplished. Postcards still go out, brochures, websites need updating, photos need to be submitted to realtor.com and others...this work has not stopped. It is just a matter of marketing to those agents who understand how important marketing is needed to keep going.

Janine

[AmandaB]

On average - how many hours per week does the average RE use an REVA?

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Amanda,

It depends upon how many hours the agent needs the VA much the same as with any client.

Some REVAs work with multiple agents, thus more hours. And, it also depends upon what type of work they need you to do.

In fact, I just got a call from a former client, who is still in real estate to pick up her blogging work again for several hours a week. (We still have to work out the fine details.)

The key, as with any new client is to build up a relationship and over time, build more hours. Always keep marketing your business so that even when you are busy, you have people networking with you who may ultimately contact you for work.

Janine

[executive_assist]

There is still work out there as Janine says. You may have a longer wait, but the ones that truly understand the difference between income producing work and non income producing work as relates to real estate, they are more than happy to work with you. Also, I do quite a bit of work with mortgage brokers. They need help too and are happy to have someone that understands the real estate business.

[EbeeROX]

Has anyone had any experience with the real estate market in oregon? How has that gone for you?