REALTORS® know the fast-paced world of real estate can make it challenging to find time for a vacation. Finding a healthy work-life balance is a must, though, if you want to stay your sharpest.
A recent article in the Harvard Business Review laid out how taking a vacation improves well-being, affecting mind, body and soul. A vacation can offer the opportunity for deeper rest, and taking a week or two break can help lead to increased productivity.
“I prioritize balance and strategic planning when it comes to vacation time.” – Garry Bhaura
Garry Bhaura, broker of record with RE/MAX President Realty in Brampton, Ontario, and CREA’s Vice Chair, says it’s vital to prioritize vacations, but REALTORS® need to plan well to ensure minimal disruption, especially during peak market seasons. If a vacation during busier times is the only option, he suggests shorter vacation periods to recharge the batteries.
“I prioritize balance and strategic planning when it comes to vacation time,” Bhaura says. “I usually take a break during slower periods in the market, like early fall or late winter. During the spring or summer, I usually take short breaks, aligning them with weekends or long weekends.”
Bhaura also points to a strong support and leadership team at his brokerage, including his business partner, who backstops the operation when he is away.
“The recent changes to cloud-based systems allow brokerages to function remotely and most broker owners are able to monitor and implement tasks and strategies even while travelling.” – Garry Bhaura
Asif Khan, a broker at RE/MAX Prime Properties in Toronto, Ontario, says his optimal windows for time off are from the end of July to the beginning of September, or mid-December to the middle of January.
“The lower rates and increased incentives from the government have created a stir amidst increased consumer confidence,” Khan says. “This should make for a busy fall and could take away from traditional vacation windows in December and January.”
“The reality is, for the sake of your mental well-being and long-term success, booking vacation time is not just important—it’s necessary.” – Phil Moore
Communication with clients and agents can be seamless even when a REALTOR® is away. With roam-like-home services provided by cellphone providers, eSIM technology, and WIFI hubs, the need to operate from a desk or place of business is growing antiquated for some.
But it all comes back to making downtime a priority. REALTORS® need to be especially cognizant of burnout, says Phil Moore, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Crest Realty in Burnaby, British Columbia.
“The reality is, for the sake of your mental well-being and long-term success, booking vacation time is not just important—it’s necessary,” he says. “Managing client expectations is key. For example, I had a listing in September, but I informed my clients that I would be away in November. Transparency helps ease any concerns right from the start. It reassures clients that their needs will still be met, even if I’m not physically present. While I always stay available for urgent matters, day-to-day tasks are handled by a trusted team member, ensuring there’s no disruption in service.”
Some brokerages set policies that require agents to delegate someone to cover their business when away through a formal written agreement. Clients must be notified in advance and confidentiality is ensured. For shorter vacations, clients often won’t notice you’re away, thanks to such technology like Zoom and DocuSign, which allow transactions to keep moving.
“Before my departure, I ensure that my team is fully briefed on ongoing transactions and client needs.” – Cailey Heaps
For Dianne Lavoie, a broker with Royal LePage Valley Realty in Peace River, Alberta, it comes down to the type of vacation you’re looking to take and the planning you have in place.
“It depends on whether you want to lug along your laptop or your iPad during your holiday,” she says. Lavoie works at a smaller brokerage, so she will often switch out with another colleague when it’s time to take a holiday, supported by an office administrator who provides ongoing assistance to the entire REALTOR® team.
“Before my departure, I ensure that my team is fully briefed on ongoing transactions and client needs,” says Cailey Heaps, President and Chief Executive Officer, and broker of record at Heaps Estrin in Toronto, Ontario. “I delegate responsibilities to my team members, who are well-versed in the specifics of each client and transaction. This way, they can seamlessly manage inquiries and provide the support our clients need while I’m away.”
Her brokerage has an emergency plan that designates a point of contact within the brokerage for urgent matters, ensuring critical issues are addressed promptly and service quality isn’t compromised. That individual is empowered to make decisions and keep the operation flowing smoothly.
“Before I go on vacation, I communicate with my clients about my absence and let them know who their point of contact during that time will be,” Heaps says. “I also provide them with all relevant contact information and set up an automatic email response that outlines my return date and who they can reach out to in my absence. This approach helps reassure clients that they will continue to receive the support they need.”
How do you prepare for a vacation? Let us know in the comments, or submit a story pitch to crea-comms@CREA.ca. For more on the topic of symmetry at work, check out this episode of the REAL TIME podcast where we talk to three REALTORS® about how they find balance.
