The first thing you must realize is that being a real estate agent is being the CEO of your own business. To maximize your success you must treat it as a business, not as an individual effort.

The second thing you must realize is that hiring an assistant will change more than just your income. Because a career tends to spill over into the other aspects of your life, having an assistant can affect almost everything - your moods, stress level, family life, as well as your ability to reach your goals. Although there are emotional aspects to hiring an assistant, you first must make sure it will be a good business decision.

Your priority is to spend your time doing what will produce the most income: working with buyers and sellers. Yet, you are probably like most agents who tend to be "control freaks"; they have to be the first and last person to touch everything. Usually it's sheer desperation to become more productive that drives them to give up some control and hire an assistant.

Are you ready to double your business?

If you are working at your maximum, an assistant is the best way you can multiply your production. But how can you be sure it's the best answer for you? There are many tasks an assistant can do for you. If you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or frustrated with your business, you'll probably find that hiring an assistant is the right answer.

In a sense, the key issue in deciding to hire an assistant is not how much you earn but rather how much you could earn. Don't consider only financial issues, either. We all know a successful career can take over our personal lives. If you are enjoying financial success but feel you are neglecting other aspects of your life, an assistant is the ideal answer. Consider the benefit of more free time as your income goes up.

Should you hire a licensed assistant?

The answer depends on what you will have your assistant do for you. In most states, it is not necessary to have a license to do clerical work, telemarket or canvass for appointments (as long as the conversation does not include pricing or terms.)

However, having a license will allow more flexibility in what the assistant can do and allow for her/him to progress and become more valuable to you.

If there is any doubt about what your state laws allow, be sure to find out before proceeding.

Independent contractor or employee?

In most cases your assistant should be an employee. An independent contractor status can be risky legally for you and the assistant.

Also, there are payroll companies that prepare checks and payroll returns for a reasonable fee. Some banks also provide this service. The amount they change is reasonable compared to you and your assistant trying to do the paperwork.

Full time, Part time or share?

Whether to hire your own personal full time assistant or a part time one or whether to share an assistant with another agent depends on your needs and situation.

I do not recommend that you share an assistant. You will benefit greatly from a full time assistant, but a part time assistant is better than none.

Remember, hiring an assistant will change more than your income.

Published: October 9, 1998

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