Years ago in real estate I can remember the phrase "Dress for Success" was a major component of sales presentations. There was not a seminar you would attend that did not stress the fact. A trip into the office confirmed that there was a "Dress code" that complimented the professional image of the company you were associated with. This was not limited to just one company, but in several companies that I was associated with. The first reason was that we represented our clients in the biggest possible transaction of their lives. Their home or purchase represented their dreams, a fulfillment of their goals, the sweat of many hours working overtime and saving to achieve those goals. Dressing up, made clients feel at ease that someone competent was assisting them. Those were the times that a real estate agent actually qualified the buyer financially before giving them to a loan officer. Buyers and sellers listened to our advice, and out opinions were respected.
In the early 2000's professionalism waned when catering to the more casual "Dot com and Tel.Com" crowds. Dress and appearance gave way to a more casual attitude with this easy money crowd. This casual crowd were not bankers, or corporate biggies that climbed up the ladder. The tech crowd was a group of buyers and sellers that took the elevator to the top floor. These were not blue collar workers that clocked double shifts to get overtime pay to buy a home. They started off with 6 figures when they graduated college and we offered major stock options. This was a crowd that made big money very quickly and wanted to use credit to purchase their homes and use excess cash to keep their investments making money and funding their 401Ks or SEP IRAs. Casual ruled the day, and everyone made money. The experienced and professional real estate agent was now a dinosaur and a hairdresser, golf pro or personal trainer took the place as the real estate agent...and no one batted an eye.
Now we are in a different time in real estate. Monehy matters again, nad easy credit does not pull the wieght. For the consumer we have gone full circle in our importance. Knowledge and experience are the only way out of the mess we are in. Buyers and sellers both need assurances, they need something more than a dressed up manaquin assure them you have the skill set and solid experience they need to assist them. Dressing professional may also give you an edge in negotiations. Appearances and perception is everything.
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