Real Estate Training - Virtual Assistant Forums

vickiscott · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009

Are there any VA's that took the realtor.org training How long is the training and how much does it cost And what kind of work you do for your client and are you working local or virtual or both

Nevada VA · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009

Hi Vicki,

I took the online training through National Association of Realtors (REPA), the online training a few years ago, I think it was about $250. The training is self paced but counts as 10 hours of training of various administrative functions of a real estate admin assistant (unlicensed). I also took the webographer course for the most advanced technology training for working with real estate professionals.

Hope this helps.

Simply2Assist · #3 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009

Nancy, How did you like it? is it worth it?

Nevada VA · #4 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009

I think the NAR certification is expensive but because it is through them I thought it was important for the certification. It was worth it to me. That being said, a lot of what is covered is typical/general admin work roles. However some good points about making up packets for realtors and some dos and don't's for an unlicenses assistant was helpful.

The course I just enrolled in with Reva Institute may do you just as much good and it's currently on sale til July 15th. It's less than the NAR but I haven't hardly started it so can't say if it's the same or better...

Did you read my post from earlier today? It was kind of long but it was about REVA training that I have taken. Webographers is not as expensive as NAR but what it has is actual samples of some of the programs real estate pros use to coordinate and contact management software. You get to actually use the samples to learn; I am a faster learner when I get to use the programs. But it is not specific for training as a REVA. It's also endorsed by TDC and I am not a fan of theirs! Hope this helps.

EcoGreenREVA · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009

Originally Posted by Nevada VA

It's also endorsed by TDC and I am not a fan of theirs! Hope this helps.

What is TDC ??

TIA.

[I was also thinking the NAR certificate would be worthwhile - if only because NAR is so well known and respected by RE professionals.]

Nevada VA · #6 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Hi Susan,
TDC is Team Double Click. This is a virtual assistant 'agency'. I have my own opinion about agencies such as this because they set mandatory hours, tasks etc for their 'virtual assistants' and it is my understanding and belief that when an 'employer' sets hours and other employee functions such as this company does that they are not contracting with VA's they are more like a temp agency where they have clients that need assistance and the assistance work under the temp agency. I hope this makes sense. TDC operates by hiring/contracting VA's for real estate clients, but since they have specific rules, regulations, and 'dictate' certain things, I am of the opinion that some day the DOL will be knocking on their door for the back taxes due! I could be offending some here and for that I just want to say this is my opinion based on their site and others that have commented on past relationships working for this company in forums and blogs.

Nevada VA · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Oh my, I almost forgot the most exciting news of the day! I am currently enrolled and taking the Reva Institute Certification Exam and Anna Baron sent an email to members of Reva Institute that for the Certification now you get to take the Webographers course at no additional Cost! This to me is a big win for you if you are interested in VA real estate courses! I took the Webographer course and loved it, and the cost of that course is $199/ the course for certification through Reva Institute (until July 15) is $199 so you basically get two courses for the price of one! This is huge!! I am so excited since I just posted about these courses last week! Take a look at revainstitute.com and consider the two for the price of one!!

EcoGreenREVA · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009

Originally Posted by Nevada VA

Hi Susan,
TDC is Team Double Click. This is a virtual assistant 'agency'. I have my own opinion about agencies such as this because they set mandatory hours, tasks etc for their 'virtual assistants' and it is my understanding and belief that when an 'employer' sets hours and other employee functions such as this company does that they are not contracting with VA's they are more like a temp agency where they have clients that need assistance and the assistance work under the temp agency. I hope this makes sense. TDC operates by hiring/contracting VA's for real estate clients, but since they have specific rules, regulations, and 'dictate' certain things, I am of the opinion that some day the DOL will be knocking on their door for the back taxes due! I could be offending some here and for that I just want to say this is my opinion based on their site and others that have commented on past relationships working for this company in forums and blogs.

I would agree with you here... I had a telephone conversation with an agent who posted on Craigslist who said he was looking for a "1099 employee".

When I read "1099 employee" I thought to myself "that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one!"

Well, I shot off an email to him, and he actually called me. But the more he talked the less I was interested.

Basically this guy wanted someone to come into his office for about 10, maybe more, hours per week - but exactly when his office would be open would depend - he said - on when he had appts with clients. The implication was he wanted someone to be available at his beck and call - only when he himself was in his office.

He said he would be hesitant to allow any of the work to be done outside of his office, even though what he was asking, all but "opening the mail" was things which didn't have to be done on location.

I tried to "educate" this guy on the concept of contracting with a REVA, as well as the idea that someone who is paid by 1099 is self-employed, therefore technically a contractor, not an employee... but this guy wasn't listening. IMHO, I think he was totally crazy, or cheap. Or both. I moved on.

PamIvey · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009

Sounds like you made a smart move Susan!

Internet Marketing VA · #10 (**permalink**) 01-09-2010

I'm going to stay away from Team Double Click (TDC). Not only has the company been criticized here but also on Ripoff Report (http://www.ripoffreport.com/). I took the RE Webrographer Class (got my certificate, and the course is worth it). TDC is listed in one of their modules, and I emailed Marc Grayson (owner of RE Webographers), and let him know about the complaints regarding TDC. He thanked me, and said he would look into it.

I have my Texas real estate license, but I don't have the six months salary put aside to work as a new REALTOR (six months salary is the suggested time--I've done my research and this is true.) I support myself and don't have someone to pay my bills while I get my first commission check. So many people think REALTORS are hired on Monday, sell their first house on Tuesday, and on Wednesday get the commission check--WRONG. It's like everyone thinks Lawyers are rich (5 percent are), and the other 95 percent struggling.

My next step is to take the Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA) course offered by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), because it is licensed, and means something to REALTORS--who love the "Alphabet Soup" of letters after their name (LOL). I want to start out as a Real Estate Transaction Management Virtual Assistant (VA).

lelwart · #11 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010

Thank you for the information. I have been a medical transcriptionist and have always wanted to branch out into real estate.