Published December 15, 2021. Updated July 19, 2023.
As a property management company owner, you know that delegating tasks is an important part of staying organized and productive. However, without the right team members, you won't have the right resources to delegate tasks!
Adding a property management virtual assistant to your team can be a great way to take some of the load off your shoulders — but before you jump into the team building process, learning the right approach can save you time and money when building your team.
Here are six tips for finding and managing the perfect virtual assistant for your property management business.
1. Do Your Research
It's important to do your research before finding a virtual assistant because not all of them deliver the same quality of work or have the same skills. Choosing a remote team member that doesn't have the right skills for a role can be wasted time and effort.
Some virtual team members may specialize in social media marketing, while others might be more skilled at administrative tasks like filing and scheduling appointments. For property managers, you can even find VAs with industry-specific skills and experience, like leasing, renewals, and maintenance coordination.
The best way to find someone perfect for your company and the roles is by researching their background and skillset. For example, if you need help with social media marketing, look for virtual assistant profiles that list skills and experience in that area!
2. Define the Role for Your Property Management Virtual Assistant
Defining the role is important to help them better understand their job duties and expectations. When both parties are clear on what is expected of them, it can lead to a more successful working relationship.
Small business owners should define the job role before posting it, so they'll only attract the interest of the best virtual assistants in that skill set. For example, if you're looking for marketing help, include the right experience and skill requirements in the job description for a marketing assistant.
Then, as applications come in, choose a new team member with the skills necessary for tackling any task that comes up!
3. Set Clear Guidelines
Just as you would with any W-2 employee, setting clear guidelines for your virtual assistant is crucial. This includes things like their regular working hours, what tasks they are responsible for, and how you expect them to communicate with you.
By setting these clear guidelines, you and your virtual assistant will know what is expected of them, and there will be less confusion.
4. Consider Their Rates
When adding a virtual assistant to your team, it's important to consider their hourly rate. Paying a virtual assistant vs. employee is different.
Some virtual assistants charge by the hour, while others charge per project. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and decide which is best for your business or the role.
Also, keep in mind that not all virtual assistants are created equal. Some may be more expensive, but that doesn't mean they are any less skilled. So, before making a decision, make a budget for what you can afford for a certain job or project.
5. Screen Remote Team Member Candidates
When adding a virtual assistant to your team, it's important to screen candidates carefully to find the best possible match for your business. Just as you would with any W-2 employee, make sure they have the skills necessary to complete the tasks you need them to do.
You also need to make sure they are a good fit for your company culture, are trustworthy when accessing your systems and client data, and their availability matches up with what you're looking for. Screening candidates takes time, but it's worth it when you find the perfect virtual assistant for your business.
6. Test Their Skills
You may have narrowed down your list of virtual assistant candidates for your business, but it's important to test their skills before you can make that decision.
There are many reasons why this is the case. Namely, not all VAs have the same skill sets, even if the experience they list in their profiles seems similar. Additionally, some virtual contractors might specialize in tasks like marketing or administrative work but might lack the English communication skills you require for the role.
The best way to find an independent contractor that's perfect for you is by requesting that they complete a short test related to the job responsibilities for the role. For example, if you're choosing a VA for social media content and management, ask them to create a few social posts to evaluate their knowledge of social platforms and English writing skills.
Bonus Tip: Look For Training
Well-trained property management virtual assistants make the best team members! Property management companies can find the workforce talent they need faster when looking for VAs with specific training preferences.
VPM Solutions is a workforce outsourcing platform dedicated to the property management industry. Not only do we offer the best virtual assistant candidates for property managers, but we also provide industry-specific training so the remote team members you choose are ready to hit the ground running from day one.
When using our platform, you can search for candidates based on VPM Academy courses and certifications that best fit the roles you need to fill!
Find Your Next Remote Team Member With Help from VPM Solutions
We've provided you with six tips (and a bonus tip) to help you find your next virtual assistant. Whether you need help managing social media or want someone else to take on the responsibility of scheduling appointments for your company, our platform can connect you with qualified candidates who are ready and waiting for their first project!
Our free platform allows you access to thousands of virtual assistants ready to serve property management companies like yours. However, if jumping into the platform with your Free Company Profile feels overwhelming without more guidance, we're proud to offer our White Glove services.
This is a free service for companies to connect with one of our onboarding specialists. They will guide you through the process to help you find the perfect virtual assistants for building remote teams!
