The Central Ohio market is evolving—inventory is up 36% year-over-year, the median sales price has nudged to $335,500, and homes now take about 28 days to sell instead of the break-neck 22 we saw last spring. For many Columbus agents, that shift raises a big question: Is it time to stop flying solo and start (or join) a team?
The Market Context: Why Teams Thrive in a Normalizing Cycle
When listings plateau and days-on-market stretch, buyers and sellers want deeper expertise and faster answers. Teams shine here because they can:
Spread coverage—every call, showing, and inspection gets answered.
Pool marketing budgets for higher-quality content and niche events.
Offer specialized roles (ISA, transaction coordinator, showing partner) that elevate service and reduce burnout.
Nationally, more than one in four REALTORS® now works on a team, and adoption is growing as markets rebalance.
Leadership Matters More Than Lead Flow
Leads keep the lights on, but leadership keeps the people. The most resilient teams in Columbus share three traits:
Clarity of Vision – Weekly meetings with measurable goals, written core values, and transparent P&L breakdowns.
Accountability Without Ego – Leaders own mistakes publicly and celebrate wins loudly.
Defined Lanes – Every agent knows who handles listings, who handles buyers, and who tackles marketing—and they follow process.
Before you hire, map every recurring task on a whiteboard. Fill gaps with roles, not vague titles.
Systems to Safeguard Your Reputation
Ohio’s 2024 agency law now requires a written buyer-representation agreement before showings, plus conspicuous commission-disclosure language. Meanwhile, the NAR settlement bars blanket MLS comp offers and pushes fee negotiations front-and-center. Translation: sloppy paperwork can cost you clients—or worse, your license.
Invest in:
Digital checklists (Trello, Asana) tied to every listing and buyer pipeline.
A shared compliance calendar reminding agents of contract deadlines, inspections, and disclosures.
Quarterly file audits—peer-to-peer review keeps everyone sharp and reduces broker risk.
Event Marketing: The Database Goldmine
Educational seminars—especially those aimed at 55+ downsizers—remain one of the highest-ROI lead sources in Central Ohio. With older sellers finally unlocking equity, tailored in-person events cut through social-media noise.
Pro tips:
Bundle value. Pair a 20-minute market update with short panels (estate attorney, loan officer, senior-move expert).
Charge vendors. Sponsorship fees offset venue and radio ads, turning your seminar into a breakeven—or profitable—funnel.
Follow up for a year. Many attendees won’t list for 12–24 months—drip campaigns and quarterly check-ins convert browsers into clients.
Content That Connects—Even If You Hate Selfies
Trying to be your own videographer is a recipe for ghost accounts. Columbus agents who outsource production to specialized media pros see:
Consistent weekly content across Facebook & YouTube (where the 50-plus demo actually hangs out).
On-brand messaging that amplifies—not dilutes—your market authority.
Ready-made clips to text prospects, expediting know-like-trust.
Budget 10–15% of GCI for professional editing and ad spend; the credibility boost is worth every penny.
Quick Tips
Create a two-step interview process to filter lone-wolf agents before you hire.
Host one niche seminar each quarter; track RSVPs in your CRM for long-term nurture.
Set written standards for response times (calls, texts, email) to protect your reputation.
Use buyer-agency agreements in every interaction—Ohio law now mandates it.
Reinvest early profit into admin talent before adding more agents.
FAQs
Q1: How big should my team be before I add full-time admin support?
A1: If you’re closing ~40 units or feeling client communication slip, hire an admin first. They typically pay for themselves by deal #3.
Q2: Do seminars still work when everyone is online?
A2: Absolutely. Mature homeowners prefer face-to-face trust-building. Pair seminars with follow-up Zoom Q&As for tech-savvy attendees.
Q3: What’s a fair commission split on teams post-settlement?
A3: Market norms vary, but 50/50 with lead-gen provided or 70/30 for sphere deals remains common. Transparently outline splits in writing to avoid conflict.
Conclusion
Building a real estate business with purpose isn’t just about finding leads—it’s about leading well, earning trust, and creating impact through education, empathy, and systems. If you’re a licensed agent in Columbus who’s ready to scale the right way—with proven systems, hands-on coaching, and a culture that lives its values—Styer Real Estate Professionals is ready for you.
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