How formal do I need to dress as a real estate agent?

Question

I am starting as a real estate agent next week and really want to rock my new job. It seems like many of the agents I meet wear suits. Do I need to wear pant and skirt suits when I am meeting clients? I assume this means closed toed shoes and hose as well.

Answer 1

Real Estate is LOCAL & it is different depending on the clients you market to. Meaning that what is acceptable and the "norm" in one area may be completely different in another.

Also, just because everyone else is doing one thing doesn't mean it's the "right" way.

Most of the 30 some odd agents in our office wear either suits, or Golf shirts and slacks type of attire...except the top 3 agents (one of whom is the broker).

We all wear Shorts and Flip Flops most of the time.

Most of my clients are pretty laid back, even my high end homeowners, so I can stay laid back. I got a lot of flack when I first got my license because I wasn't FORMAL, but after I closed more deals than anyone my first few months in, everyone got quiet.

On first time visits with Out of State Clients, who may not be Austin laid back, I sell out, I dress in slacks and golf shirt...for the first visit.

Know your area and dress according to your area & your clientele.

Answer 2

I think the key is to remain professional. You can wear suits without them being high waisted in funky colors. You can find great, stylish suits at stores like The Limited, Express, Ann Taylor, and Dillard's. You don't have to wear closed toe shoes all the time. Peep toe shoes are totally acceptable. Just avoid shoes that are overly strappy and show too much of your foot. Pantyhose are not necessary either. Bare legs and feet are much more accepted now. But if you want a cleaner look on your foot you can wear trouser socks with your pant suits. It would be more comfortable than full pantyhose.

The key is to remain professional and that includes much more beyond your clothes. Keep your makeup to a minimum and keep the accessories simple too so they don't distract from your face and what you are saying.

Your overall appearance will only add (or detract) to your credibility as an agent. The right look will make you look professional, intelligent, credible, and trustworthy. Best of luck with your new job.

Answer 3

In 95 degree weather, if you wear pantyhose someone will have to pick you up off the ground.

For first time meeting clients (and staff meetings) wear short sleeves, but not sleeveless. No cut out clothes. You never know who you may be giving your business card to.

Whatever you do, do not go into an empty house with a stranger. Have a senior agent go with you whenever possible.

And remember, the greatest tribute you can pay a client is to listen more than you talk.

Answer 4

Professional especially if you look young. Dress like you think a banker or accountant would dress. You are dealing with people who are dealing with huge amounts of money link conservative and professional. Mid quality not cheap but not looking like you got rich off people like them and don't need the commission. Business casual for days you are just showing houses. Business casual doesn't mean jeans but may mean a dress instead of a suit or losing the tie or jacket. Also never try to be the least bit sexy, men may get the wrong idea and nobody would trust or respect you as a professional.

Answer 5

If you want to be taken seriously, you should wear a pant and/or skirt suit. According to a study that I heard about you will need to wear some makeup as well. Wear hose and closed toe shoes, especially if you look younger than your age.

Answer 6

I dress up the first time I meet a new client. Then as I get to know them I dress as they do. If they are always in flip flops and jeans I dress down. If they're always in skirts and pearls I dress up. I work with a woman who sells a lot of country property and she goes to meet clients in cowboy boots and jeans because she's tromping through mud half the time.

As a rule, if I'm in the office doing paperwork I dress business casual. If I'm meeting clients or going to the MLS meetings I dress more formally.

I wouldn't wear hose if you paid me though!!! ; )

Answer 7

what you wear is just half the battle.
the tips of stuff to keep in your car is more pratical than what you should wear.
but i will tell you this much. i went to an open house in an area of detroit that is being 'revitalized' meaning
there are five expensive houses surrounded by dilapitated houses that used to be mansions
and
crack heads.
anyway. i was just curious to see what the deal was with these 'new houses'
they were duplexes, they looked like project housing one trifilng tennant away from being boarded up.
and,
the interior was a nightmare. they had gone to some euro trash furniture store and decorated it in garish yellow and red with furniture that you'd hurt yourself on if you sat on it. it was the worst 'staging' id ever seen.
but the women showing the home had on clothes that were too small, and they were serving horsdourves they'd made themselves. (if you don't know how to apply makeup stay away from it!)
i acutally felt sorry for them. and there was not way i could ever see myself handing over four hundred fifty thousand dollars to them. ever.
so
i advise that you look like you deserve their money.
now. that might mean a pants suit or jeans with great boots and an expensive knock off designer purse or
maybe its a black suit white shirt uniform (its okay to stick to one or two colors that can be your work basics. that way you always know what you are going to wear)
but whatever you do,dress like
you deserve to handle their transaction.

Answer 8

In meetings with clients, I would recommend a suit. Business casual if you are going out looking at homes in the field.

For closings and open houses, always a suit.

Nice dress sandles/pumps/open toe are fine, and you don't necessarily need to wear hose if you have nice color to your legs and keep them shaved and toes manicured. It gets hot getting in and out of a car in the summer...but it might be a good idea for winter.

If you are going to visit new construction, wear nice khakis and keep a pair of mud boots in your car....that will prevent you from ruining you shoes in the mud (3 guesses of how I learned that one).

Also, here is my agent survival kit that I keep in a box:

1 box of Kleenex (you never know when there will be no toilet paper and some kid just has to go).
1 plastic bucket (nothing stinks more than a house where someone has peed in the toilet and there is no water to flush it...you can get the water from a neighbor).
1 box of cheap garbage bags (for muddy shoes)
Hand sanitizer
Lysol (good for a variety of things)
Box of baby wipes in a box
1 Roll of paper towels
Camera batteries (for listings...if your camera dies)
Always, Always a blank copy of every conceiveable contract in a file folder...I liked mine pre-printed, but you can always write one on the spot if you need to).
Extra calculator, pens, white-out, etc.

I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 9

Formal but not to formal is the answer. You want to look nice but not like a show off, like at any job. You also want to be a little comfy and not make the seller\buyer feel too dressed up or not dressy enough. Good luck with the new job!

Answer 10

Yes to all the clothing you have mentioned. Realtors should look their best and look professional. Look at what the other Realtors in your office are wearing and follow their lead.