Special offer

Please don't show clients in THIS truck anymore...

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Revolution

Gas GuzzlerRaise your hand if you're still happy to drive that lovely Lincoln Navigator or GMC Yukon. (Talk about paying a new luxury tax today for those toys!) An agent in our office just posted a photo of her $100.00 fill-up this morning and got me thinking about things...

First of all, I traded my big pickup truck in for a fuel-sipping Honda Hybrid in 2008 and LOVE it! It's a smarter way to travel and clients dig the "saving the planet" gig. Nice smooth ride, etc. but I'm not big on leather, Bose, DVD systems, or other stuff that should be in my den, not my car.

I digress. So what am I learning from this new tax on my business?

THIS MOMENT IS A CHANCE TO THINK AND RE-EVALUATE MY CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN!

Drive smarter.
Plan my day more efficiently. Group stops together. Don't go out of my way today if I can smartly make that trip tomorrow when I am out that way.

Show smarter.
Group showings. Do better homework. Ask more questions to my clients to I can nail exactly what they want to see on that first or second showing. Isn't easier to show all homes (and kitchen sinks) in the area rather than weeding them down a bit more? Time to get more disciplined.

Think before I go.
Can I take care of this task with a call or email rather than face-to-face? Amazon.com instead of Best Buy?

Keep evolving.
Change happens and I'm going to have to re-adjust. (It's true everywhere). I can keep doing biz as usual and pay more money for gas, or I can evaluate my habits and make smart new decisions. 

Remember back in 2008 when everyone ran out and got a smaller car when gas went above $3.00? Look at us now, having just accepted the new norm and moved on. I bet the smart guys made a critical change to behavior and stuck to it, so today's challenge will roll off them nice and easily.

Hopefully I'll be one of those during these coming summer months. Time to go place some offense in this game and not wait to be forced to play defense.

Happy Hybrid Driving!

 

Posted by

  Jay O'Brien, Kansas City : Social Media Guy (RE/MAX Revolution)Jay O'Brien
 
RE/MAX Revolution, Kansas City, Missouri

  www.JayTheHomeGuy.com

 

Comments (3)

Christina ONeal
At Home Real Estate Group - Ripon, CA
Realtor - Ripon California

I love my hybrid too!!! I got rid of my suburban (gas guzzler) to buy this cute little nissan ultima hybrid.  It's awesome.  I only fill up twice a month.  Each tank takes me 600 miles.  You are right, my clients get in the car & they always wonder why can't they hear the car start.  Good idea on still being smart with errands, showing property & always evaluating "the drive".

Apr 18, 2011 02:54 AM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

Not willing to part with my Jeep, last year I made a real effort to plan my trips better. Cut my fuel bill almost in half!

Apr 18, 2011 03:39 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

For Sale: Truck sleeps six, great gas mileage if all 6 are pushing it lol

Work smart and plan smart..........get more accomplished

Enjoy the day

Apr 26, 2011 01:51 AM