December 2, 2024

Outsourcing & Scaling Your Business for Success: Insights with Jessica Eberley

In the real estate business, time and resources are invaluable assets. Building your team strategically can help you grow your real estate portfolio, close more deals, and focus on high-value tasks that drive your business forward. 

Jessica Eberley, owner and CEO of HRT Solutions, shares insights on the power of outsourcing and smart hiring practices that can help you scale efficiently, secure motivated seller leads, and achieve lasting success.

Why Delegating Tasks is Key to Growth

Every business owner reaches a point where they can’t do everything themselves. Jessica recommends analyzing the value of your time: if your work is worth $100 per hour, hiring someone to handle lower-value tasks for $50 per hour is a win. This approach frees up time for high-impact activities, potentially increasing your earnings as you focus on core business objectives.

Takeaway: Delegate administrative tasks to focus on generating motivated seller leads, conducting property viewings, and negotiating deals. Outsourcing can elevate your real estate business by letting you spend more time on revenue-generating activities.

Define Your Unique Skills and Outsource the Rest

To begin, Jessica suggests a simple exercise: write down tasks you enjoy and those you don't. Tasks you dislike or lack expertise in, like bookkeeping or administrative tasks, are prime candidates for delegation. Hiring someone skilled in these areas can save you hours each week, allowing you to focus on aspects of your business that play to your strengths.

Takeaway: Outsource activities that drain your energy. For instance, you could offload property management, lead qualification, and contract processing while you focus on acquiring new motivated seller leads and expanding your portfolio.

Building an Efficient Recruitment Strategy

Jessica’s business focuses on recruitment outsourcing (RPO), helping companies like real estate agencies find and hire candidates who align with their values and goals. HRT Solutions goes beyond traditional recruiting by understanding each client's unique culture and work requirements. They use advanced sourcing tools such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter to find talent that best fits the role and organization.

Takeaway: For real estate investors looking to grow, working with a recruiting partner can save time and help build a reliable, skilled team. By setting clear expectations and focusing on culture fit, you’ll reduce turnover and create a cohesive work environment.

How to Identify the Right Time to Hire

For real estate entrepreneurs juggling tasks themselves, the right time to hire can be challenging to pinpoint. According to Jessica, if you're consistently working 50-60 hours per week and losing out on deals, it's time to bring someone on board. Even hiring part-time staff or flexible contractors can be a great way to manage workload without committing to full-time salaries immediately.

Takeaway: Assess your workload and time spent on various tasks. Consider hiring part-time support for repetitive tasks so you can dedicate more time to generating leads and closing deals.

Scaling Up? Develop an Organizational Structure

As your business grows, defining roles and creating an organizational structure becomes essential. Jessica stresses the importance of a clear reporting hierarchy, especially as teams expand. By developing an org chart, business owners can visualize their current structure and identify areas for potential growth. This clarity also helps in making decisions about promotions and training, leading to higher employee satisfaction and productivity.

Takeaway: For a small real estate team, start by listing essential roles and then gradually build a team that supports your growth. Define responsibilities for each position to ensure everyone is aligned with your business goals.

Retain Top Talent with Flexibility and Growth Opportunities

Jessica highlights that flexibility has become a top motivator for employees. Offering remote work options or hybrid roles helps retain talent, especially if your business involves client visits and on-site tasks. Additionally, Jessica recommends providing growth opportunities within your organization. Small business owners can create an appealing work environment by fostering skill development and offering varied responsibilities, which keeps employees engaged and motivated.

Takeaway: To attract and retain high-quality employees, offer them flexibility and a chance to grow. This could mean allowing remote work, setting flexible hours, or creating a bonus structure tied to company success.

Establishing an Effective Onboarding Process

A well-designed onboarding process makes a great first impression and increases employee retention. Jessica explains that a clear and concise employee handbook is key, as it provides employees with essential information on workplace policies, holiday schedules, and expectations. While creating an HR structure may seem daunting, it’s a one-time task that significantly simplifies operations.

Takeaway: Develop a handbook that outlines company policies, expectations, and procedures. This resource will help new employees adjust quickly and ensure consistent standards across your team.

The Importance of HR Compliance for Small Businesses

Jessica warns about the complexities of HR compliance, especially for businesses expanding across state lines. Each state has unique regulations, from workman’s compensation to tax requirements. When scaling your team, working with an HR professional can help you navigate these requirements, avoiding potential legal issues.

Takeaway: Engage an HR partner who understands state-specific regulations. This will save time and ensure that your business complies with local laws, reducing the risk of costly errors.

Building a Positive, Remote-First Culture

For companies with remote teams, fostering a positive culture can be challenging. Jessica recommends regular meetings and team-building exercises, such as weekly check-ins and collaborative projects. Encouraging open communication and leveraging digital tools like Slack or Teams can help bridge the gap and create a connected, supportive environment.

Takeaway: Consistent communication and a focus on collaboration can help remote team members feel valued and connected to your mission, improving productivity and morale.

Final Thoughts: Use Outsourcing and Strategic Hiring to Achieve Real Estate Success

Scaling a real estate business requires strategic hiring and effective delegation. By outsourcing lower-value tasks, focusing on recruiting the right talent, and establishing efficient HR processes, you can free up time to concentrate on growing your business. Whether you’re a solo investor or managing a team, implementing these best practices will help you build a robust, resilient real estate operation.

Ready to build your real estate business and generate more motivated seller leads? Focus on high-impact activities, hire the right team members, and streamline your operations to maximize success. Connect with professionals who can help you build a thriving, scalable business today!