Streamlining Success: How Carrie LaMar and Elite Virtual Services Simplify Business for Real Estate Agents and Entrepreneurs
Written by Heather Anderson
Carrie LaMar, founder of Elite Virtual Services, is a Virtual Assistant (VA) and Transaction Coordinator (TC) who takes the weight of admin, customer service, and social media tasks off the shoulders of real estate agents and business owners alike. With a knack for tailoring services to fit the unique needs of each client, Carrie is helping professionals reclaim their time, focus on their passion, and grow their businesses. In this interview, Carrie shares her journey, the inspiration behind her business, and how she serves the high-stakes world of real estate while staying open to supporting all types of entrepreneurs.
Carrie, what led you to dedicate your expertise to helping both real estate professionals and entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship has always been a big part of my life. I love business and helping people streamline their operations, whether they’re real estate agents or small business owners. My previous experience as a business owner made me appreciate just how hard it is to juggle everything alone, so I wanted to provide services that ease that burden. I’ve worked with a variety of industries—from digital marketing companies to course creators and coaches and that diversity of experience has been rewarding. But after going through the process of buying my own home, I was drawn to focus on real estate. Agents invest so much time and energy in managing the day-to-day operations of their business, and I knew I could step in to support them with tasks that take them away from their core focus: building relationships and closing deals.
Real estate is a fast-paced, high-stakes industry. How do you customize your services to meet the specific needs of brokers and agents?
It’s all about making their lives easier. I handle a wide range of tasks like managing leads, client and vendor communications, updating listings, scheduling photography and inspections, and organizing documents. I also take care of personal tasks, like scheduling appointments, researching entertainment or venues for a child’s birthday, or meal planning, so agents don’t have to. My goal is to remove those time-consuming tasks from their day so they can stay focused on their clients and closing deals.
Customization seems to be a core value for you. Can you share how you tailor your services to fit each client’s specific needs?
No two businesses are alike, and neither are my clients’ needs. I always start by learning about the client’s operations, their pain points, and their goals. For some, that means providing full-time administrative support. For others, it could be managing a one-off project or helping them through a particularly busy season. I’m here to offer exactly what they need, whether it’s managing email inboxes, creating Canva graphics, handling customer service emails, or onboarding new clients.
Success stories are always great to hear. Can you share an example of how your services have significantly freed up a client’s time?
One client that stands out is a digital marketing company I helped during a major product launch. Their inbox was overwhelmed with customer service inquiries, and they couldn’t manage both the back-end work and the client communications at the same time. I took over the inbox, created FAQ responses, and managed customer concerns, which allowed them to focus on scaling their business and increasing their membership. The client said the time saved was invaluable to their success during that period.
Another client, a caterer, was going through a personal crisis and was at risk of closing her business. I stepped in and helped plan her event menus, create shopping lists, and handle inventory so her team could carry out the day-to-day tasks. She was able to take the time off she needed without shutting down her business, and when she returned, everything was running smoothly.
“It’s all about recognizing what tasks are draining your energy or taking up too much time. I always advise clients to start by listing everything they do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.”
For entrepreneurs or real estate agents considering virtual assistance but hesitant to take the plunge, how do they know what or when to delegate?
It’s all about recognizing what tasks are draining your energy or taking up too much time. I always advise clients to start by listing everything they do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. From there, it becomes clear which tasks they either don’t enjoy or aren’t good at—those are the first things to delegate. Once they see what’s eating up their time, they can start outsourcing and focusing on the parts of their business they’re truly passionate about.
How do you approach building trust with new clients, especially those who may be hesitant to delegate?
Delegating can feel overwhelming for business owners who’ve been managing everything on their own. I recommend starting small, maybe with a test project or a few hours of support each week, to see how it feels. This way, clients don’t feel like they’re handing over too much too soon. Once they experience the value of outsourcing and see the results, it’s much easier to build trust. Most clients find that after they’ve worked with me for a little while, they’re eager to delegate even more because they see how much time and stress it saves them.
What does the process look like when onboarding a new client?
Once we’ve had our initial discovery call to assess their needs, I send over a proposal along with a contract and invoice. Once the contract is signed and the first invoice is paid, we schedule a kickoff call. That’s where we dig into the specifics—logins, passwords, communication preferences, and any processes they already have in place. I also make sure they’re open to new systems I might implement, like organizing their email inbox or setting up filters and rules to streamline their workflow. For real estate agents, I’m usually in more frequent contact, so we discuss the best methods to stay connected—whether that’s text, Voxer, or email.
Do you have a favorite roster of software tools you rely on to stay organized and efficient?
I like to keep things simple. Trello is my go-to for project management—it’s visually appealing and easy to use. I also use Loom for recording processes and creating SOPs, and Adobe Acrobat for managing documents. Google Workspace is another favorite for email, file sharing, and collaboration. I’m also part of a tech membership that offers training on tools like Dubsado, HoneyBook, and ClickUp, so I can keep up with industry-specific software when needed.
What future developments are you excited about for Elite Virtual Services?
I’m looking forward to continuing to serve both real estate professionals and small business owners while expanding my service offerings. Eventually, I’d love to grow Elite Virtual Services into a full-service agency, subcontracting specialized services like videography, social media management, and website design. This way, I can offer a one-stop solution for clients looking for a wider range of support.
Looking to streamline your business and get back to what you love? Carrie LaMar and Elite Virtual Services are here to help!
Customized administrative support for real estate professionals and entrepreneurs
Transaction Coordination Services
Lead management, vendor communication, document organization, and more
Personal tasks like scheduling appointments and planning family activities and celebrations
Book a free consultation at Elite Virtual Services
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Connect with Carrie on LinkedIn
You can also find Carrie on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with Carrie inside The Club membership for women Founders.