Onwards and Upwards in 2016

It's that time of year again—time to reflect on the year that's passed and look forward to what's going to matter most in 2016. Our hope is that when you do, you focus on some of your most celebrated moments and find a nugget or two of inspiration for 2016.

Looking back on the market

It's been a good year for real estate:

• Home sales are strong in most markets—likely to come in at around 5.3M.
• Moderate price increases continue to make housing affordable.
• Best of all, when it comes to that all-American dream, home ownership is an important part for 87% of people. (It's even higher for millennials at 91%.)

And if you're wondering about next year, according to Jonathan Smoke, "We are entering a normal, but healthy, housing market." Here's his list of the top 10 markets to watch in 2016.

Our prediction for 2016

We predict that 2016 is going to be the year of doing the basics better. Year after year, we see top producers doing the basics better, and even through the ebbs and flows of the market, and the whims and emotions of buyers and sellers, they remain at the top of their game.

The art of mastering simplicity

The path to the top producer lane will no doubt have a bump or two, but with a focus on the basics, goals and an actionable plan, being a top-producing agent is within everyone's reach. Here are a few tips on how to get there.

1. Set weekly intentions.

Every week, take 10-15 minutes to set goals and, when you do, focus on these:

Also take a minute to reflect on the week—think about what you did, what you could do better and, most importantly, celebrate your successes! A great week doesn't necessarily mean you checked everything off your to-do list. It means you made the right decisions about how you invested your time.

2. Have a positive attitude.

I'd venture to say this is the single most important thing on this list. Your attitude can make or break anything in your life—your profession, personal life, home life and your health.

Top-producing agents welcome complaints and never give up; they know the importance of investing in themselves and they do it!

With clear goals and a weekly plan that includes time for the important things in life—including yourself—achieving balance will come easy.

3. Focus on your relationships.

If you focus on the equity that exists in the lifetime value of your clients, you'll never go wrong. Building a strong relationship portfolio is your most valuable and virtually competition-proof asset that, if nurtured, will give you a never-ending return.

So treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Make them feel special, listen to them and keep your commitments. Above all, remember them when the deal is done. In the end, it's all about the follow-up.

We'll be taking our own advice in 2016, and want to thank you for allowing us to help you with the amazing work that you do. Take time to enjoy the magic of the season, folks. We wish you the hap-happiest of holidays and phenomenal success in 2016.

To view the original article, visit the Tech Savvy Agent blog.