I had the privilege of spending two days with real estate industry leaders.

Let’s face it, we have all experienced the two types of workers. One the one hand, there is the kind of worker who does the minimum required to get by and not get fired. On the other hand, there is the worker who shows initiative, not only does the job, but does it well and brings new ideas as to how to do the job better. We all prefer the second type of worker – someone who goes above and beyond the minimum required. 

As your Real Estate Virtual Assistant, I am the second type of worker. I invest my own time in training and learning from industry leaders so I can share what is new and what works in the current real estate markets. 

This week, I had the privilege of spending two days with real estate industry leaders who are part of the Cyberprofessionals, a group of approximately 60 real estate professionals from around the country and the world, who get together twice a year to share ideas.  I belonged to this group as a practicing Realtor and am fortunate that they let me stay in the group when I opened my Real Estate Virtual Assistant business in 2005.  

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One of the joys of becoming a real estate Virtual Assistant is I spend my days at home.

One of the joys of becoming a real estate Virtual Assistant is I spend my days at home. No getting in the car every morning and fighting traffic. When I need a break, all I do is go outside into my own yard…I have a love of flowers, as you will see…to regroup and rejuvenate. There is no place more relaxing than my garden and the view of the Chesapeake Bay at the end of my street.

When I was selling real estate, I used to say, “A good day off is not getting in the car.” Now I say, “A good day is not getting in the car.”

I hope you will enjoy what I enjoy every day!!! 

You benefit with Ruth Ann Macklin as your real estate virtual assistant.

One of the benefits of working with me, Ruth Ann Macklin as your real estate Virtual Assistant is I was licensed and sold myself for 17 years. I still belong to groups such as the Allen Hanige Cyber Stars and then Cyber Professionals.

These two by-invitation only groups are on the cutting edge of technology and meet several times a year to share how technology can benefit their business and their buyers and sellers.

Last week, I had the privelege of meeting with the Cyber Professionals in Albuquerque, NM and returned, overwhelmed by the knowledge and generosity of the fine people in this group.  

My clients will benefit from the ideas and technology skills I acquired as I implement what I have learned and share new ideas with them.

I feel it is part of my job as your real estate virtual assistant is to stay abreast of the latest trends in the real estate industry and to bring new viewpoints, perspectives and technologies to your business. As your Team member, I will bring new ideas to you, not merely sit back and wait for you to bring the ideas to me.

If you are interested in having, Ruth Ann Macklin, a proactive real estate virtual assistant on your Team, visit my website or give me a call at 757-271-6047. I am here to help!

How do you know when the time is right to hire a real estate assistant? That depends on a lot of things, most notably your business volume and how much free time you would like to have.

Real estate trainer and speaker Ed Hatch, CRS®, of Ed Hatch Seminars in Greenbelt, Md., informally surveyed some top salespeople and found that the majority decided it was time to hire an assistant when they had reached 25 to 35 transaction sides.

At that point, ˜theres too much transactional maintenance and personal promotion to do, so time with family falls apart, Hatch says. Besides Hatchs numeric guidepost, there are other ways to determine if its time to don a managers hat:

• Calculate whether your sales volume has plateaued.
• Determine if there are goals that you have not been able to accomplish. If youre unable to eliminate busywork, reduce the hours you work, prospect more, or get more involved in your community, it may be time to get an assistant.
• Keep track of all your activities for a week to determine if there are things that an assistant can do instead.
• Calculate what your time is worth per hour and compare it to what you might pay a personal assistant. When calculating the cost of an employee, keep in mind that you need to pay your assistants salary and FICA – the employers Social Security contribution, Medicare contribution, and federal unemployment tax. These payments can add 10 percent or more to the total salary.

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When you decide you are ready for an real estate virtual assistant, visit my website. Here you will find solutions to your needs.