Tennessee Virtual Assistants Blog

Links for 2010-06-29 [Digg]

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Arizona Foreclosure Auction Event for First Time Home Buyers
Freddie Mac is rolling out the red carpet for home buyers in Arizona via The NSP (Neighborhood Stablization Program) Auction on Saturday, August 8th for owner occupants and First Time Home Buyers only! No investors will be permitted at this event.As an "owner occupant"Â bidder, this is great news as this will mean

Links for 2010-04-07 [Digg]

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Welcome to Arizona 4 Canadians New Blog! Welcome to Arizona
...This blog will focus specifically on the Canadian investor looking to to invest in Arizona real estate, how to prepare before you arrive to maximize your home search, which areas of Arizona will meet your specific needs, and prepare Canadian visitors with in depth knowledge on current market trends, buying trends, etc.

Links for 2010-01-08 [Digg]

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

Naked Real Estate Truths Exposed--8 Days Left!!
To kick off 2010 RE/MAX Diamond is sponsoring a Real Estate Awareness Luncheon on January 14, 2010. There is no-cost to attend and lunch is provided. There are 9 seats left as of this postUnlock your IRA/401K to purchase real estate Purchase properties at pennies on the dollar Learn Short Sale vs. Foreclosure tax/legal implications

Real Estate Referrals in TN

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Growing a your real estate business is tough work. It's a constant and time consuming task to develop and maintain your "sales funnel" with qualified prospects. Finding great prospects does not come from just a cold call situation, but from building a strong referral business. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at 7 tactics to generate more referrals in your business.

The Benefits of a Referral Based Business

Generating a referral based business makes sense for most real estate professionals for the following reasons:

1. Referral business reduces your sales expenses and sales cycle. With less time calling cold prospects, you can focus on customers and their circle of influence.

2. Referrals can build your level of satisfied customers. The cycle self-perpetuates with more satisfied customers referring others to you and your team.

3. Referrals increase your sales revenue. According to world-renowned sales trainer, Tom Hopkins, in "Sales Prospecting for Dummies"; your closing ratio for non-qualified leads is 10 percent versus a 60 percent close ratio with referred leads.

The prospect of building a referral based business is enticing, yet why do so few real estate professionals do it? Because they use the wrong approach in building referrals and have limited success.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Set A Target: Start tracking your referrals and results to improve performance. Set a goal with a time line. Example, 10% increase in referral business over the next 3 months.

2. Timing: Many sales trainers/coaches/brokers will tell you the best time to ask for the referral is immediately after the close. This might appear to be a little aggressive for some of your clients. Give them time to experience your service before asking for a referral. Ask for the referral at close only if your client is already delighted with your business.

Check back next week and learn more about generating referrals. For assistance in developing a tracking system for your referrals or ideas on following up after the sale, call AnotherME. We assist realtors around the country with listing coordination, marketing and closing coordination - making our clients "look good" and helping them deliver quality service which generates more referrals!

Tennessee Valentine's Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:55:00 +0000

The "Language of Love" is most commonly associated with the French language. So in honor of Valentine's day, here are some key French words and phrases related to love, friendship, and special occasions. (Try not to use too much of that Southern Drawl!)

I love you (too) - Je t'aime (aussi)
I adore you - Je t'adore
Friendship - amitié
Will you marry me? - Veux-tu m'épouser ?

Dear, sweetheart - chéri, chérie*
My Love - mon amour
My cutie - mon mignon
My treasure - mon trésor

Candy - des bonbons (even American's know this one!)
Perfume - le parfum
Jewelry - des bijoux

Happy Valentine's Day from your Favorite VA's at AnotherME!

The Realtor's Secret Weapon

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:04:00 +0000

I'm sure that title conjures up lots of ideas about what a Secret Weapon really is! But it's not really a weapon! However, it will make a big difference in your 'aiming', 'focusing', 'targeting', and 'tracking' new business!

This Secret Weapon is not:

A video streaming service
A social bookmarking tool
Video pay per click streaming service
A video uploader
A membership site
Top business coach
An upcoming seminar
A home study course

It's a Virtual Assistant! Yes! An assistant! Think you can't afford an assistant...this kind doesn't sit in your office, isn't paid a full-time salary - including vacation, FICA, state tax or unemployment tax! A Virtual Assistant has her own office, gets paid by the hour or the project and manages her own taxes.

A Virtual Assistant works behind the scenes for you! Supporting you with Listing Coordination, Transaction Coordination, Marketing, Database Admin, Website updates, Mailings, and the list goes on! For more information on Virtual Assistants - check out AnotherME.com.

Memphis Realtors - Good News for 2008

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:50:00 +0000

According to a report by CNN Money, Memphis is one of the Top Ten Cities to bounce back in 2008! Their reports show that by the beginning of next year, Memphis is one of the those cities that should be coming back to life! They have projected house-price appreciation during 2008 and 2009 with modest gains - ranging from about 4 to 7 percent -- but, in the midst of the current housing meltdown, any gain constitutes a minor miracle! Memphis made the list for the following reasons: relatively affordable, missed out on the housing bubble, and continued steady employment and income growth! Read more...

Ten Cities Ready To Bounce Back
By Paul Kaihla, CNNMoney.com

Projected median sales prices for single-family homesin Memphis:

Q1 2008: $143,550
Q4 2009: $150,730
Growth rate: 5.0 percent

Graceland aside, Memphis doesn't have many signature landmarks pumping up its property values. In fact, the city has been getting a bad rap because some real estate pros consider it one of the country's foreclosure capitals. But Memphis's housing market should hit bottom within the next few months, and yet the average home bought in 2003 still managed to sell for 12 percent more last year. Even better, prices have held steady this year, although the average number of days that homes sit on the market has grown larger. The PMI Risk Index, an econometric model developed by PMI Mortgage Insurance that predicts declines in home prices, consistently ranks Memphis as one of the nation's least vulnerable markets.

And a survey by the forecasting firm Global Insight and National City Corp. has listed Memphis as one of the most undervalued markets in the United States for several years because of the low cost of housing relative to household income.

You can find some good values near Beale Street, the birthplace of America's blues scene, where a downtown condo-building craze has stranded a swath of empty units on the multiple listing service. But the best investment is one that taps into the collateral damage of the credit crunch. More couples and families will fail to qualify for mortgages and resort to renting single-family homes instead of buying them.

As your business grows in 2008, call AnotherME for professional Real Estate Assistance! AnotherME is your local Virtual Assistant! We provide Closing Coordination, Listing Coordination, Marketing and Listing Maintenance for the Real Estate professionals in Tennessee! 770-414-9393

Top 5 Reasons for Hiring a Tennessee VA

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:07:00 +0000

Top 5 Reasons for Using a VA in your Real Estate Business

1. Hiring a VA gives you an experienced professional assistant ready to jump in and start helping you with your business! Whether it's listing support, marketing, transaction coordination or website design!

2. VA's have a their own office, complete with PC's, phones, fax, scanners, software, internet connections, etc - and that means you won't have those additional capital expenses!

3. Because VA's are self employed contractors, you eliminate the expenses associated with a full time employee; such as hiring expenses, health insurance, payroll taxes, vacation benefits, 2 breaks per day, training time, sick days, etc.

4. Rather than maintaining an office staff for the peak periods in your business, add a Real Estate Virtual Assistant for the busy months or when your in house assistant goes on vacation.

5. A VA can handle your Lead Management program, your Marketing, your Listing Coordination, your Transaction Management, your Database Updates... the list goes on and on!

For more information on hiring a VA, call AnotherME. We have a team of VA's specializing in Marketing, Transaction Coordination, Listing Coordination and general admin! 770-414-9393

Tax Time is Right Around the Corner

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:21:00 +0000

As a real estate professional, did you realize you are operating a small business? There are many tax deductions that small business owners overlook - it's the little things that can add up!

So remember when you sit down to gather all the information for your tax accountant or bookkeeper to prepare your taxes, make sure you have checked off every deduction that you are allowed to take. It could save you MONEY!

Here a few ideas:

Advertising and printing of business materials
Business entertainment
Business equipment and furnishings -Depreciation on business equipment-Office supplies-Software costs-Telephone (cell phones), Internet, television and other communication used for business purposes-Business gifts, provided they meeting IRS criteria
Business insurance premiums
Costs of business books, periodicals or newspapers
Dues or membership costs to professional organizations
Education costs for self or employees, when business related
Expenses when moving offices or other business facilities
Fees and penalties--Relating to CDs, business checking, savings or money-market accounts--Associated with retirement accounts for self and employees--For credit bureaus, Better Business Bureaus, local associations, etc.--Paid to employment agencies
Interest payments on business loans
Janitorial, landscaping and maintenance costs
Losses due to fire, windstorm, hail, flood or other natural disasters may
Losses due to theft may be deductible
Mortgage or lease payments
Self-employed tax deductions--Individuals can deduct a percentage of their health insurance premiums paid during the year, both for themselves and for their dependents--May deduct one-half of their self-employment tax
Tax preparation fees, accounting fees, attorney fees, insurance consultation fees, etc.
Travel expenses--Hotels, airfare, meals and business entertainment while on the road--Costs of passports for self and employees when traveling for business purposes--Laundry costs when traveling for business--Unpaid invoices or debts (i.e., uncollected debts)
Utilities for business facilities

If you need help preparing your files, receipts and expenses for your accountant, give us a call!

Source: PathFinder Business Strategies LLC http://www.pfbs.com/articles/Home_Business_Opportunity/Overlooked_Tax_Deductions.php

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:52:00 +0000

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

This is the time of year when everyone reflects back on their business, their successes and their challenges during the year. It's a time when individuals and businesses alike set new goals and create a business plan for the coming year. That old saying of planning your work and working your plan is critical, but it doesn't have to be chore or a 3-day "Lock In" with a 100 page report.

Ask yourself a few questions and then break it down into 5 simple steps. What were your successes and challenges in 2007? What are the market challenges facing my business in the coming year. Did I/we miss out on opportunities because we couldn't be everywhere at one time? How can I/we improve our service to our clients?

And then follow these simple steps:

1. Determine your competitive advantage - what makes you unique?

2. Create a Mission Statement? This is your day-to-day operating guide and the foundation for making future business decisions

3. Look to the future and visualize your business! This is where you Think BIG!

4. Create a profile of your ideal 'buyer' and ideal 'seller'. Even your ideal listing!

And Finally...

5. Take Inventory of your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. (SWOT)

By taking an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses, you can quickly determine your requirements for adding a Virtual Assistant to your business plan. Focus on your strengths and let go of the little stuff. Hire a Real Estate-Focused Virtual Assistant, then let her handle all those tedious and repetitive tasks that take your time, energy and your focus away from your strengths! Prospecting, selling, listing, negotiating...

As you examine your opportunities, are you planning to add a buyer's agent or targeting a new home subdivision or condo development or maybe you have taken on new responsibilities in your office or accepted a position with a charity or your local board? These activities will also take your focus and your time. Hiring a Virtual Assistant can give you the freedom to maximize these opportunities and help you take care of the business basics! (setting up your listings, maintaining websites, updating sellers, monthly marketing campaigns, reporting, database updates, etc)

So, plan your work and work your plan! If a Virtual Assistant is part of your plan, give us a call and let us help you work that plan! (770-414-9393 or http://www.anotherme.com)

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:56:00 +0000

Tennessee VA's - What a GREAT Idea!

3 years ago, an idea sparked the Internet business community, and it has spread like wildfire. The idea was based on the premise that individuals, small businesses and corporations alike could take advantage of all the advances in Technology and outsource most of their administrative tasks to "Virtual Assistants" (VA's).

Today, the Real Estate industry is catching on to the idea of a Virtual Assistant. And now, there are even Virtual Assistants who specialize in the real estate industry. Considering all the ups and downs in the real estate business today, a VA makes sense! Operating as an independent contractor, a VA works from their own office, provides their own equipment, pays their own taxes & insurance and so much more. Basically, a VA will relieve you of the stress and time consuming job of hiring and training an additional employee (or employees!).

Even better, your VA has a vested interest in your success. If you are making money, then your VA will be working hard behind the scenes helping you keep your business and personal life in balance! Helping you stay ahead of your competition, on track with your goals and making you look good!

What a great idea! For more information about hiring a VA, call AnotherME! A team of professional, real estate virtual assistants specializing in marketing, listing coordination and transaction management.

Nashville - Knoxville - Memphis Virtual Assistants

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:11:00 +0000

*Thump* I could have used a VA!

Borrowing from the slogan for a popular vegetable drink... "I could have used a VA?" How many times do start a project or a task, get half way through and think to yourself ...I wish I had an assistant to help me with this or there's no way I can finish this in a timely manner! Then you stay up all night to finish the project or worse, never finish!

With a Virtual Assistant, you can get the help you need, when you need it and pay for the time to complete the project. Whether it's updating your database, sending out mailing to your farm or sphere of influence, keeping up with your showings on Homefeedback.com, addressing your Holiday cards, creating your checklists or action plans in Top Producer, creating a new Listing Presentation, Buyer's Presentation, create your website - the list can go on and on!

Next time you start a new project - remember - Wow, I can use a VA!

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:48:00 +0000

Jott it down!

How often are you driving to an appointment and start thinking about all the little things you need to do? In between changing lanes and reading your directions, you remember to call your prospect about a new listing, fax an MLS form, send a thank you note, add a meeting to your calendar, pick up office supplies. The list goes on and on.

What do you do with all those thoughts? Leave yourself a voicemail that you skip over and forget? Or worse, start text messaging while you're driving! Jott It!

Jott (http://www.jott.com/)) is a free “reminder” service that allows you to call an 800 number and “talk” your thoughts. To yourself, your spouse, your Virtual Assistant, or even a group! The system transcribes your message and sends the notes to your email (or via text message to a phone number) along with a “copy” of the voice message. Send a message to your Virtual Assistant’s email letting them know you have a new listing or a new contract or an update to your database. Send a message to your spouse, reminding them to pick up milk! Now when you get back to your desk – you have all your reminders in a convenient To-Do list waiting in your email! And, if you’re sitting in traffic, you can even Jott to your Blog!

To learn more - go to http://www.jott.com/! If you’re ready to start but need help setting up your account and adding your phone numbers and emails; your AnotherME Virtual Assistants are here to help!

Real Estate Assistants in Tennessee

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:48:00 +0000

Birthday Card Marketing Made Easy

Do you love receiving birthday cards? Hey, we all have a little kid inside of us that wants everyone to recognize us on our birthday! Are you sending birthday cards to show that you are thinking of others?Sending a simple birthday card is a wonderful, personal way to stay in touch with your past clients. It shows that you remember and care about them!

When you take the time to send a birthday card you are building on the relationship you started when you helped them buy or sell their home. When you remember your clients, they will be more inclined to remember you when it comes to sharing your name with their friends and associates!

But what if you don’t have birthdays in your database? Here are a few ways to start building your birthday list.
1) For those who attend your closings: ask your closing attorney or title company for a copy of your client's driver’s license. Closing attorneys and title companies always get a copy of your client’s driver’s license! Easy!

2) As you organize and archive last year’s closing files, find the birth dates and enter them in an Excel spreadsheet or your Top Producer account.

3) Starting from scratch? Create a New Client Info Form to give your Seller’s and Buyer’s and include a section for birthdays. Add children’s birthdays and pets, too!

Whatever step you take to build your Birthday database – AnotherME Virtual Assistants can help! Whether you need help updating your database or Top Producer, setting up reminders, creating that customized New Client Info form, or even creating a special campaign to gather birth dates, give us a call to see how we can help you make your clients feel special.

And, if you already have a database of birthdays but need a convenient system for sending the cards – let us show you a cool, new online greeting card system that’s ideal for sending all kinds of cards!

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:05:00 +0000

Real Estate Marketing Without Breaking the Bank

Busy real estate professionals are always looking for ways to creatively, and inexpensively keep in touch with clients and stay visible in the community. Repeated exposure is crucial to keep your business growing.

Here are a few inexpensive (and free) ideas for staying in front of your Clients and Prospects.

1. Send a Digital Newsletter each month packed with useful articles and tips for your clients. (In a time crunch? A virtual assistant can do this for you! )

2. Write a personal email just checking in and send it to ALL of your clients.

3. Email a piece of trivia to your database each month, and award the first person to respond with the correct answer a $25 gift card to a restaurant.

4. Keep a vase full of carnations or candy canes in your office with your business card attached to each one. Make sure to hand them out to everyone who stops by. (even the delivery folks)

5. Partner up and cut your marketing costs in half. Choose your favorite professional referral source and send out a postcard together.

Being creative AND visible will greatly increase the likelihood that prospects will remember you and your services. If you are looking for a virtual assistant to help you implement and maintain your marketing campaigns, call AnotherME for more information! (770-414-9393)

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:01:00 +0000

Virtual Assistants for Real Estate

The 'Virtual Assistance' business has been around for many years, gaining popularity in the last 5-7 years with the proliferation of the Internet and Internet-based programs. In the corporate world and government, it's called outsourcing - hiring independent consultants for discrete projects or hiring staffing companies to take over order entry, call centers, mail room duties or other such daily tasks. Most Virtual Assistants have areas of expertise like legal, accounting, website design or marketing.

And yes, there are Real Estate Virtual Assistants - REVA's!

A Real Estate Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor who works remotely from a complete home office (how many agents work from home instead of the office?) There are individual REVA's who work with a limited number of clients, and multi-VA companies who have several specialists on staff to handle a larger number of clients or high volume clients. REVA's support real estate professionals who are interested in a collaborative relationship, a business partner versus an employee.

Pricing will vary, but one thing is consistent; you only pay for the time spent on your tasks or a project. Unlike an "in-house" assistant, a REVA is not "on the clock" for bathrooms breaks, lunch hours, sick days, personal time off or sitting around during your slow times. A 40 hour work week for a traditional employee can turn into a 15-20 hour a week with a VA. Working with a REVA, you have a trained assistant who is familiar with many of the industry programs and who is up to date on what's happening in the real estate industry. In addition, the community of Real Estate Virtual Assistants is a supportive industry. We share resources, knowledge, experience. If we don't know the answer to something, we know where to go to find it!

So whether you need help with a few projects or daily assistance, check out a Real Estate Virtual Assistant! AnotherME is a multi-VA company assisting agents throughout the southeast!

Thanksgiving Travel in Tennessee

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:53:00 +0000

Whether you are flying out or greeting visiting friends and family, knowing current flight and landing conditions will be important before you get to the airport.

Check the below links before heading out the door this Thanksgiving holiday!

Nashville International Airport

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport

Memphis International Airport

On a national level you can get information from the Federal Aviation Administration or the Transportation Security Administration.

FAA Flight delay information nationwide

Security Checkpoint Wait times from the Transportation Security Administration

Real Estate Contracts

noreply@blogger.com (AnotherME1) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:04:00 +0000

Using a Transaction Coordinator for your Contracts

Studies show that on average real estate agents spend up to 18 hours working on a single contract closing. If you are handling just 2-3 contracts per month, you could be losing 40-60 hours of productive time that could be spent on building new business, prospecting or even on vacation.

Transaction Coordinators help real estate agents better utilize their precious time, with no overhead costs of office space or supplies. A Transaction Coordinator manages the process of a closing from the binding agreement date to the closing date including the paperwork, deadlines and communications. They become your central point of contact to make it all happen on time. And with today’s technology, communication is never be a problem. Whether you communicate via phone, fax, email, or instant messenger - staying in touch is just a click away.

Take control of your time and see how you can increase your business.

Welcome Ouida Wilson--New Tennessee Virtual Assistant Directory Member!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Reiter, Virtual Support Specialist) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 01:57:00 +0000

Experience counts when it comes to handling your contracts and your clients! Ouida "Wee-Da" Wilson has closed over 300 transactions for top producing agents from 2004-2007. Ouida understands all sides of the transaction, from buyers to sellers, when she was actively selling real estate in East Tennessee!

Submit an RFP to Ouida or to all Tennessee Virtual Assistants