Holiday Help for Real Estate Pros

Denese Konowe

Right, kia ora everyone! Thanks for tuning in to Kiwi Real Estate, Inside Out. It's Denese here, and I am joined, as always, by Lee. How are you, Lee? You hanging on as we careen into the silly season?

Dr Lee Konowe

Ha, silly’s an understatement. The end of the year always snuck up on me, even back in The Bronx. And honestly, the holidays in real estate? It's like a pressure cooker for both agents and clients. I say this every year, but the festive season somehow turns routine transactions into an emotional rollercoaster, don’t you think?

Denese Konowe

Absolutely. And you know, it’s not just the paperwork. It’s the emotional soup, right? You’ve got families desperate to get in before Christmas, vendors anxious about settlement dates, buyers stressing over keys—you name it. The REA’s recent Holiday Assistance CPD really nailed this: agents end up squeezed by everyone’s expectations, right as life gets the busiest outside work too.

Dr Lee Konowe

Yeah. And you’ve got timing issues—everyone thinks you can rush through a deal in December like it’s any other week. But lawyers close, banks take breaks... it gets complicated fast. As we saw in that REA training clip, the expectations are sky-high but the resources get tight. Everyone’s emotional state is just ramped up.

Denese Konowe

Personal story time—I still remember my first real Kiwi Christmas in real estate. I was negotiating a deal in Rotorua, Christmas Eve no less, and I swear the family was baking gingerbread in the kitchen while I was on the phone trying to push paperwork through. There was that unique New Zealand tension—nobody wanted to push, but nobody wanted to let go either. It was a balancing act of smiles and stress. I learned then, managing everyone’s emotions was as important as managing the deal itself.

Dr Lee Konowe

See, that’s the tricky bit. Expectations collide and sometimes, oh—I’m, I’m not sure—the property stuff almost feels secondary to the need for reassurance. People just want certainty, right? Especially at the holidays. And we, as agents, become the “worry absorbers.”

Denese Konowe

Totally. And I think a lot of people forget we’re human too. Our own families are baking and having parties—or, well, at least burning the toasts—while we’re fielding frantic calls and last-minute viewings. That’s exactly where the deeper stressors hit, and, as the REA CPD pointed out, it’s about learning to spot when things might boil over.

Dr Lee Konowe

Yeah, can’t agree more. We’ve got to keep an eye on what’s going on beneath the surface, for both clients and ourselves. Because it’s not just about getting signatures—it’s about getting everyone through the holidays at least semi-sane.

Denese Konowe

So, zooming in on what the REA put front and centre this year—duty of care, confidentiality, all those basics don’t just disappear with the pine needles. We can’t just say, “Sorry, it’s Christmas!” and ghost our clients, can we?

Dr Lee Konowe

Nope. And, and the REA makes it pretty darn clear: our ethical standards—being responsive, keeping things confidential, following up—those are non-negotiable. Even if we’re at a BBQ or off on a family hiking trip, basics like returning messages and keeping clients up to date still apply.

Denese Konowe

Right! I mean, as we discussed in previous episodes about compliance, the trust clients place in us is even more critical when everyone else is winding down. Holiday delays happen: lawyers are away, banks are slow, but letting clients know what’s going on, clearly and kindly, that’s half the battle. It keeps expectations realistic.

Dr Lee Konowe

And let’s be honest, sometimes the “urgent” calls aren’t so urgent—one case from the REA video comes to mind. An agent had planned a week up north with the family, but got a panicked call: buyers wanted an inspection “yesterday,” but the vendor’s at the bach, there’s no key... Honestly, you can’t be everywhere. So, what did they do?

Denese Konowe

From what I recall, they communicated straight away—calmly explained the situation, set new timeframes, and offered practical options for everyone. No over-promising, just honest managing of expectations. Simple solution, but one so easy to overlook when you’re juggling your own life, yeah?

Dr Lee Konowe

Absolutely. It boils down to proactive honesty. We need systems for letting clients know if delays are likely, and documentation to cover ourselves—but more than that, empathy. Sometimes what people want most over the holidays is just to hear, “We’re on it—it’s going to be okay.” Even if that means saying, “I’m away for 48 hours, but here’s my backup.”

Denese Konowe

That’s a great point, Lee. And it’s something that’s come up before in our episodes—building trust in quiet ways, especially when things don’t go to plan. You don’t need a miracle; you do need to communicate and stick to those basics, especially now.

Dr Lee Konowe

Which brings us straight into the next biggie—looking after yourself and your fellow agents. The REA resource makes it pretty clear: boundaries matter, even more when work and holiday life collide. How do you draw that line, Denese? When do you switch off—theoretically, anyway...

Denese Konowe

Haha—good question. I’m still learning! But, for me, it’s always been about being clear with both clients and family. I tell clients directly when I’ll be off the radar and who to contact if urgent. And I schedule, well, not quite “do not disturb,” but something close. The REA suggests agents block out time and communicate that—a little proactive planning saves mountains later. A glass of bubbles on the deck only works if you’re not secretly checking your phone every five seconds.

Dr Lee Konowe

And for mental health—well, the CPD emphasises it’s not just a buzzword. It’s real, especially after a marathon year. Stress management means more than meditation apps, doesn’t it? Frankly, I found agents do best when they lean on each other—form a bit of a support crew. Remember that year we ran the “buddy calendar?”

Denese Konowe

Oh, yes, your masterstroke! You wanna tell everyone how that went?

Dr Lee Konowe

Sure. It was basically a rotating support roster. Agents could swap on-call time—if one needed a break, the other covered urgent stuff. We shared key details securely, stuck to confidentiality, and everyone got downtime without dropping the ball on client care. It wasn’t perfect—nothing is—but we cut the panic and helped each other out. That kind of structure isn't just good practice; it’s a stress-lifesaver. REA recommends leaning on those support networks.

Denese Konowe

Absolutely. Sometimes it’s as simple as checking in—“you okay?”—with your fellow agents. Or stepping in to help with a sticky situation. And much like we said in our episode on future-proofing, no one should feel like they’re flying solo. A team approach makes the holiday madness manageable—and healthier—for everyone.

Dr Lee Konowe

Right on. And with that, Denese, I think we’ve landed the sleigh for today. Remember, folks: your wellbeing matters as much as your deals do.

Denese Konowe

Couldn’t agree more, Lee. If you’re listening and need a hand—whether you’re new in the game or an old hand—don’t forget to use all the support out there. That’s it from us at Kiwi Real Estate, Inside Out. Lee, always a pleasure!

Dr Lee Konowe

Pleasure’s mine, Denese. Stay well everybody, and we’ll catch you on the next one. Haere rā!

Denese Konowe

See you soon! Happy holidays, everyone!