Virtual Assistant Cathryn Jones has a lot going for her. In addition to having 10 years direct experience in real estate she also was the Director of Client Services for Prudential Relocation and has a degree in real estate and management. Here is what all that invaluable experience and knowledge can mean to you.

MI: Cathryn, in addition to a great deal of practical real estate experience, you also have a BBA (Business Bachelor of Arts degree) in Real Estate and Marketing. How has this unique experience and background prepared you as a real estate virtual assistant?

CJ: I first became interested in a real estate career while in college at Baylor University. My bachelor’s degree in Real Estate and Marketing provided an excellent foundation for my career in Real Estate, giving me the textbook knowledge I needed to succeed. From there I worked for 10 years in Relocation and Asset Management culminating as Director of Client Services for Prudential Relocation. Through my career experiences, I gained further knowledge of the real estate industry. Due to my passion to combine technology with the real estate industry, I started my own company called Assistants For Agents (www.assistants4agents.com) which serves real estate agents nationwide. Because there is always more to learn and I believe in continuing education, I recently attained my REALTOR.com® Virtual Assistant Certification. My education in real estate along with my practical experience in the industry places me in a unique position to help agents achieve their business dreams and overcome their challenges.

MI: What is your primary focus/niche in helping REALTORS® as a VA?

CJ: Because of my background in Relocation and Asset Management, providing transaction management services for REALTORS® is one of my strengths. I follow the contract from signing to closing insuring all deadlines are met and loan approval is received in a timely manner. During my corporate real estate career, I bought and sold homes in almost every state in the United States. Thus, I am well equipped to provide transaction management services for clients nationwide. Transaction management is a great time-saver for the REALTOR®, and a win-win for both the buyer and the seller.

Having a passion for asset management, I have several clients that focus on REO properties. My tasks for these REALTORS® include not only transaction management, but REO billing.

Finally, I also assist agents with listing coordination by creating fliers, providing REALTOR.com® enhancements, creating virtual tours, reverse prospecting and updating the MLS. I love the challenge of helping a REALTOR® create innovative marketing materials.

MI: Given your background in relocation, what thoughts have you given to offering your services as a VA to real estate company relocation departments? What kinds of services could you offer –from a distance?

CJ: I plan to begin offering my services to relocation departments around the country. Having worked for many years with transferees and employers, as well has having been a transferee myself, I understand the unique needs of a transferring employee and his or her family. Virtually, I can create relocation packets as well as design effective group move presentations. A transferee needs a REALTOR® that is both efficient and effective in the sale of his old residence as well as the purchase of his new home. Understanding the transferee’s relocation package from his employer and helping him maximize his relocation benefits is important to a successful move.

MI: How do you reassure REALTORS® who question “giving up control” to someone they may never meet and that is located hundreds or thousands of miles away?

CJ: If a REALTOR® desires to expand her business, she will need to delegate many of the administrative tasks to someone else. Bringing a Virtual Assistant onto the team frees up the REALTOR® to focus on what he or she does best—marketing and selling homes. Having an assistant hundreds of miles away and in a different time zone can actually work in the REALTOR’s® favor. For instance, since I am in Texas, I have more time in my workday to complete a task for an East Coast REALTOR® that needs a flier created by the next day. Also, if a REALTOR® is snowbound on the East Coast, I am fully operational in sunny, warm Texas and the REALTOR’s® business doesn’t miss a step.

MI: What is the most important thing a REALTOR® should do in preparing to work with you to ensure the highest likelihood of having a successful working relationship?

CJ: From my experience, communication is fundamental. I schedule a conference call with each new client to discuss the REALTOR’s® needs. I also seek to discover the REALTOR’s® goals and the barriers that are keeping them from achieving their ultimate success. We outline the steps each of us will take in order to work effectively as a team. The time invested on the front end saves time down the road as projects are in process. Communication before the project begins helps me not only meet my client’s expectations, but exceed them!

MI: How do you handle requests for tasks that are outside of your specialty?

CJ: When a client requests services that are outside my areas of expertise, I refer the client to another qualified VA. I believe this helps build trust with my clients.

MI: What do you find is the biggest challenge in working with REALTORS?®

CJ: REALTORS® are generally very independent business people that have built successful businesses by working hard themselves. Therefore, delegating can be difficult for many of them. Once they begin to see how using a VA helps take their business to a new level, clients of mine start using me to assist them with even more of their business.

MI: What do you like most about working with REALTORS?®

CJ: I enjoy the real estate industry. Assistants For Agents gives me the opportunity to meet real estate professionals all over the country—virtually, of course! I enjoy the people. I also enjoy the variety in my business. One day I am working with a REALTOR® on a co-op apartment in New York and the next day beachfront property in Florida, a Midwest family home or a California condominium. How exciting!

MI: Last Question: What advice do you have for REALTORS® who are thinking about hiring a VA but haven’t made that first step yet?

CJ: Decide the areas of your business with which you need the most help. Interview several Virtual Assistants that specialize in your area of greatest need to insure they have the proper real estate background and training to complete the task.

MI: Cathryn, thank you for sharing your thoughts and extensive experience with our readers!

CJ: Michael, thank you for helping educate the Real Estate industry about the wonderful world of Virtual Assistants! You have done so much to expand the use of technology in the Real Estate industry for the benefit of the REALTOR® as well as the Virtual Assistant.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Cathryn is also going to be heading one of the round tables at the upcoming NAR “Meet The VA Of Your DREAMS!” session on November 8, 2003. Just CLICK HERE for more details.

To learn more about Cathryn and her services just go to http://www.assistants4agents.com. You can contact her via e-mail at reassistant@houston.rr.com or call her at 713-775-3634. Always remember to do a thorough due-diligence before hiring any kind of assistant. This interview is part of an ongoing series of VA profiles designed to help you find that perfect VA that will launch you to the top quicker and with less effort than you ever thought possible!

(NOTE: Mr. Internet, his company and staff receive no compensation whatsoever from any third party vendors or service providers. Also any virtual assistant or consultant profile found in this publication is not to be construed as an endorsement of their services by Mr. Internet or his company.)