Jeremy Larson shared with us how he is growing his business in 2026. Here are my top 7 takeaways from his presentation.
Top 7 Business Tactics from Jeremy Larson's for Growing a Real Estate Business
in 2026, the core focus is on practical, proven strategies for scaling a real estate business through consistency, relationship-building, and targeted lead generation. He emphasizes mastering three main pillars:
*Open Houses
*Sphere of influence
*& Leads
He stresses actionable, low-cost tactics that work in any market, avoiding distractions like chasing too many lead sources.
I've distilled the top 7 tactics below, ranked by prominence in the talk, with key details, rationale, and implementation tips for your business.
ONE: Master Open Houses as Your Primary Lead GeneratorOpen houses are described as the "purest opportunity" for interacting with buyers and sellers simultaneously, building skills, and creating a pipeline. Larson insists there's "no way to be a mega agent" without them. Rationale: They market you directly to motivated consumers, yielding buyer/seller leads without high costs. New agents should aim for 70+ per year to build momentum. Implementation: Treat it as a "pop-up shop"—use 15-20+ signs, host VIP neighbor-only previews (Friday 5-7 PM) with $25 gift card raffles for contact info. Start with open questions like "What brings you to the neighborhood?" to lower guards. Send personalized selfie videos post-event and set up MLS searches for follow-up. For weekdays, focus on "twilight tours" (5-8 PM) on high-traffic listings.
TWO. Nurture Your Sphere of Influence (SOI) for ReferralsLarson highlights the stat that 80% love their agent but only 20% reuse them, urging consistent touchpoints to combat "tech companies and lead portals" stealing clients. Rationale: Referrals are the "endgame" for a sustainable career; agents who do referral activities get them. Your database thinks you're "too busy," so remind them you're not. Implementation: Call your SOI quarterly with simple check-ins (e.g., "Hope you had a great holiday"). Host 2-4 client appreciation events yearly (e.g., pie parties, wine tasting, or small coffee meetups—even for 4-12 people). Send 2 gifts annually (e.g., Costco wreaths, flowers, or DoorDash meals). Always end interactions with "I'm never too busy for your referrals" after building value.
THREE. Implement Structured Lead Follow-Up CadenceLeads (from open houses, paid sources like Zillow, or elsewhere) require prioritized time allocation: 70% on hot leads, 25% on warm, 5% on cold to avoid "lead fatigue." Rationale: Hot leads are vulnerable in fast markets and can defect easily; consistent follow-up turns them into clients without overwhelming you. Implementation: Define: Hot (buy in 30 days)—contact 3x/week; Warm (31-90 days)—1x/week (e.g., Friday texts like "Available for tours or questions?"); Cold (91+ days)—2x/month (e.g., 1st/3rd Tuesday). Use a CRM (e.g., Follow Up Boss) for automation. Personalize with notes (e.g., kids, sports teams) and educate on off-market listings to stand out.
FOUR. Focus on Consistency and Mastering 3 PillarsLarson's team grew 58% last year (to ~$420M volume) through relentless consistency, ignoring distractions like cold calling if it doesn't fit your style. Rationale: "Everything works if you work it," but mastering fewer pillars (open houses, SOI, leads) builds expertise and market share. Progress equals happiness and growth. Implementation: Block time daily/weekly for your pillars (e.g., 2-3 open houses/week). Track progress quarterly. Position for booms by buckling down now—view 2026-27 as foundational years. Avoid "shiny objects"; if something works (e.g., door-knocking 4 hours/week), stick to it.
FIVE. Leverage Social Media for Visibility and BrandingPost raw, consistent content to associate your face with real estate, especially on Instagram. Rationale: People remember faces over names; consistent posting builds followers and positions you as the go-to expert, leading to organic leads. Implementation: After showings/open houses, post quick videos (e.g., "What does $700K buy in [area]?" with a 2-second face intro and walkthrough). Share stories of kitchens/backyards daily. New agents: Aim for 2x/week to grow followers rapidly. Include your handle (e.g., @realjeremylarson) in all materials.
SIX. Build a Supportive Network and Mentorship EnvironmentLarson credits joining EXP and accessing mentors for jumping from 9 to 36 transactions in a year; surround yourself with high-performers. Rationale: Don't be the smartest in the room—evolving industry requires collaboration. Goodbyes to toxic people/environments enable growth. Implementation: Attend events like this one; DM successful agents (like Larson offers) for free coaching Zooms. If team-leading, recruit "black labs" (eager workers) and focus on their production. Rate database contacts (A/B/C) and prioritize raving fans who refer strangers.
SEVEN. Establish a Strong Morning Routine for Peak PerformanceStart early to control your day, emphasizing discipline in a distracting industry. Rationale: Without it, the day "controls you," leading to grumpiness and inefficiency. Larson ties it to overall success and work-life balance. Implementation: Wake at 5 AM: Drink water, make a smoothie, stretch, breathe, pray/gratitude, review goals, exercise. Reflect on past "good" habits (e.g., walking, whole foods) and reinstate them. For work-life: Weekly date nights if partnered; set boundaries with your phone to avoid burnout.
Let me know your thoughts on Jeremy's approach.