Unlocking growth: How smart outsourcing is transforming real estate businesses

In today’s fast-paced real estate market, every business leader shares the same goal: keeping their team focused on what truly matters — delivering exceptional service to clients and driving business growth. But with chronic staff shortages and recruitment hurdles, scaling operations has become a daunting challenge.

Many agencies have turned to virtual and remote assistants to fill the gaps, freeing up their onshore teams to focus on high-value work. But here’s the catch: not everyone is tapping into the full potential of outsourcing.

Speaking on the REB Business Empowerment Showcase, Paul Findlay, Director of Real Estate – Australia at Cloudstaff, pulled back the curtain on how strategic outsourcing is the game-changer the real estate industry desperately needs.

“I recently searched for property management jobs on Seek — there were over 4,100 roles nationwide. It’s staggering,” Findlay revealed. “With recent legislative changes in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland, the pressure on property managers has only intensified. Many are at breaking point and leaving the industry altogether.”

Rather than watching staff walk out the door, Findlay urges leaders to rethink their support strategies. "When people ask me, ‘how do we retain our staff?’, the answer lies in giving them the right support."

However, outsourcing isn’t simply a matter of hiring overseas contractors and delegating menial tasks. According to Findlay, there’s an art to it.

"It’s about more than just lease renewals — that’s just scratching the surface," he explained. “We’ve had instances where our remote assistants reviewed inspection footage, spotting details property managers might have missed. From analysing CoreLogic reports to preparing rental CMAs and backend admin, our remote team members empower on-the-ground staff to focus on scaling the business."

And it goes deeper than just support tasks. Cloudstaff invests heavily in training, ensuring their remote assistants are equipped with deep knowledge of proptech and evolving real estate legislation.

“Our staff love to learn,” Findlay said. “We’ve built a training academy so they’re as educated as any Australian hire. Plus, we’ve created Centres of Excellence to train teams in network-specific areas of need. It’s a critical driver of growth.”

The result? Remote assistants who aren’t just helpful — they’re integral to business expansion. So much so, Findlay envisions a future where senior remote team members lead their own pods, comprising junior assistants and AI-powered bots.

“These assistants will evolve into leaders, managing teams alongside AI concierges,” he shared. “Imagine needing to process an eviction — your remote assistant, with AI support, can draft breach notices, cross-check legislation, and manage the entire process seamlessly.”

The benefits of outsourcing are undeniable, but as Findlay warns, it’s essential to do it the right way. Missteps, like hiring overseas staff directly, can lead to serious legal risks.

“I know of a case right now where a directly hired overseas contractor is claiming Australian employment rights. It’s going through Fair Work Australia,” he cautioned.

This is where Cloudstaff’s fully managed model shines. Not only does it protect Australian businesses, but it also ensures overseas staff are cared for and compliant with local laws.

“We handle everything — from tax compliance to workplace perks. Our offices have doctors and nurses on-site, and staff can even bring their families in,” Findlay noted proudly.

Cloudstaff also goes the extra mile on security and business continuity. Addressing concerns around cybersecurity, Findlay pointed out that not every risk comes from offshore teams. "We’ve seen fraud cases traced back to local staff. Audit trails don’t lie," he said.

To safeguard operations, Cloudstaff maintains partnerships with 11 internet providers in the Philippines, runs proactive contingency plans for natural disasters, and offers transport and home protection for staff when typhoons strike.

With over 7,500 team members across 15 Philippine offices — and a growing presence in India, Kenya, and Colombia — Cloudstaff is more than just an outsourcing provider. They’re a growth partner for ambitious real estate businesses ready to scale smartly and sustainably.

The future of real estate isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter — with the right people, the right training, and the right technology. Cloudstaff is leading the way.

To listen on the their latest podcast: https://www.realestatebusiness.com.au/marketing/29697-reb-business-empowerment-showcase-scaling-your-business-through-outsourcing-with-cloudstaff-s-paul-findlay

And to know more, you can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.