9 Expert Tips for a Worry-Free Vacation

Real estate is often a deadline-driven, 24/7 profession. The pressure to be available round-the-clock can mean interrupting personal time and sacrificing vacations. However, to serve your clients best, you need to be at your best. Yes, even real estate agents must take regular vacations.

Believe it or not, it is possible to take a well-deserved break, genuinely disconnect, and not be consumed with worry. How, you ask? Here are some expert tips to help you take the time you need to recharge and refresh.

1. Pick a Partner

Even if you are part of a team, chances are you already have found the benefits of being able to cover for one another. But if you're a solo agent, as most real estate agents are, collaboration is your friend.

Partnering with a fellow agent during vacations can be a game-changer, as it unlocks the ability to cover for each other during vacations. This symbiotic relationship ensures that your clients are cared for and always have a point of contact. It also allows you to test the dynamics of working within a team. Who knows, it might just be the stepping-stone to a more significant partnership. It certainly will give you insight into team dynamics, and you'll see if it's a good fit for you.

2. Manage Client Expectations

Communication and transparency are key. Weeks before your vacation, start telling your clients about your vacation plans. When a new client comes on board, make sure they also know about your plans.

The key is to assure them that they will remain in expert hands while you recharge. If feasible, introduce them to your teammate in person, virtually, or even by emailing a personalized video. Clients value transparency and this proactive step can set the stage for smooth interactions and help strengthen their trust in you.

3. Prepare to Say No

The allure of just one more deal or a quick showing is often hard to resist. But to truly disconnect, you must draw a line. Block your vacation time well in advance and be assertive in safeguarding that time.

If a client requests a meeting during this period, politely decline and explain. While being there for your clients is essential, it's equally vital to be there for yourself. Remember, genuine emergencies are exceptions; everything else can wait.

4. Notifications? Turn Them Off

A digital detox should be your mantra. To truly relax, you must go notification-free: it's your passport to a relaxing vacation. Yes, the real estate business is unpredictable, so to handle a dire emergency, you can set up a predefined system with your covering teammate. By establishing a fail-safe method, such as the "three-call rule" or a unique text code, you'll know when it is essential for you to respond. Otherwise, you can lean back – and relax!

5. Set Up Autoresponders

In our hyper-connected world, silence leads to speculation. You can avoid this by setting up your email, text, and social channels with autoresponders. Include details about your plans, including whom to contact in your absence, their contact information, and the date of your return. Taking advantage of an automated system will keep everyone informed and reduce the influx of urgent requests.

6. Remind Your Colleagues

Even if you have informed everyone in your office about your planned absence, it's a best practice to send a gentle reminder the day before you take off. Share who is covering for you to help protect you from any last-minute surprises.

7. Resist the Urge to Check Emails

Yes, it will test your willpower not to pull out your phone and check your inbox, especially when you've built a reputation for being hyper-responsive. But remember, this is your time. If you must, allocate a specific short period in the day to skim through pressing emails that do not interfere with your vacation plans.

And here's a hack: If you're traveling with someone, swap devices and screen each other's emails. That way, you can be confident that everything is okay back in the office. You still can address anything that is genuinely urgent. If your teammate can manage your inbox in your absence, that's even better.

8. Teach Your Teammate

If you use a digital transaction management system, like Form Simplicity, make sure your teammate knows how to access and use it. For example, Form Simplicity allows you to create teams and allow team members customizable access to your transactions so your vacation-covering partner can monitor your essential activities.

9. Return with Buffer Time

If you've been successful and truly disconnected and relaxed, the first day back to work can be jarring. Don't jump straight into appointments but make your first day a buffer day. Keep the day blocked off to sift through emails, catch up on updates, plan your tasks, and update your schedule. This way, you're not overwhelmed and can seamlessly transition back into your work mode.

Take Time for You

Real estate might be about location, location, location, but when it comes to maintaining a work-life balance, it's about preparation, delegation, and relaxation. Remember, a rejuvenated agent is a more effective agent. Investing time in yourself yields better focus, improved client relations, and a fresh perspective.

So, embrace that vacation spirit: pack your bags, set up your out-of-office responders, and embark on that much-deserved getaway. As they say in real estate – it's an investment, and this one's for your well-being.

Related Reads

Form Simplicity and Tech Helpline blogs:

• 4 Ways Technology Can Help Real Estate Agents Achieve Work-Life Balance
• How to Reduce Stress from Tech: 4 Time-Tested Tactics
• 6 Ways You Can Use Technology to Reduce Your Stress

Tricia Stamper is Director of Technology at Florida Realtors®, which owns both Tech Helpline and Form Simplicity.