As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of our podcast the Unstoppable Real Estate Agent, we’ve decided to embark on a journey back to the basics. In this special series, we aim to shed light on the world of real estate virtual assistants and how they can be invaluable assets to agents in their business endeavors. To kick off this series, I’m sharing my personal journey into how I became the first real estate virtual assistant, pioneering this industry and offering insights and experiences that have shaped my career in this dynamic field.
Back in the late 1990s, as the internet was gaining traction, I found myself at the crossroads of an emerging opportunity. My background in real estate consultancy for corporations, brokerages, and individual agents meant I was the go-to person for streamlining their operations. In those pre-internet days, everything relied on paper trails and manual processes, making efficiency a significant challenge. However, as the internet started to penetrate households, some clients still sought my expertise, even though I had moved away from Dallas to a small town in East Texas. I realized the internet held potential, so I began exploring remote work possibilities using email and fax. Along the way, I discovered a group of like-minded women, mostly from corporate backgrounds, who were seeking ways to balance family life with careers by working from home. This network inspired me, and I started taking on various virtual tasks, from typing sermon notes for a pastor to assisting in real estate. As I navigated this path and sought to define the virtual services I could offer, I decided to specialize in real estate, aligning with my extensive background in the field. This marked the inception of the term “real estate virtual assistant,” propelling me into this pioneering niche. Bringing my wealth of experience, I aimed to assist agents in overcoming the challenges they encountered in their real estate careers.
My career took a significant turn as I connected with industry leaders like Alan Haynes, Michael Russer, and Howard Britton. These mentors became instrumental in shaping my path. They not only provided guidance but also introduced me to the intricacies of the real estate world and provided me with a lot of exposure. While these men were undoubtedly trailblazers in their own right, I like to think of myself as a pioneer in the realm of real estate virtual assistance. I forged a path that enabled both women and men to establish home-based businesses, providing essential support to real estate agents. What set me apart was my extensive experience, which allowed me to offer practical solutions to agents’ challenges. Whenever an agent reached out with their struggles, I could draw from my wealth of knowledge and expertise to tailor solutions to their specific needs, ensuring their expectations were met.
As I reflect on my journey spanning 24 years in the world of real estate virtual assistance, one thing remains crystal clear – my enduring love for what I do. Like anyone, I’ve faced my fair share of frustrations along the way, but that’s simply the nature of life. Perfection is an elusive goal, after all. So, I invite you to come along and join us on this series as we embark on a journey to explore the vital role of real estate virtual assistants. Along the way, we’ll uncover the immense value we bring to real estate professionals, offering flexibility and efficiency in the fast-paced world of today’s real estate industry.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Kim’s Story and Background
