9 Steps to a Successful Real Estate Year

The start of the year provides a brief pause before the real estate market picks up again. That means it’s a great time to step back and decide how you want the year to play out. Taking time now to set direction gives you more control once things get busy. Here are nine ways to set the tone for the year ahead:

1. Lay out your income and transaction goals for the year.

2. Review last year’s numbers to spot patterns and gaps.

3. Audit your 2025 lead sources and double down on the ones that actually converted into sales.

4. Set some weekly activity targets that support your goals (e.g., cold calling, past client outreach, etc.).

5. Organize your finances, expenses and marketing budget now, before you get busy.

6. Build or refresh your referral follow-up system (this is important; some agents earn 75-100% of their income via referral business).

7. Identify systems that need tightening before peak selling season starts.

8. Schedule regular check-ins to track progress and adjust accordingly throughout the year.

9. Block out time for professional development or skill sharpening (e.g., negotiation training, market analysis, staging advice, etc.)

A deliberate start in January can make your entire year more manageable, less reactive and more profitable. Here’s to a steady, thoughtful start and a year built with purpose. 🥂

Ready to make 2026 your strongest year yet? The 20th Anniversary Edition of The Real Estate Agent's Business Planner and the all-new Real Estate Agent's 12-Month Planning Workbook give you the complete system, plus free digital tools to keep you focused and on track all year long. Education partners can order in bulk through IngramSpark, making the books an easy add for new-agent training programs.