How to Create a Real Estate Agent Business Plan for 2025

Success in real estate isn’t just about selling homes—it’s about building a sustainable business. Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned professional, a real estate business plan is essential for growth, consistency, and long-term success.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 87% of new agents leave the industry within five years. What sets the top 13% apart? A clear and actionable business plan.

If you’re serious about scaling your business in 2025, here’s how to create a real estate business plan that keeps you on track and ensures success.

Why Every Agent Needs a Business Plan

A well-structured real estate agent business plan does more than set goals—it holds you accountable, tracks progress, and provides a roadmap for success. With a solid plan, you can:

• Stay ahead of market shifts and trends.
• Define clear real estate agent skills needed for growth.
• Identify lead generation strategies that work.
• Measure results and adjust as needed.

Now, let’s dive into how to build your real estate business plan for 2025.

Step 1: Define Your Mission Statement

Your mission statement should capture your business’s purpose and guiding principles.

Example: “I help first-time homebuyers navigate the market with ease, providing expert guidance, personalized service, and strategic negotiation skills.”

A strong mission statement will keep you focused and motivated throughout your career.

Step 2: Conduct a SWOT Analysis

Evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). This self-assessment helps you understand where to improve and where to focus your energy.

• Strengths: What sets you apart? (e.g., strong negotiation skills, market knowledge, networking ability)
• Weaknesses: What areas need improvement? (e.g., social media marketing, cold calling confidence)
• Opportunities: Where can you expand? (e.g., becoming a neighborhood expert, investing in new lead sources)
• Threats: What external factors could impact business? (e.g., market downturns, rising competition)

Step 3: Set SMART Business Goals

Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART).

Example: “Increase monthly lead generation by 20% using social media and email marketing.”

Breaking goals into smaller steps will make them easier to track and achieve.

Step 4: Choose Your Real Estate Sales Strategies

Every top agent follows a clear strategy to generate leads and grow their business. Which of these strategies will you use?

• Expired Listings: Contact homeowners who didn’t sell their property.
• FSBOs: Help For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers list with you.
• Neighborhood Farming: Build authority in a specific geographic area.
• Sphere of Influence (SOI): Leverage your personal network for referrals.
• Luxury Market: Focus on high-end real estate opportunities.

Step 5: Manage Your Finances

Many agents fail due to poor financial planning. Keep track of:

• Personal Expenses: Housing, health insurance, transportation.
• Business Expenses: CRM software, lead generation services, marketing.
• Startup Costs (if new): Licensing fees, website setup, branding materials.

Step 6: Invest in Your Business

High-performing agents invest in tools and training that accelerate their growth.

• CRM System: A system like Vulcan7 helps organize leads and automate follow-ups.
• Coaching & Mentorship: Learn from industry experts to sharpen your skills.
• Marketing & Branding: Personal branding boosts credibility and attracts clients.
• Ongoing Education: Attend workshops, seminars, and online training.

Step 7: Track Your Performance

Your real estate business plan should be a living document—not something that sits in a drawer. Review it weekly or monthly to ensure you’re hitting key milestones.

Ask yourself:

• Am I meeting my lead generation targets?
• How many listing presentations am I booking?
• What strategies are yielding the highest ROI?

Final Thoughts: Why Business Planning is Key to Real Estate Success

Many agents operate without a clear plan, leading to inconsistent results. By developing a real estate business plan for 2025, you gain the clarity, focus, and skills needed for real estate success.

Remember: The top 13% of agents plan, execute, and adapt—will you be one of them?

Doug Spak

Doug Spak has over four decades of experience as an advertising copywriter, agency creative director, blogger, and content creator. He joined Vulcan7 as a Content Specialist in 2016. In addition to ongoing website copy refreshes, Doug has produced over 300 blog posts while developing content for Vulcan7’s social media platforms.