Real Estate Secretary Career Guide and Counseling

Question: I got hired to be a Real Estate secretary. They will pay me 1k for every property sold. What do you think? Basically filing papers and and organizing data. Is this a good job? I almost feel like it is not worth it.

Answer: It sounds great if you live in an area that sells at least 3 houses a month! If you live in a really small crappy rural town (like I live in) it might not be worth it. Look into how many houses they sell a month or year on average to see if you think it is worth it. Good luck!!

Question: What is the difference between closing secretary and Real Estate Paralegal? I am a litigation Paralegal who is now doing loan closings, what exactly should my job title state?

Answer: Technically the closing secretary does not have the paralegal training and is not supposed to do things that a paralegal can. Paralegal is you title and it shows that you have more legal training than the closing secretary does.

Question: what is the starting salary for a residential real estate closing secretary in the Atlanta area? OK, what is the difference between a closing secretary and a real estate paralegal?

Answer: try www.salary.com why do you want to be a real estate secretary though... aim a little higher and get paid more. for example, get a paralegal certificate and become a real estate paralegal. just my two cents

Question: Besides sell Real Estate, what other prospects for jobs for those with a RE license? If you can get or have your Real Estate license and sell real estate but don't really want to, or the market is slow, what other good jobs can you do or get from this experience that don't necessarily have to do with sales? Work in a Real Estate office as secretary? Property Management. Any more you can think of or know of? I could use some ideas.

Answer: July 24, 2008 I guess the real question is, where does your passion lie? I would consider doing REO's, Staging, Property Management, and even breaking into another field. By your statement of going to be a secretary position makes me think that your just needing more income. Good Luck and Let me know if I can help you in the future. LeRoy Nellis II CEO / Nellis Investments, LLC www.LeRoyNellis.com www.NellisInvestments.com

Question: does anyone know Marion Amika? She's from germany, lives in New York and works as a secretary in real estate? I knew Marion from Stuttgart and lost touch with her. She got married to a Soldier and moved to the catskills in 1996. Her husband had some kind of music studio. She is Mad cool and I wanted to see her while I am in New York. if you know her or have a way to get in touch with her, it would be great.

Answer: This is by far the stupidest thing I've ever seen. I cannot believe you put a girl's first and last name on the net for everyone to read. Not only that but her name is very unique. She'd be easily found. Good for you if something horrible happens to her........ GOSH!

Question: Real Estate Agent or Secretary? I am trying to decide what to do...has anyone done both??

Answer: I have held secretarial type jobs and my mother was a real estate agent when i was a child. I can tell you that both have their positives and negatives. To be a real estate agent you must have money! You will have to pay for all of your supplies from open house flyers to your signs you will need to put in the yards of the houses you have listed, any listings you publish to publisize the property, and it's a lot of time. You will also need to have or invest in a nice car b/c you will be driving around clients all of the time. There is great money to be made in real estate depending on where you live. If you are in the North East, ie New york you'll be fine; there is too little real estate and a large demand. If you are in California, get out of real estate now! The mortgage industry laid off big time in December of last year and has continued to do so as less homes are being built due to the lack of open buildable land; more people are leaving California due to the high cost of living; and therefore the house values are being driven down. If you are in area's like Colorado go for it. THere is a ton of open land and many people are moving to places like Colorado, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico and houses are going up like wild fires. Secretarial work is not fun but it's stable. You're not commissioned like you are in real estate, but you have to like dealing with people on the phone, being at the beck and call of your boss, dealing with a lot of paperwork and you must love a computer.

Question: I want to become a Real Estate Agent? I graduated high school in 2006 and I want to become a Real Estate agent. I did a job shadow with the owner of Century 21 and she said the best way to get into the business is to work as a Secretary in a Real Estate office. In the paper there is a position for a Secretary for $8/hr, 30 hrs a wk, which there is no way I could afford getting paid that an hour and only 30 hrs a wk. And you will train to get your license in 6-12 months. Is there any other way to get into the Business and/or make a little more when starting out? I live in Montana and I know other states pay more, but that seems awefully low. Anyone been in my position or have any advice? Please answer only if you actually know! Please help! Thanks! :)

Answer: Unfortunately its tough to make $$$ when starting out unless you can get an assistant gig with a heavy hitter. I would find out who those poeple are contact them direct to see if they need help. They will either pay you a flat hourly rate or a % of each deal...like 5%. Another method is to chase lease prospects. I dont know if they advertise leases in your local mls but you can advertise availabilities in certan online places and get a ton of calls. We are super busy doing this. We even created a website for homes for lease www.luxurypropertylease.com.

Question: Can any Real Estate people help me with this question? I work as a secretary/aid for my father who is a Real Estate Lawyer. He has told me not to worry about it, but I'm his daughter and I am always concern for him. The details are: A client has bought a condo/stack townhouse. I have researched and check the background of the management corporation that manage maintenance there. They are stable and their money pot is sufficient for any foreseeable future expenses. The purchaser (our client) will take over the home at the end of this month. But, according to my research, the current maintenance corporation is about to resign and is seeking a new management company to over see the maintenance of the property. My dad has made our client aware of this. But I am worry if the client will become upset with us, if the new management company is incompetent or raises the maintenace fees at their property. Should I check into the background of this new incoming Management company as well? Please and thank you.

Answer: There are two issues with this. First, your disclosing all known information about the property to your client, as required by law. Second, there must be SOME reason that the management company is changing. I would find out why that change is happening. I think you will find that the reason is rather simple and not of any real concern. We have two pieces of property that are managed by a separate maintenance company as well. Fees can't be raised unless there is justifiable reasoning and it is put to a vote. The other piece of property, we have no management company. Each owner is responsible for an equal part of the "normal" up keep and everything is voted on and requires a 100% aagreement. We have run into some issues, more because of the age difference in the owners and what they believe is right and what others think is just common sense. I think that if your client fees comfortable with the other residents, then issues will be minimal.

Question: Can someone give me a synopsis of what a Litigation Legal Secretary does? I've been a Real Estate Legal Secretary for 11 years, and am not happy with the firm I am at now, and about 85-90% of the jobs around the metro Atlanta area are for Litigation, and I might add, they make darned good money...so, now my interest is piqued. Thanks Everyone! Have a great day!

Answer: Here's a job posting: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-J725GKE6W5E But here's what mine did at my last law firm (I shared with a partner that dictated EVERYTHING): 1. Transcribe documents - pleadings, correspondence, discovery (requests and responses) and properly format them [the partner was excellent - he told her what punctuation to use and where to put new paragraphs, etc.); 2. File documents into file (not with court); 3. Serve documents - pleadings, discovery (requests and responses), and other documents - to all parties involved in the case; 4. Updated proof of service list; 5. Calendared due dates, hearings, depositions, etc. (on 3 different calendars) AND tickled one week and two week reminders; 6. Answered telephone calls for attorney (after being transferred from receptionist) and took messages if necessary; 7. Coordinated schedule for depositions, hearings, etc.; 8. Set up court reporters and/or agencies for depositions; 9. Confirmed hearings, depositions, etc. (and made sure the file was up-to-date for the hearing); 10. Pulled files (if necessary) for upcoming hearings, depositions, appearances, etc.; 11. Made photocopies (sometimes, if it was a rush, because we had several copy clerks whose job was to make copies); 12. Fax documents. I think that about covers it....if I think of anything else, I will let you know.

Question: HELP!?! --What other job(s) should i take up besides being a full-time pharmacist? real estate, what?>? i'm still in high school, but i see older adults who (for example), are professors @ unversity level, and are also real estate agents. others are secretaries who also do translations separately. What should i plan for? I know pharmacists get okay money, but I know I will need more.

Answer: Real estate, even part time, can be demanding. But also rewarding. Other possibilities: teaching (as a substitute or one class at a college), coaching (very rewarding, fun, and active), personal training (will keep you in shape too), massage therapist, waiting tables, retail associate, web design, own an ebay store or cafe store online, etc... the possibilities are endless! Best Wishes.