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When is the right time to hire an assistant?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843

Amanda and I have been going back and forth on this one for years.  

At one point last year, between the two of us, we had 12 deals pending at one time.

That might not impress you super duper "rock star jazz hand" agents that sell 8,000 units a month (and your rock star programs), but for us, it was a lot. 

We ended the year with 35 transactions between the two of us.  With us doing all of our own paperwork, phone calls, marketing, networking, etc...  we were spent.  

Very thankful, but spent.  

We decided that we were in the financial place to hire a part time assistant to handle our paperwork, title work, to coordinate our closings, and to handle certain aspects of our marketing.  

Well, today was the first day of training for our new assistant.  While I'm very excited and extremely grateful and humbled to be where we are, I'm SO nervous.  

You see, I'm what some folks might call a "control freak."  

Nobody can do the job as well as I can. 

Nobody can order title work as well as I do...  

Wait.  While I'm sitting here typing I just got an update that my assistant (GASP!) just ordered title work on a deal we just got under contract.  

WHAT?  She did it just as well as I could do it?  WHAT???  

All kidding aside, this is going to be so beneficial to us and our business.  

It's also going to be beneficial to me.  

It's going to teach me to let go.  

I think.  

In your professional opinion, when is the right time to hire an assistant?  

 

p.s.  Did I tell you that our assistant is my mother in law???  

p.s.s.  My mother in law have an amazing relationship and I love her like she's family! 

Posted by

 

 

   

Fort Wayne Realtors Jared and Amanda Christiansen with Century 21 Bradley

Amanda Christiansen is an award winning Realtor with Christiansen Group Realty.

 

Jared Christiansen is a business partner and in charge of marketing and taking care of things behind the scene.

 

Enough about us...

 

Tell us what you want your real estate experience to be, and we will do it YOUR way.

 

Buying a home in Fort Wayne? Tell us your wants and needs. Let us know how you envision your family living.  Tell us what's important to YOU, and we'll find the community and home that fits.  

 

Selling your home in Fort Wayne?  Our job is to make you the most money possible in the shortest amount of time. We offer our sellers professional staging, professional photography, and more internet marketing than most. 

 

We are committed to giving you everything we have to offer.  We are both full time agents and will work around your schedule.  Do nights and weekends work better for you?  NO PROBLEM. We are here to help YOU at YOUR convenience.

 

Amanda can be reached at 260-704-0843, and Jared can be reached at 260-704-0842, or you can email us at JaredChristiansen@gmail.com, or Amanda427@gmail.com.

 

 

Comments (13)

Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Amanda and Jared -  The simple answer is when you are ready to let go to grow.  When you start hiring people it is important to convey your vision, values, and objectives.  Don't micro manage the process as long as they understand the objectives.  Do measure and do hold them accountable.  I hope that helps a little.

Mar 02, 2014 03:55 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

That is very well said Grant.  Wow.  I appreciate your input here.  Thank you.  

Mar 02, 2014 03:56 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Jared, one of the fears in hiring assistants is that their going to take our proprietary information and share it with other agents. Sorry. I've seen it happen. Unfortunately, I think the best way to do this is hire a relative; someone we trust who is invested in our success, not theirs.

Mar 02, 2014 04:15 AM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

Jared, I think it's time when all you do 24/7 is real estate related. I love what we do, but balance is essential. Let some things go...delegate. What a freeing concept!

Mar 02, 2014 04:45 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

It is very hard for me to give up that control too.  I have an assistant, but she only works one day a week.  I make a list during the week and over the weekend and she comes in and does and checks things off the list.  Our business is really heavy right now and she may have to work 2 days a week seasonally which is okay with her and us.  She had experience with our MLS and does input/fliers/website maintenance (listing input, not our blog) and I have become accustomed to just letting her work, it took a while, but I've gotten used to it.

Mar 02, 2014 05:00 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Tammie:  Thankfully, this assistant is my mother in law.  I love and trust her 100%  

Tom:  Freeing indeed!  It already feels weird, but I'll get used to it.  

Tammy:  I'm sure it will take a while for me too.  Thanks for your advice!  

Mar 02, 2014 05:09 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I so agree w/ Grant, and I would add that when you are tapped out, and when you become the bottle neck in your business, that's when it's time.  Conceptually, it's about better using your time on higher impact activities that will grow sales/profit while delegating activities that anyone else can do.  Congrats on taking the plunge.  It has helped me tremendously.  It felt risky, but I knew it was right, so I tried it and it worked, and keep adding on more and more hrs.

Mar 02, 2014 06:34 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

I have had the same question rolling around in my head. I hope others will comment here!

Mar 02, 2014 06:40 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

When you are ready to rise to the next level in your business. I have had assistants for the last 15 years and never have regretted it.

Mar 02, 2014 06:52 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Great question, some of us who are comfortable where we at do not need to go to the next level...but if you are ready to rise then it is high time:), Endre

Mar 02, 2014 08:08 AM
Dan Spencer
Aspen Lane Real Estate - Aurora, CO
Your Colorado Home Source

Congrats of the success! As a newer agent I hope to have this problem very soon.

 

Mar 02, 2014 09:31 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Jared, an assistant (a good one) can take your business to the next level. I agree with Debbie, when you're ready to go to the next level it's time. We only have so many hours in a day and your time is best spent with clients, not pushing paper. There comes a time when our income can't rise unless we hire an assistant. The control freak part is so hard...I can relate. I'm sure your mother in law will do a wonderful job and allow you and Amanda to have time for more clients and dare I say a little down time. 

Mar 02, 2014 11:18 PM
Stacey Williams
Alpharetta, GA
Experienced Metro Atlanta Real Estate Agent

Thanks for sharing your experience in deciding to hire an assistant. The best part about this post for me is the realization that I don;t have to have my hand on EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME! I might still look at it though... Best luck in your endeavors.

Mar 03, 2014 02:10 AM