Labor Day has come and gone, which means it’s officially fall and the perfect time to start thinking about and (sigh with me) planning for the holidays that will shortly be upon us. This is also the time real estate agents should to start to think about working during the holidays…

Flexible schedules. It’s why so many choose a career in real estate. It gives you the freedom to volunteer at your child’s elementary school, take a mid-week vacation, and keep up with doctor appointments.

At the same time, if you have any hope of building a successful real estate business, you must be extremely accommodating of your clients’ schedules. That means working evenings, weekends…and holidays.

It is possible to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year and continue nurturing your real estate business. To help you juggle work and festivities, here are some DOs and DON’Ts for working during the holiday season:

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 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 the extra time to your advantage. Catch up on emails, tackle the projects that have been lingering on your to do list, and brainstorm new ideas.

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 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 get distracted by the holidays while you’re working. During the hours that you are working, stay focused. 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 wish your clients happy holidays with a card or a pop-by. It’s the perfect excuse to reach out and show a little love. Extra credit if you know whether your clients celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and/or Kwanzaa. (If you need some inspiration, check out our list of 11 holiday pop-by ideas!)

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The reality is, the work never stops. Your real estate business is a huge part of your life (it’s a good thing you’re so passionate about it…and if you’re not, you’re in the wrong business). 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 work so hard on all year long. It’s just a matter of refining that perfect blend of work and home life.

Happy holidays, friends it will be here sooner than we all think!