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Getting the most out of every minute!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Getting the most out of every minute!Efficiency is often touted as the lynchpin of production.

As the number of tasks to be performed swells while the amount of time in a day dwindles, getting the most out of every minute becomes a proposition of increasing significance.

One of the things that I have found to be most helpful is to have a regular schedule with specific amounts of time allotted for routine and perfunctory tasks and set open times for appointments and showings.

I generally inform clients when I am available and try my best to keep to a semblance of “normal” business hours.

Of course, there are those times when a customer must be accommodated and if that is the case, I simply work around their schedule. But the greater the deviation, the more efficiency is lost as I scramble to complete everything that needs to be done.

 

And if I’m lucky, I might have a free hour or two at the end of a long day!

Comments (9)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Richard.... it's a very difficult balancing act.... the tighter the schedule, the less likely the time will be limited....most agents over-schedule....

Jul 21, 2013 09:11 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

Being TOO available is often difficult to overcome....I have started only responding to EMERGENCY e-mails on the weekend and rental inquiries and I have broadened my idea of DOWN TIME to several afternoons during the weeks that I work on the weekends

Jul 21, 2013 09:12 PM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
Richard - having a schedule is key to keep ourselves moving forward. And, like Wallace, I only respond to emergency communications on most weekends. It's nice have some time off!
Jul 21, 2013 09:20 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Richard, I find success when my schedule is flexible for those clients that need some extra attention.

Jul 21, 2013 10:37 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Richard, And then the lawnmower doesn't run right and I'm 1-2 hours into learning what makes the carburetor tick before I know it :)  After a partial success, Amazon to the rescue with a new one on the way. 

As far as real estate, buyers that work with me know that except for special exceptions, showings are very late afternoon/evenings or weekends.  That tends to work fine for them too since the vast majority are local buyers and working their day jobs  also.

Jul 22, 2013 01:04 AM
Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

You are right Richard we really bounce around in this business as we are driven by customers . Anything that can be done to improve efficiency is welcome. Liked the post

Jul 22, 2013 03:34 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Richard, my biggest sale this year ($6.85) was basically my dropping everything and working around her schedule.. I tried to fit my other clients in around her.. and thank goodness it paid off although I ended up losing one client and sharing another.... I was sharing her with another agent who was never available and she ended up getting a nice referral fee for doing nothing... and she was still able to keep all of her clients.. I don't regret doing  it..  I could have easily lost her if I weren't available... but it has made me think twice re: referral fees!.. But I loved your blog post. Scheduling out time is important... but there are exceptions.

Jul 22, 2013 04:46 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Richard,

Time blocking is a tried and true principle for getting things done.

Rich

Jul 22, 2013 08:49 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have no problem with business times, it is the personal times that family needs that throw my plans.

Jul 22, 2013 12:42 PM