What Unlicensed Real Estate Virtual Assistants Can Do In Maryland

The state of Maryland offers a number of useful advantages for realtors and real estate professionals who make use of unlicensed assistants. These assistants can come in two forms: physical individuals that are hired by the real estate firm in question, or the services of an online virtual real estate assistant. The functions of both these two types of employees are regulated by the Maryland Department Of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Rules That Apply To Unlicensed Assistants In Maryland

Whether you are planning on hiring an assistant that is physically present in your office or the services of an online personal assistant, the laws regarding the actions that can and cannot be taken in the name of the real estate licensee in question remains the same.

According to the state government, unlicensed assistants in Maryland can do any of the following things:

• Type contract forms and create documents under the supervision of the licensee;

• Compute commission checks;

• Answer telephone calls on behalf of the licensee;

• Follow up on loan commitments;

• Obtain public information from the courthouse or any other state entity;

• Arrange and schedule routine home maintenance services;

• Schedule open house events and engagements;

A real estate assistant, however, is specifically prohibited from doing any of the following things:

• Showing property to clients or answering questions about a property;

• Discuss any contractual terms relating to a property with anyone other than the licensee;

• Receive any form of payment from the owner or a lessee from a property owner or client;

• Lead anyone inside or outside the firm to believe that he or she is a licensed real estate agent.

In addition, it is not legal for an assistant of this nature to be paid any form of bonus produced by the sale of a property – no commissions, no sales bonus or extra incentives of any kind beyond the agreed virtual assistant salary.