Real Estate Blog - Your Vehicle says a lot about your Business!

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Your Vehicle says a lot about your Business!

The vehicle that you drive does say a lot about you and your business.

I live in Charlottesville Virginia and I sell Homes, Land, Farms and Estates!

I drive a Truck and that puts out a certain image. Most people are very comfortable with a Truck that has a Crew Cab. Not to mention that when showing Land I often am in 4WD and driving properties.

When you see me driving down the road you can very quickly see that I am in Real Estate. There are several clues!

First of all, I do have a REALTOR® Licence Plate.

At the bottom it advertises that I am a member of the "ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®"

And my Plate says "ESTATE" I believe that tells you that I sell Estates and Land.

I have actually had people say to me "Oh, you are the ESTATE guy". Not bad advertising!

Next there is the side of my Truck!

I put my name and website on the side of my truck.

It matches my pin-striping and is not easy to remove.

I think this says I am serious about my business.

Finally, I have added a Wreath to the front of my Truck!

This is Virginia and I have been told that this is a very "Virginia" thing to do. I have done this for the last 7 years and I get a lot of wonderful comments!

Next time you see me driving down the road (now you can not miss me) Give me a Honk or even yell out a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hope your Holiday Season is filled with Blessings and Joy!

Mr. C

Charles McDonald

Associate BROKER at RE/MAX Assured Properties, Licensed to sell Real Estate in Virginia

(main) 434-515-1585 (cell) 434-981-1585 (fax) 866-527-9526

Brought to you by that guy who sells Charlottesville VA Real Estate

Search for Charlottesville Real Estate 22901 or Search for Crozet Real Estate 22932 in one great place!

Posted by Charlottesville Real Estate - Your Trusted Broker Charles McDonald on 11/28/2007 10:43 AM

Comments (85)

charlottesville, land, farms, ford

Originally posted at: Charlottesville Real Estate: Your Vehicle says a lot about your Business!

Post is included in group: VIRGINIA
Post is included in group: CHARLOTTESVILLE REAL ESTATE

85 Comments on Your Vehicle says a lot about your Business!

NOV

2007

Very sharp looking vehicle. I drive a Chevy Blazer with 4WD and have a personally plate that says SNDDOLLR for Sand Dollar Realty, my firm. I haven't seen a Realtor plate. Is that something that Virginia offers?

Merry Christmas, Charles!

ROB - It is something that is offered in Virginia!

AMANDA - M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S ! ! !

Charles,

You're a real mobile Christmas decoration...is the inside appropriately adorned also??? Thanks, Fran

I am going to get my wreath and my santa hat today! Great post and good reminder!

Charles- Great idea. I wish we could get plates like that in Washington State! Nice looking truck. I am in the process of deciding on a new vehicle myself. I might just go for a truck this time myself.

Lots of Realtors drive trucks here in Missouri as well. I have a small SUV, Honda CR-V, with nice mag signs and great mileage. The next car needs 4WD as I do a lot of rural work.

The expensive sedan or convertible that was a "Realtor car" in Florida definitely carries no water in the country! An SUV seems acceptable in the eyes of almost everyone, country or city. Nice idea about the wreath, I need to get one.

FRAN - just the outside... but that's an idea!

JEFFERY - I AM STARTING A CULT!!! LOL

SCOTT - A truck is very nice for showing property. Plus I can haul stuff too!!!

JUDITH - If you add the wreath I just ask that you say "Merry Christmas" a lot!!!

That's it, I am off to get my wreath and santa hat today ! Now, if I can only figure out how to get that Santa hat on this picture without having to take another ! MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Charles - How come you weren't wearing your Santa hat while you were taking that photo of your truck?

I bet that truck looks good on you! Great advertising.

Charles, these are all great ideas. I need to look into a few for my side of the world.

MELISSA - When I start sugesting "drinking the Cool-aid" Watch out! lol

I have a secret about the Santa Hat!

RYAN - You have a good eye!!! lol ... just got back from a walk with my wife :-)

MARY ANN - Thank you, and I enjoy it a lot!

DANNY - Take the ideas with my compliments!

Charles,

That's great advertising! I drive a 4WD Chevy Tahoe and I haul with that also, but not as good as a pick up. I did own a crew cab dually a while back, but it was tough to park. Plus, with a 450 engine, it was always thirsty. The good thing was it had 2 gas tanks. Once the one was empty, I switched over to the full one and filled up the empty one. Worked like a charm. Never ran out of gas. Loved to haul with it, too. Never hesitated on a hill no matter what the load. I guess I miss it.

Love that license plate. Too bad PA doesn't have an Association of Realtors plate.

BRIGITA - Thanks, I am not sure if that many states offer this plate.

I read that VIRGINIA is the most "vain" state because we have the most personalized licence plates. But I think that also has a lot to do with the fact that the cost is very reasonable....

I agree! I have a red suburban and the large side and rear windows are like my mobile bilboard. Everyone can see me driving around.

DAVID - great advertising!

Charles - I was just joking. I also noticed that you "grew" a beard, but it looks like that has all changed now too.

RYAN - no problem here! By Christmas my beard should be as long as Santa's!!!

Charles, the metamorphoses has completed?

DANNY - not until Christmas.... stay tuned

Charles - I agree with you. A realtor needs to take advantage of every marketing resource possible. Don't you know I am the only one at my firm with my truck plastered with my name on it!

A truck is the only way to travel. I have a GMC Sierra 2500. Everyone in our office with the exception of one drives a truck of some sort. We Okie's like trucks....

Hi Charles,

I too am a REALTOR® and use my truck for advertising.

Although I specialize in single family homes and lots, I love selling farms and acreage, too.

I am an active dresage competitor and also go on a lot of trail riding camping trips, so the big truck comes in very handy.

"Big" from the back

that's me driving "Big"

DALE - that will pay off big for you too!

TAMMY - I love a truck!

ELAINE - W O W ! ! ! ! !

NOW THAT IS A BIG TRUCK! I would have to say if we had a head on collision, you WIN!!!

I will never miss you driving down the road!

Thank you for sharing your photo's I just showed them to my son and he says you are "cool"!!!

Charles. I probably have to apologize for driving a full size Buick - we don't have many farms and estates, but we have a huge residential area so I drive for client comfort as well as mine, Karen

How do you attach the wreath, because now I want one too. I didn't know it was a "Virginia" thing, so I guess I better get on board. Happy Holidays!

Charles - love the license tag!!!! You have a great looking truck and have done all the advertising perfectly - but I would have expected nothing less than that from you!!!! Merry Christmas to you!!!!!

Charles you have it all man - No one is going to miss you :) I put in your request yesterday but didn't seem to do the trick - Oh well I tried.

Great advertising. I love the tag. Truck looks good. We always need 4wd out here in Virginia. I have SUV w/all wheel drive.

Charles - i was going to tease you about advertising on your truck but after seeing Elaine's truck, I'd say you need to take out a billboard to compete!! LOL

NOV

2007

The "Country Cadillac." I use my 4x4 pickup for real estate & home inspections here in Virginia. My wife would freak out if I hauled yard signs & posts in her back seat. ; )

HI Charles :-) And Merry Christmas... er soon any ways lol

I downsized for sure... in 2003 when I started as a Realtor I had a brand spankin new Chevy Trailblazer (it was a piece of pooh though) So I traded it for a brand spankin new Chevy Tahoe in 2004 and had a wrap put on it when I was at Coldwell Banker... Then in 2005 I got a brand spankin new Suburban and had beautiful signs on that too... it was actually very nice but got horrible gas mileage so in 2006 I traded for my Mercedes E320 4Matic. LOVE this car (accept for the fact that I just had another kiddo so I need a bigger vehicle lol) And no... I will not be putting signs on it lol

It dons a license plate that reads DRMKR3 (Dream Maker 3) since our office is the Alaska Dream Makers at RE/Max of Wasilla. One of the Realtors that hired me just got a dopplebenz (a twin car) and now there are 2 of us driving around lol DRMKR3 and DRMKR2

I only need the 4 wheel drive so I love my Benz, but I am saving for the GL which has 7 seats since we will take up 6 of those as a family.

Charles, the wreath on the front is precious! I would honk and wave if I saw someone with that on their vehicle. Nice job!

KAREN - no apologizes, your vehicle works for your area! makes sense to me!

CHELLE - Just a little wire through the Grill and twist it on the inside!

BARBARA and BILL - Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!

BILL - I hope no one misses me (or I miss them)!

STELLA - I was out showing a couple hundred acres and we were crossing creek beds and climbing hills. Try that without 4WD....lol

IRENE - no no no Elaine Wins!!! I know when I am beat :-)

KENNY - just makes good sense for a lot of areas. Now if I were in NYC... I would need a different vehicle... like a HUMMER!!! LOL

SARA - Sounds like you are going through a lot of vehicles! Best of luck!!

KRIS - You can copy my wreath if you like! just remember me at Chrstmas!

Mr. C

Charles, i like your truck. I need to get on the stick and do the same thing to my truck.

FRANK - Just do it!!!

Charles,

Gotta love the billboard on wheels! The wreath is a great touch. Really makes you look like a down to earth guy.... even though we all know you are really Santa Claus!

MARTIN - Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Gosh it has been two years since we have paid for our tags and they still havent sold enough yet to make them. Nice truck. :)

Nice Truck there Charles....it is a great tool for advertising..cheaper than a billboard!:)

Charles, nice truck! And a Merry Christmas to you, too!

Brian Wilson, Zolve.com

KEITH and ROBIN - is that your ride? Nice!!!

BLR - It is cheaper than a billboard and it moves too! lol

BRIAN - Thank you and

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too!!!

Yes, Charles, I will wish a Merry Christmas to one and all (whether or not I find a wreath to put on my vehicle!)

NOV

2007

JUDITH - I knew I could count on you!!!

WOW - nice truck! You are absolutely right, your vehicle is the best driving billboard!

THANKS! I like using a Truck for Real Estate. It works well in my area!

DEC

2007

Very interesting blog...love the trucks. If it works, go for it.

Love the truck and the wreath on the front, Happy Holidays! Maybe I should doctor up my mini van, right now the image is "Hey look a kid schauffer" hmm maybe that is because I have 3 boys I drive around!

Love the truck and the wreath! I had a Honda Passport when I started out and had magnets on the sides with a RE/MAX plate in front. I passed that down to hubby this year and bought an Infiniti G35(had graphics co design cutom plates for it) and let me tell you...I LOVE MY CAR! It looks and feels like a "big Dog" car, it is black with dark windows, leather, spoiler etc.I call it me Realtor Mob car! I sell primarily in a very upscale market and my slightly dilapidated SUV was not the thing.. My Infiniti gets up and goes like a demon, I have to be careful, Brentwood PD does not like people driving 70 in a 35 zone LMAO! It just seems to go fast all by itself. We have been thinking about replacing the Honda for gas issues(it guzzles the gas far worse than mine)but, I hate to give up the flexibility of having one vehicle at least, that can haul bigger stuff. Dunno we shall see...

DALLAS - Thank you, it works well!

MAREY - Add a Wreath or a Bow, very festive!

VANESSA - It sounds like you have the right vehicle for your area and business! Way to go, many people do not figure this one out!

DEC

2007

Hello Charles,

Love the Truck, it shows your commitment and that you take pride in what you do.

RONALD - Thank you!

DEC

2007

Elaine has you beat! But I am a Ford person myself and think you have a very nice truck! I have a F350 HarleyDavidson truck with the 9 inch lift kit, super chip and dual exhaust... so you wanna race? Let me know! :) Happy Holidays!

NAOMA - LOL, that is a BIG truck! My racing days are now in my past. But we could cross a couple creeks together!

Your truck is just too cool, clever and clean!!!!!!!! Best of luck to you and don't forget to remove the wreath before washing! Hee Hee, like in 7 years you hadn't gotten used to it!

NATALIE - Actually it makes it fine in a car-wash! I did it the first time by accident!!! lol

DEC

2007

Nice truck! All you need is some lights now on that wreath!

-Alex

DEC

2007

ALEX - Good to see you on my Blog! Actually I thought about lights on the wreath (it can be done with low voltage) but I did not want to look like an emergency vehicle!

DEC

2007

Nice ride Charles. Your vehicle lettering is classy. I have been planning to get the lettering done on the back window of my vehicle but haven't had time.

The wreath is very festive. :-)

DEC

2007

TONI - Thank you I tried to keep it clean!

DEC

2007

Yep, very Virginia thing to do. No one does it down here, but I don't think it would be the same. The ribbon looks much better in temperate climates. Nice work with the plate - excellent marketing!!

TCHAKA - Thanks!

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