3 Tips To Save Time and Make Money

The days are getting longer, which means there is more time to get things done. Right?
If that’s the case, then why is your to do list, not getting any shorter?
Part of life is coming to terms with the fact that you’re never going to get it all done. It’s about getting the right things done, and learning some tricks to squeeze a few more things in.
Here are my 3 favorite tips that make all the difference:
- A contractor lock box: These will change your life, especially if you carry a lot of listings. Listings are great, because you are more in control of the schedule, but they still take a lot of time. On average, I have 8 contractors come through a property before it goes on the market. That’s a lot of scheduling! Contractor boxes (the ones with the combination access) are a live saver. This allows contractors to come and go as they please, without me spending hours waiting around. *Note: I only use this for contractors that I know and trust. The rule is: if I would not allow them in my own house unattended, I will not allow them to be in a client’s house unattended.
- A working database: Without a database, you don’t have a business. My database includes all of my clients so that I can market to them, stay in touch, etc. But it also includes agents that I have worked with over the years. You never know when that relationship will come in handy. It also has all of my contractors and vendors. It provides a structure to my day, allows me to be pro active rather than reactive, and lets me easily schedule appointments on the fly because I have everyone’s contact information right where I need it.
- The ability to say no: It’s not always, fun, but sometimes it has to happen so that you can say yes to what really matters. No to watching that extra hour of TV so that you can get up and go to the gym in the morning. No to that time wasting meeting (that you didn’t want to attend anyway) so that you can say yes to meeting with a client. You get the idea. The busier we get, the more opportunities we have, but not all opportunities are created equal. Saying no, is just as important as saying yes.
No matter what you get done in a day, take a moment at the end of it to celebrate your accomplishments. As long as you moved forward, even 1/2 a step, it was a good day.
Signup to receive Nicole's blog posts via email weekly:
Other Posts
Letter to My Younger Self
Today is my birthday. For me, birthdays are a beautiful mix of celebration, anticipation and reflection. This post is dedicated to reflections. Things I wish I could tell my younger self. Imposter syndrome is normal! You’ve spent so much time doubting yourself. Feeling like everyone else knows what they are doing while you’re still trying…
Read MoreManaging the Adrenaline / Emotional Roller Coaster of Real Estate
Closings, getting mutual on a contract, receiving a referral – there are lots of wins in real estate. Each one brings a shot of adrenaline that feels amazing. However, those moments are often short lived, with a lot of space in between. If you aren’t careful that space can fill with self doubt, insecurity or…
Read MoreWhy Proving Yourself Is A Bad Idea
I competed on a listing this week that I didn’t get. It was a great one too – awesome house, great clients. It was one I really wanted. When I got done pouting I took a few minutes to ask myself, ‘where did it go wrong’? Our first appointment was amazing! The second one, not…
Read MoreThe Secret To Success: How Awareness Transforms Everything
‘The first step towards change is awareness. The second step is acceptance. Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.’ – Source Unknown Last week focused on letting go of the need to play catch up. The only thing that matters is focusing on the present moment. The…
Read MoreDon’t Try To Catch Up – Just Start Where You Are
I’ve spent the last few days in Virginia at my favorite real estate conference, Genuine Hustle, where I had the honor of presenting a session on asking powerful questions. It’s the most authentic, vulnerable, supportive and all around amazing group of agents that I’ve ever spent time with. They haven’t released the location or dates…
Read MoreThis Phone Call Brings In The Most Referrals
Can calls really translate into referrals? Are some more effective than others? When we work with clients it’s easy to go into ‘get it done’ mode. We focus on getting from contract to closing as quickly and smoothly as possible. And to be fair, that’s a big part of what our clients hire us to…
Read MoreWhat if EVERYTHING is Working Out For You?
What happens when you have a ‘set back’ ? Does it send you into a tail spin of fear and insecurity? Do you brush it off and move on? Or – Do you view it as confirmation that you ARE on the right path, realize it wasn’t the right opportunity or situation for you, and…
Read MoreDon’t Do This Alone
I was lucky enough to be invited to mastermind with these amazing agents for a few days this week. We talked business, but it was so much more than that. We talked about being intentional with our lives, the hours we worked, the struggles we face, our investment strategies (owning rental real estate of one…
Read MoreCollaboration Over Competition, This Is Your Chance To Learn From The Best
What if you could stop over thinking how to run your business? What if you knew exactly what other agents do to attract clients? This is your chance! Season 2 of Secrets of Attracting Clients starts January 27th and I’m super excited for this years line up! We have 12 amazing sessions, all with ideas…
Read MoreHow Lowering Your Bar Can Help You Reach Your Goals
January holds a special mix of big dreams and deep insecurity for a lot of agents. If you find yourself toggling between the two – know that you’re not alone. We usually associate big dreams with big actions. So we make long to do lists as proof of our commitment to increasing our income. Often…
Read More