It’s officially November and there’s no perfect time to start thinking about and planning for the holidays that will shortly be upon us. This is also the time where in real estate agents should start to think about working during the holidays.
Flexible schedules! That’s why so many pick a job in real estate. You’re free to volunteer at your child’s elementary school, keep up with those doctor appointments, and not to mention the freedom to take a mid-week vacation.
At the same time, building a successful real estate business means that you must be extremely accommodating to adjust to your clients’ schedules. That might mean working evenings, weekends, and probably the holidays.
In this article we will tell you some of the ways you can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year and also continue working on your real estate business. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts for working during the holiday season:
DO use slow days to play catch up. If the holidays are a slow season for you, maybe most of your clients are busy celebrating rather than buying/selling homes. Use this extra time to your advantage. Catch up on your pile up of emails, engage with the projects that have been there on your to do list, and brainstorm new ideas.
DON’T get distracted by the holidays while you’re working. Stay focused during the hours that you are working. Avoid shopping for gifts on Amazon, and save your Spotify Christmas playlist for the drive home. Be productive while you’re on the clock, so the hours you have to spend away from holiday festivities won’t all be for nothing.
DO be available to your clients. Nothing strengthens an agent-client relationship like helping them close on a home on Christmas Eve. This will earn you some serious brownie points (which can be cashed in for repeat business and referrals).
DON’T assume your clients know which days you’ll be spending with family. Communicate your availability and time off clearly to any clients you’re working closely with at the moment—this includes active listings and active buyers. Being upfront and honest about your time off builds trust, and your clients will usually understand.
DO schedule time to enjoy the holidays. Penciling in can’t-miss events like Hanukkah dinner at your in-laws’ or your friend’s New Year’s Eve party will help you avoid accidentally scheduling showings or meetings during those times.
DON’T miss out on the most important moments. After all, one of the reasons you chose a career in real estate was so you would have the flexibility to spend quality time with family and participate in your community. Don’t miss those big moments: putting your kids to bed on Christmas Eve, serving Thanksgiving dinner at the soup kitchen, or whatever moments are most meaningful to you.
DO wish your clients happy holidays with a holiday greeting card. It’s the perfect excuse to reach out and show a little love. Extra credit if you know whether your clients celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, both, or neither! Ubertor is providing design services to help you create the perfect Holiday Greeting Card, contact us at 1-604-800-2774 to learn more about this service.
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The reality is, work never stops if you want your real estate business to grow. When the holidays roll around, you probably aren’t taking two-week vacations. But it is possible to enjoy the holidays without abandoning your clients and sabotaging the business you worked so hard on all year long.