Caleb I'm one of those that bust my butt this time of the year. It's a great time to do business for the reason you mentioned, a lot of folks are slowing down. The problem with slowing down in the 4th quarter is you have to gear back up in the 1st quarter. So in reality you are writing the 4th and the 1st off. I can't do that. A strong 4th means I will go into the new year with lots of pendings and listings. A strong 4th and strong 1st are the difference between being an average Realtor and being a top producer. IMHO> 

"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. 

MF - More reasons why I like you guys!

Caleb...Thanks for the reminder!  I have tons of goals for next year, but no schedule in place...I better get on that~

The slowdown period will give be time to get some new ideas on the websites and update some marketing materials that I need to work on. This has been one of my better years in terms of commission so I dont have to sell but a couple per month and get ready to reload. I can get back to the stockmarket which is one of my hobbies which has been gang busters lately. The grand kids are priceless and can afford to enjoy them.

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.

Here in Florida winter is the time things speed up! The beaches are winter sensitive, but in the downtown areas we have a year-round business.  But yes, when there are slow periods, make more calls, take more clients to lunch, be the contrarian - when others agents are complaining about no business, be sure you answer questions such that the questioner knows you ARE doing business and that's you're aggressive about it. Don't just wait for rain - go make it rain.

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

I think the attitude of a slower holiday season comes directly from the way we think.  It's a vicious circle that we most change.  I love your analogies and agree with you 100% - this is the time to prospect, to network and to market. 

I think the agents in the "warmer" areas may very well be looking at a more active season right now.  But in my area, this is not a good time for Real Estate. The Holidays are usually all consuming.  I think its a good time for buyers right now though, the market has changed and winter is coming. I am building up my buyer clientele now.

Tis the season, in Florida. It is picking up some so no complaining here. But if you have some free time take some classes, they are a great source for refferals and you meet agents from everywhere, specially if you are going after the international market.  We don't have to limit ourselves to our regions.  Happy Thanks Giving!

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.

Caleb How true it is \. Iy does seem to slow down in our area at this time. But you know for sure that the buyers out there now are seriouse buyers.

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.

There is a little slow down in our market but for the most part things stay pretty busy with the Christmas Season bringing in several buyers. The Branson Mo. area has a huge Tourist base that keeps us busy. I do agree a lot of agents make it when they can and wait until it is too late to think about the next sale.

Great point Caleb.  There is no reason that one's own business needs to slow down - in fact this is a great time for signing listing agreements with Sellers who want to go "active" immediately following the holiday season.  Plenty of time to get the listings ready for "showtime"!

Caleb-  I always enjoy your blogs !!  Cute images !!

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.......................