New Year’s Resolutions for Real Estate Agents
New Year’s is a clean slate. Don’t let big expectations kill the buzz. Choose a few targeted resolutions and commit to them. New to real estate? Get licensed with VanEd’s online pre-licensing courses so you can start strong. Already an agent? Check out these ten resolutions to focus your time, tighten your systems, and turn momentum into closed deals to make 2026 your best year yet.
1. Learn Some New Skills
The everyday life of a real estate agent or a broker is exciting. There is so much movement in the industry, and always something new and exciting to learn. This year, carve out a part of your week to learn new skills to stay ahead of industry trends. Dedicating just a few hours a month opens the door to skills that will take your work to the next level.
You can try your hand at photo editing to take your listing images to the next level. We already did the research and found 5 great tips for taking better real estate photos. Maybe experiment with some creative staging techniques and find out the best decor and accessories for staging your home.
Once you are confident with your photo and staging skills, challenge yourself even further and learn how to make a 360° (3D) virtual real estate tour with your iPhone or Android.
2. For REALTORS® - Get Your GRI Designation
REALTORS®, if your real estate resolutions include making more money as a real estate agent, advancing your career, and standing out amongst the competition, you should consider getting your GRI designation.
The courses required to obtain a GRI Designation provide thorough training and education for modern real estate professionals. It seems like a no-brainer to bring your real estate career to the next level by attaining your GRI designation in 2026.
3. Expand Your Niche
In real estate, finding your specialty is your golden ticket. While it may seem counterintuitive to “limit” yourself, when you find a profitable niche, you become the go-to agent that clients choose.
Whether it's specific property types or focusing on particular client groups, like first-time buyers, investors, or seniors, you can read your micro market and stay a step ahead of the competition. One of your career resolutions for the new year should be to find a niche. Niche marketing allows you to appeal to specific buyer demographics, increase the number of qualified leads, and improve the quality of your client service.
4. Unplug for 10 Minutes a Day to Boost Focus
When was the last time you went 10 whole minutes without checking your phone? Give yourself 10 minutes away from any technology at some point every day. Give yourself this small chunk of time away from technology and be amazed at how refreshed you feel after!
In a world where most of our personal and professional lives are lived online, it is incredible what just a few minutes of technological peace can do for you. It is just 10 minutes – you can do it! Want an even bigger challenge? Try logging off for 30 minutes every day in 2026.
5. Improve Social Media/Marketing
Connecting with today’s market means keeping up with social media trends. Between juggling clients, open houses, and other daily realities of being a real estate agent, it can be easy to neglect your social media accounts. But don’t forget how powerful of a tool social media is for attracting and retaining customers now.
Your focus in the new year should be to gain followers. Start by promoting your available properties. Use your feed to showcase your skills and your unique personality. It’s all about short-form video content now. Use that to your advantage to create visually appealing content on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Try out different post styles to see what works best. On social media, you often only have three seconds to grab someone's attention before they swipe past your posts. Show people you know your stuff by sharing listings, client wins, and local market tips. Keep your posts consistent, be authentic, and use eye-catching images.
6. Follow More Real Estate Educators
Your social media feed may be full of cute dogs, beautiful destinations, and delicious food. But have you considered adding real estate education to your social media mix?
Social channels across all platforms provide outstanding educational opportunities for you while you scroll your favorite social feeds. Stay up to date on industry news and tips by following VanEd’s blog and social channels. Don't forget to sign up for our VanEd email newsletter!
7. Get Ahead by Completing CE Courses Early
We all know it needs to happen at some point, but try not to wait until the last minute to complete your real estate continuing education courses.
Completing your CE a few weeks before it is due will keep you from stressing about the upcoming deadline and allow you to focus on your work and personal lives during the renewal season. After completing the CE courses required in your state, you can relax and watch the rest of the industry scramble to complete their courses in time.
8. Generate New Leads
In real estate, leads are the fuel that keep your business’s engine running. In order to achieve any long-term success, you need to establish a consistent stream of leads in your community and in your niche. The best way to generate needs is to plug into the industry. Attend conferences to connect with other professionals and learn about current market trends. Connect with local businesses to find ways to collaborate in ways that benefit both of you.
Hosting community events like garage sales or open houses helps you meet potential clients in person. Combine these with online tools like social media and email campaigns to build trust, grow your network, and find those new leads.
9. Tools to Stay on Track with 2026 Goals
You are probably familiar with the saying: “a goal without a plan is just a wish". While finding your niche and growing your social media presence are both great goals, without a focused plan, they’re just wishes. Luckily, there are so many apps and tools available now to help you achieve your 2026 goals.
Goal-tracking apps like Trello and Notion let you visualize progress and break down big goals into bite-sized chunks. Plan your day with digital calendars and time-blocking so high-priority tasks get done while also managing your work/home life balance. Try out a CRM platform like HubSpot, Wise Agent, Follow Up Boss, and Real Geeks. It integrates email marketing, contact management, lead tracking, and transaction management into a single system so you can maintain consistent communication with clients and prospective clients without added stress.
Make sure 2026 sees you organized, making progress, and focusing your energy on growing your business.
10. Take The Next Step In Your Career!
This is the year to take the next step in your career. Investing in yourself is the best place to start. VanEd's courses are 100% online, allowing you to learn anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace.
VanEd has all the training you need to earn your real estate license, complete your post-licensing requirements, renew through continuing education, or even pursue a career as an appraiser. Check out our catalog today and make 2026 your year for career growth!
