While a job in new home sales is incredibly fulfilling, it’s also a lot of hard work. From cultivating relationships with potential buyers to managing model homes, collaborating with the larger sales team, and ensuring that new home purchases pencil, there’s a lot on your plate. What’s more, much of this work occurs on weekdays and weekends.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance in this line of work may sometimes seem impossible, but taking steps to avoid burnout is essential to the long-term success of your career in new home sales. Below, we’ve outlined five work-life balance tips to help you through the holiday season and start 2025 off right.
1. Take full advantage of PTO
We get it — when work is busy, it’s easy to feel guilty about taking a day (or several) off to unwind and enjoy yourself. However, taking full advantage of your PTO and truly unplugging from work is instrumental in keeping the momentum going when you’re back on the clock. Remember, rest is just as important as work.
Mark all vacations, days off, weekends, and evening events in your work calendar. This will ensure you have visual reminders of all activities and, simultaneously, have something to look forward to. If you’re only taking a day off, schedule your time intentionally. Break up your day with household tasks/errands, self-care time, and quality family time so everything goes smoothly.
If you’re planning an extensive vacation, there are a few things you can do to make sure things go to plan while you’re out. Put together an “action list” that outlines what’s on your plate and details how fellow sales team members can jump in if problems arise. Additionally, consider sending backlog update videos to minimize questions during your time off.
2. Set and stick to a routine
While humans aren’t robotic, we do love a routine. From the moment you wake up until you’re unwinding before bed, establishing a consistent rhythm for your day can help you feel more in control. Before long, your routine will become second nature.
If you’re a morning person, aim to wake up early and go for a bike ride, hit the gym, or go to a yoga class before work. Set time aside throughout the day to focus solely on work, family, pets, or household chores. Opt to cook your family dinner each night. It’s an hour or so that you’re not checking your phone.
3. Prioritize your health
Your physical health is tantamount to your work-life balance. They go hand in hand; when one is lacking, so does the other. During your busiest days, remember to stay hydrated, eat healthy snacks throughout the day, and make time for some physical activity — even if it’s just a quick walk outside to boost your mood and get energized. Consider starting each day with journaling or meditation and scheduling incremental breaks throughout the day.
4. Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is one of the most effective work-life balance tips. For many, it’s also one of the hardest.
New home sales agents often feel the need to be at a potential buyer’s beckoned call to make a sale. To some extent, with time-sensitive matters or a possible sale. On the other hand, make it a point to inform customers of your days off when going over the purchase agreement. Let them know they’re welcome to call, text, or email, but some responses might have to wait until you’re back at your desk. Consider turning phone notifications off when you get home in the evenings if no deals are at a make-or-break point. By setting these expectations up front, most buyers will have no issue receiving your response when you sign on first thing in the morning or return from your PTO.
On your days off, consciously turn off your phone and step away from screen time. Unless a task is time-sensitive or there is a potential sale, leave all work matters until you’ve returned to work to help you fully recharge.
5. Focus on friends and family
While helping potential buyers find their family’s dream home is wonderful, there’s no better feeling than time spent with your own family. No matter how hectic your schedule may be, set aside time for some quality family time. Whether it’s a standing date night with your partner, a movie night with your kids, or a weekend with your best friend, these moments will help energize you to keep doing the incredible work you are doing.
Balance is Key
We appreciate that your schedule and responsibilities as a new home sales agent can change weekly (even daily!). The purpose of these work-life balance tips is to help you become aware of where you need balance in your personal and professional lives. Some of these may not be possible during a busy sales period — and that’s okay. Incorporating these habits when possible will add up and make you the most successful new home sales agent you can be.
