Real estate is one of the largest industries in the world and the number of opportunities within real estate is nearly incalculable. Although the first role you would likely think of is a broker or a real estate agent (sometimes inaccurately referred to as a Realtor), there are actually a bunch of other roles that help make the real estate industry succeed. There are mortgage brokers, lenders, title sales reps, escrow coordinators, transaction coordinators, and real estate assistants.
Most of these roles are somewhat self-explanatory, but what exactly does a real estate assistant do?
Here is a small part of what a real estate assistant does:
- Scheduling and organizing advertising campaigns
- Locating vendors to produce and distribute marketing materials
- Keeping track of contact info and details for new leads
- Completing general office duties
- Planning a daily to-do list and presenting it to the agent to assure each activity is a priority to both the agent and the assistant
- Developing prospect lists
- Analyzing market demographics to look for new opportunities
- Maintaining photos in MLS and all syndicated websites
- Obtaining feedback from all showings
- Coordinating closings
- Keeping track of key milestones and deadlines
- Just generally ensuring an agent’s life is simpler because their assistant is picking up the other areas of their life
Assistants can be boots on the ground (e.g. in-person) or they can operate virtually from hundreds or even thousands of miles away from the agents they are helping. It is also possible for an assistant to be licensed as a real estate agent or to operate as an unlicensed assistant. According to the National Association of REALTORS, 47% of assistants are licensed as real estate agents while 13% of all REALTORS use at least one assistant.
If a real estate assistant is unlicensed, they must tread very carefully since they are not authorized to act as a real estate agent. A few things an unlicensed assistant can’t do:
- Discuss, negotiate, or solicit offers for the property
- Provide any information at an open house other than printed material prepared and approved by the responsible person
- Answer any questions or providing any opinions or advice to the recipient of the paperwork
- Talk to clients about any key details in a transaction
Each state differs in what they allow an unlicensed assistant to do. For example, in Illinois an assistant can show a home to a client. However, in the state of California, an assistant can let service providers into a property, but cannot let in or show property to clients. Wherever you live, check with your local bureau of real estate to understand what can and can’t be done in your state.