As a new agent, it’s tricky to decide how much time you should be spending in the office. You’ll even read a plethora of varying answers online. But, we want to set the record straight. When it comes to determining your hours, the question you should really be asking yourself is not how much time, but WHAT you’ll actually be accomplishing while in the office.

1. Prospecting.
   We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. To find success, you must prospect 1-2 hours every day. There’s really no way around it. One of the worst things you can do is wait around for the next sale. Take action and spend your time in the office searching for new prospects. Brush up on the local market, send e-mails, and pick up the phone.
2. Focusing.
   Let’s face it, it’s more than challenging to focus at home. Between your family and the television, temptations come in all forms. If you have an ever-growing to-do list that seems nearly impossible to accomplish, head to the office. You’ll be able to hone in on your priorities, and be more productive with your time.
3. Legality issues.
   When drawing up a contract, you may run into issues that require help from the legal side. While it’s possible to communicate remotely with your managing broker, being in the office will make it easier. Just remember—being a few feet away from your broker instead of a phone call away will help you complete the contractual process in a timely manner.

Finding a healthy balance between working from home and being in the office can take time. However, as a “newbie,” it’s advantageous to grasp just how much more you can accomplish from being in the office.