Kids Home for Summer? How Real Estate Agents Can Remain Productive

School’s out for the summer — and your kids are enjoying every second! For a busy real estate agent, though — especially one who works from home — having everyone in, out, and about the house is a little less appealing.

How will you get your work done with the kids home? What about taking calls or attending showings? With school out, working in the real estate industry certainly gets more complicated.

Fortunately, it’s not an impossible challenge. Learn how to be a productive real estate agent with our top 5 tips:

Here are five ways real estate agents can remain productive once school’s out for summer

1. Carve out a private workspace.

With the kids home, working from the couch probably isn’t going to afford you much quiet, so make sure to designate a workspace just for you. Could you put a desk in the corner of your bedroom? Or even in a closet somewhere? Ideally, it’s somewhere with a door (or at least a curtain) you can close when you take a phone call or are on a Zoom meeting. Having this private workspace will increase your productivity and help you become a more successful real estate agent.

2. Make your calendar visible.

Put up a big dry erase calendar somewhere central in the house, and mark down the days/times you’ll be unavailable or have meetings or showings. This lets the kids (and anyone else who lives in your house) know not to disturb you during these hours. Placing your calendar in a more visible space will also improve your task management which is crucial for succeeding in the real estate business.

3. Sync up with a neighbor.

Many people are still working remotely, even post-pandemic. If you have a neighbor in the same boat, sync up with them and agree to share child-watching duties. Could they watch your kids Tuesdays, while you watch theirs Thursdays? This can give you both guaranteed work time and make it easier to do off-site tasks like attending an open house or showing a property to a client.

4. Take advantage of bedtime.

Once the kiddos are in bed (at night or for naps), use that time to do non-timely tasks, like updating your website, catching up on client emails, or writing listing descriptions. The more of these items you can knock out before they get up, the easier that next day will go.

5. Consider a babysitter.

Remember, high schoolers are out of school, too — so use those teenagers to your advantage. Ask them to keep an eye on the kids for a few hours a week. They can do it at your house or take them to the park or the beach. It may cost a little cash, but it should pale in comparison to a traditional daycare bill. 

Enjoy the Summer, too

Kids are only small once, so take time to kick back and play this summer. Plan an afternoon each week for some quality time or a fun outing. You deserve a break, too, and there’s a good chance it’ll leave you refreshed and happy.

FAQ

How can real estate agents stay productive while kids are home for summer?

Agents can boost productivity by creating a private workspace, setting visible schedules, and using quiet times like naps or bedtime to complete tasks.

What’s a good way to manage work and family time during summer break?

Using a shared family calendar, coordinating with neighbors, and planning dedicated family activities each week helps balance both work and family life.

How can I avoid interruptions during calls or meetings at home?

Set up a workspace with a door or curtain and post your work schedule visibly so kids know when you’re unavailable for interruptions.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help with childcare.

Coordinating with a neighbor or hiring a local teen babysitter can free up valuable work hours during the busy summer season.

What are some tasks agents can do after kids go to bed?

Use quiet evening hours to catch up on emails, update listings, schedule showings, or maintain your real estate website and marketing materials.