I'm wondering how important it is to have a nice car, when starting out as a real estate agent. If I dress to the 9s and present myself in a respectful and professional manner, will it matter what I drive starting out? Are potential clients going to think that I must not be a very good agent, if my car is not the tip-top. (I drive a 2002 Hyundai Elantra).


Does anyone have a stance on this? What are your thoughts?

Your post made me smile because I recalled a situation a couple of years ago (I, too, drove the same vehicle you drive). My colleague and I were doing a CMA on a very high-priced home. She insisted on taking her car (it was much nicer than mine). We got to the client's home, and the owner wasn't there yet. Five minutes later, he rolls into the driveway in a beat-up car that looked like he could entered it into a demolition derby.

Some clients will be impressed by an expensive car, and some may very well be turned off by you driving a Mercedes. I think it's more important that the car is clean inside and out, and that your appearance and demeanor is professional.

Before I was a Realtor, I was turned off by agents that drove very expensive cars. That was just me.

The answer to this question totally depends on whether you plan to target a specific market, price point or type of client. And even at that, it depends on where you are, geographically.

There will be people who do not care, as well as people who will read something into the type of car you drive and make a value judgement. There will be plenty of people who think if you drive a nice car, you're making "too much money" (however that is defined) -- the question is, do you want those types of clients? There will be other people who will think you are less than successful unless you DO drive a certain type of car -- and again, do you want those types of clients?

In some markets, the type of car is very important and says a lot about you and your level of success; in other markets, cars are not nearly as important. The answers you get to this question will vary dramatically and really won't apply to your specific situation.

I am most comfortable (and most successful) working with my peer group, at certain income levels and with certain housing prices. My clients tend to all drive cars that reflect that, as do I. It has nothing to do with impressing -- or not impressing -- anyone. It has *everything* to do with being comfortable with whom I am and my clients being comfortable with me.

The answer to the question is possibly.

for all the reasons given above. If you will drive clients around your car is likely to small. At a minimum a mid-sized car is usually the best. Honda, Toyota, Buick, Ford, VW, Pontiac all reasonably priced rides and not over stated but if kept cleaned and waxed good enough.

Honestly, up until 6 weeks ago, I drove a 1990 Toyota 4-Runner, it looked nice, and I kept it clean, and nobody ever said that it wasn't nice enough. I didn't drive into the milliion dollar neighborhoods thugh either. Now I drive a 2004 Pontiac Vibe, a little smaller, in the cargo area, but has the same amount of seating, and I just keep it in tip-top shape, there is NO eating in my car lol!

What about a 2 door car? I have a 2 door 2004 Honda Hatchback. It is very nice and cannot afford to get a new car with 4 doors. I am worried I will have a hard time taking clients around. Well getting in and out might be troublesome but other than that I think I can work with it. Is there anyone else out there that has a 2 door car? How has it been working out for ya?

I plan on getting a new nice 4 door when I start bringing in some income.

My only comment on car buying: Carmax, Carmax, Carmax.

Have bought x2 from them, great experiene both times. I've been able to buy nearly new (last one had 3300 mi) for a very fair price. The $ they paid me for my trade was $1000 higher than I expected. They paid that out before I even looked at other cars.

One thing our instructor beat into our heads was to NEVER take clients around in our car - for safety reasons. Unless we know them - and then it won't matter what kind of car we drive, because they DO already know us. Being a woman, I'm really fine with that. I'll ask folks to follow me in my car (1998 Toyota Corolla), unless I feel very, very comfortable with them.

Elecat, I don't take people around in my car either, never have. But like you said, if I am already friends with them I might, which is why I like that my car is comfortable. I do keep it clean though inside and out, because I always look at the cars of people who I am going to do business with, and if it is unclean, or junky I assume that they don't care enough to clean their car, so they may not care enough to do a good job.

Your instructor is very intelligent to teach that. Most people in my area still take buyers around, and I'm unusual because I don't, but the fact is, it is VERY unsafe these days, I don't care who you are!

What about the subject of auto insurance? I've heard it is hard or more $$$ if you tell your agent/company that you are using it to drive people around as a Realtor. Is this true? Also, if you don't tell your insurance and you are involved in a claim can they drop you without paying any claims, medical or otherwise?

I have a 2 door Honda Accord.... And love it. I Will not take peopel around I am an agent,not a TAXI!!!!!!!!!! Also with a 2 door many people just say we'll follow you. I do want to get a new car and have looked into th e Taho, but Think I'm going to get the infiniti G35 2 door. I would like the 4 wheel drive of tha Taho, but don't really need the room or the gas bill!! (LOL)

I myself prefer the "middle class" type of cars. You know the ones...not too expensive yet not cheap and crappy, just a nice decent looking, cute car. After all I'd be there to sell a house not my car. So I'd say as long as it's not beat up and crappy it should work fine!

Misty Babb

Thanks -- I agree! And like "Soldhomes" said, we aren't a taxi service. What other profession drives their clients around? None that I can think of...except car salesman (and saleswomen!). Even then, I'd take a guy with me -- work isn't worth your life.

When I bought my house, I did not want to ride along with my realtor, I told her we would follow, it is much more comfortable. I don't want to take people around either, I would prefer to meet them.

No joke....don't get a Tahoe!!! I have a single cab 2002 GMC Sierra along with my honda civic....26 gallon tank = almost $100 a fill up and only get about 350 miles per tank! ITS A GAS GUZZLIN BEAST!

I kind of like the idea of having my 2 door cars so people will feel more comfy following me, instead of wanting to ride in my car. I know I never go anywhere without my vehicle! I can't iimagine anyone who would. Plus there might be that awkward silence riding with your buyers if I don't know them and safety reasons

Several thoughts on the topic. I agree with SusanScuba in that I'm most comfortable dealing with my peer group. I have a newer Volvo V70 station wagon and a lot of my clients comment on what a great family car it is ... leading to talk about kids and schools and neighborhoods etc. It all leads to building rapport, credibility and trust with my clients.

If it's just a couple I'm showing a house to, half the time I will drive, which I enjoy doing, again, it's a good way to build rapport and to help determine their needs and wants in a low pressure way. If they have small children who require car seats, I will no longer drive them, based on a bad experience with a squirming child and a mother who didn't see a need to buckle him up despite my requests. I think I left my spine home that day

Other times, we meet at a home and then decide who drives from there. By the way, its always interesting to see who gets up front with me. I feel its a clue to who the real decision maker is!

Most importantly, I think no matter what the age or model of your car, it should be clean, if not pristine. I have been in fellow agents' cars with soda containers, papers and files strewn about, even french fries on the floor. What are they thinking??

And one of my instructors said the exact opposite: if you take them in your car you are giving them a reason to come back to the office and also leaving possible evidence behind. They will need to come back to the office to get their car...

just a thought.

Or it might clue you in on who gets car sick riding in the back.

What other profession doesn't have their wares on site?

What "possible evidence"?

I may be naive, but I always figured I'd drive them around. My agent did, but then she knew my ex and me. I don't know what she does with men, or even female strangers. Maybe she has them follow, for safety reasons.

I usually follow my gut instincts (we women are great with that!), but I don't want to risk my life or body for a sale. If they're interested, they'll come back to the office. I don't want to trick anyone into doing business with me. And I'm not saying that's what your instructor had in mind...but you know what I mean.

Good point. I'm probably going have to take this on a case-by-case basis when the time comes.

Wow - it never occurred to me to have buyers follow me. Even little old introverted me always put them in my car (unless they had a kidlet). But, my business was almost all SOI.

If you are going to put buyers in your car - a 4-door is a must.

Fingerprints, hair samples, DNA. Blood from previous victims...

(I spend a lot of time reading true crime stories, and watching Court TV, LOL)

I am being a smart aleck with the answer but it is true - someone will ill intent would not want to leave a valuable clue like a car behind at an office where witnesses could place him/her, and certainly not want it to be associated with a missing realtor (unless of course, the car is stolen but...)

Look at it this way: guy pulls up in his car, nobody really notices as he follows you out of the parking lot. He has not been in your car so he does not leave any trace evidence behind. You have not been in his car so you do not leave any trace evidence behind. You meet at the property, he kills you, and flees the scene in his car. There is no evidence in your car or his that the two of you were ever together, there is nothing on your body (hairs or DNA samples, etc) that they can tie to the guy in the car cause they have nothing to compare it to.

Does that make sense?

I strongly suggest you get and read the book The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker. Excellent excellent excellent book about personal safety and trusting your instincts.

I have taken people out several times in my car and have felt perfectly safe. There have been people who came in our office who creeped me out and the guy would not even touch the consumer notice to sign it. (this was with another agent in our office). He just wanted her to take him out to see a house he saw for sale. She got bad vibes especially when he wouldn't sign the consumer notice so she told him that without his signing it she couldn't do anything for him. That was a lie but hey, it worked. He left. He had a very odd demeanor, and he could have been perfectly safe and just afraid of what appeared to be a contract (even though it said in bold letters THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT). But the agent trusted her gut and the guy left, never to be seen again.

He didn't do anything illegal, so we couldn't call the cops...but he was creepy, and I think it may have saved that agent's life.

Pure speculation, as I said, we could have just over reacted, but several things added up to "weird".

I have always had the most success with buyers when I can drive them around, it is easier to build a bridge with them and also get a very strong feel for how things are going.

Here is a thought for you. If the person had that much ill intent they would not hesitate to be driving a stolen car.

No but they might very well leave behind evidence that can be used to link them to a dead body.

All it takes is a hair, a fiber...anything.

The main point however is that someone could just as easily do you harm by driving in their own car as they could riding with you.

You should not go anywhere with anyone who makes you the slightest bit uncomfortable.

I learned a thing or two in here, leaving me a valuable knowledge in regards to driving buyers around.

I myself is new to the business and I was wondering exactly the same thing. But I would not drive my buyers in my 1997 Toyota Corolla that looked so beat up and far from being prestine. I guess that's an exemption huh?! A nice mid-class 4-door car would nice to drive clients around with once comfortable.

I don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but is driving a manual transmission ok in this type of business. I can't stand automatics.

I don't think a stick shift has any stigma attached. Very expensive cars are stick shifts....

I learned to drive on a stick shift. I also had a Camaro z28 stick shift when I was youthful and pretty. Now, I drive a Honda van.

Man, I'm old...

I let them drive me.

Here's my stance:

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If you have a big prospect who will be impressed with a nice car, you can rent a luxury car for $80/day. It's well worth a potential listing and nice commission.

Wow, Perky...you SHOULD have been a cop! Those are some great points. I thought the same way when I visited my now-husband when he lived in Ky and I was up here in Cleveland. I kept a hairbrush down there, with hairs in it (never cleaned it out completely) so he'd have DNA for the cops. In case I didn't make it home after one of our visits. He always thought that was creepy, but I thought it was being realistic.

I understand Safety reasons. I guess out of 100 times you drive your clients around, all it takes is 1 bad experience to forever scar you.

IMHO, spending time in the car is important. That's where you build the relationship. In fact, depending on the clients, I have my lovely assistant (my dear husband) drives so that I can fully concentrate in giving 100% to my clients. I feel safe with these people to begin with, they are my husband's friends. That's why I tag him along.

Back to the original topic: This is just based on 1 conversation an agent friend told me way back..... This lady found this million-dollar commercial transaction client. She was new and knew she needed help. She "partnered" with my agent-friend on the transaction. When my agent-friend saw him (the client) for the first time, he came in with a polo t-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap. Later, found out he was getting ready for vacation. My agent-friend was in his $1000 suit. When the conversation ended, she left first. She drove off in a tiny compact car. The client's comment (he was courteous and seems to be a nice guy) was: "She's not in the business very long, is she?" - my agent-friend could tell he made that comment after seeing what she drove.

I feel what you drive should be reasonable presentable. It should something that you need to be able to fit 2 adults very comfortably at your back seat. I have cars that start with the size of a Honda Civic (not my work car). My 6-footer friends look squashed in my car. It is not the luxury, but you do need to make your clients feel comfortable. Clean of course!

What you drive and wear becomes less important when your clients begin to know you. And instead of thinking that you are trying to impress someone, I have learnt to change the way I think about First Impression. I show up professionally in a respectful manner: and that includes dressing and driving. I do all these out of respect for my profession.
I did NOT say if you dont drive a luxury model, it is not respectful. So, please dont blow it out of proportion.

I think comfort and cleanliness are the most important. But dont forget that the impression counts as well. Never buy a car to impress.

I bought my real estate car for very little money compared to what people pay for theirs (if you want to call it, less in luxury) brand new. I bought it on craigslist. I hunted for a great deal. I paid about 8-10K less than market value from an individual.

Since we're in the topic, I am looking around for a compact, sporty sedan which I think will serve my purpose in the business and hopefully will bring in good revenues without turning them off (hopefully) and without burning my wallet.

I'm taking a heart on a 2007 Civic Si. It has a sporty-style, with a Jykll and Hide kind of performance (well mannered, agile when desired); optioned out with a Navigation system @ $23k.

Or would it be much ideal to have a larger vehicle, say a Camry and the like?

I currently drive a Corolla, so I'm partial to Toyotas. One day I was parked next to a Camry at the mall. It was EXACTLY LIKE my car...only bigger. It was a joke with me and the kids...that's what our car would look like when it grew up.

I've always said I'd NEVER own a mini-van. So to compromise, I'm thinking my next vehicle after I'm licensed and making tons and tons of money <grin> is one of the hybrids...bigger than a station wagon, but smaller than a van. Roomy enough to drive around a family (including MY family), but small enough to not make be a nuisance of...and easy on the environment. It's on my wish-list.

Good luck with your decision!!

My ultimate dream was to have a dual sliding door mini van. When I got my grand caravan with that, my next was to get a HONDA mini van.

And now, I've come full circle and want my Camaro back. lol

Aaaaaah...a Camaro! Do they still make those??

Are your clientele more towards the young and sporty types?

If you serve a broad range of clients, you might do better with a Camry - you mentioned.

I paid less than what you would for the Civic and I drive a RX 330.

Have you considered buying a used 2-3 year old car? Let the first owner take the hit.

Okay, this is weird. I was returning home from showing homes this morning and a while stopped at a red light, a lady(on a cell phone) slammed into the rear of my vehicle doing 50 MPH. My vehicle went into the intersection and hit another car. My car was totaled. The Fire and Police told me that if it was another car, I probably wouldn't of walked out scratch free. I was driving a newer E class Benz.

This topic really hit the spot. Because we were just recently thinking of getting rid of my wife's BMW 540 and getting a smaller car to save gas. After this, I really do feel that the expensive med. sized cars are engineered better. Maybe I'm wrong, but not just for status reasons they are better designed cars. As agents, we drive a lot more than the average person. Also, while carrying clients it's a liability factor. I could not even imagaine the lawsuit potiental I had a client with me.

So, I'm driving my 4Runner until I replace my Benz, I'm probably going to get the larger S-Class or a Humvee (kidding about the humvee). I know I know, I'm killing trees, but at least I'll be around longer to see the world melt.

I was thinking of having a to purchase of a slightly used car. But experience have taught me to stay away from used cars potentially buying someone else's problem.

In terms of cient, no I do not have any specifics, but after reading through this thread, I think I will only drive my clients around with my car if there was no other way. I'm sure my clients would appreciate it if I mentioned that safety is a major part of my business.

Wow, I have had only used cars for the past 17 years.

The only one that has given us any grief was the Dodge Caravan.

My Honda Odyssey is only 2 years old...and I love, love, love it. Couldn't afford a new one, and the used one was hard enough...the used one cost almost as much as a new Dodge...but Dodge vans have lousy reputations after 100K miles, and I didn't want to run into that again. Replaced two dodge transmissions, and that was enough! LOL

We've had owned only Japanese made cars and so far, never had a problem with them. My BIL bought a 1990 Honda Accord almost 4 years ago with 160K to go to college and he paid $1.8K. The major thing he had to spend on was $400 - a while back. Yet I would consider this not too much of a problem.

A realtor friend of mine recently bought an X-5. She's happy with it, but she said she's not THRILLED. My sister owned an X-5 and her good friend owned one too. They never kept the car too long because they had some problems with it.

Depending on what car you select, sometimes a 2-3 yr old car is just as good. But you dont have to pay for the depreciation. The car I bought still had the 100K miles warranty with the dealership. I get to use it and give me a free loaner car too. So, I am not out of luck had I needed my car that day.

Good luck. I know buying a car can be overwhelming. It's like pulling teeth with me. I rather see a dentist than to walk into a car dealership.

BayRE had the best response. Drive what provides you with comfort and safety. You MUST register (disclose) your car as a commercial vehicle transporting clients or face denial of coverage for a lie of omission. Insurance companies look for reasons to deny coverage. I now drive a vehicle that returns resale value. I avoid where possible driving during RUSH Hours. After consuming two vehicles driving prospects, looking for fruit and candy hidden in the back seat, cleaning out kidlet puke, carry extra rolls of Toilet paper and wet naps... I now drive a two door and they follow me. Most times when ONE party is out scouting properties I drive them. When they are on their second or third tour they are usually a larger grouping and find comfort in their own vehicle.

It sounds to me like the agents pay more attention to their cars (should I say each others cars?) than their clients do!

If it is clean and reliable that is all thats needed, everything else is personal taste.

Perky: Sorry you had trouble with the Caravan. I had a Voyager that was 307,000 plus miles that I replaced with a Town and Country currently at 134,00 plus. Maybe yours was a "Friday Afternoon" build!

I don't think it matters as long as the car is clean and is not too old or beat up.

I often hear agents making excuses about why are not listing or selling homes. The bottom line is that if you are not listing a home or showing a home, you are not making money!

Therefore, your focus should be on doing those things that will get you a listing appointment OR getting a buyers butt in your Elantra!

Best of luck!