Real Estate Research & Lead Generation

Real Estate Research & Lead Generation Virtual Assistant

Position Overview

We are looking for a sharp, resourceful, and highly motivated Real Estate Research & Lead Generation Virtual Assistant to help identify, research, qualify, and organize potential real estate and short-term rental leads.

This is NOT a simple data-entry VA position.

We are looking for someone who can investigate information, connect the dots between multiple sources, think critically, and take ownership of getting to the end result.

The ideal candidate is technically comfortable, analytical, fast-moving, organized, and willing to learn new tools and processes.

Core Responsibilities

You will assist with research and lead-generation activities involving real estate properties, Airbnb/VRBO listings, property owners, and potential clients.

Responsibilities may include:

• Research Airbnb and VRBO listings based on specific criteria.
• Analyze listings, reviews, ratings, amenities, booking activity, and other property information.
• Identify potentially underperforming short-term rental properties.
• Perform skip tracing to identify property owners and available contact information.
• Research ownership information using public records and real estate databases.
• Use Zillow, Redfin, ---------- , county property records, and other listing or property-information services.
• Compare property photos, listing information, maps, parcel information, and other available data to help identify properties.
• Use Google Reverse Image Search and similar tools when appropriate.
• Organize research findings in Google Sheets.
• Verify information across multiple sources before entering results.
• Identify relationships between Airbnb/VRBO listings, property addresses, owners, LLCs, social media profiles, and other available information.
• Maintain accurate notes explaining how conclusions were reached.
• Assist with building and maintaining prospecting databases.
• Perform additional real estate research and lead-generation tasks as the business grows.

Required Skills

Research & Analytical Skills

You must have:

• Strong analytical and investigative skills.
• Ability to research information across multiple websites and databases.
• Ability to recognize patterns and connect information from different sources.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to verify information instead of simply accepting the first search result.
• Ability to work through incomplete information and determine the next logical research step.

We are specifically looking for someone who can connect the dots and accomplish the goal, rather than getting stuck whenever the answer is not immediately obvious.

Technical Skills

You should be comfortable working with:

• Google Sheets
• Google Search
• Google Maps
• Google Reverse Image Search
• Airbnb
• VRBO
• Zillow
• Redfin
• ---------- or similar real estate platforms
• Public property records
• Skip-tracing tools
• ChatGPT and other AI tools

Advanced Google Sheets knowledge is a plus, including:

• Filters
• Sorting
• Conditional formatting
• Data validation
• Basic formulas
• Removing duplicates
• Organizing large datasets

Experience with automation tools, scraping tools, CRM systems, AirDNA, PropStream, BatchLeads, Privy, REISift, or similar platforms is a major plus - but NOT required.

Real Estate Knowledge

Previous experience in real estate is strongly preferred.

Helpful backgrounds include:

• Real estate virtual assistant
• Real estate lead generation
• Property research
• Skip tracing
• Short-term rentals
• Airbnb/VRBO research
• Property management
• Real estate investing
• Wholesaling
• Acquisition research
• MLS or property-listing research

You do NOT need to know everything on day one. We WILL TRAIN the right candidate.

We are willing to train the right person who demonstrates strong intelligence, curiosity, work ethic, and the ability to learn quickly.

Use of ChatGPT & AI

You should already be comfortable using ChatGPT.

We expect you to use AI as a productivity and research assistant when appropriate.

However, copying an AI answer without verifying it is NOT acceptable.

The goal is to combine AI, research tools, common sense, and human judgment to produce accurate results efficiently.

What We Value Most

Resourcefulness

When one method does not work, try another.

Do not immediately stop and say:

“I couldn't find it.”

Instead, think:

“What other information do I have, and where else can I look?”

Speed With Accuracy

We do not expect reckless work.

We do expect someone who thinks quickly, understands the objective, and keeps moving toward the answer.

The ideal person does not need every small step explained before taking action.

High Sense of Ownership

Ownership is extremely important in this role.

If you make a mistake:

Own it. Fix it. Learn from it. Don't repeat it. Move on.

We do not expect perfection.

We do expect honesty, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Do not hide mistakes or blame tools, websites, coworkers, or incomplete instructions.

Bring the issue forward and help solve it.

Leadership

Although this position may begin as an individual contributor, we strongly value leadership ability.

A strong candidate should eventually be capable of:

• Improving processes
• Suggesting better research methods
• Creating SOPs
• Training other VAs
• Reviewing another researcher's work
• Identifying inefficiencies
• Helping build and manage a small research or lead-generation team

We are looking for someone who wants to become increasingly valuable to the organization rather than simply complete assigned tasks.

Ideal Personality

You will probably succeed in this position if you are:

• Curious
• Analytical
• Technically comfortable
• Highly organized
• Persistent
• Fast learner
• Resourceful
• Self-directed
• Accountable
• Detail-oriented
• Comfortable solving problems
• Comfortable being challenged
• Willing to learn from mistakes
• Interested in real estate and technology

You should enjoy situations where someone gives you a goal and you figure out how to get there.

This Position Is NOT a Good Fit If You

• Need extremely detailed instructions for every task.
• Give up quickly when information is difficult to find.
• Primarily want repetitive data-entry work.
• Frequently submit incomplete work without explaining what is missing.
• Copy information without verifying it.
• Are uncomfortable learning new technology.
• Avoid responsibility when mistakes occur.
• Need constant supervision to remain productive.

Example Assignment

You may be given an assignment such as:

“Find Airbnb properties meeting these criteria, identify their likely physical addresses, research the property owners, locate publicly available contact information, and organize everything in a Google Sheet.”

You may need to use several different sources to complete the assignment.

We care about both the final answer and the quality of the reasoning used to reach it.

Growth Opportunity

For the right person, this can grow well beyond a traditional VA position.

As our processes and lead-generation operation expand, there may be opportunities to become a:

• Senior Research VA
• Lead Generation Specialist
• Research Team Lead
• Operations Coordinator
• Real Estate Acquisition Research Manager

We want someone who is interested in learning the business and growing with the organization.