When you price an in-house assistant, the wage is only the first line. Benefits, which include paid leave and legally required items such as Social Security and Medicare taxes, made up 30.0 percent of private employers’ compensation costs in June 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A desk, a computer and software seats come on top, and a remote assistant removes some of those lines.
Key Takeaways
- Compare the total cost of an in-house hire, which adds benefits and a desk to the wage, with the remote assistant’s salary and the one-time recruitment fee.
- A remote assistant works from their own space, so you provide no office or desk.
- Look for hands-on skills, and check them with a test task and references.
- You can add assistants as your team grows, and hours change by agreement.
- Quick replies, steady follow-up and tidy paperwork help clients, though the effect on repeat business depends on you and your market.
Cost Savings on Overhead Expenses
Our guide to what a real estate virtual assistant costs lists the figures. The in-house side comes first. The BLS median wage for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive, was $47,540 a year in May 2025. If the 30.0 percent benefit share applied to that wage, which is a rough illustration since benefit shares vary by employer, the total would be near $67,900 a year, before a desk and a computer.
A remote assistant works from their own space. Through us, you pay a one-time $1,997 recruitment fee and then the assistant’s monthly salary directly. Whether payroll duties apply depends on where the person lives and how you engage them, so ask your accountant before the first payment.
Increased Productivity and Efficiency
Handing over the repeat work frees hours for clients. The table links the tasks you hand over to what changes in the workflow and what clients see.
| Tasks handed over | Workflow | What clients see |
|---|---|---|
| Lead follow-up and CRM entry | Appointments booked from a shared calendar | Prompt replies and follow-ups |
| Social media and marketing support | Transaction coordination from a checklist | One consistent point of contact |
| Data entry and CRM upkeep | Weekly reports on leads and tasks | Timely updates and status reports |
Access to Specialized Skills and Expertise
A remote hire can come from a wider pool than your local market, which helps when you need a skill that is rare nearby, such as experience with a particular CRM or transaction system. Our hires usually come from South Africa or the Philippines.
Skills still need checking, so make sure you ask which tools the person has used, set a short test task and call references. Every shortlisted candidate has been reference checked and tested for attention to detail before you meet them, and you interview and choose.
Flexibility in Scaling Resources
You can add assistants as your team grows, and tasks can change as your workload does. A salaried assistant is a standing commitment. For a short rush, a freelancer or a request-based plan covers the gap. Our comparison of a virtual assistant and a full-time employee shows where each one fits.
Improved Client Satisfaction and Retention
Clients notice speed and clarity. The assistant schedules showings, follows up on leads and sends transaction updates, and you handle the conversations that need a license. Better service often brings repeat business, though the size of the effect depends on you and your market.
Taking Over Administrative Tasks
Paperwork is where an assistant earns the most steady hours. The assistant keeps files named and filed the same way, tracks contract dates and signatures, keeps the CRM current and sends a weekly report. Accurate records mean fewer errors, and tracking a contract’s deadlines is different from negotiating its terms, which stays with you.
Opportunity for Business Growth
A lighter admin load leaves more time for lead generation, client relationships and closing deals. When volume justifies it, a second assistant can take marketing or transactions. Our comparison of in-house and virtual assistants weighs the options.
Track the hours you win back for a month, and add a second assistant only when those hours are fully used.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Typical Job Responsibilities of a Real Estate Virtual Assistant?
Calendar management, lead follow-up, CRM entry, listing and transaction paperwork, client updates and bookkeeping tasks such as invoices. Our page on the virtual real estate assistant role groups them as administrative support, research and writing, client communication, marketing and social media, and bookkeeping. Showing property and negotiating stay with the licensee.
How Do I Find a Reliable and Trustworthy Virtual Assistant for My Real Estate Business?
Check references, run a paid test task, interview by video and confirm identity before you share any login. Ask for a work history that matches your tasks, and compare pricing models only after you are satisfied with the skills.
What Is the Process for Onboarding and Integrating a Virtual Assistant Into My Workflow?
Set the communication rules first, then open one system at a time and hand over tasks with written steps. Keep files in your own drive and CRM, and review the first week’s work every day.
How Do I Ensure the Confidentiality and Security of My Client Data With a Virtual Assistant?
Give the assistant a personal login limited to what the job needs, turn on two-step verification and add a confidentiality agreement. Your CRM and shared drive record who changed what, which gives you an audit trail. The FTC’s data security guide recommends limiting access to what each job needs.
Can I Use a Virtual Assistant for Specialized Tasks Like Property Valuations or Market Analysis?
Partly. The assistant can gather comparable sales and prepare the market report, and the valuation itself comes from a licensed agent or an appraiser. An assistant without a license must not give an opinion of value, and rules vary by state, so check with your state real estate commission or your broker.
Final Thought
Run the numbers for your own office. Put the in-house wage plus benefits and a desk on one side and the remote salary plus the one-time fee on the other, then bring the figures to the free consultation, where you define the role and get a quote.