1. Google Goggles is free – This app is available for free on the iPhone and all android devices with a camera.
2. Google Goggles is easy to use – Simply activate the app, point and shoot, and information is immediately available on your device.
3. Google Goggles is green – Information can be shared in a multitude of paperless ways via smart phone technology.
4. Google Goggles is convenient – Scan and save using a device you already carry.

I went to a networking event recently. When I arrived there were several people sitting around chatting. I was immediately handed 4 business cards when I walked in. Interestingly enough, by the time the meeting ended I had already connected with them on social media via my tablet. Those business cards, while nice looking, professional and useful in the past, were now obsolete. I threw them away as soon as I got home that night.

With QR codes becoming so main stream and now a service like Google Goggles, I can see the only place for business cards to be useful is in a thank you card. You are sending thank you cards, aren’t you? Well I suppose that’s another post. Where do you see the business card still being useful? Do you think it still has a place in the business world or is this little piece of paper a thing of the past? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Here is a link to the information about Google Goggles. If you need help organizing all the information you are scanning with your smartphone or other device, call me today. I’m happy to help.

Creating business forms takes a lot of work and thought, and at times small business owners find themselves reinventing the wheel when it comes to these vital documents. Veteran business owners often keep outdated materials just to avoid the process of updating.

The ideas offered in this 26 page instruction guide gave me the information I needed to update my existing packet and add a few new items as well. If you’re just getting started as a virtual assistant, or are a veteran in need of some updating, I highly recommend this book. The templates are a great starting point for new VAs and the tips and suggestions are right on target. At just $14 this book is a great bargain.

You can purchase this ebook through the Virtual Assistant Forums or on Amazon.

If you would like more information about becoming a virtual assistant, feel free to contact me or become a member of the Virtual Assistant Forums , it’s free!

• Convert a pdf to a Word Doc
• Convert a Word Doc to a pdf
• Proofread a document
• Clean up a spreadsheet
• Create a survey
• Write Optimized content for a home page
• Clean out your Email Inbox
• Create a Powerpoint Presentation
• Design a Property Brochure
• Update your WordPress Theme and Plugins (includes back up)

If you find yourself in need of assistance please call me today! I have flexible plans to fit most budgets. You can use my services for one time projects or on monthly retainer.

• Add content to a newsletter
• Clean up a database
• Schedule Social Media posts
• Create a holiday or open house email blast
• Create a blog post
• Set up a bulk mailing
• Schedule appraisals, inspections or repairs
• Add a listing to a website, with photos
• Post new listings to craigslist
• Set up Facebook Business Page or Twitter Account

If you need any of these services, feel free to give me a call so you can try out real estate virtual assistant services without a long term commitment. I offer packages that fit every budget and discount pricing for retainers.

I was not disappointed!  In fact, the following year when Rudy’s other chair gave out we contacted Global directly and bought another one for him.  In that time we have contacted them twice.  The first time to ask if we could purchase replacement arm rest pads for my chair.  The way my chair turns under my L shaped desk, the arm pads get torn up often.  They asked me a few questions, determined what I needed then sent me the replacements for free.

We called them again this week because the metal brace at the bottom of the seat has broken (probably from the kids spinning in it) and the arm rest pads are torn up again.  Again, the CSR took some information and processed sending me the repair kit and replacement arm rest pads, for FREE!  She was knowledgeable about the product and walked me through figuring out what I needed to fix my chair.  She also sent us a link to a video tutorial on repairing it.

I got through to a human at their 800 number, which was printed on the bottom of the chair, with very little button pushing and didn’t get transferred to anyone.  She did say, next time the arm rest pads will probably not be free but I’m not complaining.  I was prepared to pay for all of it this time.

If you are in the market for a new office chair, I HIGHLY recommend the Global Airflow leather seat with mesh back.  They are available at Staples and directly through the Global Company website.  If you need help researching office products contact me today.  This is just one of the ways I can help you as a Real Estate Virtual Assistant.

#9 – You enjoy updating listings, statuses and price changes on your website.

#8 – You look forward to hand addressing all your business Christmas card envelopes.

#7 – Scheduling all your own tweets and Facebook posts is at the top of your to-do list.

#6 – Creating your newsletter and holiday email blasts doesn’t take more than 5 minutes.

#5 – You have a math degree so bookkeeping comes easy to you.

#4 – You like typos in your blog posts.  It gives them character!

#3 – You don’t have any unfinished projects on your to-do list.

#2 – Database management is your new hobby and you believe data entry builds character.

#1 – Your budget affords you the luxury of hiring a full-time, in-office assistant who you can pay a premium wage to work 8 hours a day even when you have no work for them to do, plus benefits.

If none of these apply to you, you are probably a great candidate for working with a virtual assistant.  If you’ve never worked with a virtual assistant before, give me a call today and I’ll explain all the benefits of partnering with me in your real estate business!

If you own an Albuquerque House you need to sell and you don’t have a lot of money for repairs, you may be considering selling in as-is condition. While this may sound like a good way to save some money upfront, it’s probably not in your best interests. Here are three important things to consider:

• It will make your home much harder to sell. Advertising a home for sale in as-is condition is unusual. It’s usually only done on bank owned foreclosure homes or on fixer upper homes that are in extremely bad condition. Labeling your house “as-is” alerts potential buyers that your house needs serious repairs which you are not willing to pay for. You know what? They are probably not willing to pay for them either!
• It will cost you more money. In case you haven’t noticed, foreclosure homes and fixer uppers always sell for considerably less than market value. We’re talking about 20% below market value or more. Trying to save money by refusing to do repairs will cost you a ton of money, way more than the actual cost of the repairs.
• Many repairs can be paid for out of proceeds at closing. You say you don’t have any cash to pay for repairs upfront? That’s OK, you can still put the house on the market. Any buyer who makes an offer on your house is going to want to have a home inspection performed anyway.  If the home inspection reveals repairs that need to be done,* your Realtor should be able to help you locate repair people who will accept payment at closing.

Worried that the home inspector will discover you need a new roof or some other major repair? No worry, every offer has a repair limit on it. The amount varies on the age and condition of a property, but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. If the total repair cost exceeds the repair limit you won’t have to do it. However, if you don’t agree to do the repair the buyer can elect to pay for it themselves or they may terminate the contract. Or they may want to adjust the sales price. Even an adjusted sales price would be better than the as-is price.

Sell your home as-is only if you are sure the condition of the house is poor. Otherwise you’re much better off agreeing to do a few repairs.

*It is your responsibility as a seller to disclose any problems with the house that you know of. Failure to do so could result in a lawsuit.

Guest post written by Albuquerque Real Estate Agent Rich Cederberg, (505) 803-5012,

Venture Realty Group 505-255-5609

If your email client allows it you should have a full signature in every message you send. It should include your name, email address, phone number and website, if you have one. If you don’t have a website, call me and I’ll help you get one. You should also have a signature in your replies and forwards. These can be smaller and include only name and phone number.

Some people put a photo of themselves in their signature or a graphic of their company logo. If you do this make sure its a clean image, not fuzzy or pixelated. Check out my signature

The link below gives step by step instructions on how to set up an email signature in just about any email client that exists today. If you need help setting up your email signature, contact me today!

How to Create an Email Signature

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Select the row or column you want to copy
Click Find & Select in the top right corner
Select Go To Special
Check Visible Cells Only
Then proceed with your copy/paste as usual

This saved me TONS of time today!