Somebody told me that real estate agents driving expensive cars have better chance at selling real estate. Is

Question

Somebody told me that real estate agents driving expensive cars have better chance at selling real estate. Is this true? Is it necessary to drive an expensive car to get a better chance at getting a listing? I over-heard somebody who just became a real estate agent that he's going to trade-in his late model pick-up for a luxury car so that he can become a better real estate agent. I don't understand logic behind this.

Answer 1

What the public perceives as real, and what actually is real, is often swayed by the marketing of personal image. A good agent is one because of what they know, will do, and are willing to learn. Many take short cuts and emulate the look of those that have paid their dues and learned to perfect their craft. How many home buyers that have lost their home to foreclosure trusted the poor advice of their agent merely because the agent looked sucessful ? Real estate is a profession that requires more skills than the mere ability to buy a BMW. How many times has a seller stopped to think since my agent will only represent me why would he / she need a car that buyers want to ride in. That said, still it is an industry that is heavily dependant on first impressions. The better one becomes over time at being a effective agent the more likely that person will end up owning a well deserved luxury car. If clients werent so duped by the visual attributes and were to focus instead on what really matters, many new agents would be starved out of the business. For many a 3 -5 year old premium used vehicle makes good sense as they can save some money and nobody knows they didnt buy it new. In todays image conscious world however the majority of people will base their most important descisions on the often least important factors. Maybe someday the driver will again be able to list homes instead the vehicle. My clients could care less about what I drive as they know for them I am their best choice as an agent no matter how I arrive to their home. I do however drive a very nice car, but it has no bearing on how I serve my clients needs.

Answer 2

Lets look at it like this. Every job requires a combination of skills and or tools. I use a computer, have LAN, email account, cubicle, etc.
And for a realtor your car is your office, meeting place, and client shuttle bus. And since you could be dealing with a family of four, overweight people, elderly, etc, you have to have a certain size car for purely functional reasons. And in the summer if your clients are in and out of the car 5 times on a hot day, they are going to prefer AC that blows cold.
So it is not that you need a brand new Mercedes, but it should be clean, have good tires and run properly.
I always wondered if a nice mini-van would be good car for a realtor.
OK part if the job may be image. Again why does someone in an office job buy a $500 suit or $200 shoes, image.
A lot of listings are given based on the company, the marketing proposal, etc. as the listing agent usually does not sell the property.
One other piece of advice, it seems you are already looking at the negative. If a better car is needed, then try to upgrade to a high miles Buick or Lincoln, probably not too expensive but looks good. If you can't right now then try to work with what you have. It is something you can overcome. If you can get the buyer in the right house they will be happy even if you drive a Yugo.

Answer 3

Yes, I have bought and sold a house without the use of an agent. But let me tell you why I started my business of working with For Sale by Owners. I'm not here to sell my company, I just wanted to be honest and upfront of where I was coming from. You can buy and sell a home without an agent obviously saving money for both the buyer and seller. Ask the seller if you can take a look inside. If you decide you want to make an offer on this particular home then do so. Make sure you have a home inspection (upfront cost of about $450) so you can be sure the house is sound. Make sure there is a full report done and color coded (red for urgency, green for ok and blue can be fixed at a lated date). This will protect you and the owner in case there are any repairs or replacements needed. Sale contingent upon buyer's approval of home inspection. If you need a loan, contingency should state, sale contingent upon Buyer obtaining and approval of loan. Also make sure that there is a earnest money deposit and it is given to a third party such as escrow or title. Title will run a preliminary title report to see if there are any liens against the property which would cloud the title. If the title is free and clear that is good. If not the seller needs to payoff the lien. Make sure there is no mechanic's lien as well which is when a contractor does business and doesn't get paid he can file a lein against the property. If the seller does not want you to get a home inspection that should be a red flag.

Answer 4

There are habits common in successful people and looking good, dressing well, attention to details, and good personal grooming are always in that list. Real estate is a trade that often relies on first impressions. Many clients get that first impression over the phone and if the proper rapport and ability is perceived then the car becomes secondary. I havent drove clients around for 25+ years and it has never became an issue. Most agents have no idea how that is possible. As a homebuyer looking for a moderate priced home a nice sedan is fine. High end clients may shudder at the idea of riding in the same sort of car a first time buyer might be at ease in. Low end clients might be intimidated by something too fancy. A top salesperson makes their own rules and establishes their own routine. Many others are followers and not true leaders. I had a student get a listing once right after an agent did their presentation and drive off in their Mercedes. My student arrived in a taxi cab and got the listing because his focus was more on what one can do than on how one looks doing it. The sellers referred him to many others also. I would never recommend using a cab but it isnt what you drive to the home, its the point's you drive home once there. Many agents are starving because of their huge car payments also. Years ago my rule of thumb was focus on delivering the best possible service you can. Before you know it you will have made enough for that fancy car and can buy it cash. If you focus on the money your service will suffer. When working with buyers I never drive them. When going on a listing appointment I do drive a very nice, already paid for car. Sellers are impressed but what is most important is what happens after the door closes, and it is during that time that even your car cant save you.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Somebody told me that real estate agents driving expensive cars have better chance at selling real estate. Is
Somebody told me that real estate agents driving expensive cars have better chance at selling real estate. Is this true? Is it necessary to drive an expensive car to get a better chance at getting a listing? I over-heard somebody who just became a real estate agent that he's going to...

Answer 6

I don't know that a luxury car will help a lot, but I know a lot of real estate companies require a four door car. This allows you to take your clients to show the home without making them squeeze past the front seats into the back seat or scrunch together in the front of a pickup truck. Some people may see a luxury car a sign of a successful real estate agent, others may see it as a sign of someone who charges too much.

Answer 7

I guess there is some truth to that...but the bottom line is MONEY talks and Bull**** walks.

My whole family is in the business of real estate we just opened up a new office in Arizona, two4one frist choice real estate. And the only way we earn our clients trust is by putting their best interest at the front line and only acting out what is best for them, it is not the car that we roll up in on a listing appointment.

The best agent is ALWAYS the agent who dose more for their client then ANY other agent out there....and thats the truth

Answer 8

Real estate agents drive clients around showing them houses - that could be pretty hard to do in a pickup truck.

And yes, a nice car probably gives a good impression to clients.

Answer 9

Appearances are everything in sales but that doesn't mean you have to have an expensive car. I think the more important thing is to keep a clean car and make sure it's in good condition. The last thing you need is for your car to break down while you're in the middle of showing homes. Also, I almost never drive people around in my own car. Most of the time I have people follow me as it's the safer option.

Answer 10

Are you going to list with the agent who shows up in a 79 pinto, or a 2007 BMW? If you are a seller, wouldn't you think the guy with the BMW makes more money, there for must sell more houses? It is a stereotype, but that's how people think.
RE Agent,
Remax