California Virtual Assistants Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:49:00 +0000

We are approaching Spring and also the prime time for real estate activity. Trees in our area are starting to bloom and the weather is changing as will our clocks as of this weekend. I love this time of year. I am a runner and I love to lounge in the pool so we are getting into my favorite two seasons for outdoor activity. My running decreases considerably in the winter and it shows! Back to real estate, I have every confidence that we will see some pick up this Spring and that is good, but I don't think it will be at outstanding levels. There are still too many distractions out there for buyers and sellers alike. I liked this article on the best time to buy things from MSN. The link is below.

Real estate
Best time: spring

Buying and selling season starts in March and goes through the summer. Spring invigorates the real estate market, meaning there are more homes to choose from. "In the spring market, homes look the best, grasses are green, flowers and trees are in bloom. There's a whole new energy out there after the beginning of the year," says Tom Stevens, president of the National Association of Realtors. Because spring is historically the time of the year when inventories are highest, competition is at its peak as well. Contrarian shoppers may find negotiating more to their liking in the fall and winter.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/TheBestTimeToBuyAnything.aspx
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Real Estate Open Houses

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Realtors have differing opinions on open houses. I personally like them. Some Realtors think they are a waste of time. Some Realtors are of the opinion that you only do open houses to keep sellers happy. To me there are several benefits to open houses and here are a few:

1. Don't be discouraged if only neighbors visit the open house. Neighbors talk and you are giving them something to talk about. They will tell their friends or their friends will ask when they come to visit. You never know and it is free advertising anyway.

2. Bring your laptop and be prepared. I see open houses as a way to meet potential buyers. Some things I do:
a. Have comparables available for potential buyers to look at. This shows that your home is priced right and a great value. If they are interested in another home, offer to show it later and set up a time.
b. Have your laptop ready. If you have done your best to interest them in the home but are unsuccessful, search your MLS for some that might be of interest and give them the addresses to drive by. If you have a portable printer that is even better, print the listing so they have all the information when they leave. Set up an appointment to show any listings when your open house is over. Some Realtors may be against this because they say you are there to sell the home that is open and that is true. But if you have active potential buyers why let them go. Note: I use my judgement on this one. If you are really busy, just set an appointment to meet with a potential buyer later, after your open house. You don't want the seller to feel you are not trying to sell their home If you do find a buyer, they may need to sell a home you don't want them thinking you are not going to represent them well for their transaction. Again, this is all a judgement and time factor. Some open houses are not that busy and you have time to do research for potential buyers.

3. Have treats (granola bars are good) for kids. Parents usually don't want their kids to have sugar, but you want to keep kids happy while you are talking with their parents. If you have a potential buyer and need to spend time working on details or answering questions, have an activity for kids to do that is mess-free and can be supervised but will allow the parents to feel comfortable staying to discuss a possible offer.

4. Have a hard copy of a blank contract and important disclosures handy in case you are not able to utilize your computer and/or you have a hot buyer and need to get a contract written while all parties are there and available. Hand written contracts may not be the preferred way, but they can work in the right situation and it is good to be prepared. Technology is not always reliable.

5. After introducing yourself to new visitors of your open house, go write the names down with a clue to trigger who they were for later. It is always impressive when you can remember people and call them by their name. Also any details you may have noted are good conversation starters. I do this because sometimes I don't always remember names and if you have a busy open house it may be harder to remember everyone. You never know which visitor may be the buyer of your listing. I use this as well as trying to have people sign a guest book so that you can market to the visitors of your open house. It is important to note which visitors are already represented by a Realtor so you do not infringe on agency relationships.
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Five Ways To Best Serve Your Client

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:55:00 +0000

Here are five ways that I think best serve real estate clients in any situation:
1. Communicate an a regular basis, whether you have good news, bad news or no news, your clients want to know what is going on. If there is nothing new, simply call and ask if they need anything, they may have questions but don't want to bother you. I think that in the end, even if you have bad or disappointing news to report, as long as you do your best and communicate, your clients will appreciate your efforts.
2. Do what you say you are going to do. If you make a promise, keep it. If you can't keep it, don't make it. If you need to make commitments to your clients, think it through; can you keep your word? There is nothing wrong with saying you will try or telling your clients you will have to get back to them on something- as long as you do get back to them.
3. Nothing speaks louder than your actions or lack of. You can talk a great game, but if you lack action it will show. Don't rely on others to do your job. Be an active participant in the transaction for your client. It serves no one to blame others for your inaction. When and if something goes awry, you will know that you have done your best.
4. Introduce yourself and communicate regularly with other parties to the transaction such as the lender, escrow officer, inspectors etc. You will have a better handle on what is going on and be able to head off potential problems quicker. If you have an assistant that you work with, still communicate for yourself. I think that you should be updating your assistant, not your assistant updating you.
5. Realize that the client is making a big investment and sometimes for the first time. Treat them with respect and not like they are just a commission. Give personal attention. Don't make the sale and them dump them off with an assistant. Stay connected, after all it is usually you that they bonded with and they will not appreciate your sudden disappearance. I think that no matter how big you get it should always be personal, even with the internet being such a factor.

These are just some thoughts that I have on serving clients in a real estate transaction. Of course each Realtor and transaction is different. There is no one right way, and several wrong ways. It is always best to remember that your clients will talk, what do you want them saying about you?
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

IRS is Eyeing Real Estate Practitioners

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:12:00 +0000

Hello,

This article from REALTOR Magazine Online was sent to you by:
Kristin Minugh, kristinminugh@charter.net

IRS is Eyeing Real Estate Practitioners
http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008022204?OpenDocument

Message from sender:

***********************************************************************
For tip-filled articles, blogs, and multimedia presentations
that can boost your real estate career,
visit REALTOR® Magazine Online.

Find us at:
http://www.realtor.org/realtormag

Real Estate Purchase Contracts

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:10:00 +0000

Below are some terms that sellers will need to be aware of when reviewing a purchase contract. Although it is always recommended that you have your Realtor help you with this, you should read the entire contract and make sure you understand it completely, if you don't understand - ASK! These are areas of special attention:

1. The closing date. See if the date the buyer wants to take title is reasonable for you. This is negotiable and needs to work well for both parties. It is important to know that this can be changed during the contract via addendum, but it has to be reasonable and agreed to by all parties in order for it to be effective.

2. Date of possession. See if the date the buyer wants to move in is reasonable for you. Make sure to consider where you are moving and how that will transpire. I can't tell you how many times escrow closes, the buyer is ready to move in and the seller is either forced to rent back from the buyers or move to temporary housing because the home they are moving to has not closed or is not ready. Make special note that the date you agree upon for closing is the time and date the buyer gets possession so you as the seller need to be out by that date and time (unless otherwise agreed!).

3. The earnest money. Look for the largest earnest-money deposit possible; since it is forfeited if the buyer backs out after the contingency period (under most conditions), a large deposit is usually a good indication of a sincere buyer. Remember though, there are contingency periods and if they are not removed in writing they can remain in effect throughout the contract leaving the earnest deposit going back to the buyers if they change their mind.

4. Fixtures and personal property. Check the list of items that the buyer expects to remain with the property and be sure it's acceptable. Don't assume! It is important that this is clear to both parties.

5. Repairs. Determine what the requested repairs will cost and whether you're willing to do the work or would rather lower the price by that amount. A way to possibly avoid this is to have a home inspection done prior to listing the home. That way you know in advance what may require fixing or what the potential buyers may request. You can also use this in negotiations. The buyer may still hire their own inspector and that is ok. If you have fixed items noted on your home inspection, it can give you additional bargaining power.

6. Contingencies. This is important, make sure your Realtor goes over these with you so that you fully understand. See what other factors the buyer wants met before the contract is final—inspections, selling a home, obtaining a mortgage, review of the contract by an attorney. Set time limits on contingencies so that they won't drag on and keep your sale from becoming final. Again, it is very important that you have your Realtor get these contingencies removed in writing at the expiration date of each contingency. Another helpful thing when possible, have all contingencies expire on or as close to the same date.

7. The contract expiration date. See how long you have to make a decision on the offer. Make sure you pay extra close attention to this date. Some buyers may cut you slack, but others may hold you to the contract if you wait until after the expiration date to make any decisions. Make sure all of this is in writing.

I may be saying "in writing" a lot, but I cannot express how important this is. There are a lot of real estate transactions that go very smoothly, but it never hurts to have all of your ducks in a row and be prepared. It is just good business. Your Realtor should handle all of this for you and your Realtor should also be well aware of all the important dates.

Written with the assistance of Realtor.org.
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Capital Gains in Real Estate

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:58:00 +0000

With tax season in full swing I thought that this might be of interest to some.

When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.

How to Calculate Gain
In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:
1. Take the purchase price of the home: This is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing.
2. Add adjustments:
- Cost of the purchase—including transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections, but not points you paid on your mortgage.
- Cost of sale—including inspections, attorney's fee, real estate commission, and money you spent to fix up your home just prior to sale.
- Cost of improvements—including room additions, deck, etc. Note here that improvements do not include repairing or replacing something already there, such as putting on a new roof or buying a new furnace.
3. The total of this is the adjusted cost basis of your home.
4. Subtract this adjusted cost basis from the amount you sell your home for. This is your capital gain.

A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains
Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria:
- You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years.
- You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale.

Also note that as of 2003, you also may qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls "unforeseen circumstances," such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency.

I always recommend consulting your accountant and/or attorney for personal attention to your particular situation but this may help understand the basics of capital gains.

--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Cell phones and texting

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:32:00 +0000

Kind of an offbeat topic, but I am often curious about how many agents, assistants, anyone in the real estate industry use text messaging. I know that I use it a lot when communicating with my daughter, as this is her prime form of communication. At first I rebelled at the notion that I would text her. But, my curiosity forced my to spend hours trying to figure out just how it all works. I eventually learned how. Now I text quite a bit. Mostly just friends and my daughter and her friends. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that it should replace verbal communication but it sure does save time and I don't have to worry as much about tumors from having the phone to my ear. I love my cell phone and I have loved the concept of them since their inception. Texting can be so much cheaper, you can get a quick message to someone and be on with business. It is also a bit more private. Similar to email and IM. Is this something that may work its way into the virtual assistant arena or be utilized between agents and clients? I have not encountered many that use texting and I will continue to be curious about what the younger generation will do with texting in the future.
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

CAR's ClientDirect Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:57:00 +0000

The California Association of Realtors (CAR) is offering their ClientDirect newsletter to Realtors/CAR members for free. On the site, it states that they normally charge $149/month for the service. So I decided to give it a try.

This is a personalized newsletter that you really don't have to do too much to. You enter the email addresses of the recipients that you would like to have receive the newsletter. One of the nice features is that there are several pre-written articles to choose from or you can write your own. You can load your picture and personal contact information. You can add your listings. Each month you get an email letting you know that new articles are available to choose from. CAR (or ClientDirect) sends the newsletter out for you. It really was easy.

For Realtors, this could be a good way to stay in contact with your sphere of influence and minimize the workload of you or your assistant. If you are a Realtor and have ever wanted to send out a newsletter but did not want to do a lot of work, this may just be the thing for you. It is not for everyone, but for free... who knows, give it a look and decide for yourself.

www.clientdirect.net

Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Simple ways to market yourself online

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 04:13:00 +0000

Here are some simple ways you or your assistant can market you online that are inexpensive but can reap big results:

Make sure that your email and web address are on every piece of communication going out whether it be a letter or email. When talking with people on the phone, make sure to ask for their email address for newsletters and marketing materials.

Agents or their assistants can send out "Just Listed" or "Just Sold" emails to their contacts. You can add pictures, include current market information or reports, your current newsletter and this does not incur printing costs or postage.

Agents can also post their listings and open houses on any free real estate website such as Craigslist.

Make sure to have your website and email addresses similar and make sure to have your website address in your signature on every email.

Also, ask for reciprocal links. Ask your friends and business associates to put a link to your website on their website and then do the same for them.

People are looking to the web to start their search for real estate. Make sure your website gets the proper exposure!

--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Northern California Housing Inventory

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:42:00 +0000

In browsing through the MLS for Shasta County, I am encouraged to find the home inventory has dropped to around 1700 homes currently available. For such a long time we were well over the 2k mark. I know that this could mean several things but one that comes to mind is that the market is equalizing. The lower the inventory gets the more equal the playing field for buyers and sellers. Additionally, with such a huge inventory the absorption rates can be quite extensive, but as the inventory decreases the absorption rate should as well. But here again, that also depends on pricing, which should be reflected as well. We shall see.

I personally find this exciting!
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Make your work web accessible

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:36:00 +0000

For many the web is where they have chosen to work. Technology is our lives and a lot of software companies are making their programs online programs instead of actual software that you install on your computer. From experience and from what I have read, this is a great way to work if you have multiple users accessing the same data, such as working with virtual assistants. With online programs, someone else hosts the program and you just log in. This can be extremely valuable ensuring that everyone is working on the same version and with the same software. Nothing is more frustrating (I can vouch first hand) than trying to transfer documents and having users on different versions. Or trying to use programs to produce documents only to find that the receiver cannot open or access the file. You spend way too much time going back and forth. Especially if the requirements of the project continue to change on a daily basis. The advantage to buying software is that once you purchase the software, it is yours. With online software, you usually have to pay monthly. It is usually in the form of a subscription. Additionally a lot of software programs have yet to catch up with Windows Vista very easily (also from personal knowledge!) so online versions can be much easier to use.
--Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Get your listings more exposure

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:35:00 +0000

One way to attract online business is to make sure your listings are getting the proper exposure. There is nothing more frustrating than pulling up a listing only to find one picture and very little data. Some hold the theory that if you put little information, you will encourage a phone call or contact. In some respects this is true, but when it comes to listings I can tell you for a fact, if there is not more pictures your listing will not get attention it deserves. People will move on. When I am searching, if I come across a listing that only has one picture, I will close the window and search elsewhere. With today's technology it takes very little time to load pictures. If you have a virtual assistant, they can do this very easily for you. Also it is important that you are connected to major search engines. There are several major ones and each has their own requirements for your information to be picked up. There are several other sites where you can post listings, choosing the right ones takes some research and knowledge of your target market. Sellers have high expectations for marketing and online accessibility in the current market. Make sure you have the right answers. A virtual assistant can research this for you and get you registered. When it comes to listings, I say give searchers as much information as possible, but make sure you are accessible so that when they make contact you can service them.
On this same note, showings have changed as well. Internet savvy buyers have already looked at the homes they are interested in by searching online. They will usually have you show them the homes for confirmation that it looks the way it was presented in the pictures. Buyers may request for you to send listings via email, but in reality this is a huge time and gas saver to you and your buyers. With the openness of local MLS anyone can search any listing. Take advantage of this. Offer the options on your website to set up auto searches. With this feature, clients are getting the listings they want to view online as soon they come up and your name is on every email they receive.
Look at it this way, if you don't give them the information they will get it from somewhere. Delegate this task to a virtual assistant. The idea is to get leads, not drive them away! Give the information that buyers and sellers crave.
--Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
530-227-5968

Websites

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:40:00 +0000

To continue on with my agenda, the next topic will be websites. I feel that websites are important for today's buyers and sellers. Most people start their search for a home on the web. Even though they may not even be in the market, if you can connect with a potential client through your site, you will be there when they are ready.

Some of my pet peeves: outdated websites, box websites (sites with no character), lack of response to inquiries through websites, hard to navigate websites. Depending on who hosts the site of course, most websites are easily updated. You may not think it is important, but even just a note or a new link or refreshed pictures can be enough. If you are not going to update it, don't do it. It would be foolish to think that no one looks at your website. Someone will, and if it is impressive, they will come back and they will also tell their friends. There are ways to track your traffic on your site. This can be helpful in customizing your site to better capture and keep your visitors. If you don't have time or don't want to do this, it could be a great task for a virtual assistant and you would reap the benefits.

Another feature is you can put your local MLS on your site so that someone visiting your site can search all listed homes and your name will be the first available for contact. If you do this, make sure that you respond, or have your assistant respond, immediately. Quick contact to these leads will make the difference as to who gets the sale. If you don't respond in a timely manner I can guarantee that they will move on. After all I think in any type of relationship, communication should be top priority.

Again, these are all things that a virtual assistant can do. It is ok to have someone else do this, you can always delegate the content and updates are easily changeable.
--Kristin Minugh www.allshasta.comwww.allshastarealestate.com530-227-5968

Welcome 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:35:00 +0000

Happy New Year to everyone. For me 2007 was interesting, to say the least. It was not bad, just different. I made a lot of changes for myself over the last year and am going to resolve to just build on the positive changes and get over the ones that were not so positive. My blogs for the next few entries will contain information to get your technology up to speed and make it work for you. I have obtained this information from an article on Realtor.org, and since I agree with most of it I want to pass on my versions of what I read.

The first thing that jumped at me was that the article suggested improving transaction management. Now the first thing that comes to mind when "I" hear this is you should hire a virtual assistant. But in addition, online transaction management is becoming a solution to empower all parties. If everyone involved has access, it leaves little room for surprises and helps get escrows closed on time. How impressed do you think clients will be if you told them they could look at their transaction any time they want online. They can review their contract, disclosures, even when events are scheduled with regard to their transaction. Think of the efficiency. If instead of the typical ways of faxing or delivering documents you just upload them into an online program that is password protected. The escrow company has access, as well as your clients, the other Realtor involved in the transaction and even the lender. You can make notes, quickly check for any missing documents, send reminders and schedule events. For real estate agents, service is our only really important tool. If you can offer real quality client service your clients will be happy and they will talk about it.

Now you may think that you don't have time for another online program, you already have enough to do. Consider a virtual assistant. Hire them by the transaction or by the hour depending on whose services you choose. Maybe even ask if they have a trial period. This technology has come a long way and I think that everyone would be surprised to find out just how easy it is! You will never know for sure unless you give it a try!!!

Please don't get me wrong, in most cases direct contact with clients and even other parties to the transaction are extremely important in building rapport in the business relationship, but in the tech advanced world we are in, some of the features are just worth taking advantage of.
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Virtual Assistant using Vista

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:41:00 +0000

I have recently started using Windows Vista to broaden my capabilities to assist clients and I have to say that I am finding it really is not that bad. I have not really noticed any "glitches", but it is different. All of the hype when it first came out made me hesitate a bit, but now I am glad I have added it to my list. Vista seems a bit cleaner and it does ask questions while you are working, but not any more than the other operating systems I have used. I have not gotten completely into the nuts and bolts, but Vista does seem to have more features. One draw back I have found is that Top Producer does not, at least from what I have found, recognize Vista in its user manuals. Hopefully this will change soon, as I could only find to XP. So, if you are waiting for the bugs to be worked out before moving to Vista, in my opinion it may be safe now!
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Virtual Assistants for the new year

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:32:00 +0000

Well Christmas is over and we are headed for the new year. Make your new years resolution to hire a virtual assistant. For potential clients that cannot decide between hiring a staff member or hiring a virtual assistant, now would be a good time to make the decision to go with the virtual assistant. We are starting the year fresh. Everyone is excited to get back to work and stop all of this dinking around. I know I am. Christmas is such a hectic time and for me it really interrupts my schedule. I love the idea of family and Christmas, don't get me wrong but what I don't like is the commercialization and expectations. That really bothers me. So, back to work I go and I am really happy about it. This spring will hopefully bring refreshed real estate agents ready to hit the ground running. Personally, here in California, I am seeing that. Real estate agents are going to be ready to hire us, and we will be ready and we will be ready to get the job done!
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Congress and Senate get aggressive

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:52:00 +0000

It looks like relief may be in sight for the mortgage crisis and this could mean great news for real estate professionals. I think that once buyers and sellers start feeling more secure about the mortgage industry we will see more activity in the real estate market. Congress just passed a "Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007" designed to assist in the bailout for those caught up in the non-traditional loan markets. California is all over the board within the real estate market. Some areas are not being hit quite as hard.
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Virtual Real Estate

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:25:00 +0000

I was reading an article in Realtor Magazine that was talking about a Realtor doing virtual real estate. It was very interesting. He would video his messages (sending "vmail") and then email them to potential clients thanking them for viewing listings. People seemed to respond very well and felt like they were getting a more personal touch. I like that it added a personal touch to something that can be impersonal. Real Estate is all about servicing your clients and offering personal connections, and in the digital world it is good when the two come together.
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Internet leads ignored

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:19:00 +0000

I was just reading an article that said that people searching for homes on the internet expect a response time of about a half an hour and yet most of those surveyed said they got no response at all, or the response time was much longer. This is a good reason to hire a virtual assistant. More and more people are searching the internet for homes, and a simple but instant response could make the difference in who gets the sale. Having a virtual assistant that can pick up the lead in a very short time, make contact and set up the lead for a Realtor to run with could set that Realtor apart from others. It's simple and easy and just might prove that hiring a virtual assistant is the best decision a Realtor ever made!
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

CAR Real Estate Forecast

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:52:00 +0000

I have been reviewing the CAR Forecast for 2008 that has been recently published. It looks like we are in for more correction in the real estate markets in California for the coming year. I have seen consumer confidence improve and housing prices are stabilizing in some areas of California which is good. It is still a buyer's market so to speak and we will see some similar trends that we saw for 2007, but I am encouraged! Virtual assistants can help real estate agents stay in front of their clients so that they are top of mind when a client decides to make a move.
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Hire a Virtual Assistant

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 03:46:00 +0000

Virtual assistants offer real estate agents the ability to move about their business and assist clients without the worries of staying in touch with past clients or their sphere of influence. Virtual assistants, using programs like Top Producer and other CDM software programs, can do all of this behind the scenes. I like Top Producer and feel that it is user friendly. Real estate agents can reap the benefits of these behind the scene tasks, simply because their clients will be talking about how much they appreciate being kept informed of current market trends and ways that their Realtor can be of assistance.
--
Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Hiring a Virtual Assistant

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:34:00 +0000

Now may be the best time to get a virtual assistant on board. This may not be the time most agents are thinking of hiring a virtual assistant but I think that now is a great time because you want all of your processes in place before you get busy again. During the holidays real estate sales seem to slow a bit. That makes now a great time for a real estate agent to decide how they will make the most of their business in the coming year. For the agents that are interested in taking their real estate business to the next level, hiring a virtual assistant just could be the first step.
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Current California real estate market

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:59:00 +0000

The hope is that the market is going to turn around this Spring. Things are always a bit slow during the Christmas season because most people do not want to move during this time. The housing market in northern California has become more affordable and homes are selling. Sellers who are interested in participating in the current market instead of looking back at last year are selling their homes. It is a tough hurdle to get over. Everyone wants to make the most of their equity, but in real estate you can only get what the current market will support.
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Virtual Assistant Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:57:00 +0000

I am finding that technical issues become more apparent when working with different levels of skill and being at a distance. It can be hard to walk clients through something through email. Often times this requires a conversation to get everyone on the same page. Perception is also a factor because it may be perceived that you don't understand, when in fact it is not you at all.

Virtual assisting is really a great business and again, as I have said this before, I love it. Getting started with new clients takes some time and patience. The result is always a positive one and everyone moves forward. Happy days ahead!
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Kristin Minugh

www.allshasta.com
www.allshastarealestate.com
530-227-5968

Virtual assisting with Top Producer

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Minugh) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:59:00 +0000

I have been working with a client in getting this up and running. She is going full blast into business development for residential real estate. It is interesting how excited clients are when we get Top Producer going and it is a perfect way for me to keep her business growing from behind the scenes while she is busy servicing her new clients. One of the issues that we have run into is the limitations that can be set for virtual assistants. It really becomes a trust issue, because the more freedom your virtual assistant has to move around in the program the more help they can be.
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Kristin Minugh