What Should Realtors Focus On to Grow Their Business in 2026?

By David Brough

From a young age, real estate captured David's interest, and that passion has remained throughout his life. Over the past 15 years as a Realtor.

It’s 2026, a new year with new goals. But here’s the question: will working harder really get you the results you want? Probably not. True success comes from working smarter.

Here are the four business-building activities I’m focusing on this year to grow my real estate business.

1. Reconnect with your past clients and warm leads. Start by reaching out to every past client, sphere contact, and warm lead, not with a generic greeting email, but with personalized, meaningful messages.

Ask how they’re doing, share helpful market stats, and let them know you’re available as a resource, not just a salesperson. This builds trust, and trust naturally leads to referrals.

2. Map out a marketing calendar. Stop winging it month to month. Plan your monthly themes, video content, social media posts, email campaigns, and events in advance. Consistency is what creates authority. People remember the agents who show up reliably, not those who do so inconsistently.

3. Use video to build familiarity and trust. If you’re still avoiding video, now’s the time to start. A single well-made reel or YouTube short can generate more interest than ten cold calls.

Not sure what to film? Share market updates, answer common questions, or take viewers behind the scenes of your day-to-day business. Remember: content is better when it’s authentic than perfect.

4. Focus on hyperlocal content and insights. National news won’t sell homes. Local insight will. Create content and conversations centered on your neighborhoods and market conditions. Share what buyers and sellers need to know right now. Being hyperlocal will help you stand out from the generic noise.

2026 will reward agents who build loyalty, not just leads. Focus on one-on-one conversations, handwritten notes, and client appreciation events.

People refer to the agent who makes them feel seen and cared for, not the one who ran an ad. Growing your business is about being intentional, nurturing relationships, staying visible, and using systems that keep you valuable all year.

If you want help creating your 2026 business plan or mapping out a marketing strategy, reach out at 260-308-4335 or david@anthonyrealtors.com. I’d be happy to share what’s working and help you create a plan that actually moves the needle.