Perception: stylish outfit and fancy car - then there is me.

I have wrestled with this question too.  Unfortunately perception is reality.  If you don't look successful some clients do not see you as successful.  Sometimes you have to play the game.  Guess I have to go buy a new car now.

When it comes to selling homes, I think some clients are superficial and want to be towed around in a Mercedes or BMW. I know a huge part of being successful is selling yourself AS the commodity. Kind of like branding any kind of product. The people that go for that kind of stuff though will probably lose out in the long run.

In the mortgage industry, buying a fancy car was a way to keep up with your colleagues. I have a Jeep. I bought it new 5 years ago, and have not gotten a new car since. Everyone else? Jags, Porsches, Audis, BMWs- whatever it took to look successful to other loan officers I guess- most of the people I worked never even met their clients! I suppose it has a lot to do with ego. Now, most of them have had their fancy cars repo'ed.

Keep your T+C! there's nothing that screams 'fake it til ya make it!' like an agent with a gigantic SUV hauling around an empty briefcase. Sounds like you are in it for the long haul, so forget keeping up with the fools.

I think that it is a balance. I want to look put together and professional in what I wear but if I am showing lots of homes and are going to be in and out my car I will wear suitable clothers.

As far as the car is concerned if your car is too flashy people think that you are overpaid. I think that as long as your car is clean and presentable it should not matter how old or what make it is.

For the record I drive a 08 Honda Accord (Yes I just got a new car) mainly because I needed something that is economical.

Sue

Good morning Paul,

I believe a picture is worth a 1000 words. When I was young and working one of my first jobs, in Retail, the Assistant Mgr. told me appearance would drive success. His example was...if you needed assistance form a knowledgeable person, would you approach a well dressed person or a person that was dressed like a street bum..... He further stated that we associate knowledge and success with appearance. Not that the well dress is always smarter, but they are perceived to be. His thoughts guided me thru my business life.

One thing I have come to accept at truth is that if you're not comfortable no matter what you are wearing, driving, etc. you will not come across as being natural. People respond to people that are natural. Sandra's comment about seeing men in jean and a jacket look more professional than a man in a suit is spot on. Be neat, clean and drive a clean car that you like and most everyone will see that you are being yourself and you will do just fine.

Best,

Scott 

I drive a 1994 Toyota Camry, and wear whatever i think is comfortable (usually jeans).

I don't drive clients around. They should have their own car. If they don't, then they should be looking at cars instead of houses.

Paul,

I think plenty of agents around here cart clients aroud in their car. I don't. Sometimes, if they invite me, I will ride along with them. I don't want to drive them around. I would rather have them talk about the last house they saw, without me there. I think they are typcially more comfortable discussing things amongst themselves.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying about the cars; if they need a ride cause they don't have a car, they should be trying to buy a house - they should be buying a car.

I guess you really just dont understand what I am typing.

Basically, If they cannot afford a home, then they shouldn;t be house shopping until they can afford a car.

And families like to talk amongst themselves about things; it's call privacy - some still like it and respect it. They don't need some sniveling agent to listen to every detail they talk about. If they like the home, you'll know almost immediately.

Paul, unless they flew or took the train into the area for home showing, or are in a center city environment, they should have a car.

Are you tellng me you have clients who buy homes and don't have a car? Maybe they need to get their priorities in order.

I never assumed you would bring a sniveling agent. lol

I can tell them my opinion about the home while I am in the home and can point out defects, or point out things they might like. We can discuss the home in the home. Not when we are down the road a few miles. The point I am getting at is that I can talk to the buyer about the home, when in the home, and they can discuss and mull over anything they choose while they are driving in their OWN car. They might actually want to talk in private like I said in the previous post. Ever shown a home where the seller insisted on being there and the buyer didn't want to talk about the home around them? The buyers didn't want the seller there, and sometimes the buyer doesn't want thier agent there while they discuss things.