If you’re like many people who dive into a real estate career, you picked the field because it’s known for its flexibility. Maybe you wanted to care for family members or be home for young children. Maybe you thought you’d have more time to get involved in your community or to focus on other pursuits.
Sometimes, when business gets rolling, however, it can take up all your time and that flexibility can disappear. Balancing work and personal commitments can be challenging. As a solopreneur, the demands are great. You may feel like you need to do it all but there are ways to manage all your commitments and still find time to enjoy the rest of your life. I you find yourself asking the following questions, we have the answers.
Do real estate agents have a work-life balance?
The answer is, that’s up to the agent. At the beginning of a new agents career it is important to ask questions of yourself. You will want to know how you plan to work in your new career before you join a brokerage and start transacting. Once you make that determination you will be able to follow the plan you set our for yourself.
What hours do most real estate agents work?
Real estate agents work whatever hours they set for themselves. It is up to the individual agent to decide what their goals are and what they are willing to do to achieve them. Some agents work 40 or more hours per week and some work far less.
Here are some tips to help you find the work-life balance as a real estate agent:
1. Prioritize Your Goals
Start by writing down the things that are most important to you. Define your income goals, decide where you want to spend your time, and determine how much time you are willing to devote to your business. Plan ahead to prevent your business from becoming all-consuming.
2. Define Your Boundaries Clearly
Set boundaries and be frank about them. If you don’t work after a certain time at night, or wish to take a particular day off, include it in your voice mail and your email signature. Make use of “Out of Office” email responses. Turn work devices off during personal time. If you don’t look in the first place, you won’t feel the urgent need to respond.
3. Learn to Say No in Business
Work hard, be as flexible as you can, and cater to clients when possible, during your work time. When you set boundaries, try not to make exceptions. Otherwise, people will begin to expect it. Often, saying yes to a client means saying no to someone else. Sure, some situations can’t be avoided but if we are honest, most things can wait.
4. Schedule Everything
Sadly, the things we don’t schedule, often don’t get done. You’ve already decided when you want to work. Block that time out in your calendar. That Thursday night date with your wife? Schedule it. Does your 8-year-old have an upcoming piano recital? Schedule it. Does Mom need a ride to a doctor’s appointment? Schedule it. Be sure to give us as much priority in your calendar to personal time as you do to your business. You probably wouldn’t give up a client appointment if another client called, so don’t do it with your family either.
5. Share the Responsibilities!
If you are an independent agent, maybe it’s time to join a real estate team. In a group environment, you might feel pressured to keep up at times, but you can also help each other take the pressure off. Team members can cover each other when they need to be out of the office. They can divi up responsibilities according to areas of strength instead of needing to do it all. Teams may also have administrative assistants to help finish tasks more quickly.
6. Delegate Duties
If you’re flying solo and feeling out of balance, it might be time to outsource some tasks so you can focus on the things you enjoy and do well. The tasks will vary for agents, but an in-person or virtual assistant could help with uploading listing photos, writing property overviews, producing marketing materials, posting to social media, taking phone calls, booking appointments, and so much more.
7. Recruit Your Spouse
Are you having trouble spending time with your significant other? Maybe you could work together! This might not be the obvious choice in every marriage, but some couples make amazing real estate teams.
8. Take Care of Yourself
When you take care of your health and fitness, get enough sleep, and take vacations, you’ll be able to give more to your clients and feel satisfied in your personal life too.
9. Get the Best Pre-License Training
At Agent Real Estate Schools, we’ll make sure you feel knowledgeable and prepared to pass your state real estate exam and begin your real estate career with confidence.
Select from our flexible Salesperson License programs. With Group Study, you get interactive, in-class or online learning sessions. If you prefer independent, self-paced learning, choose the Fast-Track option. Both courses include more than 1100 practice exam questions and an interactive 1-Day Prep session to ensure you’re ready for the exam.
Still not sure if real estate is the right career for you? Sign up for an upcoming Career Day event to ask all your questions or Be Our Guest and try out one of our classes today.
We’re always here for you. Be sure to reach out if you have questions about a career in real estate or the training we offer. To find out more about becoming a real estate agent, contact Agent Real Estate Schools. Reach us at (858) 329-0999 or email us at [email protected].
