How often have you walked up to a real estate office and found chewing gum on the sidewalk, spilled chocolate fudge bar remnants or black marks from bicycle tires or skateboarders? I did a quick survey the other day when I went cruising over the hill to the next city and drove by all the real estate offices, 50% looked like that, I took some pictures and then thought the better of posting them here.

No need to give negative PR to real estate companies in this market, and yet, look what they are saying about themselves and think what this says about their businesses and image. So much for local branding; quite frankly, I would have been humiliated and if I were a realtor, well you wouldn't catch me hanging my license in such a pig sty.

Now then, someone ought to tell these folks that for about $100 to $250 per month they can hire a professional pressure washing service to come and clean that off and make it look like the day it was put in. How do I know this? Well, I had presently been heavily involved in such cleaning service business industries. Look, here's the deal - you wouldn't show a home that way would you? So, why on Earth would you allow your Office to look like this way?

You must clean up your Real Estate Office Exterior and prevent your real estate office from presenting a disgusting image, as it detracts from your Professionalism. Clients and walk-ins see this and the minute they do your credibility goes to a near zero and it's all up hill from there. Something to contemplate in 2008.

If your real estate office looks like this, please present your best excuse and final answer to why you think this is acceptable by commenting below. Thanks very much.