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Do you drive your buyer clients around? Watch out for Sparky...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Northwest Equity Home Sales

And Fido, Buffy and Patches...

Sometimes I like to keep it short and sweet. This is one of those times. As I was on the way to show a listing this morning I remembered a rare time when I had clients in my car. Typically, unless a buyer client is unfamiliar with an area they will drive themselves around but this particular time I was the chauffeur.

I picked them up and was driving slowly through their neighborhood when a dog ran out in front of my car. Reacting quickly I stepped on the brakes but didn't stop soon enough. The dog was knocked to the ground, bounced up and ran off shaken but not seriously injured. Needless to say it made for a strange start to that day but they did buy a house. Do you take buyers out in your car or meet them at listings?

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Ron Trzcinski, 410-935-5844
410-935-5844 Office - Cockeysville, MD

Gene and Kim,

I let my clients drive in their own car, however I am willing to drive around a client who may be flying in from out of town.  By driving in their own car, they have the opportunity to discuss the homes that they have just seen without me being in their way and likewise, I have an opportunity to check and respond to some of my messages.

Nov 24, 2009 04:43 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I not only pick them up or meet them someplace and drive everyone in my vehicle, if a buyer insists on playing wagon train, if the tour that day is complicated and in a wide territory, I may just cancel and ask them to get another agent.

Not only do I want the conversation time with buyers, I want control.  Once the buyers and agent are apart, they don't talk about the properties or anything else. 

Time touring is very valuable.

 

Nov 24, 2009 04:44 AM
Gary Swanson
Century 21 Harris & Taylor - Grants Pass, OR

I let the buyers decide.  If they meet me at the office, I offer to drive.  Most of my buyers have been from out of town, so are not familiar with the area.

Nov 24, 2009 04:45 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Gene and Kim...

Getting them in the car helps you bond with them during those times in between showings. Why not make it productive time?

Nov 24, 2009 05:13 AM
Paul & Diane Boykin
Keller Williams Realty Greater Athens - Watkinsville, GA

I prefer to drive them (although I do meet them at a house sometimes, depending on if I know them and the logistics) but sometimes they drive if it involves kiddie seats.  Sometimes if they have children I ride with them and navigate.  I like to converse with them in the car and get more of their reactions to the houses that we see.

Nov 24, 2009 07:08 AM
Bill Lauler
Chase Realty LLC - McLean, VA
Associate Broker,CIPS,CRB,SRES,GRI

Hi Gene and Kim , We do take buyers out to see properties unless they have children that are secured in a child seat.In this case they will follow us.Checkout what your insurance rider add on to your car policy says.

Nov 25, 2009 12:03 AM
Bonnie Vaughan
Scranton, PA
CNE SFR - Buyers/Sellers - Lackawanna & Surroundin

Gene and Kim,  We do not have a hard fast rule.  If we are only meeting to show one property we meet the buyers at the home.  If we have a tour of homes we try to go in the same car.  Many young buyers bring along both sets of parents.  That makes it difficult to carry everyone around in one vehicle.

 

Nov 25, 2009 12:16 AM
Bob Cumiskey
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL
US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Gene and Kim, I personally like to take them in my car.  I know my town pretty good, and I always try to throw in a sightseeing tour as we go from house to house.  Our community offers so much, and I think most times, they are happy to have to opportunity to look around without worrying about making turns or getting lost.

Nov 26, 2009 09:28 AM
Gene & Kim Quinney
Northwest Equity Home Sales - Tacoma, WA

Very good points all. Thank you for your insightful comments.

Gene

Nov 28, 2009 05:47 AM