Real estate is an industry that’s been around for ages. It’s had its fair share of ups and downs, all of which have significantly impacted the US economy. From market crashes to record-breaking booms, the real estate sector is both a major factor and a player in US economic health.

Real estate agents are key players in the sector, connecting buyers and sellers while navigating the complex and exciting—sometimes too exciting—world of real estate. But what does a real estate agent do exactly? Let’s explore the answer to this question and the alternative staffing solution that can help them thrive in today’s real estate landscape.

The role of a real estate agent

At a quick glance most will think real estate agents work on connecting property owners to buyers or renters. But it’s more than just property matchmaking—real estate agents are licensed professionals who guide and help clients navigate decisions that can significantly impact their finances and overall quality of life.

The job of a real estate agent requires more than charm and a good spiel. Agents must have the right blend of market knowledge, excellent negotiation skills, a strong understanding of laws and regulations, and excellent communication.

What does a real estate agent do?

A real estate agent, especially an independent one, wears many hats. Their to-do list will have a mix of basic administrative and back-office tasks. They do just about everything, from nurturing leads and following up with past clients to managing referrals and maintaining a positive reputation in the community.

Here’s what your local real estate agent does on a daily basis:

Administrative and back office work

From managing paperwork and scheduling appointments to updating listings and organizing files, agents handle a wide range of behind-the-scenes tasks that keep transactions moving smoothly.

• Email and phone management
• Calendar management
• Open house planning and execution
• Document preparation and management
• Navigating CRM software
• Expense tracking
• Accounting
• Report generation
• Market research
• Vendor management
• Communication with third parties
• Project management

Customer management

At the core of every successful business is managing customers. From acquiring new leads to updating existing clients, real estate agents must invest time in taking care of the customer on every part of the journey for deals to move forward.

• Lead generation
• Lead management
• Sales pipeline management
• Appointment setting
• Responding to inquiries
• Sending status updates to clients
• Negotiating and closing deals

Listing management

Real estate agents need to keep listings organized and updated. Excellent property listing ensures listings are appealing and competitive to potential customers. Agents must be able to gather accurate property details and update listings with well-made visuals to inform and entice their audience.

• Property data collection
• Posting new listings on MLS and other online platforms
• Editing and updating property details
• Open house coordination
• Virtual tours
• Monitoring listing performance

Marketing

Effective marketing is essential for a real estate business to prosper. Agents take on a wide range of marketing tasks to promote their agency’s brand and listings, including creating content and managing social media profiles.

• Planning and creating content
• Designing marketing materials
• Social media marketing
• Email marketing
• Paid ads management
• Website management
• Feedback management

Need help managing your workload? A real estate VA can provide the support you need to clear up space for your core tasks. Book a free consultation call with 20four7VA to start finding your VA.

Can a virtual assistant help a real estate agent?

The answer is a resounding “Yes!” 

Virtual assistants (VAs) are remote professionals who offer support to clients from all over the world. They take on a wide variety of tasks, allowing real estate agents to delegate effectively and increase productivity. From routine yet time-intensive work such as data entry and property listing management to processes requiring more specialized skills like website management and graphic design, the VA world has a lot to offer.

Benefits of working with a real estate agent virtual assistant

“Real estate agents are independent go-getters,” says 20four7VA Director of Client Experience Czarina Espiritu. “But even the best achievers can benefit from a helping hand.” With the right VA, a real estate professional can improve business operations and close more deals while staying organized, reducing stress, and delivering a better experience to clients.

• Cost savings

Getting skilled assistance should not break the bank. Traditional staffing can be costly, even for more established real estate firms. With a VA, realtors can get top-tier support without the price tag of hiring a full-time, in-office staff.

• Access to global talent

Real estate professionals won’t have to limit their search by location. Remote staffing opens the door to a more diverse pool of talents coming from across the globe. Real estate professionals won’t have to limit their search to a specific location. VA staffing increases the chance of finding skilled remote talents with the right level of experience and skill sets.

• Time savings

A lot of the behind-the-scenes tasks of a real estate agency take up valuable time. Responsibilities like drafting contracts and database management keep real estate agents from doing more high-level, core tasks.

Fortunately, a reliable virtual assistant can unload some of the administrative burden from their real estate client. By delegating essential yet time-consuming tasks to a VA, real estate agents can regain control of their time, channeling it to work that requires their expert attention.

• Operational efficiency

When tasks are done by people best-suited to handle them, workflows become more efficient. Real estate agents can confidently delegate non-core responsibilities to VAs. This division of tasks allows every member of the team to focus on what they do best, ensuring efficient task completion and higher overall productivity.

• Scalability

Flexibility is a great strength modern businesses should have. For real estate agents to adapt to the dynamic real estate market, they need to get help when they need it. By choosing VA staffing, real estate agents can quickly add more hands on deck without having to go through the many hoops that traditional hiring requires.

• Improved work-life balance

Aside from saving money and improving overall operations, real estate agents can personally benefit from working with a VA. Sharing the workload allows on-the-go agents to slow down their pace to not just focus on their work but to allocate time for life outside the world of real estate. This enables better stress management and reduces the risk of burnout, which can be common in such a fast-paced industry.

Want to start enjoying the benefits of virtual staffing? Book a free consultation call with 20four7VA’s Sales Executives.

What to delegate to a real estate virtual assistant

Below are some examples of virtual real estate agent assistant duties:

Administrative support

Admin duties are essential yet time-consuming, keeping agents from doing more strategic work. Administrative virtual assistants can take on these tasks:

• Data entry
• Customer database management
• Market research
• Calendar management
• Real estate agent personal assistant

Business support

Back-office tasks mainly consist of non-core functions that are crucial for day-to-day operations. A business support VA can provide back-office support to real estate agents, saving them from hours behind the desk. Here are some examples:

• Appointment setting
• Lead generation
• Chat and email support
• Bookkeeping
• Payroll support
• Customer service

Marketing support

A VA with marketing skills and expertise helps agents boost their online presence, attract high-quality leads, and increase engagement with their target audience.

• Social media marketing
• Graphic design
• Content marketing
• Copywriting
• Video editing
• Property listing marketing

Real estate-specific tasks

A VA with relevant real estate experience can take on industry-specific tasks that real estate agents work on daily.

• Inside sales agent (ISA) services
• HOA research
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) support
• Loan processing coordination
• Market analysis
• Transaction coordination
• CRM management
• Utility management

Technical or specialized services

Real estate agencies may need skills and expertise that are not readily available within their team to keep up with a highly modern marketplace. Working with a VA with specific skill sets to help them with technical tasks like maintaining their website and data analysis.

• Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Pay-per-Click advertising
• Digital advertising
• Data analytics
• IT support

Ready to find your real estate virtual assistant? Schedule a free, no-strings-attached consultation call with 20four7VA today.

Find your virtual real estate assistant with 20four7VA

If you’re a real estate agent juggling multiple tasks daily, engaging with a skilled VA can be a game-changer. However, the search for the right VA can demand a lot of your time and energy. Fortunately, 20four7VA can be the expert partner for your remote staffing journey.

20four7VA has more than a decade of helping businesses grow through remote staffing. We have a global talent pool and an equally diverse client portfolio, including businesses in the real estate sector.

Our services don’t just cover finding a virtual assistant. “Our team of experts will help you make the most out of remote staffing,” advises 20four7VA Director of Sales Chin Espiritu. Here’s what you can expect when you choose to partner with us:

• Free client-VA pairing
• Dedicated account manager
• VA onboarding assistants
• Weekly pay processing
• Proprietary time-tracking app
• And more!

Elevate your business with VAs for real estate agents

Whether you need a personal assistant for a real estate agent or someone with more technical skills, virtual staffing is the way to go. VAs can help real estate agents like you thrive in a highly competitive industry. They’ll share your workload, enabling your business to operate at your best.

By partnering with a trusted remote staffing services provider like 20four7VA, you can gain access to cost-effective, world-class remote staffing solutions. The team will help you find the most suitable real estate VA for your needs while providing a support system to maximize this excellent alternative staffing solution.

Let us help you build a stronger real estate business! Book a free consultation with 20four7VA today.