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Professional Attire or Jeans & T-Shirt: What Say You?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Alpha Prosperity Management

Maybe it's me, but how difficult is it to put on a pair of slacks or skirt and a shirt with a collar or jacket when meeting with a client? I think professional attire should be required for the job.Our attire sets the tone for our business and the relationships developed from that business. Looking professional says that your time is important and that you are not in the business to mess around. Set the tone for how you want your clients to respond to you. If you want them to respond to you in a timely, professional manner, then dress the part. If you want a casual, no rush kind of response, wear the jeans and t-shirt. There is nothing worse than meeting an agent for the first time and they are wearing jeans. 

I experienced this a long time ago when dealing with an agent that was showing me a home for the first-time. We met him during my lunch hour, so naturally I was dressed in business attire. Imagine my thoughts when he showed up in jeans and t-shirt. Immediately I thought, this guy is not going to show me anything to the caliber of what I want to purchase. I could have been wrong, but I didn't stick with him long enough to find out.

As a Real Estate Assistant, I make it a point to dress professionally at all times when working. If I have no outside activities or appointments that day, I still get up, get dressed in slacks and a shirt before I go into my office and take phone calls or log into the computer.  We must take our business seriously and give a 100% effort everyday. You know what they say, "Clothes make the man." (or woman in my case). We must be prepared to market ourselves at all times. Think about it, when you go to the grocery store, do you seek out and buy the dented, banged up cans of vegetables on the shelves? No you don't. Take that same principle and apply it to marketing yourself. 

What does your attire say about you and how many clients have you won or lost because of it? Just something to think about.  

Always Virtual,

Courtney Fontenot,

NAR Certified Real Estate Professional Assistant

Alpha Prosperity Management

Office/Cellular: (713)516-7046         Office/Fax: (281)778-9528

Email: Courtney@alphaprosmgmt.com

Website: www.AlphaProsperityManagement.com

Alpha Prosperity Management

   "Administrative Solutions for Your Business Success"

Kelly McDonald
Lagrange, KY
Courtney, good points.  I always try to dress up the first few times I'm with a client.  Once we establish a rapport, then I may dress down a little, but nothing too crazy.  The only exception to this rule would be if I were going to show vacant land or a farm or something like that where I know the person is going to want to walk the property.  Never a good idea to wear dress shoes (especially heals) when you're walking uncharted land! :)  Thanks for posting!
Sep 21, 2007 07:46 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com
I've found it easier to dress more formally than I think the occasion requires... of the two potential errors that seems to be the more sure way to go.
Sep 21, 2007 07:57 AM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

A coach once told me..  As a Realtor you are always "on" wherever you go you will run into clients, either past, present or client-prospects .. remember to look the professional you are.

I once read a guideline that I try to follow,  don't over-outdress your clients.  If your clients are jeans and teeshirts, then wear slacks and a comfortable shirt or blouse.  If your clients wear business casual wear the same, if they wear business suits definitely wear a business suit.  Some clients that are in jeans and teeshirts they can be intimidated by your stuffy business suit. 

Its a fine line sometimes but well worthwhile to try to fit into your clients lifestyle and still remain professional.  I too find it difficult to put someone in a successful business position if they are showing up with a tanktop and tattered jeans and flipflops.  (yes, I have seen it). 

 

Sep 21, 2007 09:54 AM
Courtney Fontenot
Alpha Prosperity Management - Missouri City, TX
NAR Certified REPA, REW
Glad I am not alone on this thought. Thanks for sharing your thoughts you guys.
Sep 21, 2007 11:14 AM
Dale Campbell
Virginia Real Estate - Mechanicsville, VA
Courtney - To each his own obviously, but I think the clientele dictates the situation.  Most of the time, I wear jeans and a collar shirt.  Maybe the client does or does not care for it upon our handshake, but when I am crawling under their house and thru their attic looking for possible situations that may be problems later, they understand.
Sep 21, 2007 01:10 PM
Courtney Fontenot
Alpha Prosperity Management - Missouri City, TX
NAR Certified REPA, REW
Yes, Dale you are right on that one. If I am crawling under a house and through the attic, I would want to have on jeans for that as well. I guess I am talking in general when showing houses and no "dirty" work is involved. Thanks for sharing.
Sep 23, 2007 11:01 AM
Mike Klijanowicz
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Perry Hall, MD
Associate Broker @ Cummings & Co. Realtors

My boss at my other job always says don't dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want!

Sep 25, 2007 11:58 AM
Courtney Fontenot
Alpha Prosperity Management - Missouri City, TX
NAR Certified REPA, REW
Yes Mike, good advice. I want to be successful so I am dressing like I am. Thanks for stopping by. 
Sep 25, 2007 12:27 PM