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How Often do You Use a Drive Thru

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker 69190

Columbia, SC Real Estate One thing is for certain today, people like convenience. People love the advancements in technology that allow them to do their shopping from their living room, and run through the drive thru to pick up dinner. It makes things easier for many people, and of course there is our favorite thing, convenience.

 But real estate is and always has been a people business. In the end it is people that you are here to help. People buy homes and sell houses and it's their best interests that you are here to protect. And since you are in a people business, and it's people that you represent, then in the end you have to be around people. Every time you interact with people, it creates an opportunity to get to know someone and a chance that they or someone that they know may need the services that you provide.

Columbia, SC Real Estate

 I know how nice it can be to pull into the gas station, pull out the old debt card, and pay at the pump. Then jump back in your car, drive away, and go on about your life. But when you do this, you don't interact with people. You don't walk in, talk to the cashier, or anyone else who may be waiting in line as well. Like I said, you never know who will need your help or where you will meet them.

 The same can be said for anything else that has a drive thru. I know what a hassle it can be to get out of your nice comfortable car to walk into a place, but there are benefits to doing such a thing. First and foremost is your opportunity to interact and engage other humans. And even if you don't meet your next client, you benefit from a few extra steps in your day and burning a few extra calories. So since you represent people, try taking every chance to put yourself in front of people.

Diana Hoyt
Lakes Region Buchanan Group, Ossipee, NH - Ossipee, NH

Thoughtful post.  I think I will go in more often whether it is fast food, the bank or whereve!   Although not a drivethrough, makes me remember one of my first sales in real estate came from the laundromat.  Sunday afternoon, my washer broke down, I was NOT in the mood to talk to anyone while waiting for wash to finish as I was in the rattiest sweats, hair a mess, no makeup and in a foul mood!  I was trying to watch TV and ignore everyone else when this young woman started talking to me about her brother selling her an old mobile home (I had my REALTOR pin on my sweatshirt).  I was cursing myself for forgetting to take off the pin thinking that she was going to spin my wheels and never buy anything from me (she looked all of 15 - was early 20's).  Well, I sold she and her husband a house shortly after.  You never know!!!

Jan 28, 2010 01:59 AM
Stephen Garner
Hub Media Company - Tempe, AZ
Hub Media Company

Great Post. Sales is a contact sport, got to contact potential customers to be successful.

Jan 28, 2010 02:05 AM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

This is a good post.  I think a lot of REALTORS don't take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.

Jan 28, 2010 02:06 AM
Mike Russell
Mike Russell Real Estate Group - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Kansas Real Estate

my wife never understood why I always go inside the bank to make deposits until the teller bought a house from me.

Jan 28, 2010 02:31 AM
Michelle Fradella-Barfuss
Broker, Marketing Coach, Trainer - Red Rock Real Estate - Salt Lake City, UT
Author of "Top 10 Mistakes Agents Make When Market

Very true!!  I have come across a lot of prospects while standing in lines.  We all seem to get comfortable, sitting behind our computers, and we forget to interact.  You'll gain more business if people really know who you are, not just your face and name.

Jan 28, 2010 02:45 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

JL - very true. Getting in front of people is what it is all about. You never know who you are going to meet.

Jan 28, 2010 02:46 AM
Todd Kenthack
The Pines Realty - Pinehurst, NC
MBA, GRI

Good post, JL.  Get out of the car and meet people!  It's good for our business and also helps burn a few extra calories.  A true win, win.

Jan 28, 2010 03:04 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

JL - great points here. I only use drive-throughs for gas, although we seem to have it for about everything you can imagine here in SoCal. You are so right - driving through the Internet and the social media and blogging world is important but cannot take the place of face-to-face interaction for most folks. We are seeing more and more stsuff being handled only through on-line, though.

This was a good analogy.

Jeff

Jan 28, 2010 03:08 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Just like in everything else, it is important to take time and smell the roses, per se. Rushing through everything from a hamburger to a listing appointment is not the way to live life.

Jan 28, 2010 03:55 AM
Aaron Vaughn 830-358-0455
Conifer Builders LLC - Canyon Lake, TX

I totally agree with you on this post -- make daily connections, even if they are not directly related to getting new business. They will help you.

Jan 28, 2010 04:10 AM
Sajy Mathew
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Lancaster, PA
Making your real estate dreams become a reality!

I never really thought about this.  I have missed many opportunities rushing around and trying to move to the next thing.  Sometimes you got to stop and smell the roses and i am one that needs to apply that.  Maybe it will bring me more business.

Jan 28, 2010 04:24 AM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

JL,

I seldom use a drive through for anything. Talking to peopl allows me to hand out another card.

Jan 28, 2010 04:29 AM
Kim Brown
Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH
Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Great points!  I do tend to do the drive-thru thing at the bank when it's single-digits co-o-old outside, but otherwise I usually park, walk, and interact with folks.  It seems like such a simple thing but it's so easy to get so wrapped up in our own heads that sometimes the best thing we can do is make human contact.  Not necessarily to generate sales, but to simply reconnect with the outside world.

Technology is great, but it can be pretty darn isolating.  Great post and good "fast food" for thought!

Jan 28, 2010 04:29 AM
Trevor Elliott
RE/MAX Integrity - Salem, OR

Face Time. It is our job.

Jan 28, 2010 05:31 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Evening JL,  I remember the story of an agent who would do a drive through and leave a couple bucks and his card and ask the clerk to use the money to pay part of bill for the next person in line and to include his card .

Jan 28, 2010 11:29 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

JL, sometimes going INSIDE the restaurant the lines are SHORTER. Don't believe everything you think. Beer barn drive throughs are my favorite LOL.

Jan 28, 2010 12:44 PM
Carol Pease
JP & Associates Realtors - Bastrop, TX
CRS, Broker-Associate 512-721-6320

You can get married in Vegas at a drive up window by Elvis.  Really!  There are also drive up mortuaries where you can pay your respects to the departed one from the comfort of your car.  Ugh

Jan 28, 2010 05:31 PM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

JL - Great post.  Maybe I impressed on that fellow at the gas station that I was honest...by trudging back in???  My broker tells me to get out more, too...I make acquaintances quite easily.  Thanks for the reminder...

Jan 28, 2010 11:18 PM
Wayne Golliday
Mobile Home Sales of Florida LLC - Jacksonville, FL

I was shocked a few years ago when in New Orleans that has drive-thru daiquiri places!

Jan 31, 2010 01:02 AM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide
JL, great look at the disconnect of interaction for the sake of convenience, gave me some ideas.
Jan 31, 2013 02:33 PM