Hire or Outsource? What's the Right Choice?

Real estate agents often find themselves in cycles of feast and famine. Either they’re juggling a full roster of clients, losing sight of the future, or pounding the pavement in search of their next deal.

But when agents survive those lean early years, many face a new challenge: managing the increasing demands of their business. Tasks like transaction management, lead follow-up, database organization, marketing, budgeting, and more can quickly become overwhelming.

As real estate starts to take over their lives, agents are faced with two options for growing without burning out:

• Hire

• Outsource

Which is Right for You?

Start by asking yourself these questions:

1. Are there tasks I can easily train someone to handle independently?

2. Are there tasks that require expertise I don’t have and don’t want to develop (e.g., bookkeeping or social media)?

3. Am I comfortable continuing to work as a solo agent?

4. Are the tasks I don’t want to do client-facing?

5. Am I okay with working with different people depending on the task?

If you answered YES to most of these questions, outsourcing could be a great option for you.

Why Outsource?

Outsourcing is ideal when you’re spending more time on back-office tasks than working with clients, and you want to avoid the hassle of hiring, training, or managing employees. It’s especially useful if your business is still growing and you don’t have the resources to hire full-time staff. Outsourcing is also a smart choice for tasks that are irregular or seasonal.

What Tasks Should I Outsource?

Here are a few tasks that are ideal for outsourcing:

1. Accounting and Taxes: Partner with a reliable CPA to manage your taxes and bookkeeping. They’ll guide you on quarterly payments, annual filings, and show you the basics of bookkeeping—skills for which you’ll thank them in January!

2. Technical Setup: If you’re struggling with setting up your domain, database, or website, outsourcing this task is a time-saver. However, make sure you’re actively involved in the process to ensure your setup meets your long-term needs. Additionally, take time to learn how to maintain it yourself.

3. Branding: Don’t stress over creating your logo or branding scheme. Hiring a professional for your branding kit ensures it reflects your personality and business identity. Plan to collaborate with your provider to get it just right.

What Tasks Can You Outsource or Hire for?

Some ongoing tasks can be handled either by an assistant or outsourced. The advantage of hiring is that you can directly manage the process, while outsourcing requires you to stay involved to ensure consistency. Here are some tasks to consider:

1. Social Media / Email Newsletters: If you outsource, work closely with your provider to maintain your voice and ensure the content aligns with your brand.

2. Database Management: Define what effective database management looks like for you before deciding whether to outsource or hire.

3. Transaction Management: Outsourcing this task can be cost-effective since you only pay when you have business. It also frees up time for other activities.

So, What’s the Answer: Hire or Outsource?

The right choice depends on your specific needs, time constraints, and business stage. My general advice: anything that isn’t client-facing can likely be outsourced or delegated to an assistant. If you’re unsure whether you’re ready to hire, start by outsourcing. You may find it’s all you need for now.

May it be of service!