Every realtor’s productivity checklist for 2026
The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year isn’t just for relaxing; it’s prime time for planning. While the market slows and inboxes calm down, realtors have a golden opportunity to set themselves up for a frictionless start to 2026.
The market is competitive, client expectations are rising, and technology is evolving faster than ever. 88% of home buyers purchased their homes through a real estate agent or broker in 2025, and 91% of sellers sold with the assistance of a real estate agent (NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers). That means opportunity is knocking. Instead of letting contracts pile up or scrambling in January, use this week to get ahead.
Here is your new year productivity checklist:
Prep: Organize and Follow Up
Clear the clutter. Review pending documents, follow up on outstanding signatures, and make sure your files are organized. A clean slate now means fewer headaches later and a smoother workflow when business picks up.
Bonus: Use the Smart eContracts feature in CTM to organize your electronic document library and make it easier to manage your contracts, PDFs, and templates.
Learn: Level Up Your Tech Skills
Your tech stack is full of features designed to save time and reduce stress—are you using them all? Take advantage of on-demand education to master advanced tools like CTM eContracts. The more you know, the more efficient you’ll be when the busy season hits. Plus, you can sign up to grab two of your yearly CE credits first thing in January, so that you don’t have to think about it later in the year.
Future-Proof: Streamline Your Templates
Templates are the backbone of your contract process. Make sure they’re updated, accurate, and ready for the new year. A few minutes now can save hours later—and help you deliver a smooth experience for clients.
Refresh: Catch Up Your Market Knowledge
Review local market trends, pricing strategies, and neighborhood data. Your local Realtors Association would be a good resource for this, and if you’re in Colorado, then we highly recommend reading up on the news from CAR. Also, take this time to update your talking points and marketing materials so you’re ready to impress clients with fresh insights.
Plan: Schedule Your Marketing Calendar
Schedule social media posts, email campaigns, and open house promotions for Q1. A little planning now means consistent outreach later and fewer headaches when your social planning time goes to client management.
Reconnect: Reach Out to Past Clients
Send a quick holiday or New Year message to past buyers and sellers. Staying top-of-mind can lead to referrals and repeat business for realtors.
Clean Up: Do-Over Your Online Presence
Digital marketing is a staple for any good realtor, and when your brand is just you, it’s even more important to keep your digital presence cleaned up. Take time to update your headshot and bio on MLS, social media, and brokerage sites. If you have a website, review it for outdated content or broken links. For bonus points, optimize your profiles for SEO with relevant keywords.
Review: Line Up Your Goals
The end of the year is a great time to assess your 2025 performance. What worked, and what didn’t? Did you try anything new or write down an idea? Take a few hours to set yourself realistic, measurable goals for 2026 and make sure to break any big objectives into quarterly milestones.
Explore: Find New Tools
Research emerging PropTech solutions that can give you an edge. Review what kind of software best fits your needs and if you should consider any new features like smart templates or the new updates to CTM eContracts that were in Early Adopter testing in 2025.
Start 2026 with maximum efficiency
The real estate market moves fast, and clients expect speed and professionalism. By investing time around the holidays, you’ll start 2026 with confidence, not chaos. CTM eContracts can help you handle the paperwork so you can focus on what matters most: building relationships and closing deals.
MRI OnLocation US Monthly Commentary – December 2025
A Tale of Two Destinations: Mall visits surge while downtown visits decline in December December highlighted a clear split in U.S. retail performance, reinforcing that where consumers chose to shop mattered just as much as how they spent.
