During the winter months in general The Real Estate Industry slows down. A lot of professionals take time off during this time of year. Yet still, somehow, a lot of real estate goes on being sold.
Somebody's doing all that business surrounding those sales. Are you that somebody?
If you're an independent contractor, it's easy to take these months to slow your pace and relax your efforts a bit. But this can end up wreaking havoc on you and your business.
Many people who slow down only start back up again in earnest when their cash-on-hand is looking disturbingly low. This makes them desperate sales people. Selling when your desperate for a deal just doesn't work.
Being successful in sales has a lot to do with your attitude. Keeping your cash flow strong makes it easy to keep a good attitude. For sales people ongoing consistency in your prospecting efforts is key to maintaining your business.
Without consistency your cash flow will waiver dramatically. It is essential that you put your efforts into prospecting today, so that you will have deals tomorrow.
As we go through these winter months do not forget your business. It may seem like things are slowing down, but they don't have to for you.
So this winter, go easy on yourself, don't hide from The Rain, prepare for it.
"Caleb"
This is a good lesson you have here...
Relax...Just because it's the Holiday Season? Never going to happen with us. We know what you know.
This is actually one of our busiest times of the year and we look forward to it. While our competitors chill we are still working to sell a house! Must sell a house. Always selling a house...
See I can comment without mouthing off. Assuming I want to :0)
TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Must Sell A House...ROAR!
You are 100% right Caleb...and a what a smile !
I agree that todays work produces a few months down the road and reading AR and getting that daily motivation keeps me focused when I want to go shop (TLW and I would be best buds if we were in the same town) , fish, read or simply goof off a bit.
Caleb - I could not agree with you anymore. Additude has EVERYTHING to do with Real Estate. If you are confident, people feel safe that you are the right agent. When my agents get a chip on their shoulder seeing other agents produce more than they are, then it is time for the chip agent to take a break, because when you go out with that on your sleeve, customers do not want to deal with you and they will go elsewhere.
I always tell my agents - it is ok to strive to be as good as the top agents, but don't ever be envious... The green shows!
Caleb,
For whatever reason, the Winter months are historically my busiest months. Weird, huh? Consistency is the key though! Riding the commission roller coaster is NOT fun!
I see it around me, but I've never experienced a "holiday break". December has always been a VERY busy month for us. Real estate is a year round BUSINESS. We don't work in a market that has snowbirds or seasonalities. People move when they need to move. When those people need us, we are there.
Our first year in business we put a flyer in all of the agents boxes in November offering to do their floor time so they could go to holiday parties or go shopping. We got sales from that.
I look forward to the 4th quarter, because buyers and sellers are serious.
We seem to have a steady business all year round...pacing is our challenge...
True Winter Tale: My Dad the REALTOR was finishing up at the office on Christmas Eve the year before he and my Mom tied the knot. It was already dark. A couple came around 7PM. Bought a house at 8. By 9, Dad was banging on the door of the jeweler down the street, convinced him to open, bought an engagement ring ...surprised Mom that night... And they lived happily ever after.
I find it interesting, Caleb, that I was just thinking about that today. Since my business is still relatively new, I am continuing my efforts to educate realtors and sellers, and fine-tuning my approach so that when the 'new season' starts up, I'll be in a better position.
Networking is always important - busy season or not.
Great post. I wrote about something similar happening in my area as well. I have noticed things picking up - more calls to the office - more contracts coming in. No vacation time for me.
Networking on this website only sweetens up your pipeline each month, and i can not complain
Good points. this has been my busiest time this year. In fact, a friend of mine just sold his house through another friend of mine in 9 days. Yep, the contract was written last Friday. And, don't forget that in some cultures, the Christmas season is the time for giving homes. Some people groups buy homes for their families for the new year. Check it out.
Rob,
When you figure out the litmus test for the serious buyer, let me know. I still have a few flakes. They never go away. Sometimes they are more desperate. Actually, I have found that now, many are more skittish. But, there are a lot of buyers in my area, so I'll glady sort through them.
There is no such thing as a slow time. If loans have slowed down, then I am out making new contacts and calling on my existing Realtors.
You have to plant and water the seeds in order to reap the harvest. Each season brings on its own work, and you can't skip any part of it.
LIfe is good. I just picked up two new neighborhoods this month. One today is 30-40 homes of new construction starting at $325K. That really made my week. These things should build-out pretty quick too.
My agent partners and I are already looking for more land for the builders. It's a really thing to have these partners. We help each other and that helps to ensure that we have good business all year. It's as much about encouragement as anything. You know how much better it is to go to the gym when you have a workout partner. You end up staying more consistant too. Same thing...
Caleb.... I am late to the party, but this is so true. I was talking to Brian Brady a few days ago and he and I are both busy still. Usually the end of November and all of December are slow months for us...even the first 2 to 3 weeks of January. But I guess after 14 years of being in this business....that helps. But it's also the way that I am marketing myself.
Anyhow... what you had mentioned is right in line of how others sometimes treat their business. Good post.
You have to keep that pipeline as full as possible at all times!
I think the only time I might back off is if I won the Lottery - I better buy a ticket tomorrow.......................