Regina P. Brown, e-Pro Realtor®

This is a "shout out" to every real estate professional who works from their home-based business office, either occasionally or exclusively. Let's support each other!

Ever feel isolated or lonely? Trouble getting work done through all the distractions? Trying to continue doing business on the road while traveling? Want some great tips from other virtual office workers?

Consider joining my group "Virtual Office - Work from Home Office" at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice. I would be honored to have you participate in this wonderful group as we reach out and build our membership.

Real estate agents, mortgage lenders, notaries public, home inspectors, and more -- welcome to our growing group! Thank you for your support

Regina P. Brown
Allison James Estates & Homes
www.ReginaBrown.AllisonJamesInc.com

Do you avoid giving out your cell phone # to the public, never knowing whether telemarketers or random stalkers may call you? Do you take phone calls "after hours" (during your family time) because you don't know the nature of the call? Do you have to rush back to the office to see if you received the fax you've been waiting for?

If so, I've had the same concerns and a few months ago, switched to a virtual office phone and fax management system. I researched several and then tried a few. Now I can recommend my favorite, www.GotVmail.com.

Every Realtor should ditch their cell phone -- or at least STOP giving out their number, unless it's to clients. Instead, subsribe to GotVMail and enjoy these PHONE and MESSAGE benefits:

1. Professional "large office" sound that shows callers you have your own office
2. Receive calls only during the hours you choose; for example, MON - FRI 8am to 6pm and SAT 10am to 5pm. Set your schedule boundaries - no need to explain that you don't accept "late night" calls from clients during your family time, or that SUN is your off day.
3. Other calls can go to your office voicemail, which you can pick up at any time. You can even get notified via text message or email that you have a message waiting!
4. Callers can choose from several extensions, such as: a separate line for each agent on your team; or a separate extension for each listing you have.
5. Record your own professional messages for each extension. You can do this on your computer!
6. Don't change your cards etc. every time your cell or office number changes.
7. You can choose your own local or toll-free number, or request a vanity number.
8. You can play back your messages on your computer, and archive them.
9. Once you've established a relationship with a client, you can give them your cell phone # if you want.

Incredibly enough, here's some FAX benefits too:

1. Receive your incoming faxes electronically -- you don't need a fax machine, ink, or paper.
2. Faxes can be read from your computer -- you can save paper (and go "green") by not having to print every fax. Only print those faxes you need a hard copy.
3. You can save faxes as PDF files and forward via email.
4. I've received NO junk faxes (spam faxes) since I implemented this new fax system!
5. You don't have to give out your fax # on your business card, etc. When clients call you, tell them your fax # is the same as your phone #, which they already have.

Yes, there are some cons also. The main issue I have with GotVMail is that they do NOT have an outgoing fax service. They keep saying they are working on it but no progress yet. They really need to offer this service if they hope to be a complete office management system. If you want to have a completely virtual fax service, with no fax equipment, you can scan documents to your computer, put them into a PDF format, and send out via www.OneFax.com or a similar service that has outgoing fax capabilities.

Once, I was not able to receive a fax through GotVMail.com because of the computer that was sending it. But this has only happened once. And we fixed it by sending it as an email attachment instead.

The service is incredibly affordable, with rates from $9.95 per month. I pay about $20 per month because I requested a specific toll-free phone number. There is also an initial set-up fee.

WAIT! One more IMPORTANT thing... NAR members get a substantial DISCOUNT on the service by using their NAR coupon code. Go to www.Realtor.org, click on "Realtor Benefits" at the bottom of the left navigation bar. Under "Technology", click on "GotVMail" and get your $50 credit which waives the set-up fee!

Such a COOL tech tool, use it your advantage. Upgrade to a professional-sounding office TODAY and manage your mobile "office" from the home or on the road!

Regina P. Brown
Allison James Estates & Homes
www.ReginaBrown.AllisonJamesInc.com

Unfortunately I've seen this happen time and again... Brokers are either (1) in denial that they're about to close their doors; or (2) don't inform their agents until the last minute. Real estate office don't usually put up a "Going Out of Business" sale on their front door, do they?

That leaves the agents in a difficult spot, as they have to take their listings, quickly, and relocate to another realty office without much research of that office's professional reputation (or their financial standing). And what do you tell your clients when you're in limbo? That is quite awkward. One agent in northern CA has had to switch brokerages 3 times in the last year! Has this happened to you or any agents you know? I'm interested in hearing any stories...

If you are an office about to close, or know an office that is considering closure, please contact me. I have an alternative plan that could be a win-win-win situation for everyone: the office broker, the agents, and the clients. After all, the public's perception of real estate agents is not very highly esteemed, and we need to keep our industry from sliding any farther down the scale!

Regina P. Brown
Allison James Estates & Homes
www.ReginaBrown.AllisonJamesInc.com

I've been working exclusively from my home office for 7 years now. So many Realtors are envious and wish they could work exclusively from home! I tell that that although there are so many GREAT benefits, there are some drawbacks, too.

One benefit is that there is no time wasted gossipping with your co-workers; however, one challenge is that there can be a lot of distractions at the house. What have you experienced that you can share with other professionals working from their home-based business, or those who are considering it?

The best part is that you're your own boss! The worst part is (also) that you're your own boss! A unique challenge is prioritizing your schedule and staying focused on money-making (profitable) activities without a boss looking over your shoulder. You must be self-disciplined and learn some good habits to keep you on track during the day.

"Virtual Office - Work from Home Office" is a new group I just started so business pros can offer success tips to each other. Check out the group, I'd love to have you join!

Regina P. Brown
Allison James Estates & Homes
www.ReginaBrown.AllisonJamesInc.com