Virtual Assistant Options
Dec 28, 2025
If you’re considering hiring a virtual assistant (VA) to help grow your appraisal business, here’s something important to think about. There are basically two ways these companies operate when connecting you with overseas VAs, especially from places like the Philippines.
One type of company simply connects you with potential employees. Think of it like a job board—you find the right person, hire them directly, and that’s the end of the company’s role. You manage the relationship, pay them yourself, and set the terms.
The other type is more of a full-service third-party setup. These companies find, train, and manage the VAs for you, but you pay the company a premium fee, often hourly, that covers everything. They remain your middleman for the entire time you use the assistant.
Here’s the tradeoff: if you want ease and don’t want to worry about hiring, training from scratch, or managing, paying that premium might be worth it. But if you’re looking to build a long-term working relationship and save money, hiring directly is probably smarter. You set the prices, handle the work arrangements, and avoid ongoing third-party fees.
It’s not about one being “better” than the other—it depends on your business needs and how hands-on you want to be. Just go into it knowing there’s no free lunch: convenience costs money.
If you want to find VAs or other appraisal-related help, I recommend checking out the Appraiser Classifieds group on Facebook. It’s a solid place to connect, buy, or sell tools and services related to the appraisal world.
Ultimately, it’s about creating value and making your business work for you.
Check out The Appraiser Coach Podcast for more info on this topic:
