Seamless transaction coordination is the passion
of real estate VA Rachael Sievert of Plano,
Texas. Through her company
Sievert Solutions, Rachael delights in
providing outstanding virtual transaction
coordination for her clients. Here's how she
does it.
MI: How long
have you been a VA and how did you end up on
the path to this profession?
RS: I’ve been a
VA now for over 3 years. I had taught
Special Education for four years and after
my second child I had decided to stay home.
Someone I knew introduced me to the concept
of Virtual Assistance. The more I thought
about it, the more I liked the idea of
having the challenge of this business and
being able to have the flexibility to be
there for my family and my clients at the
same time.
MI: How did
you happen to focus on real estate services
in your VA practice?
RS: I had worked
for several years in title, mortgage banking
and real estate, so this was a natural
choice for me. When I marketed to some local
real estate offices I began working with an
agent, and through word of mouth my number
of clients grew. I started out doing listing
coordination, database management, lead
management and other basic support services.
I enjoyed helping agents see how my services
could give them the freedom to get out of
the office and spend the time doing what
they needed to do with their clients. As
I’ve worked in this area I’ve discovered I
really enjoy working with transaction
coordination.
MI: It
sounds like you’re really excited about this
specialty area. For agents who might find it
hard to understand how this critical service
can be done virtually, could you explain how
this works?
RS: I’m trained
in Settlement Room, my favorite of the
online programs that have dramatically
changed the face of this critical area of
real estate. Settlement Room is a web-based
software that maintains an online status
report while it manages, tracks and archives
the entire transaction process. Documents
and messages are electronically distributed
to all parties. It’s such a wonderful way to
manage this type of process for all
concerned.
MI: In
addition to this amazing service, what’s the
biggest contribution that you make in a
client’s business?
RS: When my
clients see how I can handle the details and
get their work done, they are able to focus
on their goals and meet more clients, make
more deals and increase their income. They
are convinced when they see how much time
they save by not being in the office.
MI: If an
agent is thinking about working with a VA
for the first time, what is important to
know?
RS: Don’t be
afraid to ask for references – and don’t be
upset if the VA asks you for references.
Virtual assistance is about partnership and
it’s a new way of approaching the business
structure. It’s also important to feel a
connection with the VA on a personal level
and know that you’ll work well together.
Relationships are key in this industry –
with your VA as well as your clients.
MI: Rachael,
thanks for being so generous with your time
and sharing your story with our readers.
RS: It was my
pleasure, Michael!
