Balancing work and your personal life is something that every business owner needs to do, but doesn't it seem like the biggest opportunities always occur on the rare occasions that you take time away from the office?

Whoever coined the phrase, "If you want it done right, do it yourself," obviously didn't have a team they could trust. One person can only be stretched but so thin, which makes it unlikely that you'll be available to make every important decision that comes across your desk. This is why it's important to have a team that you can trust with these responsibilities and that will continue to push your business in the right direction.

Linda McKissack, real estate coach, entrepreneur and co-author of HOLD. How to Find, Buy and Rent Houses for Wealth, believes that achieving a balance between work and your personal life and finding talented people to work with are two things that keep even the most successful real estate professionals up at night. She has found that one common mistake among business owners is not investing enough time in recruiting because they think there's no one that can do what they do and that the talented ones want to do it on their own.

According to McKissack, "It's all about success through people, hiring talent and creating an environment where everyone can succeed." Think about it--wouldn't you feel much more confident knowing that your business is operating at its fullest potential even when you are out of the office? During the most recent Secrets of Top Selling Agents Webinar from Homes.com, McKissack stresses the importance of achieving a work-life balance by leveraging systems, tools and more importantly, people.

Here are the first 4 tips offered by McKissack to help you find the individuals that will guide your business to success, allowing you to take full advantage of your time outside of work.

1. Figure out what they are looking for from you

Understanding what candidates look to gain from working at your company will help you determine if they are the right fit for the team. True talent is a hot commodity and they are aware of their value. Rather than figuring out how they will be beneficial to your business, explain exactly how your company can meet their needs and expectations, too. This is especially important if the individual is already satisfied with their current position, as you'll need to give them a reason why your team would be a better fit.

2. Promote their success

If you really want to get the best candidates in your area, you'll have to sell them on why your company will help them further their own career. McKissack has found that the top complaint from employees is that businesses don't offer training or advancement opportunities. Helping them become better at what they do will also make your business more successful. Things such as operating and training manuals, training calendars, company literature, time management systems and even supportive articles will show that you are committed to help them grow as an agent and not just looking to grow your business.

3. Where to look for top talent

It's not every day that you come across someone that's a perfect candidate for your team, so McKissack recommends that you should always be on the lookout. Real estate schools, career opportunity meetings and educational events are where people who are serious about furthering their career will be, so it would be a good idea to continually search in these places. You could also reach out to past clients to see if they've heard of anyone making a name for themselves in the community or start networking at real estate associations and core groups. Top talent real estate agents are always searching for ways to make their own career more successful, which is why you'll find the best candidate by searching in the places that facilitate this growth.

4. Pique their interest with the first phone call

Once you've found someone that would be a good fit for your team, it's important to spark their interest with the first phone call. Don't catch them off guard by asking a slew of questions prior to meeting in person; make it a casual conversation and simply show that you're interested in meeting with them. Send an invitation to get together and get to know each other or explain that someone referred them to you and that you'd like to set up a meeting. Show your interest but don't be overwhelming. If they feel comfortable about meeting in person, it will allow you to get a better feel for them during the interview.

Recruiting the top talent in your area is only the first step in building your real estate dream team. Next time around, Homes.com will be sharing the final four tips on how to interview all these star agents and choose the best fit for your business! Meanwhile, download Homes.com's "Rise to the Top: Be the Local Expert" eBook to see what marketing strategies you can share with your team to connect with more buyers and sellers in your community.

To view the original article, visit the Homes.com blog.

Next: See '4 More Tips for Building a Real Estate Dream Team: To Hire or Not to Hire?'