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Do your clothes matter?

By Matthew Meli

Real Estate Agent with M and T property management LLC

April 03, 2007 06:46 PM

In an office setting, I have always triedto look my best any time I go there. I have walked into closings and people are wearing jeans. Now I know that a lot of people don't "dress the part". I have been thought that what you wear is important.

I would never dress in jeans any time that I am working. I at least wear dress pants and a nice shirt. What's the deal? Has the office changed at some point and I didn't get the memo?

What do you think? Should an office have a dress code? More and more places seam to not care. One last thing, What's the deal with people going to the store in sleep wear?

Matt the MARINE say's sound off, and let me know what you think.

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Mike Mitchell

Kee Realty - Saint Clair Shores, MI

REALTOR (R)

Good post Matt....... I agree with you Laura, Dress for Success! but yes sometimes it is ok to dress down in certain situations like showing farm property or vacant land etc.

Apr 14, 2007 10:40 AM

George Tallabas

RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID

Idaho Real Estate

Matthew, read my post This Realtor Changed His Attire And Saw His Life Change Before His Eyes that has received nearly 200 comments and is still being read even though I wrote it well over a month ago.

Apr 14, 2007 10:45 AM

Kevin Raymund Lao Jacinto

Coldwell Banker Pioneer Real Estate - Moreno Valley, CA

I think appearance is a major deal. Especially for a young guy like me at 22 yrs. old. But overall the major and the bottom line is how you approach your clients and preparation. Clients can sniff out people who aren't prepared and don't know their "stuff". In conclusion, dressing well is important, but the key is approach and preparation. Much continued success to you!

Kevin Raymund Lao Jacinto

Coldwell Banker

Apr 14, 2007 11:53 AM

Susan X

www.propertyauctionsusa.com - Mission Viejo, CA

Good point Kevin, approach and preparation are very important. Without that a person is just "a suit", huh?

Shauna~

Apr 15, 2007 04:41 PM

Anonymous

Angela Fox

Great point! I think you always have to be dressed for success. Nt that you have to be in a suit everyday. But if you run into your best client at any given point of your day...will you feel comfortable with what you are wearing? It always seems that day that "I just run into the office to pick something up" wearing jeans, I end up for the office for a few hours wishing I had either not worn jeans that day or not run in the office...as a quick 'run into the office' is next to impossible!

Apr 15, 2007 04:52 PM

#47

Anonymous

Karla Davis

I once heard this phrase.."Dress for the job you want, not the job you have" having said that, if this is the job you want, dress well.

I met with a Realtor at a client's house for the first time before beginning my first day of staging. I was wearing capri pants and a polo collared shirt to do the work. The agent was wearing black gaucho pants (They really are not intended for the workplace FYI!) and a low cut black top. Her nails were chipped and not neatly kept and my impression of her was that she is lazy. If it was a day off to stop over it might have been one thing but she told us she was in for a quick hello and off to do a showing! Well my initial thoughts on here were correct, she turned out to be a lazy Agent. Furthermore, she never returned any of my emails or phone calls.

I dress in a suit for every consultation. I believe that my professional attire sets the stage that at professional is visiting, not some woman who does staging part time while taking care of her kids to make some money.

First impressions cannot be redeemed.

Apr 16, 2007 04:14 AM

#48

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Wow, awesome discussion! Karla is right...first impressions cannot be redeemed. If you are meeting ANYONE for the first time you should always present your best...STAGE YOURSELF!

HHMMM, I'm feeling a BLOG opportunity coming on......

Apr 16, 2007 09:30 AM

Amber Bourland

Ozarks' Independent Realty - West Plains, MO

I disagree with a few of the comments on here about the need to dress professionally at all times. But I am also in an area where walking farmland or woods is far more likely than showing country-club homes. I do wear jeans, most of the time. Sneakers or hiking boots, too. I do dress business casual for closings. Usually. I sell mostly foreclosures so many of the properties I enter are filthy at best, so I keep an extra set of clothes in my trunk, just in case. I am not aware of losing any deals or clients because of my casual attire, but I am aware of gaining a client who left his former agent because she wouldn't even walk property with him (high heels and a skirt w/nylons are not conducive to walking woodland). Heck, I even splurge and bring the bug-spray with! If people cannot see more to me than the clothes I happen to be in at the time, sorry- I would rather not do business with them, anyway!

Apr 19, 2007 06:20 AM

Ken Jansen

Prime Development Land CO LLC - Overland Park, KS

REALTOR, CRS, 913.908.2215

I have tried suits and I have tried Khaki's with a button down shirt. I was equally successful either way. I think it is most important to meet or exceed your clients expectations. If the people they see all day in business are wearing suits and ties, the clients would expect me to be in a suit and tie. If they do most of their business in Khakis and oxford shirts then I would wear that. I had an interview for a subdivision where the developer showed up in shorts and a t-shirt. He is a Multi-deca-millionaire. So I think...it depends...that is my final answer, Regis.

-Ken

Apr 19, 2007 12:36 PM

Lisa Hill

Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Real Estate

Our office has a dress code, which is kind of annoying when you don't have any appointments and want to be comfortable on a "paperwork" day. But I totally believe in dressing for success; making a good impression, etc. I TRY to always wear a suit to my first meeting with a new customer. I say "try" because I live in Florida and sometimes it's more professional to dress semi-professional and not be dripping sweat, than to wear a suit and be soaked. And for closing-absolutely! Wear the suit!

Apr 20, 2007 04:36 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Yes, how you dress does matter. That doesn't mean an agent should always be dressed in a suit, however. Our clients consider this a casual appointment, and I think they are more comfortable if we wear business casual for looking at properties. But then, we should be dressed in business attire for settlements and other strictly business situations. This depends on the market, of course. I'm outside D.C., so the dress code is a little stiffer than some other parts of the country.

Apr 22, 2007 01:07 AM

Jackie Colson

Homeward Real Estate - Tampa, FL

Miller,Tampa Real Estate - www.RealEstateSizzle.com

Professional dress depends on your market, your clients and your activity that day. I prefer to be in a suit, or dress, but not for a home inspection or if my clients are more casual. I am in Vienna this week for my CIPS class. Every man, young and old, wears a suit to work EVERY day and they wore suits to class every day. What a change from the US! Something has changed, for the worse, since "dressing down" has become so acceptable. They also have very little crime...think about that...how many criminals do you see committing crimes in a suit and tie?

Jackie Colson-Miller of The Real Estate Sizzle.

Apr 22, 2007 02:11 AM

Anonymous

Carol R. Ellis

YES!!!!

In Charlottesville, Virginia, where I was raised, not only do clothes matter--looks matter. Most real estate agents DO dress well. Association meetings, closings, even a trip into town means dressing if you know what is good for you. It depends on clientele. Most people who utilize stagers are upscale and it is best to look the part. I tend to be a slouch around the house if I think I will be in the loft on the computer all day. I can't even get away with that anymore. I have to do the hair , make up and jewelery thing and be ready to bolt on a moments notice. When you work from home, at least for me, I feel more professional if I am ready for anything. I didn't say I LIKED it though!

Apr 22, 2007 07:22 AM

#55

Antoinette Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP

Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ

There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!

Closings & first few meetings with clients = business suit

Next few meetings w/clients & open house (unless it's a $1M+ home) = business casual

If I ever have to run out of the house looking like a slob, it's only for a quick errand.

I will NEVAH EVAH understand the jammies & slippers thing in public!!!

Apr 22, 2007 07:38 AM

Antoinette Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP

Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ

There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!

One more thing...our office has a dress code policy for desk time and caravan. Desk time requires business attire; caravan, no less than business casual. If you're in the office working on a mailing or whatever, not a problem, dress as you please.

Apr 22, 2007 07:41 AM

Matthew J Blum - (retired from the business)

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

I agree you should dress for sucess. I do..

Apr 22, 2007 07:51 AM

David A. Podgursky PA

THE PODGURSKY GROUP @ Re/Max Direct - Boynton Beach, FL

THE PODGURSKY GROUP - Make the Right Move!

Clothes?

you guys get dressed?

man - you must not be busy enough!

I'm lucky to make it to the bathroom in the mornings!

hahaha

in South Florida things are more relaxed... too hot to dress up all the time... I believe down here it is important to dress "to the level"... the level of the clients you are seeing... if you know they're shorts and tee shirt types - then a tie might be intimidating... if they're tie people, then you HAVE to wear a tie.

Chris - I always heard of Muffin Tops as wearing shoes that were way to small and spilling out the top! and whaling?? haha...

Apr 22, 2007 08:00 AM

Ethan Dozeman

Realty Executives Platinum Group - Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate in Grand Rapids

I like to wear khaki slaks and a button up long sleeve shirt, I can role up the sleeves if it gets to hot out

Apr 22, 2007 02:50 PM

Andy Kaufman

Better Homes & Gardens Mason McDuffie Real Estate - Berkeley, CA

East Bay Sales & Investments

I think that mirroring your client is a good initial rule of thumb.

I usually dress up for initial meetings with our clients. I also wear pressed jeans, but always with button down shirts.

I'd probably classify my dress as the business casual version of the geek dress code in Silicon Valley.

Apr 25, 2007 04:24 PM

Dominick Gaccino

Dominick gaccino - Peekskill, NY

Inside staff i dont think matter, they can dress down-to an extent....................they should dress up when impt guests are coming thought.

Outside sales yes you have tro dress the part. You look like a player and people will want to deal with you. I always dress in suits when i meet clients. Always clean shaven as well.

lets be honest do you want to deal with someone who looks like a mtg professional or a guy who looks like hes on the way to a ball game?

If you show you look sucessful then people will associate that with you and feel more confident with you at 1st.......after that you are on your own to deliver

to a certain extent it is the same with the car you drive........you want to deal with guy driving a mercedes or a yugo?

Image is everything to gain business. Then you have to deliver.

DOMINICK GACCINO

Fisrt Suffolk Mortgage Corp

Apr 25, 2007 05:06 PM