Donald McQuade
How to Keep Your Real Estate Business Strong During the Holidays
The Holidays are upon us! 'Tis the season of family, friends, and listings! Yes, listings. Just because the weather outside is frightful, doesn't mean your real estate business has to be. In fact, this is the perfect time of year to corral those listing agreements you've been chasing all year long. Here are a few tips to make sure your real estate business stays strong during the holidays

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1. Get festive!
No, we don't mean put up a life-size Santa in your front yard (although if that's your thing, more power to you). We're talking about sprucing up your curb appeal with some holiday cheer. This is the time of year when people are driving around looking at Christmas lights anyways, so why not take advantage of it? Put up some lights on your sign, or even better - put up a sign that lights up! You want to be as visible as possible. Just make sure you don't go overboard - you don't want people thinking you're running a Griswold-level operation here. Checkout out Amazon for some Holiday inspiration!
2. Give thanks...and gift cards
Say thanks to your clients and referral sources with some holiday cheer - and maybe even a little something extra. Gift cards are always appreciated (who doesn't love free money?), but if you really want to stand out, get creative with your gifts. A basket of goodies from a local bakery or a festive mug filled with candy are both great options. The key is to make sure your gift is personal and thoughtful - something that will make them remember you fondly every time they use it.
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3. Host an event
What better way to spread some holiday cheer than by hosting an event? This is also a great opportunity to network and connect with potential leads. You could host a holiday open house at one of your listings, or team up with a local business to co-host an event. For example, teaming up with a nearby bakery to host a holiday cookie decorating party would be a great way to attract families in the area. Just make sure you promote, promote, promote! Send out e-vites, put up flyers - do whatever you can to get people in the door. Check out Giggster.com or eventup.com for local event spaces.
The holidays are a great time for realtors to sell homes, nurture leads, and show past clients your appreciation! By following these tips, you can make sure your business stays strong during the holiday season. And who knows - maybe this will be the year you finally get that listing agreement from Old Scrooge himself!