Rent Roll Maximiser | Why Would I Even Consider Using Outsourced Staff? – Episode 1

🎙️ Why More Real Estate Agencies Are Embracing Virtual Assistants? – Insights with Damien Barnett from Affordable Staff

In today’s fast-paced Real Estate environment, efficiency isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. That’s why I sat down with Damien Barnett, an Outsource Specialist at Affordable Staff, to dive into the topic of outsourcing and how Virtual Assistants (VAs) are reshaping the way Real Estate businesses operate.

As someone who has collaborated with Damien across multiple agencies, I was eager to share this conversation and shed light on how outsourcing is no longer just a cost-saving tactic, it’s a powerful strategy for growth.

📈 The Evolution of Outsourcing in Real Estate

I first heard about outsourcing back in 2013, at an LPMA event where Bob Walters introduced the concept. The room was split. Outsourcing was controversial, seen as either a revolutionary opportunity or a risk to service quality.

Damien was one of the early adopters. He recalls being handed a VA in the Philippines and told to “sort it out.” That early experience, complete with power outages and unreliable internet, highlighted the growing pains of a model that would eventually become essential.

👨💼 What Does an Outsource Specialist Do?

Damien’s role involves working across Australia and New Zealand, helping Real Estate businesses of all sizes successfully integrate VAs into their operations.

With a strong background in Real Estate (including Property Manager of the Year 🏆), Damien understands the pressures PMs face, and how outsourcing can relieve them.

He isn’t speaking from theory, he’s lived it and brings real, practical insight 💡.

🤔 Who Should Be Considering a VA?

You might think Outsourcing is only for large corporate Agencies. Not true ❌.

📍 Damien’s smallest client started with just 50 properties. Another is confidently growing from just over 100

🔸 If you’re managing under 30 properties, the cost-benefit may be questionable. But once you pass that mark, the value proposition becomes clear:

💼 Smaller Agencies benefit from a VA acting as a Personal Assistant – handling admin, maintenance, and lease prep so the PM can focus on Clients. 🏢 Larger agencies utilise VAs for high-volume, task-driven roles – such as lease renewals, invoicing, and compliance tracking.

🧤 A Hand-in-Glove Partnership

A VA doesn’t replace your PM, they empower them 💪.

It’s a hand-in-glove relationship: the VA manages the back-end so your onshore team can stay client-facing 👥, building relationships and delivering value.

“We’re seeing property managers go from managing 500 properties to 1,500 Client relationships – including Tenants – and using those relationships to drive new business.” — Damien

It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what matters more. 🧠

💰 Cost Savings vs. Business Growth

Yes, VAs can save you up to 30% on admin costs. But the real ROI? 📊 Growth.

Here’s what that can look like:

✨ One Client has PMs (not BDMs) bringing in 2 new managements per month – That’s 10 new properties/month across a 5-PM team – Estimated asset value gain: $30K–$50K+ per month

So yes, it’s efficient, but more importantly, it’s a growth engine ⚙️.

🏗️ Is Your Business Too Small to Outsource?

There is such a thing as too early. If you’re at 10–20 properties, outsourcing might not be right just yet ⏳.

But if you’re managing 30 to 50 properties and ready to grow 📈—the barriers to entry are low, and the benefits are clear.

🔄 Final Thoughts: It’s About More Than Just Saving Time

Damien reminded me that outsourcing is not about replacing people, it’s about elevating your team 🌟.

When done right:

✅ PMs go home on time

✅ Agencies scale without burnout

✅ Clients receive better service

✅ And businesses become more profitable, more stable, and more sustainable 🔐

📞 Want to Learn More?

If you want to explore how a VA could fit into your business—whether you manage 50 or 500 properties—reach out to Damien and the team at 👉 affordablestaff.com

Already outsourcing but not seeing results? It might be time to reassess your setup and work with a team that truly understands the real estate space 🏡.

— 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)