Every real estate agent or business owner for that matter knows that setting up streamlined systems is imperative for  effective time management and ensuring that daily business operations run smoothly.

The best thing about working with the right virtual assistant is that they have already set up these systems for you. They have to in order to be able to work with multiple agents around the country otherwise there business would also be scattered, unorganized, and daily operations would falter.

Many agents contact my company totally frazzled.  They have this notion in their head that transitioning to a virtual assistant is going to take a lot of time or effort on their part.  This is not the case.  In fact hiring a virtual assistant is so much less involved on the agents' end than trying to hire and train and manage an employee.

When you are searching for a virtual assistant ask them what systems they can implement into your business.  Then ask just what is involved on your end in order to maintain the system on your end.

For example my company has set up 3 streamlined systems, which is also why they are our specialities:

1. Transaction Coordination
2. Listing Marketing
3. Contact Database Management 

All these systems have forms and or a specific process that is outlined to the agent when they sign up.  And trust me it is way less demanding than trying to train and manage an in-house employee.  

We do offer other services other than our specialties and even though they are not streamlined so to speak there is also a system that includes things like weekly reports, summaries, reminders, etc.

Yes, agents have to fill out the required transaction submission form in order to submit a transaction, and yes they have to fill out a listing submission form to submit a new listing for marketing...and yes they have to approve a proof so we can make revisions.  The rest is on us.

Can you believe we actually have agents complain about having to use our forms!!!!  It can not get more simple.  

Basically to sum it up if you are an agent and you want to:

• Streamline your business
• Leverage your time
• Improve efficiency 

without having to do it all yourself then you are ready to explore hiring a virtual assistant. 

Please keep in mind that if you like to micro-manage, maintain full control, afraid of an hourly rate that is $40+/hour, or you feel an assistant should be paid according to your closings (aka on a commission only)

Let me explain the hourly quickly...  A virtual assistant will typically charge $40+ or more per hour.  Our company specifically charges $55/hour for our Pay As You Go (PAYG) services unless an agent buys a package.  Our entry level package is 10 hours for $500 ($50/hour) and goes down from there.

So, let's just say you need someone to market listings and over the course of the month you only need 10 hours total to completely market your 6 listings.  It would cost you $500 to have our company do it.  No training necessary.  Can you find an employee that will stick around and stay motivated for only $500 a month?  What if next month you only need 3 listings marketed and it takes only 5.5 hours?  With a virtual assistant you only pay when you need the help and when you don't need the help...you don't pay.

Do you need both a virtual assistant and a personal assistant?  Maybe!  It just depends on how you structure your business.