Streamlining Real Estate Investments with Virtual Assistants

[Julie Gates]

Being successful in real estate investing is no easy thing – it's not just about mastering facts; it demands a toll on physical, emotional, and philosophical levels. Amid the chaos of decision-making around buying, selling, renting, or rehabbing, investors often find themselves seeking ways to simplify their operations. While employees can be a valuable asset, they also come with a hefty price tag.

In my journey as a real estate investor, I discovered a game-changer – virtual assistants. These remote workers, scattered across the globe from the Philippines to Egypt, offer diverse skills and language proficiencies. Some business owners have found success hiring assistants from South America, benefiting from similar time zones and language capabilities.

The turning point for me was enrolling in a course on hiring and managing virtual assistants, created by Anna Li. Li began hiring virtual assistants to scale a thriving wholesaling company in Philadelphia. At the time, she was living and working full time in Switzerland. She later leveraged her experience to teach others how to harness the potential of virtual assistants globally.

One crucial lesson I learned was the importance of timing. My initial hire, working from 5 pm to 3 am, was aimed to provide me with more family time. Unfortunately, having a new employee during these hours forced me to also train during family time. I also realized that if I didn’t leave my assistant with enough tasks, they ended up sitting around for hours with nothing to do and no one to ask for help. My next hire worked during business hours, aligning with peak activity times and supporting other team members who were also balancing growing responsibilities.

I have spoken with many entrepreneurs who are opposed to using virtual assistants on many levels. As someone who has hired and worked with many, I’ll tell you that these employment opportunities are great for both sides, just as every business transaction should be. Many of the virtual assistants that I have hired have told me stories about getting yelled at constantly (one worked at Comcast, if you can imagine) and almost all of them have had stories of either not getting paid, or not ever knowing when they would get paid. Like you and me, they want to do a good job and be rewarded for it. They want to take care of their families and better themselves.

Over the years, my virtual assistants have become an integral part of my team, very much like family. Despite skepticism from some entrepreneurs, my experience emphasizes the mutual benefits of these employment opportunities, which every business transaction should be based on. Virtual assistants, like any employee, seek fair treatment, timely payment, and a chance to excel.

As your business expands, consider virtual assistants as an option. Virtual assistants can handle calls, texts, appointment scheduling, and more, contributing to increased efficiency. My advice is to hire thoughtfully, offering a full-time position even if the workload is initially light. Guaranteeing steady pay attracts top candidates, and services like those provided by professionals such as Li can enhance your success.

Consistency is key – create a work environment that you would want to show up to every day. Virtual assistants can be a valuable asset, streamlining your real estate investments and contributing to the growth of your business.

[Taylor L.]

VAs have become integral to my business. Your observations about how VAs can be treated by others are totally accurate and very unfortunate. 

It's incredible how much you can get done by simply:

- Treating your VAs well, like people with feelings and families to provide for (because they are!)

- Paying them on time, in full, at a fair rate

- Giving clear instructions, setting expectations, and providing training for relevant tasks