Real estate brokers and agents need to streamline operations and delegate tasks to remain efficient in today's fast-paced world. Hiring a virtual assistant can help you do just that. A virtual assistant can take on menial tasks such as bookkeeping, administrative work like scheduling appointments and email correspondence, or even more complex tasks like researching prospective properties for your listings. In this blog post, we’ll explore what a virtual assistant is and how they can help your real estate business. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of hiring a virtual assistant, tips for finding the right candidate, and resources for finding the perfect VA for your business.

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is a type of administrative support staff that provides administrative or creative services remotely via computer and other technologies. A virtual assistant might organize your email inbox, schedule social media posts, write content, or do research on real estate data. Virtual assistants perform administrative tasks that typically don’t require a physical or on-site presence at your business. They can help with administrative work, creative tasks, and even customer service — just don’t expect them to be able to physically show up at your office and answer your clients’ questions in person! In short, a virtual assistant is an administrative support staff that provides their services remotely. Communication is usually via email, telephone, or online messaging tools like Skype or Zoom.

Why hire a virtual assistant for your real estate business?

Hiring a virtual assistant is a great way to free up your time and energy so you can focus on growing your business. Virtual assistants can take on a variety of administrative tasks that don’t require your in-person attention. Some common tasks that a virtual assistant can handle include: - Bookkeeping - Virtual assistants can assist with your bookkeeping tasks like reconciling transactions, scheduling payment dates, and generating reports. - Administrative work - Virtual assistants can take on administrative work like scheduling appointments, organizing your to-do lists, and responding to emails. - Research - Virtual assistants can research properties you’re listing or clients you’re working with. They can also research market conditions to help inform your business decisions. - Copywriting - Virtual assistants can write blog posts, newsletters, or emails for your business.

Tips when hiring a VA

- Experience - When hiring your virtual assistant, make sure to choose someone with experience. While anyone can jump on a job board and claim to be a virtual assistant, it’s essential to weed out the candidates who lack the skills necessary to do the job. - Communication - If you’re working with a virtual assistant over the phone, online messaging, or by email, make sure you and your VA are on the same page. Define your expectations for the role, and make sure you’re giving your VA clear instructions. - Time zone - well, it is important to consider your VAs time zone, remember that a good VA works your time zone- Personality - Make sure you and your VA are a good fit. If you and your VA are not a good fit, it could have a negative impact on your business. You don’t want to be constantly correcting your VA or having to reprimand them for not doing their job correctly.

Virtual assistants to help with your day-to-day

- Organizing and prioritizing your tasks - Virtual assistants can help you organize your day-to-day tasks so you can stay on top of your to-do list. They can also help you prioritize those tasks so you can focus on the more important items. - Finding prospect properties - Virtual assistants can help you find properties for your listings. They can research properties in your area and provide information like location, square footage, and property type that can be useful for your business. - Organizing your calendar - Your virtual assistant can organize your calendar, so you don’t miss important appointments. They can also help you schedule appointments with your clients and colleagues. - Bookkeeping - Virtual assistants can assist with your bookkeeping tasks like reconciling transactions, scheduling payment dates, and generating reports.

Virtual assistants to help with your listings

- Researching properties - Virtual assistants can research properties to help inform your listings. They can provide information like the location, square footage, and property type. - Organizing your listings - Your virtual assistants can organize your listings so you can track your progress and stay on top of your to-do list. They can also manage your calendar, so you don’t miss important dates like open house dates or showings. - Marketing your listings - Virtual assistants can help you market your listings. They can write blog posts, create social media posts, and help you with other marketing activities.

Virtual assistants to help with your marketing

- Creating a marketing plan - Virtual assistants can help you create a marketing plan for your business. They can research your target audience and the best marketing channels for your business. - Creating promotional materials - Your virtual assistants can help you create promotional materials like blog posts or social media posts. They can also help you create your website or other real estate marketing materials. - Analyzing social media channels - Virtual assistants can help you analyze your social media channels to see what’s working and what isn’t. They can monitor your social media channels and report on what kind of posts are most successful and which ones are not as impactful.

The bottom line

Hiring a virtual assistant for your real estate business can help you save time and streamline operations so you can focus on growing your business. Virtual assistants can take on a variety of administrative tasks that don’t require your in-person attention. When hiring your virtual assistant, make sure to choose someone with experience and who is a good fit for your business.