A question that we are often asked:
“Why would you hire a Real Estate Virtual Assistant if you can hire an on-site assistant for significantly less?”
While the answer is simple, the explanation is hidden unless you really dissect everything involved. Here is our best response to this question, and after reading this you’ll realize that comparing the hourly rate of a Real Estate Virtual Assistant to the hourly wage of an employee is like comparing apples to oranges…
What Does It Cost?
Real Estate (Specific) Virtual Assistants: $35-$80 per hour
On-site Employee: $15-$25 per hour
Let’s Compare Apples to Apples:
If you stop at the “What will this cost me?” question, you’re only getting 10% of the story and you’ll really end up hurting yourself in the long run.
Looking at the numbers above, why wouldn’t you just hire an on-site assistant?
In this industry and especially during this type of economy, the advantages of partnering with a Real Estate Virtual Assistant far outweigh one of the disadvantages – which is price.
Let’s touch on just 3 compelling reasons to ensure that YOU see the VALUE when it comes to hiring a Real Estate Virtual Assistant
1) The Expert – The number one benefit you will get from hiring a Real Estate Virtual Assistant over an on-site employee is that a Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA) is highly skilled in the many aspects of real estate. They focus solely on real estate and because of this specialty, they are already completely trained on real estate software, real estate websites, terminology and the general flow of how the industry operates. If and when further training is required, they will do it on their own time and their own dime. A Real Estate Virtual Assistant will come to you as an EXPERT and tell you what they will do for you. They will analyze your current business and make recommendations that will ensure your success and your business growth. They will never need to be managed, supervised or trained. The opposite is true of an on-site employee. In most cases, an on-site employee will rely on you to keep them busy and tell them what you want done. If you want to further their knowledge, you’ll need to send them to seminars, classes, etc. You pay for their time and the class. A good Real Estate Virtual Assistant thrives on new information as it relates to the real estate industry in particular and furthering the success of their clients first and foremost. They self educate, they go out of their way to find out what is new, what works and what doesn’t. They come to you already trained and an absolute expert in what they do. Cost? Priceless.
2) The Independent Consultant - A Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA) is an independent consultant. You are not responsible for their taxes, benefits, workers compensation, vacation or sick pay. In addition, the burden of computing payroll taxes and staying atop the federal, state, and local employment laws can be daunting to say the least. Not to mention making sure you have the money to pay your on-site assistant even if you have no cash coming in to your business that week/month. This can be so stressful just to think about. Your Real Estate Virtual Assistant will send you an invoice and you’ll pay using a credit card or direct debit from your checking account. This elevates any pressure that you may have to give all your cash to your employee(s). Utilizing your credit card allows you to easily manage and maintain your cash flow. Cost? Priceless.
3) The Efficient Time Saver, Not Waster - You are not responsible to keep your Virtual Assistant busy. If you have a slow week or decide to go on an extended vacation, you have no obligation to even inform your VA.
Why answer to an on-site employee? Isn’t the reason you hired them to free up your time? Instead you find you’re working harder to train them and keep them busy.
In addition, you only pay for the work that is assigned and completed by your Virtual Assistant. There is no down time. Your business literally runs 24-7-365. You are not paying a Virtual Assistant to take a break, to chit chat in the office, to take a smoke break, to make coffee, to check their personal Facebook account and call their friends.
According to the 2007 “Wasting Time Survey” by Salary.com, the average time an employee spends on the unproductive things mentioned above is 1.7 hours PER DAY.
Are you sure you want to spend your hard earned money so that your employee can spent 2 hours playing on Facebook?
Your Virtual Assistant will bill you for only the time they spend making you successful, not a dime more. Cost? Priceless.
These are only three benefits. There are so many more, but aren’t these enough? These stressful situations will make you wonder what you were thinking about when you asked the question…. “Why would I hire a Real Estate Virtual Assistant if I can hire an onsite assistant for significantly less?”
Now you know why and the reason is that the work of a Real Estate Virtual Assistant is priceless!
Have a great weekend!
Carrie Gable
President
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