Let's face it: Sitting at the office waiting for the phone to ring isn't always the most exciting part of being a real estate agent. But floor time doesn't have to mean downtime.
Whether you're covering the office between appointments or spending a few hours waiting for walk-in clients, you can use that time to work on the activities that keep your business moving.
From reconnecting with past clients to planning your next social media post, here are eight ways to make your real estate floor time more productive.
1. Follow Up With Leads and Past Clients
When your schedule gets busy, it's easy for follow-ups to fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Floor time is a great opportunity to reconnect with people who may need your help.
Consider reaching out to:
-
Prospective buyers who haven't made a decision yet.
-
Sellers who previously discussed listing their home.
-
Past clients who may be considering another move.
-
Leads who attended an open house or requested information.
A quick phone call, personalized email, or thoughtful text can help keep the conversation going.
The goal isn't to pressure someone into making a decision. It's to stay connected, offer value, and make sure they know you're available when they're ready.
2. Clean Up Your CRM and Organize Your Database
Your contact database is one of your most valuable business tools, but it only works when it's up to date.
Use floor time to review your CRM and make sure contact information, notes, and follow-up reminders are accurate.
You can also:
-
Update contact details and communication preferences.
-
Organize contacts into buyer, seller, past-client, and prospect categories.
-
Add notes from recent conversations.
-
Identify leads who haven't heard from you in a while.
-
Schedule future follow-up reminders.
A more organized database makes it easier to personalize your communication and stay on top of opportunities.
3. Show Appreciation to Your Referral Network
Referrals are an important source of business for many real estate professionals. Taking time to thank the people who support your business can help strengthen those relationships.
Use a slower afternoon to send a handwritten thank-you note, make a quick appreciation call, or check in with a professional contact.
Think beyond past clients, too. Your referral network may include mortgage professionals, attorneys, insurance agents, home inspectors, and other industry partners.
Remember that referral arrangements and gifts can be subject to applicable laws and regulations. Keep your appreciation genuine and avoid offering anything of value in exchange for a referral where prohibited.
4. Plan and Schedule Your Social Media Content
Maintaining a consistent social media presence takes planning. Instead of trying to come up with something to post every day, use floor time to create content in batches.
Here are a few ideas:
-
Share a recent listing or successful closing.
-
Create a quick homebuying tip.
-
Highlight a neighborhood or local business.
-
Answer a common buyer or seller question.
-
Share a behind-the-scenes look at your day.
-
Post a client testimonial with appropriate permission.
You can also plan a few weeks of content and schedule posts in advance using your preferred social media tools.
The goal is to create content that demonstrates your local knowledge, builds trust, and keeps you visible to your audience.
5. Work on Your Personal Brand and Marketing
Your personal brand is more than your logo or business card. It's how people recognize you, understand what you offer, and remember you when they need real estate guidance.
Use floor time to review your marketing materials and look for opportunities to make your brand more consistent.
You might:
-
Update your website biography and contact information.
-
Refresh your email signature.
-
Review your Google Business Profile.
-
Update your professional photos.
-
Create a new buyer or seller resource.
-
Review your online reviews and respond where appropriate.
Small updates can help ensure your online presence reflects the experience and service you provide.
6. Continue Your Real Estate Education
The real estate industry is always evolving. New technology, changing regulations, market conditions, and buyer expectations make continued learning an important part of your professional development.
Floor time can be a good opportunity to:
-
Complete continuing education courses.
-
Explore a professional designation or certification.
-
Read industry news and market reports.
-
Learn more about new marketing tools.
-
Review changes to local real estate practices.
-
Strengthen your knowledge of financing options and loan programs.
You don't have to spend hours studying. Even setting aside 20 or 30 minutes to learn something new can help you become a more informed resource for your clients.
7. Create Helpful Resources for Buyers and Sellers
Buyers and sellers often have similar questions throughout the transaction. Instead of answering the same questions from scratch every time, create resources you can share when those questions come up.
For example, you could put together:
-
A first-time homebuyer checklist.
-
A guide to preparing a home for sale.
-
An explanation of what happens during a home inspection.
-
A moving checklist.
-
A list of questions buyers should ask before making an offer.
-
A simple overview of the mortgage process.
These resources can save you time later while providing clients with useful information they can reference throughout their real estate journey.
Consider collaborating with trusted industry partners, such as a mortgage professional, to help provide accurate information about financing and the homebuying process.
8. Tackle Those Administrative Tasks
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is simply catch up on the tasks you've been putting off.
Use floor time to clear your inbox, organize transaction files, update listing information, review upcoming deadlines, or prepare materials for an upcoming open house.
You could also take time to:
-
Review your calendar for the week.
-
Organize digital files and client documents.
-
Update listing descriptions and property photos.
-
Prepare open house materials.
-
Review pending transactions and outstanding tasks.
-
Plan your priorities for the next few days.
Getting these smaller tasks out of the way can help you stay organized and make more room in your schedule for clients.
Make Every Hour Count
Real estate floor time is what you make of it. While you can't always control when a new lead walks through the door or when the phone rings, you can control how you use the time in between.
A little planning can turn those quieter hours into an opportunity to strengthen relationships, improve your marketing, organize your business, and prepare for what's next.
The next time you're scheduled for floor time, come prepared with a short list of tasks you'd like to accomplish. You may be surprised by how much you can get done.
Looking for more ways to strengthen your real estate business? Connect with your Embrace Home Loans lending partner for ideas, resources, and support that can help you better serve your buyers.
