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Have You Started To Focus on 2013 Yet?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Waves Realty BK3246853

I think many Realtors neglect to operate as a small business. For what ever reason many of us seem to think of ourselves as employees who can rely on our brokers as a source of business and development.

If you are someone who came out of the corporate world...or maybe you had a previous career in law enforcement or the military...you always had a boss. That boss set not only a schedule for you to work, but also gave you goals and direction to hopefully help improve your performance.

...now some of you do a great job in all aspects of the business. You may be a top producing agent that long ago decided to run your business as a small business. If I just described you...congrats...you are likely in the top 3% of our industry.

If your goal is to get to that point here are a few pointers to help:

 

Start planning for 2013 now! If your plan is not FULLY in place by December 31st...you will not be able to hit the ground running! Here is a quick list of the opportunities you have...and can set as goals for the New Year:

1. Put you plan on paper

2. Set goals (home many listings, how many buyer controlled sales). Realize you will not sell every listing (I suggest assuming you will sell 3 out of every 4) so figure how many listings you will need to achieve your sales goal.

3. Come up with a plan as to how you will do the business you intend to do. How many deals will come from direct mail, the Internet, neighborhood prospecting, farming, friends and family, etc... If you are looking to do 20 deals figure out how many will come from each category you have selected.

4. Schedule vacation time and days off. This is one of the most important things you can do. Decide on days off and set your schedule up with those days off in mind (I am not telling you to blow off a client if they can only go out on your day off...I am saying do not schedule any work or follow up on those days and you will rarely have a situation arise that you will need to work them). In terms of vacations I suggest in your first year to schedule two firm weeks you will be away (one in Spring and one in Fall). As you begin to attract clients and you plan for showings you can let them know in advance your vacation schedule...it gives them time to plan a visit or other work related items such as inspections.

5. Layout a weekly work schedule! This may be the single most important thing you do. Schedule yourself for a 40 hour work week. Schedule your time for work, excersize, date nights, etc...if you do not allow for family time you will quit the business of get a divorce.

6. Now...determine what you will need to get to your goals (equipment purchases, blog writing, videos, visual tour software, etc..) and begin working NOW on having it all in place.

 

 

Posted by

 

Jeffrey DiMuria

Waves Realty
Broker/Owner
2018 Melbourne Ct, suite 206
Melbourne, FL 32901

Phone: 321.223.6253         

e-mail:  Jeff@WavesRealtyFL.com 

Comments (11)

Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

This is the time to begin the development of the business plan for 2013.  You will be glad you did.

Oct 08, 2012 01:45 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Jeffrey -- Excellent ideas!   Put your plan in writing and work that plan.  Here's to a mutually successful 2013!

Oct 08, 2012 01:47 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Thanks guys...Michael...thanks for the correction...lol...spellcheck...ugh.

Oct 08, 2012 02:00 AM
Bob Usey
Bob Usey Properties - Gulfport, MS

Jeffrey

Your points are well-taken and helpful to anyone in the real estate business, whether you have been in the business 30 days of 30 years. I have seen many changes of the year and it is going to get better. It would be nice to be younger and take advantages of the upward swing over the next few yers.

Bob Usey Properties

Mississippi Gulf Coast

Web Site: BOBUSEY.COM

Oct 08, 2012 02:39 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Good points Bob. I think to many agents just wing the business. If you fail to plan...you plan to fail!

Oct 08, 2012 03:04 AM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Starting to think about 2013 now is great advice, putting our plans in place always takes some time and it's best to do it before the holiday season approaches.

Oct 09, 2012 06:09 AM
Tanja Cisliek
Future Home Realty - Seminole, FL
Real estate with passion and professionalism!

Jeff, good Lord, you made me feel guilty! - No plan in place at all for 2013, just trying to make it through 2012 :)! But that you for your post, that's exactly the wake-up call/call to action I needed. I love your checklist to help getting me started. Bookmarked your post for future reference!

Oct 09, 2012 06:26 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Jeffrey - I think so many agents let their business run them instead of them running their business. The minute I set boundaries and stuck to those boundaries, with no exceptions I started doing so much more business and stress pretty much disappeared.

Oct 10, 2012 01:09 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jeffrey- it's so easy to forget that 2013 is just around the corner and by the time January comes you can be behind if you haven't made any plans.  Good reminder. 

Oct 13, 2012 05:33 AM
Rachell Lara & A List Properties
eXp Realty / 619.316.7445 - San Diego, CA
A List Properties - San Diego Neighborhood Experts

Jeffrey great plan and as much as I hate to admit it 2013 is right around the corner. I need to stop dragging my feet.

Oct 16, 2012 12:53 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Last year this time I was almost done with business planning.  Haven't had a second to think about it this year so far!  It is essential and I got lucky I had something that worked well for me last year!

Oct 21, 2012 06:18 AM