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Transaction coordinators play a vital role in the overall real estate industry by assisting brokers and agents in closing contracted sales. 

💻 Today’s technology enables a transaction coordinator (TC) to work effectively from almost anywhere. Some transaction coordinators are in-house employees, others are remote freelance workers. Which setup is better?

In this article, we’ll explore which transaction coordinator working arrangement is better for your real estate business.

Let’s get started!

In-House vs Freelance Transaction Coordinators

transaction coordinator

Communications and work collaboration technology have changed the business world over the past decade.

Today, the lines between remote and in-office workers are blurring, and physical offices are being used less frequently.

🏠 Real estate sales professionals, therefore, have increased support and staffing options, being able to rely on either in-house staff or freelance staff.

Let’s examine the pros and cons of each business model for transaction coordination services.

In-House Transaction Coordinators: The Pros and Cons

transaction coordinator

In-house transaction coordinators are integral to real estate teams managing high transaction volumes, as they handle contracts, compliance, and closings directly within the office. 

They offer tailored support, but come with benefits and challenges. 

Here are the main pros and cons of employing in-house TCs, based on industry insights:

âž• Pros:

Personalized Oversight:In-house TCs integrate seamlessly with team workflows, providing customized support tailored to specific needs, such as handling luxury property deals or navigating local regulations, thereby fostering stronger client relationships compared to outsourced services.
Immediate Communication:Being on-site, TCs can address issues instantly, collaborating face-to-face with agents and brokers. This reduces delays in managing inspections or escrow, thereby enhancing efficiency compared to virtual TCs that rely on digital communication.
Team Cohesion: In-house TCs build camaraderie and loyalty, contributing to a unified office culture. Their presence strengthens accountability and trust, unlike external TCs, who may lack deep team alignment.

âž– Cons:

High Operational Costs: Employing in-house TCs incurs significant expenses, such as salaries, benefits, and office space, compared to outsourced options, which can strain budgets for smaller teams.
Limited Scalability: In-house TCs, typically one or two per team, can become overwhelmed during peak periods, which risks delays or errors. Outsourced services offer flexible staffing to handle volume spikes without the constraints of hiring.
Training and Retention Challenges: Teams must invest in training TCs on real estate specifics and compliance, a time-intensive process. High turnover, common in demanding roles, disrupts continuity and stability.

In-house TCs offer tailored, immediate support but demand significant costs and resources. Teams must weigh these factors against outsourcing to optimize efficiency and growth.

Market Leading

Real Estate Transaction Coordinators

Hand off your transactions, media, and marketing to a real estate TC.

Freelance Transaction Coordinators: The Pros and Cons

transaction coordinator

Freelance transaction coordinators offer real estate teams flexible, cost-effective support for managing contracts, compliance, and closings, particularly for small to mid-sized operations. 

They work independently, providing tailored services without the overhead of in-house staff or large firms. 

Below are three advantages and two disadvantages of working with freelance technical consultants (TCs), based on industry insights.

âž• Pros:

Cost Efficiency:Freelancers typically charge significantly less than in-house TCs. This affordability suits budget-conscious agents.
Flexible Engagement: Freelancers provide scalable support, enabling teams to hire for specific projects or peak periods without long-term commitments. This adaptability, unlike fixed in-house roles, aligns with fluctuating transaction volumes.
Advanced Expertise:Many freelancers bring years of real estate experience, offering customized coordination for local markets or niche deals.

âž– Cons:

Uncertain Skills: Assessing the experience level and skill set of freelance TCs can be tricky. It may take a while before the quality of the services can be determined.
Potential Limited Access: Freelancers lack the immediate availability of an in-house employee. However, with today’s technology, most freelancers are easily accessible and can be reached quickly. 

Freelance TCs offer affordable, flexible, and personalized support, making them ideal for smaller teams. 

However, their level of experience can be hard to determine initially, and immediate availability may be limited. 

With those comparisons now complete, let’s consider which business model for transaction coordinator services best suits your needs.

Which Transaction Coordinator Model Is Right for You?

Which Transaction Coordinator Model Is Right for You

While every business is unique and has its own particular needs, we’re convinced that the benefits of freelance transaction coordinators outweigh those of in-house transaction coordinators.

Let’s elaborate on these advantages in more detail.

Freelance TCs are almost always less expensive. You save significant money by avoiding the overhead costs. Additionally, you’ll save on not having to provide benefits, supplies, and other items.

Moreover, freelancers can adapt to fluctuating workloads, allowing teams to hire for specific projects or busy seasons without long-term commitments. 

Unlike in-house TCs, whose fixed roles limit scalability, freelancers offer on-demand support, ideal for agents handling variable transaction volumes, ensuring efficiency without overstaffing.

Many freelancers bring years of real estate experience and niche knowledge. Their direct, personalized approach often surpasses the generalized support of in-house TCs.

Freelancers empower agents to maintain lean operations. Their ability to integrate seamlessly into workflows, without the training or retention challenges of in-house staff, makes them a strategic asset for teams prioritizing agility and growth.

If the above arguments do not entirely convince you, consider these compelling statistics.

Freelance Transaction Coordinators – Statistics

The statistics paint a clear and convincing picture of the benefits of working with freelance coordinators.

Let’s examine the numbers:

  • Surveys reveal that  freelance workers are 4.4% more productive than in-house workers
  • 50% of the top-producing brokerages rely on freelance transaction coordinators, noting the time and cost savings
  • 70% of real estate agents who partner with freelance TCs see increased sales volume as a result
  • Freelance TCs are 55% less likely to change jobs than in-house TCs, saving time and money on training and onboarding costs

Hiring freelance transaction coordinators has become a consistent practice across the industry. For example, consider the following statistics:

  • Today, 35% of real estate transaction coordinators are freelancers, and that number is expected to double in the next 5 years
  • Freelance and remote workers are a significant part of the workforce, with more than 12 million freelance and remote real estate employees alone

Here’s a cool infographic showcasing these statistics:

Transaction Coordinator Statistics Infographic

Overall, virtual transaction coordinators offer a practical and efficient solution for real estate professionals.

Now, you know the advantages of working with a freelance transaction coordinator. Therefore, you might be wondering where to find one.

Allow us to suggest an industry leader trusted by thousands of real estate professionals nationwide.

Market Leading

Real Estate Transaction Coordinators

Hand off your transactions, media, and marketing to a real estate TC.

Trust AgentUp for Superior Transaction Coordination

AgentUp is your trusted partner for real estate transaction coordinators, connecting you with top-tier services that elevate your business operations.

AgentUp Transaction Coordination
AgentUp Transaction Coordination

Our transaction coordinators rank among the industry’s most highly trained, dedicated to managing transactions with precision, reducing errors, and ensuring smooth closings.

We provide end-to-end closing services for every transaction, expertly handling each phase of the process, including the following:

  • Comprehensive review of contracts and disclosures to ensure accuracy and compliance
  • Professional welcome emails are sent to all parties, setting a positive tone
  • Efficient scheduling of home inspections and timely sharing of detailed reports
  • Proactive reminders for upcoming steps and deadlines, keeping deals on track
  • Coordination with the title company to set a precise closing date
  • Selection of thoughtful closing gifts to enhance client satisfaction
  • Clear communication of utility contact information for post-closing transitions
  • Strategic solicitation of client Google reviews and referral follow-ups to boost your reputation

At AgentUp, we match you with the perfect real estate transaction coordinator service tailored to your specific needs so that you can focus on client relationships and business growth.

Why Should You Trust AgentUp?

For the following reasons:

Elite Training:Our TCs complete a 40-hour U.S. real estate course, equipping them with deep market knowledge and surpassing competitors, ensuring your deals are handled with expertise.
Advanced Technology: Our platform is built on innovative software that provides easy access to your files at any time, while also offering state-of-the-art digital security. 
24/6 Support:With over a decade of experience serving real estate professionals, our U.S.-based team provides responsive and flexible support.

Moreover, our pricing is affordable for any size brokerage or business:

AgentUp is currently running a limited-time special of $99 to onboard your first transaction. 

To learn more, call  (888) 982-4368 to speak to an AgentUp TC or schedule a TC consultation

One-Stop Real Estate Marketing With AgentUp

AgentUp goes far beyond traditional transaction coordination, offering an expansive array of benefits designed to empower real estate professionals in competitive markets.

Our innovative marketing tools enable agents to stand out in challenging markets, seamlessly integrating visionary creativity with meticulous execution to maximize visibility and engagement.

Explore these state-of-the-art marketing tools and discover how they can transform your real estate business:

Overall, you can trust AgentUp for outstanding real estate transaction coordinator services and effective digital marketing tools.

So, why wait? Take your first step toward smoother closings and increased profitability now.

Sign up for a free AgentUp account today and take the first step toward significantly growing your real estate sales business.

Thank you for reading this article on in-house vs freelance transaction coordinators – which is right for your real estate business? If you found this article beneficial, then please take a moment and explore these related resources:

Gregory Gronbacher

Real Estate Sales Agent / Professional Blogger

Gregory is a real estate sales agent and a state-certified instructor of real estate licensing and law. Originally from New York City, he's called Grand Rapids, Michigan home since 1995.

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