Time is Money. Spend it Wisely.

You got into real estate to build a thriving business, make great money, and have more freedom.

But somewhere along the way, you found yourself doing… everything.

Running around picking up lockboxes, manually putting up yard signs, chasing paperwork, and feeling overwhelmed instead of successful.

The truth? You’re not running a business—you’re running yourself into the ground.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Successful agents don’t grind harder; they maximize their time and energy on high-value activities. If it’s not generating leads, closing deals, or building relationships, it’s probably slowing you down.

Here’s how to start working smarter today:

1. Use a Lockbox— something simple that could save you hours over a year.

Lockboxes are a game-changer for real estate agents because they eliminate the need to be present for every single showing. Instead of coordinating schedules, driving back and forth, and waiting around for buyers, a lockbox lets the buyer’s agent access the property without you having to be there.

Driving back to pick up a lockbox after closing? Not worth your time.

Traditionally, agents have to:

Drive back to the property
Find parking
Retrieve the lockbox (hoping it’s still there and hasn’t been misplaced)
Drive back to the office or storage to put it away

All of this, just to save a $30-$50 lockbox.

But let’s be real—that’s not saving you money.

It’s costing you time, gas, and energy that you could be using to sign another listing or meet a new client.

Instead of making that extra trip, turn it into a strategic move: Leave the lockbox as a gift for the buyer’s agent.

Why?

• Saves You Time & Hassle – No need to go back to the property. Move on to your next deal.

• Strengthens Your Professional Network – Buyer’s agents will remember you for the small (but thoughtful) gesture.

• Positions You as a Smart, Efficient Agent – You’re showing others that you know how to work efficiently.

• Encourages Future Referrals – That buyer’s agent might send business your way simply because you made their life easier.

2. Hire a Yard Sign Company- Seriously—why are you out there wrestling with a signpost, trying to hammer it into the ground?

You’re a real estate professional.

And yet, too many agents waste valuable time driving to listings, hauling signs out of their trunks, and struggling to install them.

Here’s the problem:

• It takes time – Time you could be using to get another listing.

• It’s a hassle – Weather, tough ground, broken posts… do you really need that frustration?

• It’s not scalable – The more listings you have, the more signs you need to deal with.

The Smarter Solution: Hire a Yard Sign Company

They install it for you.
They remove it for you.
Some even store your signs, so you don’t have to haul them around.

A professional yard sign service costs less than an hour of your time.

That’s time you could be spending on calls, marketing, or meeting clients.

3. Stop Editing Your Own Photos & Marketing Materials

We get it—you want things to look perfect.

But spending hours on Canva, Photoshop, or some online flyer tool is not the best use of your time.

Why You Should Stop Doing This Yourself:

Professionals Do It Better – A trained real estate photo editor can enhance lighting, remove clutter, and make your listings look magazine-worthy.

A professional listing photo can make or break a buyer’s first impression.

Don’t settle for ‘good enough.’

The Smarter Solution: Outsource It

Hire a professional real estate photographer – They’ll capture your listings in the best light (literally).
Use a listing description writer – AI tools or freelancers can craft engaging descriptions that sell.
Use a virtual assistant or marketing company for flyers, social media posts, and brochures.

4. Hire an Assistant.

Thinking about hiring an assistant but worried, “How am I going to keep them busy for 40 hours a week?” 🤔

A lot of agents hesitate to hire because they think they don’t have enough work to delegate.

Here’s How to Keep Your Assistant Busy (And Free Up Your Time!):

Admin Tasks – Emails, scheduling, transaction coordination, MLS updates. Everything that eats up your time but doesn’t make you money.

Marketing & Lead Follow-Up – Social media posts, postcards, email campaigns, and checking in with past clients to keep your pipeline full.

Database Management – Organizing contacts, updating CRM, setting up follow-up systems so no lead slips through the cracks.

Listing Prep & Client Support – Ordering signs, booking photographers, answering client questions, and handling paperwork so you can focus on closings.

Hiring the right help isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in your success.

Want to free up even more time?

Download my Transaction Coordination Checklist and streamline your deals from contract to close—so you can focus on what you do best: selling real estate!

👉Click here to get your free checklist now.