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Hiring an Assistant is like trying to find “Mr. Right”

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Services for Real Estate Pros with tcDocs

Hiring an Assistant is like trying to find “Mr. Right” you have to kiss a few frogs to find Prince Charming.Kissing Frog

It’s lonely out there you tried it a few times, finding someone special but it never seemed to work out.  So you keep working long hours and nothing ever seems to get done, you need another pair of hands, a partner to share the load.  You look at other people they seem to cope without anyone, then there are the others, the one’s that have found that perfect partner, why oh why can’t it be me???

One day you are sat in the office working on the never ending pile of admin and the phone rings again another great opportunity but you have all these other things to do. Enough is enough; you decide I need an Assistant.

Right!  Where to start? You grab the notebook and start writing feverishly all the things you can delegate, marketing, database management, transaction coordination.  You are at least a bit organized you do like to make lists.  That will come in handy when I have my Assistant you think I can delegate. Oh goody, now what else can I delegate that I don’t like to do and that takes up all my time…………

Now that I have my list, what’s next?  Do I want them to live in the office next door or will they need to share with me? Will I want them here all the time or could it be a part-time relationship?  You decide to phone your BFF because let’s face it they do know everything about you and they always
come up with a solution for all your problems.

They say “Why not hire a Virtual Assistant?”   Wow what a great idea!  Why didn’t I think of that, my BFF is so smart!   Virtual Assistants are independent contractors and they work by the hour so I get to try them without a long term commitment and if it doesn’t work out then we can go our separate ways.  No messy divorce, BRILLIANT!!!!

Comments(24)

Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Hi, fellow Brit.  If I ever get busy and need help I'll know who to call.  How do you handle out of state stuff?

Jan 14, 2010 03:55 PM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Hi Jane,

With my out of state clients majority of the work is done via the Internet and over the phone.  I have a conference call to discuss their requirements and then I write up a proposal with time lines for the work to be completed.

How is the market in LA? Hopefully it has started to pick up.

Take care and give me a call if you would like to have a chat it would be good to talk to a fellow Brit :)

 

Jan 15, 2010 12:54 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

One of these days I will, Sharon.  Business is not good right now, but the good news is it can't get worse :)

Jan 15, 2010 01:23 PM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Hi Jane,

Just keep doing your marketing and networking, as we all know it's a numbers game :)

Jan 16, 2010 04:08 AM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Jane,

The process is well worth the time investment because the money loss for not taking the time can be alot.

Jun 25, 2010 04:24 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Sharon - What a cute title!  I don't know how true that it is, but can guess that it must be quite so.  I've kissed a lot of frogs in life, and I know how that went:-)

Jun 25, 2010 08:37 AM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Hy Myrl,

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment I am glad you liked the title :)

Jun 25, 2010 01:08 PM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

LOL about the BFF!  I was looking to hire an assistant then backed away from short sales.  I am waiting for a standard market to come closer and build some inventory then I will look into hiring a VA!!

Jul 02, 2010 08:56 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Just dropping by to wish you a Happy July 4th! cat lounging in an american flag hammock

Jul 02, 2010 10:43 AM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Well Sharon, I still haven't found my Prince Charming yet!  And I agree, finding the perfect assistant is probably on the same lines!  Loved the post.

Jul 07, 2010 10:32 AM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Hi Dawn,

Thank you for the comment and glad you enjoyed the post :)

Jul 07, 2010 02:22 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I've been using an assistant for awhile. I wanted one that wasn't someone that I was attached to for the exact reasons you mentioned. (NO MESSY DIVORCE)

Jul 21, 2010 07:58 PM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Hi Todd,

Thank you for dropping by and glad to hear that you are using the services of a VA.  Using a VA in any market makes sense, if you are busy then you can call us for help and if things slow down then we understand and know that if we provide first class service you will be back when your business picks up again.

 

Jul 22, 2010 03:50 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Sharon, in Washington, DC where I work, agents try to steal other agents' assistants like Manhatten mommies steal other peoples' nannies.  It gets really ruthless.

Jul 29, 2010 08:10 PM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Hi Patricia,

Gosh that is the first time I have ever heard of this happening to real estate assistant.  Although I should not be surprised as a good assistant is worth their weigh in gold :)

Thanks for dropping by and commenting on my post.

Jul 30, 2010 09:34 AM
Elizabeth Byrne
Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, VA
Arlington Virginia Real Estate

Sharon, I am new to real estate field but will definitely keep virtual assistant in mind when I need one. It makes sense that with all technology available to us, we can have assistants located anywhere around the world. Good luck with expanding your business. P.S. Thank you for visiting my Ninja post.

Feb 23, 2011 01:15 AM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you and wishing you luck in your new career, you have already gotten off to a good start adopting Ninja philosophy.

Feb 23, 2011 04:07 AM
Marcia Kramarz
Re/Max Executive Realty - Medway, MA
CDPE,LMC,CBR

Researching jumping in - but worry about the Messy Divorce as well !

Sep 22, 2011 01:52 AM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Thanks Marcia for taking the time to comment.  Nobody likes a messy divorce but unless you jump in you never know you just might find a gem :)

Sep 22, 2011 02:59 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Yes I like it! I think, this is going to be my word for my next year: Delegate. I'm so guilty of trying to do everything to do myself even knowing that I'm not the best fit for that. 

Sep 20, 2018 11:28 PM