How to Hire and Manage Virtual Assistants with Neal Bawa

🎙️ Introduction

In this episode of the Real Estate Syndication Show, host Whitney Sewell welcomes back Neal Bawa, Founder & CEO of Grocapitus Investments and MultifamilyU. Known for his data-driven real estate strategies, Neal shares his proven system for finding, hiring, training, and managing virtual assistants (VAs) who help power his real estate investment and education businesses. From job postings to project management tools, Neal reveals how he turns freelancers into indispensable executive assistants, boosting efficiency and freeing up time for high-value work.

📌 Key Takeaways

✅ Hire Smart on Upwork – Neal prefers Upwork as his go-to hiring platform, with detailed job descriptions and screening methods that filter for top talent.

✅ Women Preferred – Based on his experience, Neal finds women VAs often perform better in consistency and long-term reliability.

✅ Detailed Vetting Process – Beyond resumes, Neal evaluates freelancers through structured interviews, varied work experience, and task-based testing.

✅ Training for Success – Building SOPs and evolving VAs into executive assistants ensures higher retention and stronger performance.

✅ Project Management Tools – Neal uses CRM and workflow tools to track hundreds of delegated tasks, maintaining productivity and accountability.

✅ Efficiency & Growth – Outsourcing allows Neal’s companies to scale operations while focusing his time on strategy, acquisitions, and investor relations.

⏱️ Chapters

• 00:29 – Introduction – Whitney welcomes Neal back to the show.

• 01:48 – Neal’s Background – How his tech career led to real estate.

• 03:05 – Finding a Unique Niche – Using tech and outsourcing to scale.

• 04:25 – Hiring Process – Turning VAs into executive assistants.

• 06:17 – Best Hiring Platforms – Why Neal chooses Upwork.

• 06:50 – Why He Prefers Hiring Women – Performance and reliability.

• 07:25 – Searching & Screening on Upwork – Tips for identifying talent.

• 11:16 – Job Descriptions Matter – Writing to attract the right candidates.

• 12:15 – Interviewing Process – Neal’s structured approach to vetting.

• 15:00 – Common Hiring Pitfalls – Mistakes investors often make with VAs.

• 20:10 – Why Upwork Works Best – Contract security and accountability.

• 22:37 – Bonus Systems – Incentives that drive performance.

• 25:10 – Tracking Output – How Neal ensures efficiency.

• 26:54 – CRM & Tools – The tech stack Neal uses to manage projects.

• 30:19 – Benefits of VAs – Why outsourcing is a game-changer.

• 31:08 – Tasks Delegated – The kinds of work Neal passes on to VAs.

• 38:51 – Neal’s Contact Info – How listeners can connect.