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What Image are You Creating?

By Shelby Morris

Real Estate Agent with Realty Exchange

March 12, 2008 04:03 PM

We have all grown up hearing, "Dress for success!" Our society tells us business suits, nice cars, big homes and lots of plastic in our wallets is what defines us. These are all signs of success, status, "having arrived". It seems that sometimes folks forget that those things aren't what it is really all about.

What really defines our image is how we represent ourselves in every action, deed and word. Someone being ethical and moral is more important to me than how they dress, where they live or what they drive. Give me a Good Ol' Boy (or Gal) any day of the week over the polished professional. I want to know that the person in front of me is someone I can trust and rely on when I am doing business with them.

I do Real Estate in a rather small southern area. I started out wearing my suits and driving a Jag. Quickly I realized that though that was great for me, it wasn't great for my clients. I am a very down to earth person and much more comfortable in jeans and a blazer. I love walking my clients around the acerage to take a look at the property lines, or better yet, 4-wheeling to the back of the property. For this reason, I changed my mode of operation. I now drive my SUV that can fit the whole family in, keep my boots in the back so I can change to walk through the weeds and routinely take my clients to lunch at a local meat and 3 (a home cooking restaurant where you choose a meat and up to 3 of many veggies for a good ol' southern meal).

There are times when we have to dress for success. Those times/events come up and we have to conform. Overall though, showing our true colors is what really matters. What we are made of, the kind of people we are at heart and how much we really relate to our clients. The human factor is the best part of Real Estate. Often you hear agents say they are in this business because they love to help people. I know that is why I am here. I love my clients, I love my job and I love my little easy going, slow paced small town lifestyle.

So there you have my image. What's yours?

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Laura Burghardt

W. M. Campbell Real Estate - Chico, CA

Glad to hear it, Shelby. I live in a small college town in Northern California (Chico), and we're pretty casual here too. Especially if I'm showing rural or horse property, or working on a weekend, I have no problem wearing nice jeans, tennies or boots and a sweater. My clients seem to appreciate the "down to earth," comfortable feel, as they're usually in the same "uniform"! I drive a Subaru Outback, which I love for its versatility. At least in this small hamlet, diamonds and Jags just seem over the top and a bit ostentatious. At least that's my opinion.

Mar 12, 2008 04:13 PM

Thom Abbott

MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA

Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Shelby....reminds me of my Dad when he was alive and sold ranches in Montana. He went "through" TWO Suburbans (and you know they don't die!) but I think they should be called the State Vehicle of Montana!

For those of us in the big city, well, the 'Burban don't work so well...it get's stuck in the parking spaces...but I do so love my Mercedes!

Great post...sometime wished I sold in a small town!

Mar 12, 2008 04:15 PM

Shelby Morris

Realty Exchange - Columbia, TN

Thank you, Laura. My best friend is also an agent and we are so opposite. She dresses up for everything and it took me 3 years to convince her Capri pants are acceptable attire for our jobs.

Mar 12, 2008 04:16 PM

Hi, Thom. I started out in Nashville in a Jag. When I moved to a small town, I traded it in for a Rendezvous. I love that thing! It goes anywhere I need it to go and I can sure fit my signs in it a lot easier. Nothing like selling farms and horse property. I love it!

Mar 12, 2008 04:18 PM

Ashley Berg

Realty Executives BRIO - Seattle, WA

Seattlenulls Green Real Estate Agent

I like to dress casual. I want my clients to feel comfortable around me and feel that if I suit up I am often overdressed. Seattle tends to be home to a pretty laid back crowd. I like to blend in. There are times for the powersuit, just not on a daily basis.

Mar 12, 2008 04:21 PM

Hi, Ashley - I lived in Seattle for 12 years. I know what you mean about it being laid back. I miss how environmentally friendly it is there. I wish this area offered the great services Seattle does to it's residents to help keep the environment clean.

Mar 12, 2008 04:26 PM

Jacob Webster

Sagamore Home Mortgage, LLC. - Zionsville, IN

Indiananulls Senior Mortgage Consultant

Shelby, You nailed it right on the money! It's no longer keeping up with the Jones's and trying to impress clients of yours who really are not interested in you flaunting what you have, but more interested in trusting you and your ability to get the job done and close the deal. I personally dress casually in the office every day and wear the usuall jeans on Friday. Depending on the client I may even wear jeans to meet them for the first time! You have to know your situation, know your clients, know their needs, and try to dress how you think they would feel most comfortable!

Mar 16, 2008 02:11 AM

Billie Dalessio

Home Run Realty, LLC - North Haven, CT

Shelby, I think it should be dress for your clients & yourself- not for success. If your client is looking at beach properties, maybe flip-flops are appropriate. I could identify with the boots in the back of the suv. I always have some in the back; when selling new construction, you never know what the lot is going to be like. One time I drove clients and their agent into a lot that had just been stumped, it had rained and it was muddy. They said "oh you're so smart-you have boots", I get out of the suv and step into a spot where a stump had been pulled, and I sink in up to over my knee-so much for the boots.

Mar 20, 2008 03:57 PM

Jacob & Billie - making the client feel comfortable is what it is all about! I have had so many clients tell me that they used me because I am down to earth and someone they can relate to. I love that! Being able to just relax and enjoy the folks is what this job is all about. I stay in touch with all my clients and have develeoped strong friendships from practicing real estate the way I do. Have a great '08!

Mar 21, 2008 02:50 AM

Ken B. Banks

Keller Williams Realty - Spring Hill, TN

Realtor Broker CRS ABR RCS-D CDPE CMRS SRES

In Middle TN, I may be in an SUV with a shirt & tie riding people around. Another day may find me driving a 4WD pickup on a farm. And I have met clients for a showing by driving up on my Suzuki C50 Blvd Cruiser motorcycle...

Jul 17, 2010 03:26 AM

What Image are You Creating?

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Shelby Morris

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