To each their own, but I couldn't disagree more. My production doubled, then tripled with an assistant. Plus, I don't do any $15.00/hour work, I only do $150.00 /hour work. A surgeon doesn't prep not clean the operating room, he/she doesn't open nor close the patient either, they just walk in and perform surgery. The Rolling Stones do not set up their gear nor do they stand out front and sell tickets and t-shirts. Tiger Woods doesn't carry his own golf bag. I see a pattern here.

 If I pay them $15 or $20 per hour while I am making $100 to $200 per hour, it's worth it.

My assistant does things I do not have time to accomplish as well as working with the majority of my buyers so she helps me work less hard, not more. She is invaluable to my teams success. Not sure I could put a price tag on that. 

I work on my own and don't refer out very often since majority of my clients are repeat and referral clients... and I'm not about to refer them to anyone. I outsource services to free up my time... professional photographer, closing coordinator, etc.

With most of my assistants I have found that they enable me to be more productive.

Fred Griffin nailed this one!

William Feela - of course, yes. When we do some $10/hr job, that's what we are saving! We can do activities that lead to higher $/hr for us, for our business.

There are plenty of tasks that take time that can be done by someone else. It's a business choice to allow you to focus on what you do best.

I outsource rask throughout the world so it is all contract labor.

If one does not see additional help, whether it is an assistant or team, as a force MULTIPLIER, they will be unable to achieve the possible best outcome.

You, plus (additional help) should equal three times current GCI.
Generally, it is not until an agent approaches 30 closing a year they must address this issue. Preferably a plan was developed at 20 and implemented at 25.

Let me give an example of force multiplier.

At your fingertips is the ability to advertise on the Internet and install 'chat' on your websites. If an assistant were able to respond to inquiries immediately, would that not build your appointment schedule and the number of listing, clients and closings? Agents pay BOOMTOWN BIG DOLLARS for their concierge service.

Certainly one way to do it.  If you have an office of 3 or more agents, it is an investment in your business and time.

Just my perspective.

They don't have to be full time and you delegate the activities you prefer not to do

It is a personal preference William Feela 

I do not have an assistant.

William,

We each have different ways of working.  A

I agree with Keller who says that you should focus “exclusively” on “the high-return, high-leverage business of listings” by “taking and marketing listings.” 

A good assistance will increase your income and easily pay for themselves.

I see both sides of the issue 

I have had TCs a couple of times, and now an assistant, still worth it.

Oh, it pays in dividends, William Feela!

It depends are what your assistant does for you, Bill. I am more select in my clients so only need an assistant parttime. I have great systems in place that I didn't have years ago when my assistant worked 5 days a week.

I agree with you William.

If you have tasks that will keep your assistant busy and you have the production to support one, then why not.  You need to have the business to support them first though.

Do what is best for your personal needs. 

Good question, William Feela .  I think this answer is based on what you wish to do with your business. Do you want to continue to build it and take more market share? Or just be content with where you are. There is a cost analysis as well - when taking on an assistant may cost you more money than additional money you earn through the added help. Your idea of referring business may be the perfect solution for where you are in your career.

My assistant keeps me working harder.

Really the point of having an assistant is to leverage your time.  This can come in all shapes, sizes and forms and doesn't necessarily mean hiring a 9-5 office assistant.  I hired an independent contractor assistant to do a long laundry list of projects that were one time projects.  She worked for me for a year and a half and got a bunch off my plate.  The other day there was a question of "who cleans your office" and a bunch of the answers were "I do!"  I have housekeepers that come clean my office and my house, which shores up time to do other things rather than scrubbing my toilets. Some people hire part time social media people or copy writers.  A buyers agent or showing agent can save time by being out with clients.  I have even looked into having someone cook and make meals for me and my family.  Honestly I'd rather do paperwork than cook, so that would be helpful leveraging for me.  I think the key is to find the things that weigh you down or that you don't want to do.  That doesn't necessarily mean hiring a salaried employee that you call an assistant. -Kasey

Life is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.  What works for one does not work for another. We do what works best for us.  My team of professionals allows me to focus on what I need to focus on. The business runs smoothly. Clients are happy. That is what matters to most to me.

Since we have never employed an assistant; can't speculate, but I can see how overhead reduction can result in fewer headaches.

I agree we must have a pa

Bill, good thoughts.

I find that in my rural area it would be hard to increase   business because the lower population so an assistant would not help me at all

I've never had an assistant.... at the point where I had too much work for one person, and I didn't want to "up my game," I created a team.... worked incredibly well....

William Feela An assistant can pay for them self doing the administrative jobs an agent doesn't have to do so they can be out in the field listing and selling real estate.

Yes, the right one saves lots of time and when trained correctly will make their own salary

If you can find the right Ad Min, your production will increase and your work load will decrease.  You do not work harder.  

It depends on your business, maybe you just need a virtual or part time assistant and not a full time assistant.  Calculate what your $ per hour worth, does it make sense to pay someone to do things that need to be done that do not require a license.

Well, I never had thought about the fact that YOU have to keep them busy for the 6 to 8 hours. So on top of keeping yourself busy, you're also trying to do that. Planning for 2 - sometimes it was hard.

But, they are taking the task load off your back that's not really $$ producing activities.

There are many different ways of conducting a business.  It depends on the individual.  Having an assistant(or not) and your method of choosing who to work with(or not) is your choice.   And mine too.