Where can I get certified as a Real Estate Virtual Assistant?

[jcharlick]

I was planning on doing a REVA training through realtor.com, but with the new year here they have pulled the course permanantly. Can anyone where I can get certified as a REVA

[MegBarberVA]

The NAR REPA training is gone now? That's news to me. I suppose that it wasn't getting enough activity anymore to support keeping it. There are other sources out there to get some real estate VA training like Pam Ivey's REVA Institute.

To be a REVA, you do not necessarily have to be "Certified" if you have the experience in the real estate industry. I didn't when I started, but I had several years of experience under my belt working in the industry.

But if you don't have any real estate industry experience and you do want to break into it, then definitely look into training. In the meantime, don't let that halt your business startup efforts. Start providing just general admin services (or whatever experience you have) to other businesses as well as agents, and you will gain much through experience.

[Penelope and Partners]

Hi. I am new to being a VA but have 20+ years as a realtor. You can always just quote your real estate experience. This REVA designation does sound interesting and I will check it out. Any further advice?

thanks,

Penelope
Penelope and Partners

[jcharlick]

Thanks for the help. I do need the training, I have no Real Estate experience. I was thinking about working with my Mother-In-Law (who is in Real Estate) and have her trian me, in return give her a discount for my service. Do you think that is a go idea?

[Penelope and Partners]

Yes, that would be a nice thing to do. I am sure your mother-in-law would have a lot of contacts and should be able to help you in this regard. It is not hard. Good luck,

[MegBarberVA]

Penelope is right. To get some good experience under your belt, I definitely recommend talking to your mother-in-law to see if she would be willing to let you shadow her to learn the business and she would probably welcome the opportunity to have an assistant at a special "family discount" while you get your start. You might be surprised that there are a lot of regular admin stuff that she may need help with that doesn't take much real estate experience at all.
Good luck!

[kathiemt]

So what kind of things are specific to the RE industry when providing support? Is it the type of databases they use? Knowing how to track what happens when a home is listed?

[Penelope and Partners]

Hi Kathie:

It all depends on what the Realtor asks you to do. It may just be marketing and doing flyers.

In AZ, we have a fairly new MLS system which is limited to Realtors. It is a very complicated system and would take a lot of training if you are allowed access. You need training.

Good luck,

Penelope

[kathiemt]

What's MLS?

I'm in Australia but have recently had 2 realtors contact me for VA support and at this stage, pretty basic stuff that I have experience with. But I thought it worth exploring what type of systems normally run in RE offices - of course, it could be different here what they do/use.

[VAkim]

Real Estate has its own lingo. If you find a productive realtor who needs your services, they will end up training you to do it their way. Every realtor has their own systems. Database management is important but there are too many to learn so learn the ones that your client uses. There's tutorials. Good luck