Ch. 15 - Using Real Estate Assistants Flashcards

Ch. 15 - Using Real Estate Assistants Flashcards Why is coordinating escrow so important and how can an assistant help?The escrow process can make or break a sale. An assistant can talk to the escrow officer to find out what documents have been returned, what documents are outstanding, if all contingencies have been removed and if all conditions have been met.Which of these items on a resume accompanying an application for an assistant's position should be kept brief?Interests

Assistants who are hired to work part time: Should get workmen's compensation.

In what three ways can an assistant aid an agent with appointments?Act as an "appointment reminder."Compile files with the appropriate blank documents for the agent to take to listing and selling appointments.Meet with appraisers or inspectors as the agent's representative.Gail is a licensed real estate assistant. Which of the following activities would she not be authorized to perform?Write and sign commission checks to salespersons.What is a good method for an assistant to keep track of the various types of files a real estate broker must have?A cross-referencing system What is important to know about unlicensed real estate assistants?Unlicensed assistants can perform a variety of activities to assist real estate licensees in transactions. However, they may not perform any activity which requires a real estate license.Which statement is not true?An assistant should never be left with the task of taking photos of a new listing.PERFORMING OFFICE ADMINISTRATIONAll real estate transactions require mountains of paperwork.A real estate assistant's first tasks will entail becoming familiar with the firm's office procedures. Most firms have an organized flow of how paperwork passes through the office - what gets generated when, who gets copies of what, what gets filed where, etc.All of the firm's paperwork must be organized in such a way that it will be readily accessible to anyone who needs to put their hands on it.So having and maintaining a good filing system is critical.Because firms must maintain files on listings, current transactions, buyers, sellers and completed transactions, an assistant may need to develop a cross-referencing system and an indexing system to keep track of all the paperwork.Janet is an unlicensed assistant. She can do all of the following except which?Prepare a listing contract.A real estate assistant:Needs a license to perform activities that are not strictly administrative in nature.

What types of office administration tasks are important for a licensed assistant to perform?A good filing system is critical and should include cross-referencing and indexing components.Which of the following would not be a reason to choose to be an assistant?To make more money than a real estate agent Which statement is true about a real estate assistant?May be an independent contractor.LICENSED OR UNLICENSED?Real estate assistants can be either licensed or unlicensed.Unlicensed assistants function like secretaries.They can be very helpful with those tasks that are purely administrative, such as directing phone calls, filing documents, preparing certain documents, creating newsletters and maintaining a client database. But the law limits the activities an unlicensed assistant can perform; so hiring a licensed assistant might be a better option.Since licensed assistants are technically licensed salespersons, they can perform most any task an agent requests of them.Agents using licensed assistants will not have to be careful about what they discuss with their assistants regarding listings or clients. Assistants have the freedom to perform such activities as conducting open houses independently and discussing properties with prospective buyers and sellers.As we said, unlicensed administrative assistants can perform a variety of activities to assist real estate licensees in transactions. However, they may not perform any activity which requires a real estate license.When an agent employs an unlicensed assistant, it is essential that the assistant be adequately supervised to ensure that he or she does not perform activities requiring a real estate license. It is important to remember that in California it is unlawful for a broker to employ or compensate, directly or indirectly, any unlicensed person for performing licensed acts. Therefore, it is imperative that the activities of unlicensed assistants be properly monitored.Assistants who are asked to be available for tasks in the

field rather than in the office are referred to as:

On-call assistants