Every year, real estate collectively decides this week is dead. It's not just our industry. This year, especially, many people have opted out of life until Monday, January 5th, 2026.
We talk a lot about work-life balance at our company. Boundaries matter. Time off matters. All true. But nothing says "please call me for your real estate business, I'm totally available" quite like a post that says grateful for my clients, followed by don't f* with me until next year*.
Meanwhile, decisions are being made. They're happening around dinner tables. On couches. Late at night. Routines slow down, boredom kicks in, and people finally have room to think. Buyers and sellers are online right now, scrolling through listings, talking about job changes, and debating whether it's time to move closer to or farther away from family.
If you disappear for the next week, it's not just harder to restart on January 5 because you're out of the habit. It's harder because that's when your clients go back to work, too.
This is your window. This week isn't slow. It's quiet. And quiet is an opportunity. The data backs this up.
Zillow research shows that listing engagement metrics such as views, saves, and shares are strong indicators of buyer interest and often precede transactions, even when in-person activity slows. https://www.zillow.com/research/save-shares-views-35038/
Late December and early January consistently show high levels of online browsing and saving. That helps explain why so many Q1 deals trace back to conversations that happened before the calendar flipped. The paperwork comes later. The intent shows up first. https://www.zillow.com/learn/best-time-to-buy-a-house/
Here's the part no one really talks about. This is also one of the lowest competition weeks of the year.
Seasonal housing data shows that December, especially the final week, sees fewer listings and transactions, which usually means fewer agents actively following up. Less noise doesn't mean less interest. It usually means fewer professionals showing up. https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics
People aren't offline this week. They're just not at work. Zillow's broader research shows that much home searching already happens outside traditional business hours, when people finally have the time and headspace to think. https://www.zillow.com/research/
Fewer agents are calling. Fewer are following up. Fewer are posting anything meaningful. That's precisely why simple, thoughtful outreach stands out right now, unlike during the spring rush.
This doesn't mean grinding through the holidays or skipping family time. It means being intentional.
So what should agents be doing between now and January 5?
- Get clear on your 2026 vision/goals/plan. It's just a dream until you write it down.
- Send a quick video to your sphere. Just a human check-in.
- Update your social bios. Make it clear who you help, where you work, and how someone can reach you.
- Clean your pipeline, trust me. Organize your CRM, phone contacts, and socials.
- Follow up with warm leads. Fewer agents are reaching out to them, which means your message actually gets seen.
So, when is a better time to unplug?
Early July or late August makes more sense. You're usually sitting on pendings, conversations are already in motion, and stepping away doesn't stall your momentum. Buyers and sellers have a way of finding you, no matter where you are.
Agents who show up now don't spend January trying to "get back into it." They start the year mid-conversation. Momentum doesn't magically begin on January 5th. It starts when the conversations start.
If you want our 2026 business plan template, text 2026 to 712-545-5838.
Holly Brink is the Co-Founder and COO, Multi-State Managing Broker, Inman Contributor. You can connect with her on Inman and LinkedIn.
