You need to respect yourself and set professional boundaries... or others will not respect you.  Of course, there can be extenuating circumstances in the heat of negotiations but, for the most part, you need to establish hours of business.  

I tell my clients to call me, when they need me.

If I answer my phone... I'm working.  If I don't answer my phone, leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

There's really no such thing as a "Real Estate Emergency" that can't wait 'till morning.

In my early days as a new licensee, I was given excellent advice from a pro. Make sure you "schedule" time for yourself and your family. Your clients don't need to know that the "appointment" you have Thursday at 4 is to watch your son's little league game. If you don't make sure these important dates are scheduled, you can become consumed with your clients at the expense of your family.  Professional boundaries are important. But so is being available for your clients. My phone is on until 9 pm each night.

I was doing very well with setting limits until early spring of this year and I succumbed to the same thing that Eve mentioned! Now, if I'm awake and not in front of anyone, I will answer my phone!

I have rationalized that it saves me checking voicemail in the mornings when I get up!!

My clients are respectful and rarely is there a need to contact me after 6 or 7. If we're in the middle of a negotiation, that's different. I'll do what I need to do (within reason) to get the deal to escrow for them.

I do not have restrictions on hours.

Clients have ways to contact me any time.  Whether I choose to pick up the phone or reply to text or email at that time is other story.

24/7 with some limits

Whatever is necessary ... I am in control. The tail does not wag the dog in my business. 

I feel that 9 am to 8 pm offers plenty of time to get the work done. 

If I am awake and not with a client, I am available...

Eve

My evenings are for my wife and I.

If I'm available I answer.  If not, the call will go to voicemail.  I find most people are respectful and if they are not, it's not going to be a very long relationship. 

If they're cute, they can call me day or night.

I am available any time, but most contacting is happening via text or emails, so it does not bother me. 

I have relatively strict hours. I am not a 24/7 365 free information line for looky-loos. My clients get a little bit more leeway with me.

I agree with Alan May , If I feel like answering the phone, then I guess I'm working.  Most people (even strangers) seem to know proper boundaries anyway.  

I am not available 24/7 and don't pretend to be. I run a business not a call-in center. Is your doctor or lawyer or account available 24/7?

I was always available by phone until 9:00pm.... 

For sales I am always available. For property management, I keep office hours and then have a special number for emergencies.

If I'm available, I'll respond. MOST people are respectful and even if they reach out "after hours", it seems they just want the monkey off of their back.  If I get annoyed at the time they reached out, that's really my problem & I have to continually "train myself" to respect the boundaries I encourage new agents to set. 

Virgie Vincent - my clients are from my close circle and many of them know my home number, too.

I do talk business with them if it is really essential. At the same time, when I am away, they do respect my time.

It is a two-way street.

Call, text or email me anytime, day or night. I either available or will get back to you when I am.

Mon-Fri 8-6

Sat by appointment but typically 9-5 does the trick.

Sunday off.

I've written several blogs on the topic of Rest & Recovery and Boundaries if you want to search my blog. Many agents will brag on 24/7 and I guarantee you they're not happy. There's a cost for 24/7 that is greater than the cost of having hours some won't respect. Typically it's other agents, not my clients that test my boundaries.

Here's one to get you started:

 It's a Balancing Act, Never True Balance, That Sets You

The hours that I take calls are from 7 am - 10 pm unless I'm in an offer situation. I try to available as possible.

7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm...the 777 plan

Monday to Thursday 9 to 8 and Friday and Sunday 8 to 5

I multiply my availability by having an assistant. That adds eight hours a day to my ability to get things done while routine tasks are handled by someone else.

I am very available and arrange my appointments when I am able to show and meet people. Many people are very respectful and do not call me late at night.

I have set hours, however if it's a critical situation I'll work on it past those hours.  I used to be in the "if I'm up, I'm working" group, now I've learned how to relax.

  I keep hours, take Sundays off. 

I'm flexible within reason.

I tell them not before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

Virgie Vincent Business hours only.

7am until 10 pm daily for agents to contact me when I was managing!

Availability hours are up to the individual agent. If you are not available, they will often call another agent.

It depends on the client and the situation.

The key to maintaining a proper quality of life is to manage EXPECTATIONS.

As long as the citizen/client/associate knows what to expect (what will happen next and when) an agent will be able to maintain better control over their personal life.

Some can get away with "OFFICE HOURS' while others have a marketplace that stays open beyond those hours. For the latter group, if they are too liberal with their private life they will live in response to those who choose to jerk their chain.

All of them have really wrote the nice thing here.

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Over the last few years, I have set times for business.   I turn my phone on at 8 am, and off at 8:30 pm.   Of course there are times when negotiating that those times are extended.

I don't answer unknown #'s past 8pm, known are limted to 9pm

They can call or email me anytime.  Unless it's urgent, I don't respond after 7 PM or before 8 AM.

Normal business hours - exceptions by prior appointment

I have not particular hours, I answer when I can, and let it go to vm when I cannot.

We concur with Carol Williams .

I will answer anytime but I give clients time tables