An inside Sales Agent is a dedicated professional that helps find new leads, follow-up with existing leads, and pre-qualify incoming leads. They are often hired to supplement existing lead generation activities for a real estate agents, team, and brokerages.
ISA is the commonly used acronym for inside sales agents.
Real estate agents and teams that are growing often use ISAs to generate new leads. The more time agents are spending on showings and listing presentations, the less time they have to find and screen new leads. Inside sales agents help ensure there is a steady flow of new high-quality leads.
ISAs can be full-time, part-time, or contract employees. They are usually paid on a combination of salary and commission.
An automated or artificial intelligence ISA performs ISA-like functions using technology rather than people. Often these services generate automated responses to site chats and email leads. These help pre-screen initial inquiries from potential clients. That way agents can focus on answering more-detailed questions.
Virtual or outsourced ISAs are external companies that handle inside sales agent activities. These companies often charge a monthly or per-lead fee.
Inside sales agents might need a real estate license. A license is probably not needed for pre-screening leads or finding new lead sources. For answering detailed questions about a property or providing real estate advice, a license is likely required. But each situation still requires unique analysis by a lawyer to determine if a license is required.