Guide to Hiring a Real Estate Virtual Assistant from the Philippines

In today’s competitive real estate market, hiring a real estate virtual assistant (RVA) from the Philippines is a cost-effective way to handle your real estate business’s daily tasks. 

Renowned for their skills and affordability, Filipino virtual assistants are among the most popular and sought-after in the world because they offer high-quality services at competitive rates. 

In this article, we’ll explore the advantages of hiring real estate virtual assistants from the Philippines.

How can a Real Estate Virtual Assistant from the Philippines Help Your Business?

Filipino virtual assistants can contribute to your real estate business by performing the following day-to-day tasks:

Cold-calling potential real estate clients

The Philippines is the second most proficient in English language skills across Asia. Apart from their English proficiency, the cultural emphasis on friendliness in the Philippines makes virtual assistants from the region ideal for customer-facing roles. 

Hence, they conduct effective cold-calling campaigns and schedule appointments with interested individuals.

Round-the-clock service 

If you want to expand your real estate business and reach international clients, a Filipino virtual assistant can help you bridge the time gap. You can have a 24/7 service by having a Filipino virtual assistant take over when your local business day ends. Many Filipinos are also willing to work night shifts to match their employer’s business hours.

Social media management

Filipinos are highly digital savvy and have one of the highest social media usage rates worldwide with 72.5% of the population using social media. This proficiency is helpful for real estate companies aiming to enhance their online presence and reach a broader audience in the digital space.

Database management 

Filipinos are well-known for their technical skills, keen attention to detail, and strong familiarity with modern software systems. They can help to maintain a comprehensive database of potential clients, agents, brokers, and other vital contacts.

Read more on how to onboard remote employees from the Philippines

Cost of Hiring a Filipino Real Estate Virtual Assistant

Generally, you can hire a Filipino real estate VA for USD 500-700 monthly. If you plan to hire an assistant manager, it can cost you around USD 900-1000.

However, the exact total cost will depend on various factors such as:

• Experience level
• Specialized skills that you require
• Scope of work/tasks you need them to perform

If you are using a freelancing platform or any other third-party service, you might also need to consider their service charges. 

Here’s a sample monthly cost breakdown for hiring a Filipino real estate virtual assistant through an EOR.

Challenges of Hiring a Real Estate Virtual Assistant from the Philippines

Despite the value a Filipino real estate virtual assistant offers for your business, hiring one also comes with challenges that should be taken into account.

Finding the Right Real Estate Virtual Assistant

The Philippines indeed has a vast talent pool and you can hire a real estate VA through various options such as freelancing sites, VA agencies, or even directly as independent contractors. However, the challenge lies in finding a VA who has the necessary skills and is the right fit for your business.

While it is not an impossible task, it requires a significant amount of time and effort on your part. You have to shortlist candidates, test their skills, interview them, and so much more.

Employment regulations

The Philippines Labor Code defines specific provisions on work conditions, wages, benefits, and termination. As an employer, it is crucial to understand and comply with these regulations to avoid legal complications.

Tax obligations

The employment status of your real estate VA in the Philippines determines your tax responsibilities. If your RVA is classified as an employee, you’re required to withhold taxes and contribute to social security and health insurance as mandated by Philippine law. 

For independent contractors, they are generally responsible for their own tax payments. However, hiring independent contractors in the Philippines is suitable for short-term projects. In the long run, it can trigger Permanent Establishment (PE) and result in legal issues.

Fortunately, you can mitigate these risks by partnering with a reliable Employer of Record (EOR) such as RecruitGo. An EOR becomes the legal employer and manages your employees’ salary disbursements, employee benefits, and tax withholdings. Ultimately, it frees you from the administrative burden and potential compliance risks.

Hire a Virtual Assistant for Your Real Estate Business Using RecruitGo

RecruitGo offers the Employer of Record services to businesses looking to hire employees in the Philippines. Our EOR handles HR, payroll processing, insurance registration, and employee onboarding and offboarding. 

Here are a few steps for hiring a real estate virtual assistant from the Philippines using RecruitGo’s EOR service:

• Step 1: Contact RecruitGo to discuss your hiring needs and requirements for a virtual assistant.
• Step 2: RecruitGo will work with you to develop a job description and identify potential candidates.
• Step 3: Once you choose a suitable candidate, RecruitGo takes care of all the paperwork and legalities. We also enroll the virtual assistant in essential social benefits programs like SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-Ibig.
• Step 4: RecruitGo acts as the official employer of the virtual assistant and will handle all HR and payroll responsibilities, including providing benefits and ensuring compliance with local labor laws.

FAQs Regarding Hiring a Filipino Virtual Assistant through EOR

Engaging an Employer of Record (EOR) service to hire a Filipino Real Estate VA ensures the handling of legal, compliance, and payroll matters, freeing you to focus on your core business. It also broadens your access to a rich talent pool, all while maintaining the autonomy and productivity of your remote team.

When you hire through an EOR service, you pay one monthly invoice that covers the employee’s salary, benefits, taxes, and other administrative costs. This helps streamline your budget and protect against unforeseen recruitment-related expenses.

An EOR can manage employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee perks. This includes managing administrative tasks and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.

Yes, an EOR service can cater to your specific needs, whether you require full-time, in-person staff, or remote, part-time assistance. They specialize in sourcing and managing high-quality virtual assistants and part-time employees.

Yes, RecruitGo’s EOR service handles all HR and payroll responsibilities, including ensuring compliance with local labor laws. This gives you peace of mind that all legal requirements are being met.