Kickstart 2025: Your First “CLOSING THE GAP” Newsletter Is Here!

Good morning Real Estate Rockstar! Welcome to the very first 2025 edition of CLOSING THE GAP: Financial and Business Insights for Your Real Estate Business and Beyond. I’m excited to kick off the New Year with practical tips to supercharge your business, sharpen your mindset, and streamline your finances.

Let’s dive in!

— Steve

ACCOUNTANT ANGLE

Organizing Your 2024 Financial Records

Let’s face it—no one wakes up thinking, “Today’s the day I conquer my financial filing system!” But if you’re gearing up for success in 2025, now’s the perfect time to tidy up those 2024 documents. Think of it like decluttering your closet—only instead of sweatpants, you’re tossing outdated invoices.

Start by creating clear, simple digital folders (labeled “Invoices,” “Receipts,” “Closing Statements,” etc.) so you can locate what you need in seconds. Be consistent with naming and dating each file; your future self will thank you come review time.

Once you’re set, schedule a quick weekly check-in to keep everything current.

The payoff? Less stress, fewer errors, and more energy to focus on what really matters—closing deals and living your best Realtor life.

BUSINESS BOOSTER

Setting Realistic 2025 Business Goals

Every January, we vow to hit the gym daily and sell a zillion houses—by February, those goals can evaporate faster than a fresh cup of coffee in a morning meeting.

This year, let’s keep it real: aim for targets that are both ambitious and doable. Begin by clearly defining your big-picture objective—maybe it’s expanding into a new neighborhood or upping your annual transactions by 15%.

Next, break it down into bite-sized steps with mini-milestones you can celebrate along the way. Don’t forget to check your progress monthly; markets (and motivation levels) can shift quickly. If you discover you’re off-course, adjust. It’s not failure—it’s feedback.

With this approach, you’ll stay motivated, focused, and better equipped to crush your 2025 goals.

COACHES CORNER

Your Vision Statement—Why It Matters

Does your real estate business have a “North Star” guiding it, or are you just winging it?

A well-crafted vision statement is that guiding star—it keeps your daily grind aligned with your long-term aspirations. Take a quiet moment (or three) to ask yourself:

• What do you stand for?

• How do you want clients to feel when they partner with you?

Whether you emphasize integrity, innovation, or old-fashioned neighborliness, your vision should make you proud, excited, and a teensy bit nervous (in a good way). Think of it as the ultimate pep talk to keep you laser-focused, especially on those days when every door you knock on seems to lead nowhere.

With a compelling vision in place, you’ll maintain clarity, inspire your team, and elevate your entire brand.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear

Think of “Atomic Habits” as a user manual for upgrading your daily grind, one small tweak at a time. James Clear breaks down the science behind how habits form and shows you easy ways to replace the bad ones with routines that actually boost your success.

For Realtors who juggle everything from open houses to last-minute showings, these bite-sized changes can be life-altering. Imagine setting aside a mere ten minutes each day for client follow-ups or logging expenses—little steps that prevent big headaches.

The author’s four laws of behavior change make it hard to slip back into old patterns. If you want a game plan to make 2025 your best year yet, this book is worth a spot on your shelf—and your coffee table, and your bedside, and your office.

Go ahead and click the image to order the book from Amazon.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

“2025-2029 Five-Year Housing Market Predictions” — U.S. News & World Report

“Mortgage Rates Inch Up to Nearly 7%—the Highest in 6 Months Even as Pending Home Sales Rise” — Realtor.com/news

“The two big housing market trends to watch in 2025” — HousingWire

TO-DO LIST

Your Next Move — Turn Insights into Action

✅ Create your digital file structure and begin adding important files to stay organized. Tax season will be here before you know it.

✅ Understand the market trends in your area, then evaluate how your annual business goals align. Make sure it follows the S.M.A.R.T. guidelines, specifically how realistic your 2025 goals are compared to the 2025 market trends. Make adjustments if needed.

✅ Revisit your vision. If you don’t have one, begin formulating one.

✅ Begin reading or re-reading “Atomic Habits”. If you don’t already own the book, order if from Amazon using the link above.