Real Estate Agents and Big Cars vs. Modest Vehicles
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
United States
January 8, 2008 12:09pm CST
I am a realtor in the Columbus Ohio area. As we all know, the real estate industry has really gone south in the last 18 to 24 months. My question for you all is this. Are you more impressed with a realtor that drives a big expensive car, or a realtor that drives a modest vehicle? There are realtors around town with Hummers and their logo all over the side and I see their names on the foreclosure sale list with the County Sheriff. Is what you see, really what you get? How would you judge or pick a realtor to sell your home, or to show you around town?
2 responses
@my52cents (569)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Well, I may be a reverse snob, but I'd be perfectly happy with a realtor in a modest car. In fact, if I saw someone with flashy signs on their hummer, I think I'd steer clear. That says to me that the person might be all talk and no action. It's probably wrong to judge a book by its cover, or a realtor by her car, but seems to me that someone in a modest car - as long as it's clean and looks nice - might be more willing to work hard for me and that's what I would want, more so than a tour in a showcase car.
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
• United States
8 Jan 08
My car hit the 99,000 mile mark this week and about 6 months ago I began doing my research for a new vehicle. My current "modest vehicle" has served me well since purchasing it new in 2002. It has a 100,000 mile 10 year warranty. You think it will all fall apart in 1,000 more miles?:) Prior to this vehicle, I had a Isuzu Rodeo that I put 160,000 miles on before getting a new car. This time I am teetering between a Haundai Santa Fe (good mileage and warranty) and a flashy smaller Mercedes probably a 300 series. Do you think BMS's are pretentious? I am sure I will go with the SUV but wanted opinions from all sources.
@my52cents (569)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I think the Santa Fe sounds awesome, but I'm a country girl in a rural state, so I may not be the best one to ask. Around here, the Mercedes or BMW might be slightly pretentious and definitely turn heads since there aren't many of them, but where you live they might go over very well. A big hummer, though, is somewhat pretentious wherever it is, although my brother-in-law the dentist has one (a very tasteful-looking one) and it's a great vehicle to ride in, very comfortable and super safe.
1 person likes this
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I'm sure I'll go with the Santa Fe, with 7 dogs and 6 cats, a Mercedes or BMW may not be a good choice :) I can get my signs in the back and carry the 4 legged crew as well! I miss my Rodeo, the SUV is a really great choice for a Realtor, especially when you cart around buyers. These past years, my little modest vehicle has served me very well as far as gas mileage, etc. As I sit here in my office looking out the window, there are many luxury vehicles around here, to be sure!
@bizallies (15)
• United States
21 Jan 08
Personally, how impressive the vehicle that the Agent has, is not what would matter to me in regard to who I would pick to sell my home. What would matter to me, would be the reputation and testimonials of other customers they served, including their knowledge and kind of help the customer received.
Other things that would be more important to me would be things like virtual tours, and what kind of Customer Relationship Marketing tools they use with their potential buying customers. How they reach the buying market and those results.
Hope this helps.
@JanisRemaxRealtor (432)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I appreciate your response. I think you are correct. I have testimonials in my buyers / sellers packets along with the websites and publications I market in and on. Just about all of the buyers I meet begin their search on the internet, so that is where realtors need to be as well, in my opinion. I have built up a good reputation and hope to keep it that way. Thanks again for responding! Have a good day!
@bizallies (15)
• United States
21 Jan 08
It sounds like you are right on track and doing great, especially with the state of the housing market. Great business people ask good questions, which is exactly what you have done first hand to find out what is important to sellers or buyers in regard to vehicles.
Nothing beats testimonials of happy customers, so glad you have yours.
I actually bought my home from a Remax Agent and have a lot of respect for Remax over all of the other Realtor choices out there.
Glad to hear you have an internet presence as well.
Wishing you prosperity in 2008.
