Childcare in Real Estate: How Epique Realty is Pioneering Support for Its Agents
In the bustling world of real estate, the juggling act of balancing work and family life is a common struggle, especially for agents who are parents. Recent statistics reveal that over 80% of real estate agents are parents, with a significant portion being women. This demographic faces the dual challenge of meeting the demands of a profession that often requires weekend work while simultaneously navigating the high costs and logistics of childcare.
Janice Delcid, the CFO and Co-Founder of Epique Realty, an innovative, woman-owned brokerage spanning 37 states, highlights this issue poignantly. “Real estate happens on weekends, and that’s when my kids are home,” she says. For many agents, weekends are the height of the business cycle—perfect for open houses and potential buyers. But this necessitates a hard question: who takes care of the kids when mom or dad is out securing deals?
The burden of childcare usually falls predominantly on the female agents, who often manage household and familial responsibilities. Delcid, a mother of seven, empathizes deeply with her agents’ experiences. As she notes, while many women are navigating these challenges, the top leadership in many brokerages tends to be male, who may not fully grasp the implications of these dynamics. The real estate industry has historically catered to traditional work schedules, often leaving parents in a lurch.
Epique Realty is changing the narrative. Just recently, during a live-streamed announcement viewed by over 5,000 participants, the company revealed its commitment to supporting agents by introducing a groundbreaking free childcare program. “We aren’t just a real estate brokerage; we are an AI-based tech company that does real estate,” explains Joshua Miller, CEO and Co-Founder of Epique. This statement underscores the company’s focus on embracing technology to enhance the lives of its agents, offering benefits you’d traditionally expect from a tech powerhouse like Apple or Google.
Unlike many brokerages that simply provide basic tools like CRMs and websites, Epique Realty seeks to revolutionize the agent experience. “We aren’t here to give logins to CRMs. We are here to change our agents’ daily lives,” adds Miller, emphasizing a commitment to improving every facet of an agent’s journey. This innovative approach is a breath of fresh air in an industry known for its outdated practices.
To date, Epique Realty boasts an impressive array of nearly 60 benefits for its agents, ranging from professional listing photography to complimentary healthcare and car washes. They even extend their support to pets, offering services like pet-sitting and telehealth via Airvet, a move that speaks volumes about their holistic view of agent welfare.
“We’re saving and changing lives every day. No other brokerage in the world can say that,” remarks Christopher Miller, COO and Co-Founder of Epique. The heartfelt testimonies from agents resonate with the company’s mission; many have benefited from critical healthcare services or have thrived professionally thanks to Epique’s offerings.
At the core of their childcare initiative is a partnership with UrbanSitter, a platform that connects users with thousands of licensed, background-checked childcare providers across the U.S. Agents can conveniently access the app to find, interview, and even rate childcare professionals, alongside recommendations from fellow Epique agents. “It’s like Uber for childcare, but with more control and transparency,” Delcid states, highlighting the flexibility and peace of mind this service brings.
The benefits don’t stop at childcare; Epique’s platform also extends to tutoring, elder care, and pet-sitting—all free of charge for their agents. Joshua firmly underscores their commitment: “We’re not just giving agents the app for free. We are literally paying for childcare, elder care, tutoring, and pet-sitting. It won’t cost our agents a dime.”
Anticipated to launch in spring 2025, this initiative could very well signal a pivotal shift within the real estate industry, encouraging other brokerages to adopt similarly robust benefits. “We didn’t want to change one company; we wanted to change the industry for all agents,” Joshua emphasizes, expressing hope that Epique’s approach will motivate other companies to put agents first.
As Epique Realty continues to innovate and expand its offerings, it stands as a beacon of support in the real estate landscape. By prioritizing the wellbeing of their agents, especially those with familial responsibilities, they are not only changing lives but also reshaping the industry’s future.
About Epique Realty
More than just a brokerage, Epique Realty embodies a movement aimed at empowering real estate agents. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusion, and integrity, they provide cutting-edge AI technology, unparalleled benefits, and comprehensive resources. Epique Realty is driving progress in the real estate industry, one success story at a time.
For more details, visit BeEpique.com.
