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Are you REOTrans.com Literate?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Christine Wade

This is a repost of a blog article that I wrote as a Contributing Author over at RealBlogging.com back in August of this year, and I realized that I had never discussed this topic on AR, so here goes:


REOTrans is a comprehensive system to manage and sell default and REO properties - and its popularity is only increasing. If you haven't signed up to become a member of REOTrans by now, you should be asking yourself if you're missing out on an opportunity for income potential in this tough market.

REOTrans logo

REOTrans allows agents, lenders and vendors to communicate effectively, collaborate on task lists, store and share property files and images...all with the end goal of selling REO properties. Agents can try to get BPOs, and hopefully the listings, which of course are tough to get, depending on your market and how many agents you are competing with within the REOTrans system. The technology of this system is amazing...but with amazing, sometimes comes confusion and that "deer in the headlights" syndrome.

When one of my clients first started using the system and was asked by one of the Asset Managers within the system to upload a file to the "library", she was so overwhelmed to the point that she emailed me a couple of days after I had taken care of it for her, and let me know that if it hadn't been for my assistance she was about to go down to our local "library" and ask them how she was to go about doing what the Asset Manager asked of her. This agent isn't a dumb agent, her team is one of the top investment property teams in her area, but to learn this system and get things done according to the timeline specified by the Asset Managers in her control panel seemed an especially daunting task to her...and it took valuable time away from working on her listings.

This scenario illustrates how everyone doesn't have to be good at everything to succeed. It doesn't matter how you work within the REOTrans.com system, directly or through your Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA), all that matters is that you sign up, get involved and get every ounce of potential out of your real estate career possible. You hear lots of people talking about the real estate industry being dead right now, it's not dead, it's just changing and going through its cycle - but if you don't change with it, your career may be dead. Check out REOTrans.com and see if your area has enough activity to warrant getting involved, I'm betting it does. And if you don't have the time or inclination to learn a new system right now, much less maintain it daily, partner with a Real Estate VA to get the job done and harness the income benefits received.

To find a Real Estate Virtual Assistant to help you with REOTrans.com, simply contact me directly, or go to the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce's RFP Center and submit a request for a REVA familiar with REOTrans to contact you. I have contacted REOTrans directly and asked them about the possibility of starting a certification program on their system for Virtual Assistants or simply posting a page with links to REVAs who are familiar with working within REOTrans. I will post any updates from them on this as they arise.

 

(All logos and trademarks used in this post are the sole property of their owners, there is no affiliation express or implied between them and myself.)

 

Posted by

 


BIO:  Christine Wade has successfully owned and operated a Real Estate Virtual Assistant business, specializing in Real Estate Support Services, since March of 2000. I have several accreditations and have received many client testimonials over the years.  I have over 26 years of administrative experience, I am a licensed agent in California (#01442002) and I specialize in on-going, value-based services provided to real estate agents and brokers...long term relationships with my clients are my greatest success stories. I was a contributing author over at RealBlogging.com, you can read my articles that I have written, all directed towards real estate professionals, by clicking here

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Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Bonnie - thanks for the comment!  I don't know why I haven't posted it before, I get a lot of positive response off of it when I first wrote it.  REOs are tricky...but right now I think they are well worth the learning curve.

Nov 18, 2008 08:12 AM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

well....I use Reotrans... I am actually disappointed, not necessarily with their plat form, but, it's ability to generate REO listings :) the plat form is actually pretty cool..

Nov 18, 2008 08:18 AM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Konnie - I know, it's a bummer that it doesn't just graciously spit them out for you, huh?  LOL  Thanks for commenting!

Nov 18, 2008 08:20 AM
Fred Pickard
Fred Pickard Innovations Realty Inc - Hershey, PA
Hershey, PA

ReoTrans can be a bit tricky and there is a learning curve associated with it. Since many of the mortgage servicers are using it as a communication platform, it's essential that you be there if you want to list REO.

Fred Pickard  Broker-Owner

Nov 18, 2008 08:27 AM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Fred - great point...like I said in the article, if you aren't using REOtrans.com, you are missing an opportunity for potential income!

Nov 18, 2008 08:31 AM
Lisa Glowacki
Lisa Glowacki - Rhode Island & Massachusetts - Tiverton, RI
Real Estate Broker - RI & MA

Hi Christine,

Thank you for passing along the info.

Nov 18, 2008 09:02 AM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Lisa - it was my pleasure!  Thanks for commenting!

Nov 18, 2008 09:08 AM
Erika Rogers
Red Rock Real Estate ~ Southern Utah's Largest Independent Brokerage - Saint George, UT
St George Utah Real Estate & Relocation Specialist

Christine, thanks for the REO information.  I've been hesitant to enter that arena but I think I'll look into this system.

Nov 18, 2008 10:56 AM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Erika - I know it can be a grey area for some, but I think some research is worth it to see if it's for you or not!  Thanks for commenting :-)

Nov 18, 2008 01:00 PM
Jean Groesbeck
Compass - Anacortes, WA
Broker, CRS, e-PRO, ABR, ASP, CNE, IMS

Great information.  Great tool!  Thanks for the post, and good luck!

Nov 20, 2008 04:37 PM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Jean - Thank you for finding your way to this post and commenting :-)  It's appreciated!

Nov 20, 2008 05:53 PM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Great post Christine, and helpful.  I went to the website and looked in my state and my areas of coverage did not have one listing.  Although the entire state had a page full.

Nov 20, 2008 11:43 PM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Evelyn - that's too bad, but I guess it's to be expected in some rural areas.  I guess it's good for your area if there aren't any listings, right?

Nov 22, 2008 02:47 AM
Todd Schroth
RE/MAX Central Realty - Longwood, FL

I have been on there for 5 months now, can never get a bpo cause you have to be starring at your computer and just keep clicking refresh,  I have pai $500 and taken the tests and have now been certified as reotrans platinum, the lenders look at my profile but nothing,  we have over 40 zip codes in there that we service also.  Any thoughts anyone please help

Oct 01, 2009 12:30 AM
Scott Allen
Scott Allen Realty - Spokane, WA

I'm Platinum Certified - that means I know how to use the system - but have no listing assignments. What the heck do I need an assistant for?

Nov 03, 2009 02:15 AM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Scott - thanks for stopping by and reading.  You would know if you needed an assistant :-)  You would be busy and falling behind on answering the requests from lenders and getting all the info from vendors uploaded, the HOA info, etc...  When you're busy in the game, you're busy...and when you're not, well just be patient and keep working at it dilligently, it will com...and THEN you may need an assistant!  You would have all these little red alerts meaning you were passed your deadlines, etc...

Nov 03, 2009 03:08 AM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Todd - I don't know how I missed your comment...but I don't think I got the notification, so sorry!  If Scott hadn't commented today, I don't think I would have known about you :-( 

As to your problem...I have heard that the benefits of being platinum certified is mainly that you appear higher up on the listings when the lenders look for an agent in your area.  But that said...it's that same old thing...experience speaks louder than education.  It's great to have the knowledge, but until they see that you have had some listings in the system, I doubt that you will see much if any activity.  I suggest trying to form a relationship with a lender within the system.  See what it would take for them to give you a chance.  Then I'm betting that once you get a few listings on your stats, more will organically follow.  Good luck!

Nov 03, 2009 03:12 AM
Anonymous
dannie

I just had one of my short sale refereed out to REOTrans, I am having a difficult time figuring it out. Called for help and they stated it would be a minimum of $200.00 to learn the program and get certified. My question is ...Is it worth it? Are there any other benefits to it or added cost later. Can I decide to place my other short sale  (BofA) to be placed there?  Thank you so much for any input or advice. I am just lost, use to calling the bank every other day and dealing w/ a live person. Help !! Thank you.........

Nov 09, 2009 06:31 AM
#19
Anonymous
Joe J.
This certification program is a joke. I have spoken to someone there and it doesn't guarantee you anything. REOTrans says it does but the certification program is just another way for them to get income. The sellers determine who get the listings, not the certification, and they can completely ignore the ceritfication. They advertise it as "get more BPO's" which is not true..... The online tools will hlep you learn the system. Save your money.
Jan 09, 2010 03:02 AM
#20
Anonymous
Don Jackson

I'm returning, as a agent, and trying to get BPO's,  I just learned about reotrans from your blog.  Thanks for the info, will look at your other sites too.

Feb 01, 2010 04:15 AM
#21