Real Estate Blog - A Tie or Not?

A Tie or Not?

As I was growing up I watched my father get dress for work everyday. He wore a suit to his job Monday - Friday no questions asked. Now this place was not required to wear a suit and tie but he was taught from his father to dress for success. He worked as an accountant for a major hotel chain working the third shift. No one ever saw him but in his mind if he looked and dressed the part he feels great. Fast forward 20 years and now he is the general manager of the hotel chain still wearing those suit. Do you feel that it is important to dress up for work or does the Casual Dress do better?

Ben

UPDATE: Since I had wrote this blog to the Active Rain People. I have began to set a trend my my office. Other Loan Officers are trying to complete with me as being best dressed because a lot of clients are telling me good things about my suits because they see every one elses jeans and polos and wondering that I might be the better choice. I love it. Thanks for ALL THE COMMENTS It really doees make me feel alot better being dressed for success. Thanks again and have a great blogging time

Posted by Q Q on 03/13/2007 10:09 AM

Comments (47)

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47 Comments on A Tie or Not?

MAR

2007

It all depends on your clientele and how you want to market yourself... I can claim to be "The Best Realtor in San Antonio" but how do I back that up if I'm wearing a polo shirt and jeans?

I wear business or business casual to the first client meeting and the next couple of showings. Once we get into inspection period and I've earned my clients trust, I typically will show up to inspections in jeans and polo. Call me wrong, but I don't want to go on top of a roof with an inspector wearing my nice dress slacks.

I say dress for success even if showing a farm. The clients seem to feel you know your business so I dress the part. Some days I would love to slouch around in jeans and sandals but that would be the time I get a walk in or a call for a quick showing. During work hours and on showings its a pant suit or other "smart" business attire as they say in Europe. I say tie it up.

Much of the attire issue is guided by the market you are in, the price range you are selling, above all else, the expectations of your client. As I live in the Sunshine State it gets hot in the summer - too hot at times - yet I will still wear a shirt and tie to my initial listing/pre-listing appointment. I do "dress down" somewhat after I have established a relationship. In my particular area there are agents who sell "beach side" properties. They dress very casual for a reason - they are selling a lifestyle! Some buyers are retiring to Florida and have that expectation. Of course, my favorite attire is a white shirt and tie which may very well be a reflection of my previous life as a Navy officer and healthcare administrator!

The bottom line is you need to feel comfortable, look professional, and dress age appropriate!

I dress for the occassion. I have and do show farms and being in a suit and heels just isn't appropriate for that setting. I have back up clothes with me in case I get that "just got to see it NOW" caller. I don't want to be in a skirt and tring to climb a ladder for the home inspection :) nor do I want to be in a pant suit and climb into a hay loft. Just not for me and my clients have never complained. Sometimes success is defined by the location. In a hotel, I agree, always wear your tie, but if you are on a ranch, you better have cowboy boots and a button up, long sleeved shirt to be taken seriously.

I use to be the V.P. of several different Banks throughout my career, and I always wore a suit everyday, six days a week. I now work as a Lender and its business casual. As I meet personally with a client, its back to the suit time. And as so many people have posted here, it depends on the clientele. Some people like to see us as normal people, and not the stuff shirt as I was for years. Keep smiling, I think your post had a lot of merit. I think your Dad had the right idea.

MAR

2007

I'm usually business casual, except if I meet a high end customer for the first time, then I wear white shirt and tie. I seldom wear the tie with Generation X, but I always suit up for closings!

I think you need to dress accordingly to your clients. If you have a high end client that is in a suit, then you need to do so also. If you have a first time homebuyer that may be intimidated easily, then you need to "dress down". For me, it's a matter of making my clients feel comfortable with me.

What I do:

I dress appropriately for the task at hand, but what is appropriate in New York may not be appropriate elsewhere. In Hawaii, khakis and an Aloha shirt are business attire.

At first meeting, on appointments and at closings, a suit, tie optional, but always a pocket square. During the hot summer months, a neatly pressed button-up collared shirt and khakis.

At inspections, construction sites and showings in inclement weather; sometimes jeans, but always a collared shirt.

You should never look dissheveled, but you should wear what is appropriate for the occassion and not too much jewelry (if you must wear jewelry). We are professionals, we must dress the part. Our customer/client doesn't need to see us dripping with gold.

When in doubt, wear a suit.

Know who your clients are. I have head of SLICK agents pulling up to a family listing with their record of 50 units sold last year and their high priced duds only to loose the listing to a frumpy part time agent who the sellers could relate to. Keep in mind your audience. Vice versa do not go to the 1M dollar listing in your Hawaian shirt unless your are in Hawaii.

MAR

2007

Get yourself a polo shirt with your company name embroidered on it, make sure you always have a fresh new looking shirt.

I have always dressed in that which does not itch. Your dress while it should be nice I think it has a lot to do with the community your in and the people you deal with.

I say dress to fit your market. Dressing for success means fitting in with your clients. This well study compliance technique called the Power of Similiarity.

MAR

2007

Thank you everyone for the great comments. I wear a tie everyday to work. Even though I am the only one that does so it is just funny we clients come in they think I am the manager. Funny Huh

Ben

MAR

2007

I bet wearing a tie every day when everyone else in the office doesn't will get you remembered-- by everybody (but especially the clients that note what you do...).

Dress for Success! I feel it is important to dress in business attire to present a professional image. There are times when I am out with family and friends working that I am business casual or if I am out showing Foreclosures, Land or Horse property. I keep a comfortable pairs of shoes and a pair of boots in the back of my car to change into if it is wet or muddy This allows me to take off my good shoes and slip on shoes that will allow me to go out and tour the property with my clients. I even keep a pair of jeans in my car incase it is a dirty or muddy situation. I believe Dressing Professional is important!

Benjamin,

You'll never regret dressing with respect for your potential clients.

Him: "Mike....why are you wearing a tie?"

Me: "Because you AREN"T."

I only wear a tie if I have a shirt on. Otherwise it looks tacky.

Just be yourself. If you are comfortable, confident, clean and neat, that is more important than what you are wearing. Sometimes I think the whole world has gone business casual...and I'm all for it. Even attorneys are now showing up at closings in khakis & polos. I like to work with relaxed people...I've even had clients tell me to please not dress up. It makes them uncomfortable. Go figure!

It is not the custom for Realtors to wear ties in Coastal NC. RE Attorneys do not wear suits and ties here either.

The only one that wears a tie in our office is our company owner and President, He is always meeting with the Community big- wigs.

Personally I never wear one!

Ginger

I think this really depends on the situation. Many of the younger buyers feel intimidated when you are wearing a tie. Most of the time I am business casual. I do dress up for closings.

MAR

2007

Coming from England, I have a back ground of wearing a tie, and I am not afraid or uncomfortable doing so. However, I have grown very used to being casual and my clients like that.

HOWEVER, I do find a lot of respect when I dress up for a competitive listing on the first meeting.

1st Impressions count, Huge. .

Dressed up for me is an Aloha short. Normally I wear Ping shirts that I have embroidered with mine and my companies name on it.

Aloha from Sunny Hawaii.

I from the old school as well as your dad. I believe in the shirt and tie even in Southeast Louisiana. Maybe I just like it. My clients all know i like business and Love real estate. Now in my 22nd year. I dont climb on roofs (any more).

No tie for me. Why? It's just not who I am. I wear polo or button down shirt and pants or sometimes jeans, no sneakers.

I like to dress for the occasion and what makes me feel like number one. When I do an open houses I like to wear a tie especially in a luxury home. When I am out door knocking a polo shirt with my Century 21 logo on it. I found while out door knocking the tie can get in the way if you help someone real quick.

Thank you for the great comments on wearing a tie or not. I have had great success with it. Just standing in line at a gas station has gotten me a deal.

Ben

I dress for success until I get the comfort level. I then may wear jeans and a polo. I take each client differently!

Your dad was right and so are you. Dress for success.

Think of it this way, you are responsible for coordinating several transactions a month involving Hundreds of Thousands of dollars..... you should look the part. Wear a suit, look like you are worth what you make, look like you are responsible.

Who would you rather trust with your home and $100K of your money, a professional looking person in a suit, or some phone jockey in jeans and a polo.

This is a critical post -- I heard it said at one point in my life that your attire is 90% of what you present to the world in your appearance. The 10% that's left is your head and your hands -- so wear the best, smile and clean your fingernails!! :)

- John Antes

I go business casual here in sunny and sweltering Las Vegas. When I worked in New Homes of course I wore a tie. However, I was inside all the time back then. Ties and 100 degree plus heat don't mix.

You'll never go wrong looking sharp, Benjamin. A tie is generally not appropriate for Southern California (dress shirts, polo shirts, or Aloha shirts tend to be the "uniform" for men in the mortgage business. Every now and then...you spot a shard dressed man and say "That guy is GOING somewhere"

Dress for success.

MAR

2007

Since you are helping people plan one of the largest financial comittments they will make in their lifetime, you shoudl dress to instill confidence. You don't want your client sitting there thinking "he could have put ona nice pair of pants," when you are trying to earn their trust.

I've always dressed appropriately. Usually a suit and tie or at least business casual. First impressions can be very important and if you want to be seen and respected as a professional you better look the part.

Ben,

When I go for a listing, I wear a shirt and tie, cannot wear the suit jacket too long as it is unbarable in this heat, I also will do the same when going to a closing, sometimes when I show prooerty, I will wear slacks, and a casual golf like shirt, I only will wear jeans into the office and maybe on a Friday or Sunday when with clients, generally it is always the shirt ,tie, slacks, or part of the suit.

Ben,

you're in Louisville - a fairly conservative community so being Banker-esque can't hurt you

at the same time, it can be intimidating to some people.

Remember when to take off the jacket to seem more approachable... and make a note when you do it... say, "Phew... sometimes it can get so stuffy in here" to let your clients know you realize that sometimes the image isn't of professionalism to them but of stuffiness.

Brian B said it right about South Florida too... your starch melts out of your collars within an hour if you're leaving the office.... more people wear open collared button downs because they're often cooler than polos... or Cuban/Camp shirts... since so many business people dress this way, it is easy to "dress to their level"...

I try to dress a little better than my client. But usually dress to impress on the first meet and follow their lead after that. I am not big on ties but rarely show a house in Jeans, unless it's a rehab or one of those "enter at your own risk" properties.

Living in the California Desert you'll never find anyone in a suit and tie, especially in the summer. I believe it's environmental. When I lived at the beach it was board shorts or regular shorts and a polo. Out here in Palm Springs, I've seen women show up in shorts and a bikini top.

I learned a long time ago from a Colorado Millionaire that it's best to dress in a fashion that makes you comfortable. He could tell the minute we met that I was uncomfortable in a shirt and tie. Since taking his advice my business soared. There's also a thought out there if you're dressed up it conveys your unwillingness to get "dirty," or do what it takes to get the job done.

APR

2007

I had just left my "gold jacket" broker and moved to United Country, a franchisee known for selling rural properties. Sitting at my desk, during my first week, I had a client walk in, wearing overall's; he asked to look at my shoes. My shoes?

Okay, I'm game. I showed him my shoes. He said, "Good. Finally. Let's go. I want to see...." He wanted to see a large farm, priced well over a half million dollars.

As we talked, the picture became clear. He had been in two other local offices that morning. The first, the broker had on a suit and "heels she'd break her neck in." The second, the agent had on a "skirt so tight I was afraid she'd break."

The client didn't feel comfortable with either of these agents - he said they would be "afraid to get out and get dirty."

I had jeans on. I had sensible shoes on. I had clean nails and I was ready to get a little mud on the tires.

I guess it really does depend on the market you serve.

I originally replied to this topic about 2 and 1/2 weeks ago, but I have been following it since. This post is one of my favorite active|rain posts yet.

To see how other folks are dressing in their markets is fascinating. This post is like Realtor Fashion 101.

For the record, it has begun to warm up here in NY. Today I dressed down with a pair of slacks and a company polo shirt.

This thread gets a "5" from me. Benjamin, glad to see you've taken some good advice. Best of fortune to you!

APR

2007

Its Crazy isn't it. I loved so far everyones comments and see the different styles of business fits all across the United States. Keep the comments coming because I am getting a great idea on what to wear when I go to New York to Las Vegas, Thanks again for all the comments and keep em coming

BEN

APR

2007

I see top producers doing business in tee shirts and jeans. That is not dressed up to me. If that works for them, it may work for the rest of us who go out in dressy clothing, and are not top producers.

I was told to dress "like I deserved to get paid" so nothing less then business casual - always! I had to do the tie thing at other jobs for years, so I rarely wear one. But I believe we can and must look nice and professional at all times. Gets pretty warm here in 'Hotlanta too!

I think it is important to look professional, especially when meeting clients for the first time. I think for all the reason's of looking experienced and well put together...BUT also to look confident! And I don't mean just to snag them in for the deal, I think it is important for your safety also...In situations where we are going to be with clients by ourselves, if we keep it professional and look confident, then you keep yourself out of a submissive position. As long as you are in control, then you are safer.

So I think there are many profitable reason's to look professional, but also to keep you safe and confident!

APR

2007

I truly believe in what you are saying. I was taught (unsure whether in school or by dad) that I should always try to dress for the job above what I was doing. If I was floor salesman, then dress the part of management. If management then try to dress the part of a CEO.

So I try to wear a tie on most days, suits if I can. If it is a casual day, I still try to make sure I have an extra tie and button down at the office just in case. That way if I do need to go out and hike that land or go to that inspection, afterward if I need to meet a client I am ready. There are too many "casual" people out there now, who have lost that "pro" touch. Just my $.02.

Thanks for listening.

T.M. Real Estate

APR

2007

Casual business or suit are always required. Shirt and tie minimum

APR

2007

Yes, dress in the most expensive cloths you can afford, look sharp all the time, when you do you will feel sharp and business will be attracted to you.

Charles Parrish

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