Home : Blogs : Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate : Kathy McGraw's Real Estate and Life Blog

Monday Morning....The Pink Big Wheel & Real Estate Gas Saving tips

One for the money and two for the show....grab your coffee, and let's go go go :) Yep, it's Monday, Happy Monday again. Today I want to make sense of why gas prices are outrageous, and I want to make sense of why so many families can't afford the basic food items anymore, let alone $5 for a gallon of gas. But I won't.....I can't or I would start my week off on a very down note. So what I will do is be thankful for the things I've learned that will save me gas money :)

Gas Saving tips for REALTORS

Here are some gas saving tips and how we can use them in our Real Estate Business.

Drive smoothly- those quick "Honey Stop the Car" riders on our signs will not help any of us save gas....maybe we should make some riders that say: Over Priced, as-is where is sale- won't fix anything , or Pool looks like a swamp might have critters. At least with some realistic riders our clients won't want to stop at every house, and we save gas :)

All of us~ Stagers, Lenders, Home Inspectors, and Agents have to drive at some point for our Clients. But how many of us use our common sense and think that time is money when it comes to gas prices? Ok, you need gas and there are 2 stations a block ahead of you....one has your octane of gas at $4.99 a gallon, and the other one is $5.02.....after your initial OUCH....think about it.

How many of you would wait in line at the cheaper station.....idling your car? Wasting your gas? I know I did for the longest time, until I figured out I was only "saving 48 cents!" Yep, with a 16 gallon tank , on complete empty I was only saving 48 cents, and sitting in a long line for up to 20 minutes....so not worth it :) If time is money, that would mean my time is only worth pennies.

Ok, another gas saving tip ~ Real Estate signs.....how many signs do you have in your car? All that extra weight adds to a decrease in mpg, it costs money to have the golf clubs, signs, and everything and anything in the trunk. I just recently cleaned mine out to help me save money on gas. I'm not sure yet if it's working, but it can't hurt :)

Go slower.....now that one is the hardest one for me. Our freeways in California are either 65 or 70 miles per hour, depending. But come on, what that really means, at least in my area, is that if you are going slower than 80..move over to the slow lane cuz you'll get run over :) So, slowing down might be the hardest of all the gas saving tips out there. But when tit comes to tat, slowing down does save gas, and we need our cars, with gas, to do a lot of our work.

Last but not least, when all else fails......bum a ride from the Buyers :)

"Why yes Mr. Buyer, I would love to show you some homes, but hey I can't afford the gas. Will you pick me up, I'll be glad to show you whatever you want." Something tells me this won't fly very well with prospective clients :)

We can't do anything about gas prices, that's for sure.....but we do have control over our attitudes, and how we handle our frustration.......after all what is a Real Estate Agent without a car? We will do what we have to do........that is the gift for the day: do what you have to do, and don't fret about what you have no control over.

And if all else fails, I'll take the Pink Big wheel please :) :)

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty

Posted by Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate on 06/09/2008 02:18 AM

Comments (43)

monday morning gifts, real estate agents, fun, humor

Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: e-PRO Internet Technology
Post is included in group: POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul
Post is included in group: SO CAL Pass Area Communities and other Interests

43 Comments on Monday Morning....The Pink Big Wheel & Real Estate Gas Saving tips

JUN

2008

Hiya Kathy! Buenos dias! (Sorta, not really...) I wonder, any Agents out there sending their clients mileage re-imbursement forms? Hehe...but I bet you all want to huh?

Kathy, we can sit and complain about life and $5.00 a gallon, or we can deal with it (you know, brush your shoulders off) and move on. (But I'll admit, $5+ sure isn't pretty)

Were just hitting $4.00 a gallon here. I went to pick up some groceries and a gallon of milk was $6.00 can you believe that! Can't complain cause that will just drive us more insane.

Kathy - I have definitely found myself slowing down, coasting, throwing it into neutral and all the other tricks that are to work. It is what it is and there is nothing we can do about accept try and adapt! Great tips in your post!

Hi Kathy, Complaining won't help - that is for sure. But, I do ask that buyers follow me. I've done that for safety and convenience - but, now it serves another purpose. If they aren't seriously looking to buy now, they won't want to waste their own gas. I'm wondering how people are going to continue affording these prices. I think a lot of us will have to re-evaluate our budgets - ie. the drive to the beach will cost a little bit more than last year.

Good Monday Kathy,
First thing, what are you doing up at 2 AM? For heaven's sake, get some sleep!

Yeah, complaining about the price of gas does nothing but put us in a bad mood. I put $150 worth of gas in my car last week and it's on Empty again! Kinda hard to smile about that. But, there is a bright side which I am concentrating on.....I was showing property! But hey, I do like the idea of bumming a ride with the client...try it and let me know how that works out. I have thought about a scooter with a side car for the clients but then if they have kids....can you hook a wagon onto a scooter?

It is very difficult to save gay especially in DC which has severe traffic problems. But I did enjoy your hints and will use many of them.

Why cant my buyers drive me around? Its crazy on the gas prices. I used 60.00 this weekend showing homes LOCALLY!

The cost of doing business is on the rise that is for sure, I will pay what I have too. One more thing while venting, it really makes me made when gas prices rise when a store hasn't received any new deliveries. That is just taking advantage of the situation.

Several reasons to drive your clients when on serious house hunting trips.

1. The mileage is deductible for agents. It is not for the consumer.

2. If you let your buyers do the driving in their vehicle, you lose control. It's a matter of the superior and inferior position vis-a-vis power. Don't give up the power. We are the experts. We know the market. We know the area. We TAKE and SHOW our buyers the best homes on the market. We do not let our buyers control what we see because they are not the experts.

Use your position to help buyers make good home buying desitions. We're investing a few dollars in gasoline to receive a hefty commission check. The buyers are used to getting everything for free. Don't let them have to fill up with $4 gasoline and remember that they drove while your car sat.

Don't give your buyers the opportunity to even think that you're not sufficiently successful to be able to do your job of showing homes. It will cost sales in the long run.

Kathy, I agree with Lenn that we should always drive our clients not the other way around. Last week, I was astonished when one of my clients insisted on filling up my tank. I told him "No really. It's a business expense for me." He said that he insisted and pulled out his credit card even though I told him it would cost about $70 to fill the tank. That was the first time a client has ever done that for me.

By the way, a friend sent me the following in an e-mail the other day:

Want to save gasoline?
a) fill tires to the right air pressure;
b) buy gas when it's cold out;
c) empty your car of junk;
d) dont top off the tank;
e) accelerate & brake gradually/glide to stop lights;
f) know precisely where you're going before you leave;
g) use the correct grade of motor oil;
h) change your air filter at recommended intervals;
i) don't idle the engine;
j) use on overdrive gear, if your car has it (reduces engine's speed to save gas).

And if you drive a hybrid:
a) with hybrids, actually accelerate quickly from a stop. NOT gradually;
b) coast or use cruise control whenever possible;
c) brake gently to recover braking energy to the battery.

Kathy,

Bad enough to have to pay $5.00 bucks a gallon...my SUV seemed to be on empty pretty quick..only to find out the engine was screwed up and had to spend over 1K fixing a few things...one being my fuel pump that was sucking gas at abnormal levels.

Kathy, Thanks for the great tips. I have decided to show homes within a certain radius and refer other buyers to agents in the area..

Good points..The best way to save gas...remove all "overpriced, won't sell listings"!

I've been doing car pooling for showings. Here many times buyers follow the agent, now I suggest car pooling and swapping off...I drive one day, you the next. Seems to work. I notice open house traffic is way down!

Kathy, I think we have to drive smarter when showing properties. Plan your trips ahead of time. There are free programs available that will allow you to plug in the properties addresses and it will print out an economical route to take for saving gas.

Good Post!

I like that "bum a ride from the buyers" it might decrease the amount of homes they want to see!

Kathy, I have definitely slowed down. My husband rides his motorcycle to work more often now too. I was showing Saturday and told my client that I was going to take her out looking at homes on the motorcycle next week, she laughed. She wont laugh when I hand her the helmet? Not really. LOL. I have absolutely cut back on running here and there, and consolidated trips.

We are to $4.50ish a gallon, not quite $5.00, but you all out in California always have to be the first at everything ;0)

Kathy,

Every little bit helps...and pray for JC Bell to get his new system up and running that'll replace 2/3 of our current overseas oil demand with 'home grown' waste produced fuel!!! Thanks, Fran

Hey..I like the picture...my goodness...you're staging your stuff pretty good for blog posts..cool! Now...I paid $4.06 a gallon yesterday and it was almost 50 bucks for a half tank. Now, that's yuk. But Lenn is correct. We get to deduct and we have control if using our own cars. I surely don't want to be stuck with control freaks who drag me for twice the time around .... :) I can't stand that...get kidnapped...reminds me of what happens when I get in mom's car. It's really traumatic so I haven't gotten in her car for about 4 years lol!

Kathy,

I always take people in my car...I have control issues! LOL

Seriously, I don't want them coming back on me saying I always made them drive. A lot of the time they'll just meet me at the house. This is only after I know them!! Somethings going to have to be done about this gas issue for sure!

Ricardo my friend~ you were up bright and early this morning. All Real Estate Agents get to deduct the gas as others here have said. We have a choice to go by milage, or actual expenses, and at $5 a gallon, it might be better to go this route, this time :)

Jeannette- $6 for Milk...oh my. But you're right, what good is complaining? Hang in there....

Leesa- Good for you, and you hit the nail on the head. I feel they have us where they want us, and there's nothing much we can do but adapt. A big campaign of Protest might work, but hey we can't even get 10 REALTORS to agree on something, How are we going to get everyone to say enough is enough in a useful way?

Linda- Great comment!!! If a buyer isn't serious they might not want to waste their gas!!! I wasn't serious about bumming a ride with a buyer....:) Like you, I have them follow me.

Hi Kathy,

You crack me up, I don't think I know how to slow down...:)

Cynthia- Up at 2....easy I was working on my Posts, and "thinking" :) Funny I went to bed at 2:30 and wouldn't you know it one of my Agents thought it OK to call me at 7:40 this morning to complain about another Agent!!! What were they thinking LOL :) This is why I work late at night.....no distractions......

Hey I love your scooter idea :) Can you just see it now...a "Petite" Military Relocation Specialist driving one of those old motorcycles with a side-car ...now that is cute :) Oh, and kids, they only get to go see houses in a good economy....not now :) Disclaimer for those that don't read everything: this is a joke LOL :) :)

Have a good week, and you're right at least you're showing, and the others are right too, that when you close a deal, more of that money will be rebudgeted to Gas.

Dana- I understand perfectly....not all of us can save a lot, but we all can save some :) If nothing else make every trip count.

Laura- I understand about the Locally, and now many Agents might have to reconsider and actually refer things out that aren't local.

Greg- Venting is good sometimes....it ticks me off too that this is the new excuse for everything, and I do mean every rise in price......for everything.

Lenn- Once again wisdom personified :) I love your statement, "Don't give your buyers the opportunity to even think that you're not sufficiently successful to be able to do your job of showing homes. It will cost sales in the long run."

Oh, and as a side note I was kidding about bumming a ride :) I still have pride, that was paid for a long time ago LOL :) :)

Brian- your comment brought back a memory from several years ago. A prospective client put gas in my car when we ran out runnning around in the desert. Like you, I stated No several times, and he insisted.......

Your list is one that I think many of us have memorized :)

Neal- Oh no ...that's a double whammy for sure :) Now with the repairs hopefully the gas lasts longer .

Gita- Yep, I am at that point too. And this has really made me re-evaluate keeping my second office open. You are wise in that decision in my opinion.

Gary- Cute....I love reality masked as creativity :)

Monika- Now that's a clever solution. Is this with other agents in your office, and are they driving to each of your homes?

Michael- You said it perfectly- plan your trips ahead of time. Some of us aren't used to this, but it does cut down on some of that just get in the car and go mentality :) Thanks for that contribution.

Charles- Yep :) Nice to see you again, and thanks for coming by......

Audrey- Thanks for the laugh...yes, dang California, it has the highest gas prices in the country!! And I might live here but you could be first for a change as far as I'm concerned... LOL :)

Fran- Hi there :) I don't know about all that but I agree that every little bit helps :) Thanks, and hope all is well, and that you don't have to drive the kids around too much .....

Sally- So you like my graphic ~ thanks, it was fun setting it up :) Neighbors might have thought I was crazy but that's OK :)

Well, I will make sure when you come here that you have your own rental car....god forbid I drove you guys somewhere and you had a panic attact of being out of control ....LOL :)

Linda- No wonder you and Sally hit it off so well....all those control issues..... LOL :) Seriously, yes, something does need to be done, enough is enough. So many bad policies are now biting us in the behind......and I can say that I'm tired of it!!! Hey want to start a VOW...just kidding I want face to face interactions with people, even if it does mean we have to drive.

Suzanne- Oh you'd do well in my area out here.....what's that saying petal to the metal :) For me, 55 is like crawling.

Hi Kathy,

Good thought provoking post! The easiest thing everyone can do to get better mileage without any effort at all is to... SLOW DOWN. Every car is different as far as all the factors effecting mileage, but generally your average mileage drops rapidly as you exceed 55 - 60 MPH.

Ricahrd- So true....that is certainly a painless response to the situation. thanks you for coming by and leaving your comment, it is appreciated.

Kathy, Although I didn't get on here until Monday Night, I love your Monday Mornings :) And especially the one about going slower, I think we'd get rammed if we slowed down around here! Have a wonderful week.

Carole -Driving slower to save gas has been told to us for many many years, but as you'd get hit if you drove too slow LOL :) Hey, tomorrow I am doing a Post you might want to read :)

I loved the comment about waiting in line for cheaper gas with the car running to save 48 cents. Yes you hit the nail on the head.

Susan- I swear when I figured that out I felt like a real idiot....48 cents :)

JUN

2008

Hi Kathy, long time since I've been here. I love this post. I find that Larry and I ride to work more often now...and I can't believe how much more gas is in Banning than other surranding areas. I just don't get it.

Larry is considering a motorcycle to keep his indendance...and to think years ago we bought a diesel truck because milage was better and fuel prices were cheaper, well not anymore. LOL!

We were just joking with each other a few days ago about how we should buy gas daily because if we wait until our tank is completely empty the prices will jump up 20 cents a gallon!!!

I hope all is well with you. Take care...Cheri

Hi Cheri- Yes it has been awhile since I've seen you on here....and what a nice surprise. I have been shocked at how our gas is more expensive than other areas.....always has been, and I think it's a shame. but what to do, before I would fill up out of town, now I don't have that luxury :)

My daughter had a little diesel and we were happy like you because the prices were so much lower.....now it' crazy....just crazy! And your joke on buying gas daily isn't so farfetched as we'd like to hope :)

Don't forget about the Pass Area Group for any of your Posts....and check this out, I actually made an outside blog.....it will be previewed next week. I like it, but of course another learning curve :)

Those prices are crazy aren't they? If the boss won't let me buy a new Harley I might just go low tech and get a mule. That won't look funny to new buyers will it? :)

Smart post! We all need to sit back and think how we can conserve!

office tours for new listings should be a thing of the past ...virtual tours on all listings .... Realtor .com should provide at the basic broker level .... Yes they could do the Go Green Thing and JUST DO IT ! But they will not

I ask the buyers, your car or mine- if they answer YOURS, I say Wrong Answer- that's so old school to think that I am a chauffeur- besides have you seen ME drive- ?- just kidding of course. have a great day cheryl

Kathy~ The pink big wheel is looking better and better.

Well, I guess a bike could do... how about one like Dorothy rides (or the wicked witch rides) in the Wizard of oz with Toto in tote in the basket ...... LOL:)

JUN

2008

Kathy.....these are some great tips and simple to follow. thanks for sharing.

Kathy, bumming a ride sounds good...

I wonder what it would cost to feed a horse?

Maybe a bicycle?

Ethenol? You gave good tips. I will try and remember to quit driving 80!

Later in the rain~Deb

JUN

2008

Deb- thanks for dropping by...horses cost almost as much as gas.....:)

JUN

2008

We as a people need to follow a strategy that affects the demand side of the equation. Someone in another blog suggested boycotting one or two stations and oil companies and force them to start a price war.

I'm foolish enough to think it would work if done in mass. What do we have to loose? We as a culture today have lost our revolutionary spirit. Jefferson, Washington and Hancock would not have accepted this without a fight.

Feeding and stabling horses is probably more expensive than gas and that concrete will wear out their hoofs. Also most Americans are too obese to get upon a horse. The horse might just mount us and go for a trot.

Find a Notary- Horses I doubt are the answer....as you said they can be expensive too, and they don't do well in Underground garages. Now as to the boycotts, I am not sure if they would work either. We are so diverse now, not the same as when Washington, Jefferson, and Hancock were alive and influencial. Now it'st hared to get any number of people to not only agree on something, but to take the time to "make a difference".

We have many consequences occuring from bad government and bad decisions and gas prices is just one of them.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?