MI: Kim, with a
family tree like yours it appears that real
estate is very much in your blood. How long have
you been a VA for Realtors and what do you like
best about working with them?
KI: I did grow up in
a real estate environment so I know a great deal
about the business and have assisted real estate
people as a virtual assistant since 1999. Though
I enjoy the business and the people who work in
it, I didn't want to work directly with clients
in sales.
MI: It appears
that you have a wide range of skills. What are
some areas in which you specialize?
KI: I specialize in the
areas of computers, databases, and math. This
includes creating databases, providing tech
support and figuring the closing costs,
commissions, and other aspects of the buying and
selling of properties. I have also helped to
automate forms that Realtors use such as seller
disclosures, purchase agreements, leases, etc.
This is where my knowledge and skills of
programming comes in.
MI: What is the
least favorite thing you are asked to do?
KI: My least
favorite is technical writing. I have helped
create manuals for a real estate office as well
as several other industries which is something I
really don't enjoy doing.
MI: What is the
most unusual project a client has asked you to
do?
KI: In real estate,
it was a client who asked for me to do a
database with 95% accurate email addresses for a
residential area. He wanted only this area and
for the emails to be correct. This was a very
difficult thing to do.
MI: Did you
actually find the e-mail addresses for him?
KI: I did find them,
but I could not guarantee the accuracy. There is
no way to really do it and if I called everyone
of them, it would have been in the thousands of
dollars. The database was over 50,000 contacts.
MI: Were you
concerned about this individual spamming these
people with unsolicited e-mail?
KI: Yes I was. I
told him that it was a possibility that it would
be considered spamming and I was not responsible
for anything he did with the database. He was
very hard to work with. He was not someone who
was well aware of the Internet and email. He
didn't understand spamming, but I tried to
explain it to him. All I could do was to tell
him the risk and say I was not responsible.
MI: How would
you describe the ideal REALTOR as a VA client?
KI: The ideal VA
client is someone who understands technology and
computers. It is difficult to work with clients
who don't understand things like spamming,
internet research and procedures, or that some
of the information found on the Net is not free.
If my client really understands this, I find
they are much easier to work with.
MI: You
mentioned in an earlier conversation that
clients are often surprised at the affordability
of your services. Why is that?
KI: I want my
clients to save money. They are already saving
money by not hiring an employee to do the work,
but they should not have to pay twice what they
would be paying for an employee. My rates are
based on this area. I understand that people in
New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville and
other major cities will pay more, but why should
I charge them more just because they are from
those areas. It does not cost me more to serve
them and I don't think it is right to adjust my
fees just because they happen to live in a more
expensive area.
(ED NOTE:
this is an example of "geographical wage
arbitrage", i.e. hiring talent from lower cost
areas, which Mr. Internet often refers to in his
speaking about using Virtual Assistants.)
MI: You work
with several real estate professionals. How do
you handle potential conflicts of interest when
working with more than one REALTOR client?
KI: I don't share
information. I have yet to come across a
situation where I am working for two different
Realtors within the same market area. If it ever
happens I will tell one of them I can't do the
project due to conflicts.
MI: Last
question: What words of advice do you have for
REALTORS who are considering using a VA?
KI: Be clear about
what you want the VA to do and be willing to
communicate openly and candidly with your VA.
MI: Kim, thank
you for sharing your thoughts and experiences
with us today!
KI: Thank you for
the opportunity to talk with you.
You can learn more about Kim
Ivie and her services at her Web site (www.kssofky.com),
contact her via e-mail at
kivie@bellsouth.net or by phone at
877-625-9812. 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!
