Scaling your real estate investing business doesn’t require a massive payroll. You can grow efficiently by leveraging systems, automation, and virtual assistants without the overhead of full-time staff. Here’s how you can expand your portfolio while keeping operations lean and profitable.
1. Build a System First—Then Scale
Before thinking about automation, you need a clear system for how you handle acquisitions, lead generation, and deal analysis. Without a structured process in place, adding automation and virtual assistants will only create chaos.
Start by documenting everything:
- How you generate and qualify leads.
- Your criteria for purchasing properties.
- Steps for making offers and negotiating deals.
- How you follow up with sellers and agents.
- Processes for tracking and closing deals.
Once you have repeatable processes, you can start implementing software and automation to streamline them. Start by screen recording as you complete each of these tasks in your operations. You can also open a clean document and write out each step.
Here is an example of one I did for a bookkeeping SOP (standard operating procedure). You have to start somewhere. If you wait until you are overwhelmed, it is even harder to find the time to build out these SOPs.
2. Use Software to Automate the Repetitive Stuff
Software is available for almost every aspect of real estate investing. The key is knowing what to automate and what still requires a human touch.
Let’s use the acquisition process as an example of a system in our business that we can use software for instead of spending more of our time. There are many different tools, software, and resources available that can decrease the work we actually have to do or would need to hire someone else to do.
Here are some of the common steps you would take as an investor. I’m going to use my process as an example to show you how you can delegate to software instead of a person.
Lead generation and deal flow
I started my investing career with no way to track any leads on deals. I was basically just winging it. It was not working. I was not following up, and I tried to outsource to the wrong person. It was a mess.
I started using REsimpli, a full-service CRM for real estate investors, to help automate lead management, follow-ups, and marketing. This is basically a tool for entrepreneurs to manage multiple aspects of the acquisition process without hiring a huge team. This did eliminate my need to start hiring employees to help grow my business.
I was finally able to not be bogged down by the details and actually focus on what was moving the needle to get deals. A big thing for me was the follow-up. I implemented the automated lead follow-ups to really reduce the need for me. Just automating and creating a system for lead management really opened my eyes to what my life could be like learning to lean on systems and processes, including cost-effective software.
Here are some of the steps I took:
- Use a CRM to track seller leads: Keep all seller conversations, follow-ups, and notes organized in one place.
- Automate follow-ups: Set up automated text and email sequences for leads that don’t convert immediately.
- Batch your offers: Instead of making offers one by one, use software like REsimpli to send bulk offers based on preset criteria.
- Build a strong lead pipeline: Use a combination of direct mail, cold-calling, and online lead generation to keep your pipeline full without needing a full team.
I once looked at a property that I didn’t end up buying until two years later. If I hadn’t saved all my information from my first analysis, I would have needed to start all over with my information gathering. My ability to access the property information from the first time I looked at it two years ago limited the amount of work the second time around.
Obviously, the market had changed along with other factors, but the information I already had saved on the property gave me the advantage of being able to make a quick decision and offer on the property.
The seller had initially wanted $90,000 two years prior. The second go-round, I was able to lock up the deal and get it for $20,000! After $70k in rehab and about four months of sweat equity, the property appraised at $220,000! This was one of my best deals yet because of my ability to act fast with the information I already had on the property that was saved in my CRM.
3. Hire Virtual Assistants for Low-Cost Support
Instead of hiring full-time employees, leverage virtual assistants (VAs) for task-based work. You only pay for the work that needs to be done, avoiding the costs of benefits and full-time salaries.
Here are some common real estate tasks you can outsource to VAs:
- CRM management: Organizing leads, updating deal statuses, and managing contacts.
- Marketing: Managing social media, designing property listings, and running ad campaigns.
- Appointment setting: Scheduling calls with sellers and agents.
- Communication with tenants: Never receive a 3 a.m. toilet call again!
- Payables and receivables: Use a virtual mailbox to have your VA manage your mail.
If you already have an all-in-one software in place, you are much more likely to have your VA set up for success. Training someone on a ton of different platforms takes time, and there is more room for human error trying to track everything through different platforms instead of having everything you need in one place.
4. Set Up Automated Workflows
With a few smart integrations, you can automate entire workflows without manual work. Some examples:
- Website development and servicing: Having a website can bring in leads. Not all software has this integrated, like REsimpli, where you can create your own website for free!
- Phone and text automation: Use tools that handle inbound calls and text responses automatically. Several companies offer only this feature, which needs to be integrated into your CRM. REsimpli is able to offer this as a built-in feature.
- Drip campaigns: Automates follow-up sequences via email, text, direct mail, voicemail, and call task reminders, allowing you to nurture leads effortlessly over time.
Final Thoughts
Scaling your real estate investing business doesn’t necessarily mean hiring a full-time staff of employees. By leveraging the right software, automating repetitive tasks, and outsourcing work to virtual assistants, you can grow your deal flow while keeping your expenses low. The key is to build systems first—then plug in the right technology and people to help you execute.
Are you using any of these tools or strategies in your business? Let me know in the comments below!
