A fellow Realtor in Fort Wayne told me I am crazy for driving buyers around with me while looking at homes, especially if it's the first time I have met them.  

He might be right.  (Knocking on wood) So far none of my clients have been carrying an ax when I picked them up.  

A buyer doesn't get in my car before they are pre-approved and I have talked with the lender. Then we either have a face to face meeting or a long phone conversation about the process and my buyer's wants and needs.  If we are just seeing 1 house or there are kids coming I will just meet them there, but if we are seeing 5-7 I normally pick them up or we meet at the office and they ride with me.  

I clean out my car, make sure they each have a water, I give them a clipboard with listing sheets and pens so they can take notes, and I even turn it to their favorite station!

As a fellow agent, what are your thoughts on buyers riding with you?  Are there any safety concerns?  Do you prefer to just meet them at each home?  What do you like or not like about them riding with you?  

As a buyer, what are your thoughts about riding with me or your agent?  Is it too weird?  Uncomfortable?  Do you want to have private discussions in between showings?  Do you want to make fun of my driving and can't do it because I'm right there??  Just kidding on the last one.  Kinda.  :)  

I would love to hear all of your opinions.  

 

Amanda and Jared Christiansen are award winning Realtors with Century 21 Bradley Realty in the Fort Wayne area.

Enough about us...

Tell us what you want your real estate experience to be, and we will do it YOUR way.

Buying?  Tell us your wants and needs.  Let us know how you envision your family living.  Tell us what's important to you, and we'll find the community and home that fits what you are looking for.

Selling?  Our job is to make you the most money possible in the shortest amount of time.  We offer our sellers professional staging, professional photography, and more internet marketing than most.  We will also put your home on our weekly television show Sunday mornings on ABC.

We are committed to giving you everything we have to offer.  We are both full time agents and will work around your schedule.  Do nights and weekends work better for you?  NO PROBLEM.  We are here to help you.

Amanda can be reached at 260-704-0843, and Jared can be reached at 260-704-0842.

 

 
This post has been included in Indiana Real Estate News Allen County, IN Real Estate News Fort Wayne, IN Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Real Estate Rookie
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers
Post is included in group: THE DREAM TEAM
Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain

12 Comments on Hey Buddy... You Need A Lift?

JUL
23
2011
521,410 Points 6 Featured Posts

Great picture. Does he really think someone is going to give him a ride. I agree we have to be very careful in today's world with how we show our houses etc. I think you have covered the basics. Stay safe.
2:23pm • #1
1 Featured Post

The only thing I remcomend to you is commercial insurance, it is my understanding that if you don't have the right coverage and get into an accident, this could be a problem.
2:26pm • #2
300,366 Points 2 Featured Posts

HA!  I don't think I'd let THAT client ride with me!

Occasionally, our furnishing clients want to go look at furniture in other stores; I prefer to drive separately for a few reasons:

1.  Bad drivers make me car sick

2.  I am not good at driving/paying attention/AND having a conversation

3.  We are not good about keeping the car and truck clean

4.  I don't want to have to make the clients come all the way back or me to have to go all the way back out of our way to our next destination.

 

Not exactly "Green", but......
2:27pm • #3

In the interest of saving gas, I am all for carpooling.  As you said there are a few precautions that I take in order to ensure that I am protected (both physically and financially).  It has to be said that the risks are different for male and female agents...not wanting to appear sexist, but that's the reality.

First as you said a pre-approval is in order.  This eliminates the serious buyers from the tire kickers.  If they are cash buyers, obviously a proof of funds will do.  Second their signature on a Broker/Buyer agreement.  If they aren't willing to secure me as their representative, someone looking out for their best interests...then I can't really help hem.  Lastly meeting with them, either in your brokerage office (is ideal..make a copy of their driver's license), or in a public place....never at your home office until you get to know them. 

I have extra insurence.  If I'm going to be traveling strangers the first time, I take along my husband...a retired officer from the French Foreign Legion. 
2:27pm • #4
800,496 Points 43 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jared, I'm not a control freak, but I do like to hear all that is being said about the listings we are pulling up to or leaving. I think it important to know what the buyers immediate impression is of a place and you'll never hear that if you're in a different car.
2:29pm • #5
648,614 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You know what...  I had never even thought of the insurance and liability side of it!  Thanks so much!  I am calling my insurance guy right now.  

Great points Sandi.  Agreed Steve.  That is one of the reasons I like them to ride with me.  It helps me understand what they want.  

 
2:31pm • #6
502,336 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jared, insurance gets stupid once you talk about driving clients around. The one ones I let in my car, no matter how many homes we're gonna see, are friends, relatives and people that are quickly becoming friends. "Clients" can follow me or meet me there.
3:36pm • #7
1,049,573 Points 284 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jared, Clients that want a ride AND can fit in the trunk of Liz's Miata are welcome to ride along.  Otherwise, I'm driving, she's in the passenger seat and the car is full :)  Bill
5:40pm • #8
JUL
24
2011
519,970 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jared,

Excellent blog and nice visual.  I drive a Chrysler Town & Country van just for the purpose of being able to take buyers around with me.  Now I do the same; take the van to the Auto-Bell Carwash, make sure there is a cold water for every rider, if there are children I bring a selection of children DVD's for the in van DVD system with headphones and a remote.  I require my other agents to either have someone with them when going to meet buyers or meet them at the office.  
1:21am • #9
JUL
25
2011
507,285 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Definitely a topic with different opinions.  I don't mind driving but it depends on what works best for the buyers.  I don't go pick up people I've never communicated with (and hopefully met face to face) though, not running a taxi service :)
4:20pm • #10
JUL
26
2011
196,111 Points 34 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I personally never let buyer ride with me. There are always case by case times but unless they've already bought a couple houses with me before I just don't feel comfortable putting them in my car. I'm not really worried about the safety thing, although that is a valid concern. For me it's just about the business I guess. I have a ton of buyers who are vacationing. So this is just another way of weeding out the window shoppers.
5:03pm • #11
JUL
28
2011
464,485 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Luckily my clients want to meet at the homes or follow me there. Most times I make my husband come with me.
12:47am • #12

Login or register to leave a comment
 
Realtors-in-fort-wayne Rainmaker_large

Amanda and Jared Christiansen Fort Wayne Real Estate

Amanda and Jared Christiansen

Fort Wayne, IN

More about me…

Century 21 Bradley

Address: 2928 E. Dupont Rd, Fort Wayne, IN, 46825

Office Phone: (260) 704-0843

Cell Phone: (260) 704-0842

Email Me

Fort Wayne Realtors on Facebook


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog