There is no shortage of real estate professionals who are willing to work long hours into the night for success, but achieving a genuinely fulfilling work-life balance is a more difficult prospect. Luckily, we've got some of the best tips out there for striking a balance that will make you and your family happier without compromising your ability to bring home the bacon.

1. Integrate your schedule

As a real estate agent in the modern age, you probably already have an online calendar through Google or some other service. Surprisingly, many professionals never think to share this calendar with their spouse. The advantages of digital coordination are just as real for your family life as they are for your professional life.

Have a late showing? No problem, put it on the calendar. Your spouse will be able to see in advance that you're working late and have some idea of when you'll be back. This alone is worth volumes. Better yet, this allows helps with future scheduling of events. For instance, when your husband or wife finds out about a family event, he or she can put that on your calendar in advance. This way, you'll know to try to avoid scheduling something at that time.

2. Set a routine

As much as real estate professionals pride themselves on thriving on chaos, routines are generally good for productivity and stress. Finding something that works for you on a daily or weekly basis is a great way to ensure that you're spending enough time with your family and getting your work done.

One common technique is to set a firm rule about calls after a certain hour. You might say, "No work calls after 9 p.m." This step is very important; by setting expectations, you can make it more likely that you will stick to them yourself. You can make exceptions when you really need to, but make sure that the exception doesn't become the rule.

3. Make your own weekend

Finally, many real estate professionals choose to make their own weekend in the middle of the week. Often, it is impossible not to work on the actual weekend, so choose a day mid-week to take off entirely. Work with a partner in your office who will cover you for a day every week in exchange for your doing the same for him or her. Make sure to relax on this day — don't work from home!

Like anything else, creating a solid work-life balance takes work, but it's well worth it. Not only will you reduce the risk of burnout, but you will also find that you have a happier, more satisfying life overall.

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.