from DBPR
Many Realtors have an assistant and that can be a problem unless everyone is aware of what that person can and can't do.
An unlicensed assistant can cause problems for the licensee with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and DBPR tries to head off any unpleasant situations by making a list available titled "Permissible Activities of an Unlicensed Assistant."
DBPR defines an unlicensed assistant as "support staff for a real estate corporation or other licensed individuals" and here's some of what the person can do:
• Answer the phone and forward calls.
• Fill out and submit listings and changes to any multiple listing service.
• Follow up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated and generally secure the status reports on the loan progress.
• Assemble documents for closing.
• Get public information documents from government offices.
• Have keys made for company listings, order surveys, termite inspections, home inspections and home warranties with the licensed employer's approval.
• Write ads for approval of the licensee and the supervising broker, and place advertising.
• Prepare flyers and promotional information for approval by licensee and the supervising broker.
• Receive, record and deposit earnest money, security deposits and advance rents.
• Only type the contract forms for approval by licensee and supervising broker.
• Monitor licenses and personnel files.
• Compute commission checks.
• Place signs on property.
• Order items of repair as directed by licensee.
• Act as a courier service to deliver documents, pick up keys or the like.
• Place routine telephone calls on late rent payments.
• Schedule appointments for licensee to show a listed property.
• Attend an Open House but only for security or to hand out informational materials such as brochures.
• Answer questions concerning a listing from which the answer must be obtained from the licensed employer-approved printed information and is objective in nature.
• Gather information for a Comparative Market Analysis.
• Gather information for an appraisal.