1,664,636
Not in my world. I think what we drove was a big deal in years gone by but in today's world keep the ride well maintained, clean and smelling good and you're cool.
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John Pusa
Glendale, CA
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Sam Shueh
San Jose, CA
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,115,873
I've certainly never felt that way. As long as it's comfortable for my passengers and clean, it shouldn't matter.
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Sam Shueh
San Jose, CA
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
3,416,038
It can also back fire, people with a $125,000 mercedes with a personaized license plate may turn off some. Driving a junker spewing black smoke may also turn off some. You car does not have to be new, but should be neat and clean. People do judge a book by its cover with their initial thoughts
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
4,800,132
I hope not, Paul. I drive an 8 year old Camry Hybrid. What does that make me?
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,026,994
As long as it is clean I would think that people should not be taken back.
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
788,790
Hopefully, people will value the agents services and not they type of car he/she drives. Some of the most wealthy people I know don't drive the latest and greates vehicle.
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
7,869,880
Jason Potrzeba provided a strong recommendation. Keep your vehicle clean.
We are sometimes too quick to judge people by their material possessions when other attributes are much more important.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
246,371
Whatever you are driving, keep it clean!
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
2,538,633
Good morning Paul. I hope that is not the case, as I don't want to be judged by what I drive.
Make it a great day!
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
582,106
One of my wealthiest clients drives an old, well-worn car. It's a mistake to judge clients (or agents) by the vehicle they drive.
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
3,340,443
There are people who believe that ....and we think it a warped sense of applying their values to the rest of the world.
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
279,878
1,242,204
Keep your apperance neat, wash your car. I show multi-million dollar homes in a new Civic. People who rode inside often asked about the car and its great performance. Many Silicon Valley affluent live in a frugual life style. Many techies do not even drive often, they come in bicycles.
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
5,583,328
In the winter I drive my favorite Jeep ....it's totally restored and is a 2001 grand cherokee 60th anniversary edition..... the rest of the year I'm a BMW hardtop convertible driver....fast little number.... does that denote who I am?? old and fast!!
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Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
5,854,609
I would think that as long as your car is clean and runs well, then that's what should matter. We used to live down the street from the owner of a publishing company.... his car? A yellow VW Bug.
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Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
4,583,784
Hi Paul -- this is always a good question to ask because you'll get lots of responses.
Some will be impressed while others may be repulsed by you, your clothes, your car -- name a reason. I believe it's about what's inside that really matters. However, I live in car-centric Southern California -- I drive a clean, late model hybrid that is paid for -- there are plenty of agents in my office and market who drive much more expensive vehicles.
It doesn't define who I am and if a client feels I'm not right for the job because of what I drive - we're probably not going to be a good match whether it's for that reason or another. I have no issue with those who drive nicer or more expensive cars than I do whether they be co-workers, clients or my plumber(hmm -- let me think about that last one for a minute....).
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Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
2,194,680
While it may be a mistake to judge a person by the car she drives, it's the way things are, as you can tell by my photo of me in my car. I don't fight it. I'm not gonna change people's perceptions, so I go with the flow.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
443,220
My vehicle certainly reflects me and my standards of professionalism. I keep it clean. I drive a honda accord for affordability and practicality reasons. If I were to drive a car that truly reflected who I am it would be the small bmw.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
4,180,854
Paul - Generally, a clean car in good working condition is accepted.
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque, NM
210,865
In the OC of CA it seems to be expected. There are very wealthy clients along the coast and they want to do business with successful people like themselves so the agents mirror that. The flip side is that there are many agents who drive luxury cars and still rent their home. I would rather pay off my home.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,153,794
Surely, a great car does not make its owner a better driver, therefore the concept that it could result in making a better real estate associate is even more far fetched. Whether my cars were Bentley's or VW's no one ever critiqued them Paul Henderson and there have been many.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
921,504
The last million dollar plus house I sold was to a fellow driving an 11 year old Honda Civic.
I would caution agents to not exibit that the homeowner equity if financing an opulent life style. But that's just me.
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Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
6,423,260
4,319,773
Answering an old Q, Paul.
I usually am not much concerned as I drive Hybrid cars.
100,160
We don't know this persons situation and your encounter proves that you it is rewarding to accept people from all walks of life. They may be honestly trying to work their way up and that is the best they can afford. Though it is difficult not to judge, not judging is the right thing to do. This is a great question!
323,664
Paul, I remember a time when many agents were diving Linclon Town Cars (early 1980s). The reasoning was to have a car big enough to load a client family, ride in style, and to look successful. I remember a similar idea about BMWs. Car payments are a high price to pay for status. The most successful agents I have known started out driving Old Faithful, and put their money into marketing, investing or saving. The agent you mentioned demonstrated the most valuable asset is what you bring to the client. Discipline is such an asset.
1,625,153
I just now read your explanation to the question and I must add that I don't judge people anymore by the clothes they wear or by their cars. Many years ago we were invited by a very rich man to his multimillion mention for dinner. He was a bit late and I could not believe when he drove in on a very average( almost ugly) Toyota. His outfit was really simple, he had a plastic watch( !!!!!!ha???). It changed my mind forever.
1,625,153
I drive Prius and Buddy ( a red very cute scooter). Since I believe in green style of living, this is the best choice for me. When they finally launch cheap Tesla, I'll get it( sorry, paying 100k for a car has no sense for me).
1,683,912
I don't drive a Lincoln or a Cadillac or Lexis like some agents do, but it is a late model and clean. We have had comments that they were more at ease because we didn't appear to be above them. (First impressions mean a lot)
1,139,819
Some people do not care about image. Though I do believe it does make a difference
863,432
Maybe not so much what you drive but the condition it is in. How it is kept up overall. I have seen many 20 year old cars put across a much better impression than new luxury vehicle. Mark
1,712,876
Of course. I drive a 2007 Lexus RX-350 with 165,000 miles on it. What it says to my investors is two things: first, I don't like to invest in anything that depreciates, and second, my only debt is mortgages.