We’re in a quieter market. The buyer pool is smaller. The urgency is gone. And pricing, especially for anything that isn’t turnkey or perfectly located, is a challenge. Renovation fatigue is real, and hesitation is the mood.

But here’s what the most strategic agents I coach are doing right now:

• They’re matchmaking off-market. They’re not waiting for buyers to find the listing. They’re proactively connecting the dots.
• They’re turning down listings they don’t believe in. Just because it’s available doesn’t mean it belongs in your inventory.
• They’re nailing pricing from the start. No more “let’s see what happens.” They know that first impressions still matter.
  
  They’re moving slower on purpose. They’re staying present in longer timelines and coaching their clients through the same.

If you’re asking, “How do I get more buyers right now?” You’re not alone. Everyone’s feeling that pinch.

Here’s what’s working:

• Third-party leads. They’re producing for agents who are consistent and structured in their follow-up.
   
• Framing the opportunity. There are deals to be had for the buyer who’s paying attention.

Reactivating paused buyers. Agents are going back to buyers from 2022 or 2023 who hit the brakes, and starting fresh conversations about how today’s market might actually work in their favor.

Coaching Corner: Stop reacting. Start responding.

There’s a behavioral tendency called the urgency effect. Our brains will always prioritize the task that feels most immediate, even if it isn’t important. In a slower market, it’s easy to fall into constant reaction mode.

But that’s not where the power is.

Strategic agents are stepping back and asking better questions:
“What’s the one move I can make today that helps me create clients, not just chase them?”

Not every action is high impact. Sometimes, it’s better to do one focused thing well than five scattered things with urgency.

Slow does not mean stuck. It means intentional.

The agents I’m coaching are hopeful. Not because they expect the fall market to magically shift, but because they are preparing to meet it with focus, energy, and skill.

You do not need to hustle harder. You need to think more sharply.
You do not need more noise. You need the right next move.

If you’re ready to find it, I’m here to help you make it.

Hard market. High standards. Big opportunity. Keep showing up like it’s yours to lead.