From meeting the ever-increasing client demands to navigating compliance to getting your feet wet with recruiting, the owners of growing mortgage brokerages today are under a lot of stress.  

Most might find themselves wearing multiple hats (business owner, mortgage professional, people manager, marketer, admin assistant…the list goes on.) Others might be grappling with new roadblocks, bottlenecks, and macroeconomic market complications. Still others are dealing with fatigue and even burnout. 

That’s why 66% of U.S. companies report outsourcing in at least one department.    

Outsourcing can save companies money, improve efficiency, and increase flexibility. But it needs to be approached strategically.    

That means understanding the reality of outsourcing support, its benefits and challenges, and knowing exactly when to take the plunge. 

Key Benefits of Outsourcing Support 

No matter your specific goals, outsourcing support has the potential to make a powerful difference in your business.  

Some of the most exciting benefits can include: 

• Scalability: You can add support as your business grows, without long-term hiring risks. 
• Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing tends to come with lower overhead than hiring internal employees. 
• Access to Expertise: Mortgage professionals can tap into specialized skills, like compliance, processing, and marketing, without the associated training costs. 
• Faster Turnaround: You can keep deals moving smoothly, reducing client wait times and driving satisfaction. 
• More Freedom: Outsourcing frees you up to focus on what matters most — revenue-driving activities like networking, building relationships, and closing deals.

Ultimately, the goal is to facilitate business growth without those pesky administrative growing pains. 

Signs It’s Time to Explore Outsourcing Support 

Big business decisions should never be made on gut feeling alone. 

Review recent data, analytics, and key business metrics to determine if any of the following red flags apply: 

• You’ve missed growth opportunities because you’re stuck in admin tasks. 
• Turnaround times have slipped (and clients have noticed). 
• Your communication has been suboptimal. 
• You’ve considered hiring but determined you’re not ready for the overhead. 
• You’ve wanted to expand but knew you couldn’t manage the workload alone.

If any (or all!) of the above apply to your business, outsourcing support might be a good idea. 

What Outsourcing Support Actually Looks Like 

Outsourcing support can look completely different depending on your needs and preferences.  

There are typically a few variable scopes you can choose from:  

Outsourcing by Function 

As you well know, there are a lot of job functions that contribute to a thriving mortgage business. In today’s highly connected landscape, there are outsourcing options for nearly every one. 

You might consider outsourcing: 

• Loan Processing Support: Document management, loan file preparation, compliance, and lender requirements. 
• Marketing Support: Social media, email campaigns, and lead nurturing. 
• Administrative Tasks: Scheduling, data entry, and client communication/CRM management.
• Compliance Monitoring: Staying ahead of important regulatory changes.

When you’re first getting started, try to prioritize the “need-to-haves”, indicated by current gaps or critical weaknesses, over the “nice-to-haves”. 

Full Outsourcing Versus Fractional/Part-Time Support 

Once you’ve determined which job functions would be best handled by outsourced support, you’ll also have options when it comes to determining the right cost and coverage.   

With full outsourcing, you hand over end-to-end ownership of a function. You’ll be less involved in the day-to-day processes, as the vendor steps in to provide comprehensive support, and you might pay a monthly retainer with volume tiers. 

With fractional or part-time support, on the other hand, you’ll assign targeted tasks or hours to your outsourced team. You might pay an hourly or project-based rate, and you’ll also likely need to maintain more control over and insight into the work. 

Overcoming Concerns About Outsourcing Support 

Outsourcing support isn’t always easy, and as you explore your options there are a few key challenges you should consider: 

• Trust and Quality: You’ll want to choose vetted partners with knowledge of (and experience in) the mortgage industry. 
• Communication: Ensure providers can offer clear processes and tools for effective collaboration. 
• Client Experience: Any outsourcing decisions should measurably improve customer service — reviews and testimonials might give you some insight into a provider’s track record.
• Control: You don’t want to babysit, but ensure you ultimately remain in charge.

When outsourcing support, make sure to do your due diligence. Vet any potential partners, ask for references, and don’t be afraid to pivot or pull the plug if things aren’t working out.

Remember: The goal is to simplify your business, not overcomplicate things. 

Wrapping Up: Facilitating Growth by Outsourcing Support 

By outsourcing support, busy mortgage professionals can truly work smarter, not harder. 

Whether you’re prioritizing speed, scalability, or cost efficiency, outsourcing even just a few key tasks or processes can best position you for strategic, sustainable growth. 

And, as you well know, there is plenty of work to go around.