As you start creating your end-of-the-year work to-do list for when you’re on your much-needed holiday break, don’t let these three tasks slip your mind. From office closure notices to owner payments, here are a few essential tasks every real estate agent should do before the holidays.
1. Send out office closure or vacation notifications
Prior to leaving for your holiday vacation, be sure to notify your property owners and interested rental applicants. If your office has specific holiday hours, send out a dedicated ‘Happy Holidays’ email that communicates future office closures and reduced hours. Be mindful of updating your website, social media profiles, and your Google Business listing hours as well.
2. Make sure you and your suppliers are paid
Keep in mind the dates in which you’ll be absent! If the holiday is at the end or beginning of the month (or if you have any open invoices), make sure you send a reminder to your owners and pay your suppliers ahead of time. If you’re willing to check up on your clients during the holidays, check to see if you’ll have secure computer and internet access while on your holiday break or vacation. Otherwise, it’s best to have that squared away before you leave.
3. Tidy up and get prepared for when you return
Ready for the holidays? Not so fast. Before you go, make sure your workspace is tidy and secure. In order to protect your future renters’ and current clients’ information, check to see if you have any of the following in an unlocked, unsecured location:
- Applicant credit and background reports
- Client contact information or files
- Any logins or passwords
Be sure to properly destroy information you don’t need anymore using a cross-cut shredder and securely lock documents you do need in a filing cabinet. It’s also a good idea to fully shut down your computer and log out of any accounts that would give an outsider access to sensitive information.
If you find you have a little time before you go, give yourself a fresh start for when you get back with our email inbox organizational resource. You can also plan for next year’s property management goals here.
By sending holiday notifications, nailing out your emergency plan, ensuring the right people are getting paid, reminding your tenants of good security measures, and tidying up your office, you’ll all set for your holiday vacation! Now that you’ve got your property management tasks down, you can freely focus on your holiday break with no worries and come back as a refreshed real estate agent. Happy holidays!
What's first on your holiday task list?
Let us know in the comments!
