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Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I think it is somewhat market-specific;  when I was in a market where it mattered a lot, I drove a BMW. When I moved to an area where you were viewed with suspicion if you drove a BMW, LOL,  I switched to a SUV.  NOT because of what anyone thought, but because it made more sense for the terrain.  At any rate, yes, some people will - I have had people say "you must know what you are doing, you have this great car" but I have never had anyone refuse to do business with me because of my car.  I do think it matters more in some socio economic groups than others, though. Whatever you drive, whatever you wear, be yourself and let the chips fall where they may. 

Jun 10, 2015 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Not really. Only if you wish to impress oversea investors with your 2 month tardy (payment) imports you will be the minority.

Around here hybird or electric are popular. Nothing fancy,

I drive a Civic and I go on appointment with a Honda SUV. Both newer and clean.

We have 750,000 and 60 folks are millionaires or billionaries locally. Many drive gas efficient vehicles. 

Jun 11, 2015 12:19 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Around here people are not impressed by the type or brand of the vehicle you drive.  A pickup or a middle of the road vehicle is the mode around here.

Jun 10, 2015 09:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'm over that a long time ago. I'm not buying a car to impress someone. I want them to be impressed with the results and money I helped them to save/earn.

Jun 11, 2015 03:40 AM
Rainer
9,601
Russell Alton
Seattle, WA

It should be the right car for your demographic, if you are selling highend properties you better be driving up in a highend car. No one wants to see their new agent driving up in a 1994 Ford Explorer, just makes you question how well they have done in the past and how well they will do in the future.

Jun 10, 2015 11:16 PM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Absolutely they do-at least here in South Florida where the first impression goes a long way!

Jun 10, 2015 10:48 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Yes.

Sometimes they base their judgments on the shades you sport and the hat you sprout. The critters in your arms and the length of one's hair. The height of a person, weight, color of skin and language nuances.

Judgements are made in seconds with whatever is at hand.

So, what's new?

Jun 10, 2015 10:16 PM
Rainmaker
4,883,242
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I think you are judged by the value you bring, and not the car you drive.  If it is clean and the air conditioner works that is more important.

Jun 10, 2015 09:57 PM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Years ago my mother said she would not buy insurance from a specific agent because he had a Rolex.  Agent said "would I be a better agent if I wore a Timex"?

Jun 10, 2015 09:56 PM
Rainer
147,707
Green Forest Properties
Golden, CO
Your Local Golden, CO Real Estate Professional

We recently wrote a blog about this actually! I feel that it can have an impact on how you present yourself. 

 

http://actvra.in/4CVw

Jun 11, 2015 07:18 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Possibly some will.  These same folks will also have an issue with the way you dress.  

These are the folks that typically are the ones that buy the designer brands.

Jun 11, 2015 03:28 AM
Rainer
157,814
Mark Miranda
Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID
REALTOR

I've seen agents drive expensive vehicles and modest vehicles. Doesn't matter what you drive as long as it's clean and you are clean and professional. I don't drive a expensive vehicle but rather tell my clients I invest in marketing and items that help them sell or buy - to achieve their goals. That always wins over a high end vehicle.

Jun 11, 2015 01:49 AM
Rainmaker
292,685
Jack Lewitz
Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

I don't know but if asked I would tell people I own my own car and have no mortgage on my house ! 

Jun 11, 2015 12:45 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I should hope not and I don't believe anyone ever has. (Of course, if they did I probably didn't know, then tant pis, as the French would say!)

Jun 10, 2015 11:49 PM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

They shouldn't, but many probably do.

Jun 10, 2015 11:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Some do, but that is just the type of people we deal with daily. You are not going to change perceptions.

Jun 10, 2015 11:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Bob Publicover I think the dress for success code has gone out of the real estate business. Same goes for vehicles.

Jun 10, 2015 11:19 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

No

Apr 16, 2018 05:32 AM
Rainmaker
282,018
Nancy Robinson Ranked #6 in MI
Century 21 Town and Country - Royal Oak, MI
#11 Century21 Realtor in the US, #16 in the World

They do in my market!  Its Mo town baby.  Living in or by the "D" your ride better be sweet. (You may not know but Oakland County is of the richest counties in America.)  We forgive you for not driving a high end American car if you drive a high end European car.  But NO ONE  in the top tier  here drives Japanese unless its a Honda S 2000, and thats just to race on Woodward. ( M 1)

Jun 16, 2015 01:46 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I think some people do, but I haven't seen it very much. I'm a loyal Subaru owner and I will stay that way no matter what a client thinks. 

Jun 11, 2015 11:35 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Bob,

Some will and some wont..  It depends where you are selling. A

Jun 11, 2015 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I am sure some of them do...But then those people judge everyone comparing them to themselves.

Jun 11, 2015 09:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

I would not like to have that as a criteria for choosing what I want to drive but it happens. Can a 1970 Buick Electra 225 be bad for business?

Jun 11, 2015 07:12 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

YES, but probably more by the condition and cleansiness of the car.

Jun 11, 2015 06:42 AM
Rainer
216,475
Bob Publicover
Publicover Realty Group, inc - Stuart, FL
Thinking outside the box

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

It seems we have a split decision.

Jun 11, 2015 06:38 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Bob Publicover I don't think it matters for my clients.....they are referrals and perhaps know me long before we get into business relationships.

Though for high-end market, this may be true!

Can't afford TESLA now....

Jun 11, 2015 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
687,136
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Some do, some don't. Depends on individual clients, I believe. It does need to be clean, though. Having said that, I'd hate to show up in a clunker at a luxury home.

Jun 11, 2015 06:14 AM
Rainer
347,358
Karen Johnson, Realtor, ABR
Addison Wolfe Real Estate - Doylestown, PA
"Bucks County PA Homes"

I have often thought aboutn but not everyone will like your car for one reason or another.  Is success based on a status car (i.e., BMW, Mercedes, etc,) ?  It is your car and if you are happy with it, that is all that matters!

Jun 11, 2015 05:18 AM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

Probably no different than any other industry.  However, presentation skills and first impression of how you present yourself are more important.  The car doesn't sell the home.  

Jun 11, 2015 05:08 AM
Rainer
55,673
Joe D'Agostino
NMLS# 729950 - Manahawkin, NJ
Mortgage Officer 46 years!

Bob..I can tell you that Realtors have made many comments on Mortgage guys. I can remember on more that one occasion a Realtor saying" I will never use him for my mortgage,see what he drives." I will also tell you is it depends on your buyers and the community you "farm". Some buyers feel if you drive a "High end" car you are successful,but some people feel intimidated. As the saying goes. you should look successfulto be successful.

Jun 11, 2015 04:52 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

Sadly people do judge you based on what you drive, I've seen it happen tons of times. I don't care my service would do better compard to most people driving a fancy car, their loss!

Jun 11, 2015 04:38 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,364
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Sure, some do.

 

Jun 11, 2015 01:10 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Some might. I found that more prospects related well to my Honda Accord than to my Mercedes. 

Jun 11, 2015 01:02 AM