How Bob LaChance Went From Hockey to Real Estate Success

Real estate is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry, offering endless opportunities for those willing to put in the work. Success in real estate often isn’t linear; many top professionals lack degrees or backgrounds in the field. Persistence, adaptability, and the right mindset are key to overcoming obstacles and building a thriving business.

In the recent episode of Real Estate Success DFW Podcast, I spoke with Bob LaChance. He is a former professional hockey player who transitioned into real estate without a degree. Now, he runs a successful business as the Founder and CEO of REVA Global. Bob boasts over 2,000 transactions under his belt.

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The First Leap Into Real Estate

Bob’s real estate journey began in 2004 after a successful hockey career. With a degree incomplete, he decided against returning to school and instead joined an industry that didn’t require formal education—real estate. His decision was practical; real estate offered an opportunity to build wealth without needing a degree.

He entered the market with no formal training, relying on his intuition, determination, and a willingness to learn from others. Bob’s persistence and adaptability allowed him to thrive, and today, his business continues to grow and evolve.

Learning the Ropes Through Flipping Homes

Bob’s first experience in real estate came with flipping homes. His first deal involved driving through neighborhoods and finding a property listed for $185,000. Bob’s $135,000 offer was accepted, but without contractors or financing, he had to navigate challenges on his own.

“I didn’t have contractors or financing, but I knew I had to take action,” he explained. He ended up making $32,000 in two months and realized that the key to success was taking action—even when you don’t have everything figured out.

From Short Sales to Door-Knocking

In the early 2000s, Bob shifted his focus to short sales, honing a skill that would propel him even further in his real estate career. For a year, Bob door-knocked on pre-foreclosure properties, spending his days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. talking to homeowners facing foreclosure. This wasn’t easy work, but it gave Bob invaluable experience.

“The year of door knocking taught me so much about the business and about myself,” he shared. It was hard work that eventually paid off, teaching Bob that real estate success requires persistence and a willingness to face rejection.

Mentorship: Learning by Giving

One of the central themes in Bob’s story is mentorship. He acknowledges that much of his success came from learning directly from people who had already been where he wanted to go. “I’ve always had mentors. And I still do,” Bob shared. “It’s crucial.”

Mentorship is something Bob continues to stress for those new to real estate. He emphasizes the importance of giving more than you take, especially when starting. This “give before you get” philosophy helped Bob build relationships and gain the knowledge that would shape his career.

Flipping vs. Whole Tailing

As Bob’s business grew, he began shifting from full renovations (flipping) to whole-sale. This strategy involves buying homes, doing minimal repairs—usually addressing critical issues like plumbing or foundation—and reselling them. This more efficient approach minimizes the risks and costs typically associated with flipping.

“Whole tailing allows us to buy properties off-market, do minimal work, and get them back on the market quickly,” Bob explained. This model has worked well, particularly in markets with tight inventory. By minimizing the amount of work done on each property, Bob has been able to scale his operations faster while reducing risk.

Using Virtual Assistants to Scale

I’ve seen firsthand the power of virtual assistants (VAs) in real estate. Bob shared that he started using VAs in 2013 after realizing that his students and colleagues in real estate lacked time to complete tasks necessary for growth. 

This led him to launch a virtual assistant business in 2014, helping agents and investors by handling tasks such as CRM management, email follow-up, and lead generation.

“I believe that you should try something first before you outsource it,” Bob explained. “That way, when you hire someone to do the job, you can be the mentor and coach because you understand the process.”

While talking about VAs, I also mentioned how using a professional podcast network has helped streamline my podcast production. The network manages guest coordination, editing, and promotion, allowing me to concentrate on content creation. Outsourcing these tasks ensures my episodes reach the right audience without the technical production hassles.

Why VAs Are a Game-Changer for Agents

Virtual assistants have been a game-changer for many real estate professionals, including Bob. By hiring VAs to handle low-value tasks, agents can focus on revenue-generating activities like showing homes and negotiating deals. Bob explained that agents should hire VAs when they start to feel the pressure of too many tasks and too little time.

Here are some key tasks VAs can handle for real estate professionals:

• Lead Generation: VAs can prospect, make cold calls, and follow up with leads.

• CRM Management: Keeping your database organized and ensuring timely follow-up.

• Transaction Coordination: VAs can handle the paperwork, freeing you up to focus on closing deals.

• Social Media Management: VAs can help post and maintain an active social media presence.

By outsourcing these tasks to VAs, agents can avoid burnout and create more growth opportunities.

Managing Virtual Assistants for Success

Bob also shared some best practices for managing VAs. He uses client service managers (CSMs) to oversee his VAs, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to the correct standards. “We have CSMs who handle weekly meetings with VAs to track their progress,” Bob explained. This system allows Bob to keep everything running smoothly, without micromanaging every task.

Setting clear expectations from the start and having regular check-ins helps ensure that VAs are consistently delivering the results that help agents grow their businesses.

Curious to hear the full discussion with Bob LaChance? Tune in to our latest podcast episode!

Growing Your Business with the Right Systems

Bob’s success in real estate is a result of hard work, mentorship, and effective use of virtual assistants. His journey teaches valuable lessons on working smarter. To elevate your real estate business, prioritize mentorship, establish efficient systems, and employ virtual assistants to focus on high-value tasks.

Want to share your real estate journey on the Real Estate Success DFW? If you’re an agent with valuable insights and a story to tell, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and become a guest to inspire others and expand your reach in the real estate community. Connect with me directly to discuss how you can contribute and make a lasting impact.

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