When the holiday season comes up, business usually slows down.
So we were wondering...What do you do differently during the
holiday season to drum up business?
“Take a vacation! That’s when business always shows up!”
- John Nicholls,
Re/Max Real Estate Specialists
“Use the time for break and then start up the mailers.”
- Todd Arnold, Kent Realty and
Associates Realty Services
“I do have plans to send marketing (materials) to set up 2004. I am really looking ahead versus now.”
- Eddie O’Keefe,
Praneta Financial, Inc
“We didn’t slow down last year. But, to be sure that we maintain good traffic, Palencia will have two special events. Arthur Rutenberg will open a new furnished model. There will be a Realtor preview and a prospect preview. In addition, our Village Center will be decorated so that as people go to St. Augustine to see the lights, they will be able to stop at Palencia also.”
- Naomi Lumley, Palencia
“The fourth quarter is usually one of my busiest times. From finalizing my business and marketing plan for the new year, to working clients who need to purchase or sell by year-end, I have found the holiday season to be a very productive time. The holiday season is a great time to work in real estate. Homes generally show and smell better when decorated for the holidays, serious buyers have fewer homes to choose from and tend to be more intent on purchasing and most want to take advantage of the homestead exemption by closing by year-end. And, with buyers and sellers generally in better moods due to the season, working in real estate is just more enjoyable during the holidays! The key to keeping your business growing is being available during the holidays. With so many buyers looking to close by year-end and sellers eager to move, it can be a busy time if you want to work. Buyers in town for the holidays may only have a limited time to find a home, therefore being available on their schedule is crucial.”
- Phyllis Staines,
Re/Max Coastal Real Estate
“Believe it or not, December is always a very busy month for me. However, I do send calendars to my clients and hopeful clients, take as many clients to lunch as I can, catch up with site agents and plant the seeds for spring. Typically the fourth quarter will be one of my busiest. If I do get a little slow, I always stick to the basics of writing thank you notes, congratulation notes, etc. I also mail a refrigerator calendar in December, which always gets me a call or two and the opportunity to speak with clients. Also, December is a big planning month in my business. The opportunity to look over the money spent in the last year and see how well it worked in bringing buyers and sellers. I start new each January with a different budget and different goals.”
- Judy Hicks,
Re/Max Real Estate Specialists
“I enjoy the breather the holidays usually provides! But I find that visiting family members who are related to past customers are often a good source of business during the holidays.”
- Clare Berry, Berry & Co. Real Estate
“I just keep working! People do buy homes then!”
- Joyce Haley,
Watson Realty Corp., St. Augustine
“I stand outside the bank in front of a bucket and ring a bell holding a picture of my kid and look for donations.”
- Brad King,
Branch Banking and Trust Co.
“During the holiday season, I usually stop by the homes of customers that have recently purchased or sold through me and give them a small token of appreciation while at the same time, I let them know that I am still in the business and ask for referrals. You can’t get without asking!”
- Paul Wilson,
Watson Realty, Jacksonville Beach
“Business often does slow down during the holidays. Therefore, what we try to do is accomplish some of those things we never quite find time to do throughout the rest of the year. This can mean preparing special mailings for ‘target’ communities or preparing a newsletter for distribution to clients and customers. It is also a good time to get back to people who might have considered doing something in the way of buying, selling or leasing, but never did. A telephone call or a greeting card to let them know you are still there and thinking about them will never hurt. Even if they are not in a position to do something, they might know someone who is. The holiday season typically finds people in a good frame of mind and willing to take the time to have a conversation. It is also the time when people plan for the year ahead. What a great time to remind them that you are there to help when the need arises!”
- Sue Ann Ogden,
Suncastle Properties, Inc.
“Business hasn’t slowed down! As a resort community, I expected a slowdown and went with several proven options: contacting past customers, walking/bicycling my farm area, November newsletter, and I plan to mail calendars to all of the above in early December. Since I’ve been farming the same areas for several years, I get invites to several holiday parties. Make sure you show up at every one of them no matter how briefly you appear. This month’s contacts are next year’s closings.”
- Tom O’Connell,
Watson Realty, Amelia Island
“I love this time of year! There less work to do, but thankfully it is the time of many feasts. We are very fortunate to get invited to dozens of holiday food festivals. I am very thankful, this time of year it is the only way I can be sure we will all eat. Many thanks to all!”
- Wally Conway,
Florida HomePro, Inc.
“Thanks for asking. As I am involved with newer agents, I advise them to work! Work when others take off, do open houses because the serious folks are out there, network at parties and events, contact your sphere to wish them a great holiday season and give them a reminder that you are in the business. See your past customers with a heart felt gift for the holidays [it will remind them that you are still in the business]. Network, visit websites and communicate. Spend time with family and friends. Be visible. Revisit FSBOs, it’s a hard time to sell on your own. Target marketing for listings because listings bring in the buyers! List and last in the New Year! It’s the right time! These are a few things that worked for me and one of my best months in the business was a December.”
- Sheron Willson,
Prudential Network Realty
“Mr. (William) Watson always runs a contest for a trip during the slow period. This year it is to Argentina and two to 300 agents will qualify to go. To go they have to list and sell a certain number of properties. The high rollers go year after year, somewhere different each time.”
- Wayne M. Jones,
Watson Realty Corp.
“We are very fortunate in St. Augustine as our market does not slow down during the holiday season. I attribute this to the festivities in St. Augustine, which bring many interested in St. Augustine to our town. Our market does slow in January and February which allows time to vacation or just to simply get our office’s organized. My marketing strategy does not change. I advertise in the periodicals and do my quarterly newsletter though out the year.”
- Michele “Shelley” Trela,
Premier Properties Realty Group, Inc.