Make the Second Half Count: Ending Summer Strong and Setting Up a Killer 2026 in Real Estate

As the summer winds down and the scent of pumpkin spice starts creeping into stores (whether we like it or not), it’s easy to feel a little discouraged—especially if 2025 hasn’t exactly been the blockbuster year you hoped for in real estate. The market’s been slow, deals have taken longer to close (if they close at all), and maybe your momentum stalled somewhere between open houses and price reductions. But here’s the truth: how this year ends is entirely up to you.

You’ve got five months left. That’s more than enough time to turn a sluggish year into a strategic comeback—and even more importantly, to lay the foundation for a powerhouse 2026.

The Slow Season is the Smart Agent’s Secret Weapon

Most agents hit cruise control as summer ends. They tell themselves, “People don’t move in fall,” or “Buyers are waiting until spring.” That mindset? It's the difference between agents who survive and agents who thrive.

While others relax, you have a golden opportunity to double down. Fall is the perfect time to build your listing pipeline, get hyperintentional with lead generation, and reconnect with past clients. Every conversation you start now has the potential to become a listing—or at the very least, a referral—when the market picks up.

Shift from Reactive to Proactive

If the first half of the year felt reactive—just trying to keep up with changing rates, tough conversations with sellers, and buyer hesitation—use this second half to regain control. Create a written plan (yes, actually write it down) for how many conversations, appointments, and deals you want by year’s end.

Then take it further: make part of your week about planting seeds for 2026. That means calling investor leads, booking coffee meetings with potential sellers, and staying in touch with buyers who aren’t quite ready yet. Stay in their minds now, and you’ll be first in line when they’re ready to move.

Improve Your Skills, Not Just Your Schedule

A slow market exposes weaknesses—and that’s a gift in disguise. Use this time to sharpen your listing presentation, tighten your scripts, and fine-tune your follow-up systems. Get coached. Role play. Practice objection handling until it’s second nature.

You don’t rise to the level of the market. You rise to the level of your skills. And when 2026 hits and the market rebounds, you don’t want to be getting ready. You want to be already prepared.

Finish Strong

Let others coast into the holidays. You? You’re building momentum now, so you hit January with a full pipeline instead of a full belly and a resolution list.

This second half isn’t just about making the most of 2025. It’s about showing the market—and yourself—that you're not defined by a slow season. You're defined by how you show up when things are tough.

And if you show up now, 2026 won’t just be your comeback—it’ll be your breakout.

If we can help in anyway Call, text or email Chris@pappalardoteam.com 336-525-1289

Extra credit, Free class, How to Lead Generate like a Millionaire is Oct 1st 9-4 at the GRRA. Sign up here. Class is brokerage agnostic, teaching best practices for any agent or team.