Anyone who plans to invest in property, or who’s already invested in property, probably knows that it can sometimes be frustrating. But there are ways to make it easier, and one of those is through the use of a real estate virtual assistant. When you work with a virtual assistant, you have the option to get some help and support for your real estate business, without the need to pay for office space. An in-person assistant isn’t required for a lot of what you’ll need, which makes virtual support a great option.
What is a Real Estate Virtual Assistant?
A real estate virtual assistant is exactly what the name implies. It’s an assistant who supports you virtually instead of in person, and who has specific knowledge of real estate. These assistants can be extremely helpful when you need more support for your investment properties. Managing a lot of properties can become stressful and difficult without any help, but you might not want to turn them over to a property management company. An assistant can bridge that gap for you.
Keep in mind that a real estate virtual assistant can do nearly everything an in-person assistant can do. That’s good news for any investor because it gives them the opportunity to have an assistant they like and trust, no matter that person’s location. Not being required to hire someone who’s located in the same geographic area opens up the door for hiring someone who truly fits the job, as opposed to just someone in the same region who may be able to handle most of the tasks.
Why Choose a Virtual Assistant Over In-Person Support?
Choosing a virtual assistant over in-person support can be a great way to branch out and select different candidates, but that’s not all it’s good for. When you choose a real estate virtual assistant, you also get the opportunity to avoid office space and other expenses that come with in-person help. You won’t need to rent space or move to a larger location to accommodate your assistant. You also don’t have to deal with a lot of overhead, extra desks and furniture, or additional electricity, gas, and water.
In short, a virtual assistant typically costs less than an in-person assistant. For investors who are trying to keep the costs down and the profits high, a real estate virtual assistant can be a good choice. Just make sure you’re choosing one that’s available when you need them. If your assistant is in a different time zone than you, for example, you need to make sure they’ll be available to take calls and provide information, if that’s one of the tasks you’ve assigned them.
What Can a Virtual Assistant Do?
There’s a lot that a virtual real estate assistant can do. Many people think they’re very restricted because they can’t perform tasks that require a real estate license. While it’s true that they can’t perform anything that needs a license, there are so many other areas where they can help investors with their properties. Marketing, fielding phone calls from potential tenants and administrative tasks are some of the more common areas where these agents are used.
They can do all of those things, and even provide information for listed property, provided they aren’t acting as an agent and are only providing information that’s in the listing. With so many things a virtual assistant can do, there’s really no reason not to hire one and let them help you grow your property portfolio. Investing can be extremely valuable, but it’s best when it’s handled in a way that doesn’t cause a lot of stress and strain. Working with an assistant is among the best ways to do that.
Is Real Estate Knowledge Really Required?
One of the biggest questions that investors have about the hiring of a real estate virtual assistant is whether knowledge of real estate is really required. In other words, why wouldn’t you just hire any kind of virtual assistant, and teach them what you’re looking for? While that’s possible to do, having someone with real estate knowledge goes a long way toward making things easier. There’s far less of a learning curve that way, so you can get them up and running quickly and get more help, faster.
Additionally, a virtual assistant who already has real estate knowledge is someone who can provide you with insight and suggestions. Since they already understand real estate, they’ll see what you need and what you’re trying to do more easily. With that in mind, it’s easier for you to focus on other tasks that need your attention. You can feel confident that your assistant is handling things properly, and you won’t need to spend as long teaching them what they need to know to really help you properly.
Choose a Real Estate Virtual Assistant Today
When you decide to choose a real estate virtual assistant, you’ll want to reach out to an agency that can provide you with the right person. You need good quality people in your life, and as an investor, you want people you can trust. You could search for an assistant on your own, but it’s generally better to look for one through an agency that’s used to finding and providing them. That way you’ll know that your assistant is properly vetted, which will give you proper support, along with the peace of mind.
Finding the right assistant means more than just how much that assistant can do for you. It’s also about finding one whose personality works with yours. Since you’ll be working closely with your virtual assistant, you need to get along with them. While being friends isn’t necessary, it’s vital to have a good working relationship that can grow and stay strong over time. You’ll be more likely to get that when you look for an assistant who fits your personality, goals, and plans as you continue with your property investing dreams.
