Unusual question warning!

I may be getting a 1990 8 passenger Limo in good shape for a steal. Its not shoddy at all and runs like a top. not a junker at all. If you had a limo that still looks nice, would you use it in your business? Its got a working TV and DVD player and ice box in the back. Ironically its the exact same color and year as my Lincoln Town Car sedan thats too shabby looking to use in the business.

I know it will turn heads. Like theres the Realtor with the limo again. But I hope it turns heads in a positive way. I thought of running my mouth pointing out great homes over the mike on a Sunday afternoon.

My opinion might not be worth much, but it seems kinda tacky.
No, extremely tacky.

yes, I have to be careful not to let my hobbies interfere with my business. Maybe I better stick to using it as an RV on my off duty time.

I would do it in a heartbeat.

I think you would definitely be remembered - which is half the battle most of the time.

For each person that thinks negatively about this, I would guess there would be 3 more who dig it.

Since when is doing something unique a bad thing?

The bottom line is that your not going to know one way or another until you try it.

So ignore all of us and just give it a shot.
R

You have two choices:
1. Follow the herd
2. Think outside the box

If you want to be like everyone else, do what everyone else in doing
If you want to be recognized as innovative and different, do the limo thing.
I think the limo idea is great, Put some tasteful personal branding on it, park it in a place where it will be noticed, market yourself as the agent with the limo and enjoy the benefits of additional recognition and added business.
Then you can thumb your nose at all of the naysayers in six months.

It's definitely a unique idea that will get you noticed.

Its true, some people might be turned off by it. The poor young fella's girlfriend isnt impressed and thats why its a steal at 1800. Thats the beauty about being new. Some established firms want to do unique things but they think its too risky for the established clientle.

We are doing a lot of things unique now. Like in our office we have a belly high square pub table with four stools to hash out contract details. The clients never see the war room. All this in under 800SF. No more forcing clients to look over an obnoxiously large desk or conference table.

I got it now. If they are too surprised by my little simple office, Ill just pull my limo around to balance it out.

The more I think about it, the more I think it's cool. LOL

Though, didn't Boss Hogg drive around in a limo? Maybe you need a white hat and suit. hee hee

I think it would be cool to take a buyer out to look at houses in a limo. It would attract some attention in the neighborhood! Use it to take clients to and from closing, thats good! Its not done to often. The possibilities are endless. Go for it.

I think its great! I would remember the Realtor with the limo that is for sure and can you image:
"Well my agent picked me up in a limo and drove us to the closing making the stressful time so much easier"

It could work, but I still think it is tacky.
I dont know how it will reduce stress driving them to closing in it, unless you have a stocked bar for them so they can slam some drinks back. Think about this. I think when your driving in a limo you get even more stressed out....going to your wedding, going to a prom, etc...And what happens when there isnt much parking space? Gonna double park that baby? Maybe you can park a block over and make the family walk to the home you are showing them. I am sure you'll find parking in some areas. But what about the family looking in a neighborhood of row homes or tighter streets and the kids start asking "why arent we getting the limo ride? we want to drive in the limo." What do you tell them? "well, little Bobby, your parents need to buy a home in a neighborhood where the homes are on at least 1/2 acre lots."
Limos are not practical vehicles.

it might not be the steal you think it is. I almost invested in a limo business. Was shocked at how cheap limos are (especially slightly used ones that are in great shape). They have next to zero resale value and the insurance is unbelievably high.

Sounds like a bad investment to me

you also need to have a special license, and the fee for that is incredibly high too.

You would be sending the wrong message to your clients, and to other realtors. "Hey, look at that realtor who obviously charges way too much commission"

My question is, if you are going to be driving, will you be able to hold conversations with them as you drive? I would think you would want to be able to easily talk with them and typically one person sits up front with you don't they?

If is is a low rider limo...then by all means. Seriously...NO. Do not get caught driving anything older than 5 years old.

At our real estate expo last year a limo driver was going around to all the booths trying to sell us on using him to drive around our buyers. He told me it belonged to another agent who uses it for that all the time. I've never heard anything about him or the agent since. I suppose it might work for lower price-range buyers. But really, after high school I don't think anyone's impressed by a limo. It certainly sounds tacky to me... I don't think I'm a snob- but I would definately snub your limo.

Driving a 17 year old limo would not make a good impression in my opinion. Most people know that old limos aren't worth much, so driving it is going to make you look very unsuccessful. I would remember the Realtor with the limo, but it would be the Realtor that didn't make enough money to buy anything but an old limo.

On the other hand, if you could think up a slogan relating to the limo, get your name, picture and slogan painted on it the results might be just the opposite.

Do not get caught driving anything older than 5 years old.

realagent

Now thats too strict. I have 6 autos at my dispoal from my family's junker fleet. The least controversial is the 1998 Dodge Caravan or the newest auto a 2002 Ford Escort 4 door. So those are my going to the property cars. Dad drives my 1989 Lincoln because is leaves droppings of fluid in folks driveways. I wonder if my clients will think Im very unsuccessful on first impression when I get my new Corrolla 4 door.

My very rich uncle drove the same car for 15 years.

I think if it was a chauffeured limo, it would be cool.

A 1990 limo is kind of old, but it really depends on the car that it was before it was converted. Also if you could throw on some kind of body kit on it and some decent rims (look at different after market part stores online for your particular car), it would make it look much newer than it is.

It would be a good conversation starter, but I don't know if on the first showing I'd pull out the limo, it would have to be at least on the second showing and after I talked to them a lot, or at the closing.

Look into the special license thing. I don't think it applies to you because you are not driving them for a fee. In other words, they are not paying you for the ride.

My cousin had an old 1950's limo that he drove around in and did not need a special license in california.

Check into it tho.

I don't think this is a "impress" them thing. Its your "schtick", the thing that will stick in peoples mind and get them thinking about you.

I find myself in respectful disagreement with Carla. ;-)

R

Instead on buying a limo, why not buy a box truck, get the sides done with your info, pic, website etc...have a professional do it. Offer to let clients use it when moving. I have seen a few people do this. Actually one woman in my office does this.

it was funny we I stumbed across it. Its the exact same color and year as my Lincoln Town Car with hardware falling off of and I thought darn 1800 bucks and a lifetime supply of spares. This is not one of my priorities for starting up a cash poor career as an independent broker, but only 1800 bucks! Wow. In the end, I decided not to invest in it. My Ma would have messed up the interior in no time with her KrispyKremes, Im sure. But for those who can use it, he still has got it for 1800. I meant to say 1989, not 1990. 18 years old.

http://rockford.craigslist.org/car/294060577.html

wow..i went to prom in 1989. I can't believe how dated this limo looks and how old i have become in a blink of an eye.

Wow! Me too. I'm young... really...right? But I went to prom in 1989 too, and that limo makes me feel old!

I would rather drive my beat up 1994 toyota camry with a smashed in door....that is an ugly limo

I was thinking about buying a limo as well, not only for promotion, but it would be nice to have a driver and I could get a whole lot more done, since I spend about 70% of my day in the car. My time is worth roughly $125.hr, and I can hire a driver for $10/hr. So I think its a great idea.

LOL...Oh really...maybe you can have someone feed you as well. Why stop at driving? Who has time to use a fork three times a day. BTW...my lawyer bills at $275/hr and somehow still drives himself.

The lawyer has not fully learned how to maximize his time, I guess. lol

lol, i like the box truck idea alot. i use a trailor

We have Delva in Clear Lake, TX. The Limo idea certainley worked for her...

http://delvarealestate.com/gallery.html

I know an agent that advertised on a couple limos and they told me they had success doing it.

Chris

Hummel Companies

Its a good idea, sounds like the limo needs some polishing up though.

but the point is I guess:

"look at what everybody is doing, and do the opposite"

i think it could create the perception that business is going good and attract people, which will make business good and etc etc ending up a self fulfilling prophecy... see what you want to become and be it now! It works! The limo just helps

I knew a woman real estate broker, about 20yrs ago who drove her clients around in a limo. Didn't hurt her and her clients liked it. Didn't seem to interfer with the quality and standards of her work. She was very competent She was already pretty strange. She chewed gum 90 miles an hour and didn't care too much about chit chatting, unless there was something pertinent to be said.
At one point she was a pregnant limo driver??
She got her job done and that's all that counts. Bringing a swing to what you can handle, is a plus.

Also about 10yrs ago, I began to see a lot of agents plastering their faces on trucks (because they are larger) and driving them around or parking them on a visible corner of a shopping center. They said that they were offering the truck for moving services to the client or picking up furniture for staging????
I don't see any difference in using a limo, as oppose to plastering your face on a bus stop bench or a shopping cart.

I say go for it.

Ever thought of having a scooter. Your staff could run erands and your agents could attend appraisal,pre inspections etc.

Cheap to buy and run...and different. Maybe you could 2 or 3?