I'm amazed at all you guys and gals that do not!?!

That is prime time-"connection time". You are missing out on sales time too. I hear all the conversations, I learn more about them, they ask questions. This is deepen the relationship time.

I have always put my clients in my car and the only times I don't: when they prefer there's for the car seats/kids and meeting on-site for one property.

Upfront contract: No food allowed and if you spill it, we divert immediately to the car wash... on you.

Any time you have the opportunity for a captive audience whether by land, sea or air I'm all in.

Rarely these days as I work mostly with sellers.  I would not allow a client to eat anything in my car ... let alone a stinky smelly taco bell.  Bottle water is on the house in my car. If we are hungry we stop for a meal. 

I have NEVER allowed clients in my vehicles and never will.  I can't tell you how many of my clients express their thanks for this telling me the last time they worked with a Realtor, they insisted upon traveling together and wouldn't shut up!!  Gave them zero privacy and no opportunity to return VM or text messages, etc.  They don't want to become best buds with us at this stage, they simply want to buy a home.  Proving our professionalism and competence is what will impress them, not chatter over a cheeseburger!

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS got it right!

Putting buyers in your car helps you wrap the home search up quicker. 

It does form a connection that you cannot get from e-mail or a text or them driving in a car behind you. You need to hear their thoughts and be there to keep them grounded.

Eve

Part of my typical agreement with a client is that they drive. I am willing to meet them at the first house or their home etc. but from there they drive. Liability, wear and tear on the car and actually it seems to end up with the buyers being more versed on the properties they are seeing.

I'm with Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS on this one.  If you're showing multiple properties, it is best if everyone is in the same vehicle.  Great bonding and it allows you to help them narrow down to the right house. 

Now, I won't do this if I'm just showing one or two homes close by or if car seats are involved.

They like my Lincoln and I can connect with them.

I prefer they to ride with me.

Absolutely the best use of windshield time.

I don't typically and that is fine with me.  I have never had an issue with buyers following me.  

Yes. It is a great time to get to know their needs and thoughts about the homes we are seeing. We work a lot with relocation clients so can spend a day or two with them while they are in town. It would be silling and a waste of gas for them to follow in their own car. But for local clients often with only 1 or 2 houses they drive themselves.

Very rarely unless they just fly in for the day.

Richard Bazinet /MBA Not anymore.

Of course but no smoking or eating.

Very rare now

I alway have.  Never know what info you will pick up between showings.

I do but rarely it seems these days. Almost always only those in from out of town and never with kids but then that is a great time to talk

I loved taking clients in my car because it gave us lots of talk, rapport building, time before and after showings.   I did not take families, however.  

It depends.  Really it does.

In my market, with limited inventory, the first time showing properties to buyers may include just a handful of properties at most. That initial time may include clients in the car. Subsequent visits may only be one or two properties and it may be easier to meet at number 1 and then travel separately to the next.

For relocating clients, I like to show them different neighborhoods and points of interest.

Then you also have the child factor or the number of people who will be "looking".   This is something that is typically addressed upfront but I've been surprised on occasion  by a "committee".   

So once again...it depends...like most of life and real estate too.  

When necessary, yes if I know them well and have worked with them for a while...Usually I meet them at the property..

no one on my team has clients in their car.... 

This isn't something that happens to me as a home stager so no I don't

I love having the buyers in my car.  I get to know them, them to know me, and we can chat about homes, neighborhoods and all things important.  It truly is a bonding time.   Yes, they can eat Taco Bell in there too.  I have WeatherTech mats and leather, it is all washable.

Only once. No, I don't have clients ride with me. I'll meet them at the property or office. 

Richard,

What Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS and Kevin J. May said.

I don't mind doing this, but I don't have to as much these days. Recently I worked with a couple that preferred to drive their own vehicle because they had their dog in the car. That was fine by me. It seems more and more people want to meet at the house and drive on their own. 

Only under "duress" e.g. car in shop and that's rare; prefer not to. There are benefits - can chat, get better acquainted and get feedback after showings.

I let them get in by themselves.  

I still take folks out in my car.

Sure do and it beats Mister Toad's Wild Ride at Disney. Causes my clients to buy the first home they see to cut the ride short

No.

I have always preferred to have prospects in my car unless they have children with them.

I've not put clients in my car in years  - no need to anymore and I do not want the liability or insurance premiums increase

I'm with you...never to rarely

Yes, I do. Why not? I like having them in my car... gives me a chance to develop some real relationships.

Same here: never to rarely. If it is a short drive, very difficult parking ( typical for some L.A. streets), or elder clients. 

I do.  I've never let fear of liability prohibit my business.  I'm a great driver.

Richard Bazinet /MBA - Nop!

Rarely.  My buyers prefer to follow or meet me at the property and that works for me, especially if I have another appointment later.

I have not in a few years offer to ride or ride with a client. 

I very rarely do this any more. I just tell them what vehicle I am driving and ask them to follow me.

Sometimes...it is easier to have them in my car than for them to try and follow

  Not for several years now. 

It has been a while  I have.

I do put them in the car

I do love it when they ride with me but, most of them prefer to take their own car.  What I have found is that they prefer to talk among themselves and answer business calls and emails without feeling like they have to be 'on' when riding along (with me or any other agent).  

Very often, my clients are already local and we 'spot' hit homes (seeing 1 or 2 at a time) so, they prefer to meet me there, rather than me picking them up.  

A whole lot less than 5 years ago but every so often it works best for both me and the client.

I do many times but we never eat  in the car.

Very rarely, most often they meet me. The only time seems to be relocations

Only if they've been very bad lol

Most don't, but there are times it is appropriate. For instance, your car is winter safe and the client's rental car is not.

For an established customer that asks - sure.  For a new customer, for safety reasons, I better think I can handle myself in a fisticuffs, knife, gun scuffle; then if I'm even worried about a scuffle - probably no showings at all.

Not as often as I once did

I'm happy to drive with them in my car, but so many buyers want to drive themselves. Whatever they are comfortable with, I'm happy to accommodate.   :)

I dopped the insurance rider long ago and no they do not ride in my vehicle.

Occasionally I will rent a vehicle for out of towners.

When it comes up sure I will....

You drive your car I drive mine we meet at one common point.