Youtube: Real Estate Success Principles – Episode 25
🏡 Temp Staff in Real Estate: Smart Strategy or Just a Backup Plan?
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mark Appleby, Managing Director at Buckmaster Hawkey, a Real Estate Recruitment Agency that’s been operating since 1981. Mark’s been at the helm for over 20 years, and we had a great chat about Temporary Recruitment in the Real Estate space.
What started as a simple conversation about covering Staff gaps turned into a much broader look at how Temping is evolving — for both Agencies and Candidates.
Let’s break it down 👇
🤔 What Is Temping — and Why Should Real Estate Agencies Care?
Temping refers to short-term or contract-based Staffing — often used to cover sick leave, holidays, or short-term projects.
But here’s the thing most people don’t realise:
Temping isn’t just for emergencies; it can be a strategic advantage and often leads to permanent hires.
Mark explained that Agencies use Temps for all sorts of reasons — from bridging the gap between hires, to adding extra hands during peak times, to covering maternity leave. He even had two Temps offered full-time roles in one day!
🏢 When Should Real Estate Agencies Use Temps?
Let’s look at the common triggers for Temp hires:
🔹 Staff resignation– You’ve got a portfolio and no one managing it. A Temp can keep things ticking.
🔹 Annual leave– Someone’s taking 4-6 weeks off to escape the Melbourne winter? Temp.
🔹 Maternity leave– For anything beyond 12 weeks, Mark recommends hiring the Temp directly on a contract for cost efficiency.
🔹 Seasonal surges– Need help with leasing, open homes, or routine inspections during busy periods? Temps are your solution.
🔹 Last-minute sick days – Monday morning, Receptionist calls in sick. Mark has people ready to jump in by 10am.
You don’t just need Temps when things go wrong — you can plan ahead and use them to strengthen your team’s performance and protect your service levels.
👩💼 What’s in It for Candidates?
From the other side of the fence, Temping can be an amazing opportunity.
Mark shared examples of temps who:
💼 Want flexibility(e.g., parents who don’t work during school holidays)
🚀 Are upskillingquickly by working in multiple environments
🌏 Are between life events (e.g., launching a side business or planning overseas travel)
👀 Want to “try before they buy” into a full-time role
Some of Mark’s Temps have been with him for over 10 years — by choice. They’ve seen every kind of Agency, every system, and every style of management. It’s a goldmine of experience that helps them walk into any environment with confidence.
💡 The “Try Before You Buy” Hiring Model
Mark and I joked that Temping is a bit like living with your partner before getting married.
Why?
Because both sides get to trial the fit — without obligation.
🔄 If the Agency likes the Temp: Offer them a role.
🔄 If the Temp likes the Agency: Accept.
🔄 If it’s not working: End the assignment, no drama.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward way to test cultural fit and performance before committing to a permanent hire.
📋 How to Present Temp Experience on a Resume
Here’s something candidates often ask: “Will Temping make my resume look inconsistent?”
Not if it’s formatted properly.
If someone worked as a Temp for a year, don’t list every single assignment. Instead, Mark suggests:
Buckmaster Hawkey | Temporary Assignments Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 “Completed various Property Management and administrative assignments across Melbourne Real Estate Agencies.”
✔️ Clean
✔️ Easy to read
✔️ Shows consistency and commitment
✅ What Makes a Great Temp?
Mark is picky about who he sends on assignments — and for good reason. Temps represent his brand in the market.
Here’s what he looks for in standout Temps:
🔑 Reliability– Show up, on time, every time.
🔑 Flexibility– Willing to take on different roles (reception, leasing, inspections).
🔑 Professionalism– No office politics. Ever.
🔑 Skillset – Able to hit the ground running. Training time is minimal.
If a Client ever says, “We don’t know where the Temp is,” or “They’re constantly late” — that reflects poorly on everyone involved. So the right attitude is just as important as the experience.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Temping Is an Underrated Asset
If you’re an Agency Owner, Temping can:
🔹 Save your service levels
🔹 Prevent burnout in your team
🔹 Offer trial runs for potential hires
🔹 Help you scale during peak periods
If you’re a Candidate, temping can:
🔹 Keep you employed
🔹 Build your skills faster than any course
🔹 Expose you to diverse systems and teams
🔹 Help you discover where you actually want to work
👋 A massive thank you to Mark Appleby for the insight and straight talk.
It’s time we shift the narrative around Temping in our industry. Temping isn’t a fallback — it’s a smart, strategic career move that offers flexibility, growth, and fresh opportunities.
— Michael Furlong, Rent Roll Maximiser
Rent Roll Growth Consultant | Property Management Trainer & Coach | Conference Speaker | Podcast Host | Easy to follow Trello Online Systems & Procedures Manuals | Real Estate Agency “Systems” Specialist
At Rent Roll Maximiser, we provide tailored consulting services to help Real Estate Agencies grow and optimise their rent rolls. Whether you are looking to expand your rent roll, streamline operations, or enhance team culture, our expertise can guide you toward long-term success.
A 15-minute conversation today could significantly impact your Agency’s future profitability. Contact Us to discuss how we can support your business growth:
📧 michael@rentrollmaximiser.com.au
📞 (0425-713-571)
