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What's in your car when you are showing property?

What's in your car when you are showing property?

Well, I guess this subject depends on where you live and the climate.

If you live in a cold region...I'd have a thermus jug with some hot water and some hot chocolate!

However, here in south east Florida, the weather is hot in the summer. I always have a cooler with Gatorade, water, soda, snacks, and some treats for the little ones.

In my area, I am always aware that many people that desire to retire in Florida may have a variety of health issues, I guess it's my 25 years of working in the health field that makes me worry and to be prepared.

The most serious customers that one may encounter on a showing is a diabetic. Their sugar levels may fluctuate... after many hours of looking at property. I always have candy, a Pepsi/Coke or two - not diet (no sugar) in my cooler in my trunk.

I also keep some pretzels, some energy bars, some peanuts/dried fruits...Everyone is different and sometimes we are looking longer than we might expect.

What do you have in your trunk? AND, I know...a screw driver, a hammer, RE signs, riders with your own name, pool, etc.

So, do you feel you need to be aware of the situations that you might incur while showing multiple properties. Should you expect this? Should you as an agent be prepared? Do you know CPR and should you?

What do you all think? Public and agents here, this is important to me as an agent.

http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194

Posted by Karen Monsour,REALTOR® Broward,Palm Beach,Miami/Dade! 954-464-4194 anytime! on 08/09/2009 12:37 AM

Comments (73)

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73 Comments on What's in your car when you are showing property?

AUG

Karen,

Those are good, thoughtful ideas. Just make sure to keep the foodstuffs from melting. :)

Steve

I have a roll of toilet paper in the glove compartment

Karen:

Great ideas! I usually have bottled water, cough drops, hard candy, tissues and a first aid kit--and tourism brochures and information on local community events so buyer clients can have info on things that are going on in the area so they can get the "feel" of the community.

Thanks for sharing!

Steve,

I have a cooler with lots of ice in it...I has been a great asset on hot days!

Thanks for posting!

Carla,

I have TP, paper towels, and every other think imaginable in my trunk...After raising 3 children who were all involved in sports...well, you know! It's a mothers intuition.

Noreen,

I'm known as Ms. Walmart, you need it, I probably have it..LOL!

Karen, I am impressed! I have some of those things, but I will have to include some of the things that you carry with you. Thanks for sharing.

Barbara,

You never know the condition of the health of the customer's you are with. I still think that CPR certification should be part of being a REALTOR(r).

Thanks for posting.

AUG

Hi Karen! All excellent tips--I do have to say though, that when I offer them something to drink, inevitably someone asks for a 'diet' drink instead of water!

LOL

Hi Karen,

I usually just stop at a store or restaurant if we need some snacks along the way. Good idea about the cooler.

Here in Arizona it is always LOTS of cold water. Out of towners never realize how much they need extra water here it seems.

Hi Karen - my cooler isn't as well stocked as yours, but I always at least bring cold drinks and have bandaids. One thing I'm never without when touring vacant homes is a fresh roll of toilet paper. I can't count the number of times my clieints have asked if it would be alright if they used the restroom. And there are times when that roll has come in handy!

I keep saying that I'm going to get CPR certified, thanks for the reminder...it's a great idea. As for what's in my car during showings..I'm usually hoping that I've sufficiently cleaned it out from the kids mess that they've left behind

It is good to have a pair of shoes or boots to use for walking in wet grass. Always have a big flashlight for the dark basements and the REO properties with no power.

The climate in LA is too hot for crayons, so I keep a plastic cup filled with colored pencils and a 3-ring binder with coloring pages (downloaded from the internet) for entertaining children. They often get bored, and this occupies them so I can talk to mom and dad.

Thanks for your good suggestions!

Gayle Causey
Monroe, LA

I keep lots of napkins, but always offer to stop at the local QuikTrip. Most people really like that as the can use the restroom and get a fountain drink or bottled drink and a snack. I always pay.

I've kept my car filled with such items for a long time. My best idea was when I started to give out sanitary wipes after showing homes that were so dirty ...I wouldn't bring my worst enemy there without letting them wash their hands after the showing. I don't really like to bring food because some times I get a buyer who's children will throw the stuff all over the back seat and then I have to spend a lot of time cleaning up crumbs but thats just me. I just got over that with my daughter now that she's old enough to make sure she is a bit neater when we drive around:)

When I know there will be kids along, or babies... a bag full of cheerios to appease them during showings!

Some very good ideas here,

Patricia

WD-40! It has helped me many times to unlock a sticky door lock!

my kids are 16 and 19 but i still carry a small box of toys for client's kids to play with - nothing dampens the lets go see houses mood like an unhappy kid!

I also carry paper towels and a little trash can with a bag. Ever since a client's son got sick in the third row seat of my van!

Who said Real Estate wasn't an adventure!

Silicone Spray for locks and creaks, Paper Towels, Bath Towel (in case I have to run car thru a quick wash), Tool Kit, Energy Bars, Bag of Lipsticks, Window Breaker, Calculator, Pens, Paper Scissors, Saniary Wipes and Spray, Teddy Bear for me Toys for Kids.

I like the toilet paper idea...hadn't thought of that. I could live out of my car, but it is very neat and orderly.

I even use color coordinated bath mats as floor mats so when they get dirty from showings, they are easy to clean and keep the car fresh looking.

When I test drive a new car I get in the back seat first. I want to see what my clients see.

I teach a finding and showing homes course for new agents in my Austin real estate office. One thing I stress to the ladies is that they need to keep boots or tennis shoes in the car. Our area is very hilly so heels aren't good at times. If land or new construction is being shown, boots are good to have. Mud in heels isn't fun and neither is rocky terrain.

Karen and all of the commenters, these are excellent ideas when driving buyers around. Many agents, including new agents, will appreciate the tips.

I'm going to add some things to my list! But I don't bring bottled drinks anymore since some report came out (that apparently everyone around here saw but me) that said leaving plastic bottles in the heat of a car causes the release of some toxins, so people don't like to be handed water that's been in the car. So I just offer to stop for drinks when we're near a convenience store.

I keep a small tool box, with flashlight. I don't carry the 'food stuff' but I do ask the client if they have what they need to get started. I am certified in CPR- my strengths are remaining calm and calling 911- but I can do other stuff too! be good cheryl

Being a desert rat from Arizona, I agree with carrying water and ice. However, offering food is tricky as I don't want to be blamed for inadvertently making someone sick. Overly cautious? Perhaps, however, people complain for the oddest reasons. Bottled water is the safest think I can think of to offer.

I, as well, teach a program at our board to newbies on "How To Show A Home". I stress to them how having their vehicle function as a second office is vital. How many contracts I've written at kitchen counters. I, too, stopped supplying crayons when I found them melted in the door well the next day. I find that keeping everything that's been mentioned fresh can be a pain and I'd rather treat clients to a pit stop along the way. Toilet paper, however, will now be included. But...all those foreclosures with no utilities, hence no water. Ouch!

Jackie Davis, GRI

ERA American, Inverness, FL

My wife actually puts magazines in the backs of the front seats so it would be more like a reception area when I drive clients around. Novel idea, except in bumpy areas.

CPR: I was certified about 20 years ago. I guess it's time to get re-certified.

TP: I always have TP in my briefcase when I hold open house. Good idea to have it in the car also.

Things I usually have in the trunk:

Open house signs and flags
Tools, including screwdrivers, wrenches,pliers, etc.
4-lb sledge hammer and chisel for making holes in the ground for open house signs
Flashlights (for night showings on REOs, I have one for myself and one for buyers)
Map of my city

Things I have told myself I should carry in my trunk, but rarely have:

Listing Package
Buyer Package
Blank Contracts
FSBO Package

Things I may want to start carrying in my trunk, thanks to this post:

Hand gel or wipes
Some type of food
Some type of drinks
Paper towels

And make sure there is a measuring tape in the tool box. Thanks for the post. I've made a list from all the comments.

Hi Karen, I'm a minimalist - ice cold bottles of water, a flashlight and a laser measuring tool. I always carry a small flashlight and a small tape measure in my pocketbook at all times.

I always have a care pacage of toilet paper, paper towels, tissue paper, and hand sanitizer. When seeing new construction you have the supplies when the "spirit" moves them.

I have never thought of the snacks for someone who might be diabetic.

I always have a laptop with air card.

A complete tool box.

A REAL JACK. If I have to help someone with a flat I am not using their pitiful jack.

A concealed weapons permit.

A Kimber .45.

water, tape measure, pretzels, a power bar, tissues, kids movies for the DVD player, a set of contracts to write up the offer.

Karen,

I have a nice travel cooler that stays equipped with bottled water and diet drinks and I try to keep a snack of sorts for the longer trips or at least make stops to Sonic, 7-11, etc. The water is always appreciated. I do the same thing for my open house with a large cooler right at the front door with ice cold bottled water.

Karen, I usually buy bottled water or get some from the office - it is hot here too! I have done coolers when we have children and also snacks. I also carry:

- Hand Sanitizer

- Flashlight

- Tape Measure

- Napkins

- Hand Towel

- Umbrellas

I like the WD-40 idea! I'm going to put that in right away.

I also stop at Krispy Kreme whenever the light is hot :)

Sharon

I never thought about the WD-40, but I'm going to use that one.

Brian

I keep my laptop and have a printrer in my vehicle for the unexpected properties that come up.

Great post! I never really thought too much about bringing snacks in my car but now I can see how it can come in handy for a diabetic! I will be sure to pack some sort of sugary treat in my car next time I drive someone around.

I always pack extra water bottles, hand sanitizer and toilet paper as well as a GPS system and well charged cell phone. I have a car emergency kit that has many more necessities in case of emergency...and a flashlight.

Great ideas here! I thought I carried a lot of stuff in my car - to the point my next "car" will be a pickup. Even here in Alaska, bottled water is important. I'm bookmarking your post though because now I want the ultimate car kit.

I also have a bag packed for when I show remote property. It's a little different though. Tape measure, flagging tape, space blanket, emergency first aid kit, and a whistle since I cannot take pepper spray on the small planes.

When I read your title I was expecting something else. You see I have a teenaged daughter and that's the other half of the the "What's in your Car..." question. Thanks for clearing it up for me and the great suggestions.

Great suggestions here. I guess I have to clean out my trunk so I can carry some of this!

Karen,

I, too, carry snacks, especially for those that might need a QUICK sugar fix! I've only needed it ONCE, but that incident was enough to make me "never leave home without it!"

Kathy Opatka

I have most of the mentioned items in my car. I also stock small bottles of water in my vacant listings with a note on the refrigerator for buyers and showing agents to help themselves.

I recently got a listing from a seller who had seen this while shopping unrepresented with another agent.

Karen -

A great question and even better suggestions. One thing I do keep in my trunk is a bucket with a variety of cleaning supplies - always great for last minute touch up at an open house. And a tape measure, always the tape measure. And the camera. And the list could go on and on.

Michael

I carry a lot of the items already mentioned. I also carry: blank Purchase & Sale Agreements, blank Buyer Agency Agreements. My trusty walking shoes for walking land. Digital camera!

In my trunk, I carry a full set of sales contracts. (In case they want to write a contract at the kitchen table. I have done that before). I carry a spare, portable GPS. If the buyers wind up following me, I program the addresses in & lend them the GPS in case we get separated. On hot days, I always have a cooler filled with ice & a variety of drinks, such as water, diet & regular soda pop. If it is going to be a long, hot day, I will even pack some grapes in the cooler, as an energy snack.

A double sided srewdriver is handy to bring with you, as well as a small container of WD-40. A couple bright flashlights are handy to have for whenever you show a foreclosure with the electricity off. (Remember, a flashlight is not a storage tube to store dead batteries in!) A roll of paper towels & a little plastic jar of hand sanitizer is nice to carry around also. In my glove box, I also carry an electronic measuring device. Sometimes a hobbyist will want to know exactly what the size of the garage is. The customers always appreciate the fact that you have these things to accomodate them.

I have an inexpensive plastic tote in my car where I keep my "arsenal." I found it at Wal-Mart in the tool department.

In the tote I have scissors, zip ties, hammer, a piece of wood (sign installation), 100' tape measure (to find property lines), 2 wind-up LED flashlights (no batteries to fail me), a bag of balloons and string (OH stuff), TP, a rag or two, WD-40, an all-purpose cleaner. Loose in the trunk is a pair of shoes, umbrellas, some bottled water, name riders.

From reading these responses, I have some new ideas of stuff for the tote.

Great post!

Wow.. these are some things I would have never even thought about. Great idea to write this post! thanks for sharing. I learned a lot.

Evening Karen, Also handy to have a small " First Aid " kit, flashlight, map of the area we are showing in and a duplicate set of listing sheets.

These comments have been very useful - I need to inventory my trunk to be sure everything I think is there is still there! I don't think anyone mentioned a couple of useful things for listing appointments - a small can of spackle for small wall patches, a quart jar of white enamel with disposable sponge brush for tiny touchups. I also carry the molasses crinkle cookies for which my husband is famous - along with snacks for diabetics. Of course WD-40 and my miracle stain remover for carpet stains are useful.

Good post, Karen. When I'd moved to VA and was househunting I remember my Realtor had bottles of water in the car with her. i couldn't thank her enough because I found the change in altitude and climate made me very thirsty. All of the above ideas are good ones for any Realtor to add to their list. And, now that I'm back in South Florida, you are so right about being aware of some of the issues that may be present with some of the buyers in our market.

I have been thinking about carrying a roll of Toilet Paper. Some of these empty homes have a working throne but no paper.

Jumper cables, tow strap, flares, flashlight, several jackets, umbrella, phone book, hats... Random stuff.

Hi Karen. Besides some paperwork and a first aid kit I have a few things for clients. There are a few that I plan to include that have been mentioned above.

Great post!!!

Bottled water, flashlight, tape measure, clorox anti-bacterial wipes. My personal Realtor toolkit.

Hi Karen -- Great post! :-) For me, it depends on the client, the # of homes, etc. For younger people, I typically don't bring anything. For families with young children, I sometimes bring extra things to drink, but I have found they have everything covered 99% of the time. Sometimes I let little helpers open the door, etc., and that makes them excited to get to the next home.

If I ever get stuck on a desert island -- I want you on that island too! :-)

A Real Estate Agent's Guide for Dummies book...Nah, just kidding! :-)

-Keith

I usually just keep it simple and just carry water! If you have to many choices, people tend to ask for something you don't have!

WD -40 is a new one that one of your readers carry with them, never thought of that one!

AUG

All of these are good to have. I would suggest ....a very good camera, my preference, Nikon, and a heavy duty light that puts out lots of candlelight...enough to light up rooms with no power. This type light is available at Lowes.

Jerry Gray CRB,CRS,GRI / Prudential Carolinas Realty / Winston Salem, NC

Hi Karen ~ Your post popped into my head this morning and gave me a chuckle. It had just occurred to me that my trunk was *filled* with empty cans to bring to the supermarket (and there they will stay because it's way too hot for any lifting and toting of bags of cans - ha!). Some realtor I am.

I keep some handy things in my car - not nearly so well prepared a kit as some described above - booties, flashlight, tape measure. To me the most important thing is that I have something to read - I hate being stuck in traffic or having a coffee break without a book, newspaper or magazine - not that I read when I'm with my clients - for after!

Liz

This is a good tip when showing multiple properties that may last several hours; it can save time, too, by not having to stop for such things.

Definately tools to help me open lockboxes that need 'persuasion'. I actually take food, water for myself as I get sick if I don't eat often enough. Most of my clients have always been fine - it's me!

Maps- bigs ones, little ones, GPS, compass, print out directions from google maps, detailed directions, aerial photos.....................Oh I'd still get lost...........even if I have already driven the route before.................maybe I should just have a good navigator in the car or better yet let someone else drive !

After reading through all the comments, here is a checklist of items that may possibly be needed:

Thanks for the great blog post!

CPR Certification	Spare tire	Candy
First aid training	Jack for flats	Pretzels
	Jumper cables	Energy bars
Plastic tote box to keep everything	Tow strap	Nuts
First Aid Kit	Flares	Dried fruit
Cooler	Camera	Cough drops
Ice	Shoes/boots for walking
Gatorade	WD-40	Treats for kids
Water	Tool kit	Cheerios for babies
Soda (regular & diet)	Hammer	Small toys
Snacks	4-lb sledge hammer	Case w/ crayons/pencils
Sanitary wipes/spray/gel	Chisel	Coloring books
Toilet paper	Screwdriver
Paper towels	Measuring tape	TP at open houses
Tissues	Flagging tape	Small water bottles at listings
Trash can	Real estate signs	Baloons & string for open houses
Trash bags	Sign riders
Sunscreen	Wind up flashlight
Hats	2 flashlights (1 agent & 1 client)
	Wistle
Pad of paper	Zip ties
Pens/pencils	Window breaker
Calculator	Bath mats (to take out & wash)
Scissors	Magazines
Listing kits	Jackets
Sales kits	Space blanket
Blank contracts	Unbrellas
FSBO kits	Charged cell phone battery
Listing details	Extra batteries
Phone book	Rags
Brochures & area info	All purpose cleaner
	Hand towel

Ooops!

I forgot to put maps and GPS navigators on the list!

Again, thanks for the great post!

Great post, lots of good ideas. I think we're all working on what to do to make our business better and our clients happier and more comfortbale - just had an open Sunday at a new lisitng that is vacant - brought over, air fresheners, soap, TP, paper towels and bottled water. Fridge is off, so bottles are on the counter.

However, unless you are very organized (not me) - if we carry all this stuff there won't be room for clients. LOL. All kidding aside. I rarely have clients in my car. I'm curious, are most of the comments here from agents that are working with relocating buyers?

Hi Karen, in winter I always have a shovel, extra hats and gloves plus several items mentioned - Summer, a lot of the items that have already been mentioned, and sunscreen and insect reppellant , and a 300 foot tape measure

Lot of great ideas here, I may have to add more to my already stuffed car!

AUG

Well, thank you for all your wonderful comments! I would love to answer all your comments, but at this point in time, I think I'm going to give KUDO's to Rachel. She seems to have compiled a great list for me.

However, at this rate, I think I'll need to trade in my Nissan Altima for a large SUV of some sort or a motor home,

AFTER ALL, WE PROBABLY NEED A "PORT-A-POTTY" AS WELL AND THE KITCHEN SINK!

Fantastic ideas from everyone! Thank you all for making this a very informative post!

Keep the suggestions coming.

HOW ABOUT A ROOF CARRIER? You know, just in case we need an extra baby car seat, a small cook stove and sleeping bags if heaven forbid we are stranded!!!

Seriously though, the responsibilities of a REALTOR(r) are numerous.

In south east Florida, it's very important to have cold water. It doesn't take long for the water to be boiling in this heat. Then again, we could offer hot tea and instant coffee with this. Not really something requested often, then again, sometimes we are asked to stop at Starbucks when the customers fly in from the north and just arrived and are tired.

Then again, having a motor home with my logo on the side, might be a great marketing tool??? Then again, the cost of the gas to get around and me trying to drive it is a whole new story!

Please keep adding any pertinent information to the list!

IF WE COULD MAKE THIS SHORTER - WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE TOP 10 ITEMS?

AUG

Wow Karen. I have not thought of the CPR thing. I guess that we need to keep the Client around to buy. lol

AUG

Mark,

You just never know when a serious or life threatening situation will arise! You can never be to careful!

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